Let’s use traditional medicine to cure COVID-19 because China used just ‘SOBOLO’ to cure theirs.
The claim is inaccurate. The hibiscus flower has not been proven or approved as a singular cure for the coronavirus and China has not ‘cured’ the virus by using the plant. The articles cited in the viral video did not name hibiscus (sobolo) as a coronavirus cure.
Full Text
A drink or tea made from hibiscus flower, known in Ghana as sobolo and in Nigeria as sobo/zobo, according to a viral video, has been used by China to cure the novel coronavirus, Covid-19.
The video, which we also found on One Ghana TV via Facebook showed the Executive Director for Soul Health and Wellness Center, Nana Okogyedom Ntim-Barimah, popularly known as Oheneba, in an interview with Kofi Adomah Nwanwani of Kofi TV.
The video was captioned “Lets use traditional medicine to cure COVID-19, because China used just ‘SOBOLO’ to cure theirs.”
In the interview, Nana Ntim-Barimah claimed the Chinese used ‘sobolo’ to cure the COVID-19 and called on Ghanaians to do the same.
“These people are deceiving us. They are deceiving us seriously because they have made up their minds to use us as their market…Do you know sobolo? It is the hibiscus flower that is called Sobolo. The Chinese are using it to treat coronavirus and we are sitting here waiting for WHO to say a medicine has been found. May God have mercy on Africans,” Nana Ntim-Berimah said.
The video has been shared over 8500 times on One Ghana TV alone and has 104,475 views on YouTube.
In the video, Nana Ntim-Berimah refers to two articles which he suggests have information on the use of the flower as a cure for the coronavirus in China. Dubawa checked this claim.
Verification
There is widespread use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) by China to treat Covid-19. Information available indicates that TCMs are highly valued by the Chinese government and have been recommended by its health ministry to be used together with conventional medicine in the treatment of Covid-19.
On 17 February, the National Health Commission of China (NHC) announced that 85.20% of the 60,107 confirmed cases at the time had been treated with TCM.
A YouTube live news post by CGTN also showed how Chinese frontline doctors in China are using TCM to fight the coronavirus pandemic. According to this video, TCM has proven to be effective in the treatment of Covid-19 cases in China and has also been found effective when complemented with western medicine. The video also states that 90.6% of COVID-19 patients have been given TCM treatment in Hubei.
Sequel to this, advocates of traditional medicines and herbs have called on the government of Ghana to follow the Chinese example and consider using some traditional medicines in the treatment of patients.
Delving into the Claim
Two articles were mentioned and referred to by Nana Ntim-Berimah in the video which he credits for the information on hibiscus as effective cure for coronavirus in Ghana, as it has been in the case of China.
The first one, “Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Patients Infected with 2019-New Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): A Review and Perspective” published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences discusses the beneficial effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) use in the treatment of the 2019-nCov as, according to the study, more than 85% of infected people in China are being treated with TCM.
Dubawa found that the article does not mention that the hibiscus flower has been used for the treatment of Covid-19 in China. In fact, hibiscus is not mentioned in the article at all.
The article does, however, note that some TCMs have been used in treating Covid-19 patients in a protocol that involves clinical trials to ascertain their effectiveness.
What is important to note here is that these TCMs are composites of various herbs and tackle various symptoms which may be related to covid-19. For instance, the Yu Ping Feng San TCM formula contains Astragali radix (Astragalus root), Astragalus membranaceus( Astragalus flower), Atractylodes macrocephala, and Saposhnikoviae Radix which helps in protecting against external pathogens and have antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects.
Furthermore, different TCMs are stated to be used for different conditions. For instance, for fatigue and fever, TCM recommended by the 6Th edition Guidelines of Diagnosis and Treatment for COVID-19 is Lian Hua Qing Wen Capsule, Shu Feng Jie Du Capsule, and Jin Hua Qing Gan Capsule. This differs from Shen Fu Injection which could inhibit the inflammation of the lungs.
No singular herb or medication was identified to cure Covid-19.
The article cautions that most of the clinical studies to test the efficacy of TCMs are poorly designed and that the results could lead to potential biases in evaluating the effectiveness of TCM treatment. It further states that herbs used in TCM may mimic, or magnify, or counter the effects of conventional medicines, therefore calling for further evaluation of the safety of TCM.
The second article, High antiviral effects of hibiscus tea extract on the H5 subtypes of low and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, was published in May 2016 and has nothing to do with the novel coronavirus. The study was conducted by a group of scientists in Japan, Vietnam and Thailand.
