Dr Shingie Chiurunge says people can continue drinking Zumbani tea and other herbs to boost their immunity and not as a COVID-19 cure.
This follows misleading information that is being peddled on social media that Zumbani, snuff and other herbs treat COVID-19.
Prices of such things as Zumbani tea, lemons, garlic, ginger and snuff have risen sharply following the messages.
However, in an interview on Tuesday Talk, Dr Chiurunge said there is currently no drug or herb in the world that specifically fight COVID-19.
She said the current COVID-19 period is the same as the early days of HIV.
“Just like the early days of HIV this is where we are at the moment so there is no single effective drug. Everything that is on the market is just to try and help your immune system fight off the virus or to support your other condition.
“So anyone who is selling anything saying this will cure COVID-19 is lying.
“There is nothing on the market not even from the Swiss pharmaceutical companies there is nothing that can cure COVID-19,” she said.
Can Covid-19 positive people take Zumbani?
Dr Chiurunge added that there is no problem for uninfected people taking herbs and steaming. She said she is worried about those infected with COVID-19 who are being told to take Zumbani as a cure.
“Now to herbal treatment and steaming, one aspect is for people not infected, there is no harm in boosting immunity. My granny used to give me ginger porridge without fail at least twice a week and here I am.
“I like herbal teas, I drink Zumbani tea. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using herbal medicines to boost your general immunity along with exercises and eating well.
“My only issue is when 55-year old diabetic men receive PCR positive results then someone tells him to take Zumbani.
“They say take Zumbani and you will be fine when such a person should be under some medical care.
“Yes take Zumbani or your ginger but such people must be under early medical care. This is because what will kill them is their diabetic and complications of diabetics which COVID-19 exacerbates.
“So my only issue with people pushing herbal remedies is those who are pushing it for a cure,” she said. #OpenCovidContracts