In fact, the article talks of the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) and how some selected tea extracts, including the hibiscus tea, had effects on the H5N1 HPAIV.
The abstract of the article also shows that Nana Ntim-Barimah left out the part that said the herbs were screened against the H5N1 HPAIV in vitro.
According to information from the CDC, the H5N1 HPAIV is a virus that mainly occurs in birds and was first detected in humans in 1997 during a poultry outbreak in Hong Kong. Symptoms of H5N1 in humans may include fever (often high fever, > 38°C) and malaise, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. Other early symptoms may also include abdominal pain, chest pain and diarrhea. They further state that the infection may progress quickly to severe respiratory illness (for example, difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, pneumonia, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) and neurologic changes (altered mental status or seizures).
Although symptoms of the H5N1 virus are similar to the novel coronavirus, they are not the same virus. Furthermore, the study was not conducted on the novel coronavirus, thus making the reference to coronavirus as proof of its efficacy in curing covid-19 baseless.
Upon further attention to the video, some disparities are noticed. For instance, Nana Ntim-Berimah speaks about boosting the immune system as a way to fight the virus. This, he links to the use of the hibiscus tea, brewed together with other spices like cloves and ginger among others. In this regard, it seems he is lending credence to the importance of a strong immune system in fighting the coronavirus. This does not point directly and solely to “sobolo” as a cure to coronavirus.
Dubawa’s efforts to contact Nana Ntim-Berimah for comments have been unsuccessful till now. We will, however, update this article when we eventually get through to him.
Could the hibiscus tea be the Covid-19 Cure?
Dubawa found that although hibiscus tea was not explicitly mentioned in the first article referred to by Nana Ntim-Berimah as a Covid-19 cure, it may be useful in treating viral infections as seen in the second article.
Based on the similarities between the symptoms of the two pathogens, correlations can be established on the strength of another study conducted. According to this study, the hibiscus extract (Hibiscus L. Sabdariffa) inhibited viral replication and the expression of viral antigens and genes. The hibiscus tea showed the most notable antiviral effects against both H5 HPAIV and Low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV). The plant is therefore recommended as a potent anti-influenza drug.
Conclusion
No specific treatment has been identified as cure for COVID-19. Indeed, alternative medicine is being used by countries like China in their fight against the virus and may be a useful venture for other countries to follow. According to information from China, TCM is proving successful in COVID-19 treatment. However, these TCMs are being subjected to clinical trials and outcomes are being awaited.
Furthermore, WHO, the organisation at the forefront of information regarding the pandemic, has not recommended any specific medicines to treat or cure COVID-19.
ROSELLE Tea (HIBISCUS) is not the treatment but it MAY block the SARS CoV2 virus by
“Inhibition of angiotensin convertin enzyme (ACE) activity by the anthocyanins delphinidin- and cyanidin-3-O-sambubiosides from Hibiscus sabdariffa”
i will give the references. those are theoretical. at this point of time (after passing of a year of post COVID-19 beginning) Needs SURVEY – ROSELLE vs SARSCoV-2.
NOT THEORY-ONLY NEEDS SURVEY.
Please let them FILL THE FORM WHO TOOK THE ROSELLE TEA and if they got COVID-19 means this tea is not working for SARS Co2 VIRUS PREVENTION.
(My experience with Roselle tea is being a practicing eye specialist I might have exposed to Corona virus- So far i did not get COVID-19 Ofcourse I am taking all the precautions. I used to drink this Hibiscus tea every day for the past 9 months. Hope I may not get Covid19. meanwhile Govt. Of India started giving us COvaxin/ Covishield for the front line warriors. I may get vaccination within a week or ten days. I am not getting any benefit with this tea for my Hypertension. I recovered from mild cold within 2 hours following accidentally worn the Mask of my wife’s mask who is suffering with cold )
The following letter is copied from my ARCHIEVED MESSAGE. I sent this letter to so many organizations internationally from April 2020.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
DEAR FRIENDS
If you are drinking ROSELLE TEA REGULARLY. please fill the
*A SURVEY for MASK LESS WORLD WITHOUT FEAR. & ROselle TEA( Hibiscus Tea) on scientific basis.
https://forms.gle/fwtS191ohTuTodTA7
Namasthe.
As We are seeing the effects of life and wealth loss for the past 6 months and it will take a few more months to years to recover from COVID-19. The mask is the problem to prevent progress in every aspect. But the MASK is inevitable to avoid COVID19 and its financial impact.
It came to my notice from wikipedia that ROSELLE TEA ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roselle_(plant) ) may block SARS Cov2 BY BLOCKING the Human ACE2 RECEPTORS.
So many things claimed to protect from COVID-19 in various places including from India. Fortunately Roselle tea is published in “US pubmed” regarding this Roselle tea. It is useful in influenza and so.
( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31620998/ )
Will ROSELLE TEA block NOVO CORONA VIRUS2? Difficult to say. But simple questionnaire will give us the clue. Let us discuss the thing.
ROSELLE Tea is the one used to be taken regularly by the people in some countries like Mexico Panama Egypt ect.. Those people can give us feed back for this question. If they got COVID 19 even if they are drinking Roselle tea regularly means it is useless against SARS CoV2. IF they did not get covid19 even though their family members and their neighbour got it then this survey will give us the CLUE to think about it.
My video will give you the links and QR code as reference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTk0G4mOKk0
I tried to send this letter to the Indian government. All state government health concerned authorities. All countries health authorities. Including USA CDC. WHO. GERMANY ITALY. BRAZIL EGYPT etc.. Lufthansa. Alitalia.etc.. so far i did not get single reply. I tried all these 5 months from April 2020.
I was so exited when i gone through literature. All the correspondance through the email addresses. https://forms.gle/fwtS191ohTuTodTA7
It may be 100% worth or else some clue. but it is worth a survey. It costs nothing, no research. No vaccine. no injection. No tablet required except simple survey.
Thank you. Jai Hindh.
Dr manohar chalavadi
Eye specialist.
INDIA
WHATSAPP N0. +919849793959.
Google Docs (https://forms.gle/fwtS191ohTuTodTA7)
*A SURVEY for MASK LESS WORLD WITHOUT FEAR. ROselle TEA( Hibiscus Tea). مسح لعالم أفضل بدون قناع وخوف شاي روسيل شاي راسل / *{“كاركادي” * (FRENCH) UNE ENQUÊTE pour MASK MOINS MONDE SANS PEUR. ROselle TEA (Thé à l’Hibiscus). *(ITALIAN) UN SONDAGGIO per MASK LESS WORLD SENZA PAURA. *(PORTUGUESE) UMA PESQUISA PARA O MUNDO SEM MÁSCARA SEM MEDO. ROselle TEA (Chá de Hibisco / rosa de Jamaica) *(SPANISH) UNA ENCUESTA para MASK LESS WORLD SIN MIEDO. ROselle TEA (té de hibisco)(aguas frescas / SORREL / ROSA DE JAMAICA) *(SWAHILI) UTAFITI WA MASK DUNIANI KIDOGO BILA HOFU. CHOYA/ BAGAMOYO WINE (Roselle wine) …
in contest of COVID-19. au concours de COVID-19.
The post on Is Sobolo the magic cure for coronavirus was shared by TroTro stories to show people the ridiculousness of uneducated pastors and functional illiterate conman in Ghana. It was not endorsed as true by us, the content is not our creation. That is why it has no heading from us, we watched it, thought it was so stupid and funny everybody would get the funny and and stupid angle of the content. Just like content that we shared about pastors in Ghana, especially since one Ghana TV is known for making fun of stupid pastors and charlatans. So our assumption of sharing this content is predicated on the fact that the Tv station that produced that content is known for making satire fun of pastors and charlatans, the interview is self evident of the satire of the content as to the attitude of the interviewer towards the interviewee. So we dispute your assertion that we shared published false content, nobody in Ghana knows this TV station as a factual content producer, its a satirical station. So we dispute your assertion that we published false content, we have also captioned the content to show what we feel about the content, for people with less cognition to know how we see the content before they watch it. We would now caption all satirical content that we share to avoid any confusion and make everybody aware about our stance of contents we share with CAPTIONS from now on.
Dear Ofori,
Thank you for reaching out. We are aware the content is not your creation but one shared on your platform. What we and others who may have seen the post were unaware of was your motive for sharing it. Nothing showed it was shared because you considered it funny or ludicrous.
Again, the fact remains that not everyone is able to discern satire from factual claims or real news. Therefore the likelihood of people believing the claims made in the video is high. In fact, we received the video via other platforms including Whatsapp and we have also heard of people rushing for sobolo because of the claims made in the video.
This is why it is important to caption posts appropriately, if you must share, before doing so, for the avoidance of doubts.
Doing so may even not be foolproof as in some cases people may ignore your caption so far as the content of the said satire aligns with their beliefs.
And so yes, please caption your contents appropriately going forward.