Connect with us

National

Kenyans embrace home-based remedies to boost immunity amid COVID-19 risks

Currently, a definite treatment remains elusive as countries utilize what responds well with a patient. Whether honey and ginger is just a placebo, the jury is out.

Please Share

Published

3 years ago

on

A mixture of ginger and lemon. Photo/Courtesy

Irene Kasyoka sipped a mixture of ginger and lemon as she watched out for customers in her vegetable stall located on the eastern edges of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Her son was drinking the same mixture with sniffling interjections during an unusually chilly day.

To Kasyoka and her child, the renowned home remedy is their holy grail when it comes to warding off cold and COVID-19 disease.

“I have been preparing this remedy since the start of the pandemic, my husband and our two sons take it regularly. Making the mixture fulfils me as a mother and wife because I am assured of my family’s well-being,” Kasyoka said.

The desire by Kenyans to keep COVID-19 at bay has compelled them to explore home-based remedies.

Currently, the use of ginger, a natural antioxidant, lemon and honey are commonly known as ‘dawa’ (medicine) is rapidly gaining momentum for its alleged COVID-19 healing properties.

Expressing deep faith in the natural concoction, Kasyoka said that if anyone in her family shows early signs of a flu or cold, the mixture is promptly administered and within hours the flu dies down.

With COVID-19 symptoms mimicking a common cold, the homemade remedy was the most obvious medicine she reached out for.

Josephine Mbondo, a pharmacist said that the use of ginger is essential in boosting people’s health as it protects against colorectal cancer.

Lemon, on the other hand, is rich in Vitamin C and great for detoxing, according to Mbondo.

Kenya’s ministry of health has emphasized on proper nutrition and adherence to prevention measures like wearing masks and maintaining social distance in order to reduce COVID-19 transmissions.

“I urge Kenyans to seek nutritional counselling before embarking on using home remedies. This can be accessed in the nearest health facility. A healthy balanced diet is highly recommended,” said Patrick Amoth, acting director-general in the Ministry of Health.

Like China, Kenya has also a long-standing history of using traditional medicine that has been confirmed effective in the treatment of many diseases.

Clinical evidence has affirmed that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a significant effect on the treatment of COVID-19.

Helen Atiwa, a mother of two boys, said that she was certain that a mixture of ginger and lemon a day would be an effective weapon against COVID-19.

In addition to that, Atiwa has taken more interest in the vegetable intake and whole foods to boost her health.

She said that it may take scientists a while to come up with a drug or vaccine that is safe and efficient but vowed to keep taking her fruits and natural remedies.

Currently, a definite treatment remains elusive as countries utilize what responds well with a patient. Whether honey and ginger is just a placebo, the jury is out.

Story by Xinhua

Please Share
Related Topics:Irene KasyokaTraditional Chinese MedicineVitamin CXinhua
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National

Atheists fault petition seeking to deregister society

Atheists in Kenya have protested a petition that they say seeks to create a notion that Kenya is a nation by and for believers in God only.

Please Share

Published

5 months ago

on

September 26, 2022

By

President of the Atheists in Kenya Society, Harrison Mumia

Atheists in Kenya have protested a petition that they say seeks to create a notion that Kenya is a nation by and for believers in God only.

Former Juja MP, Dr Stephen Ndichu has moved to court seeking to have the Atheists in Kenya Society suspended on grounds that its continued existence is unconstitutional.

In a statement, the society’s president, Harrison Mumia says the petition is an assault on religious freedom and an insult to the diversity of the Kenyan people.

“We find the petition repugnant to a good conscience,” he stated adding that Dr Ndichu is a Christian fundamentalist who seems to harbour paranoid fantasies about the dangers of atheists existing in Kenya.

He further accused Dr Ndichu of seeing enemies where there is none and that the society was surprised, but not shocked as religion has historically inhibited progress.

He vowed that the society would do everything within its power to defend its right to remain a registered society and urged Kenyans to support fighting the petition.

On Sunday, the society said it will be writing to President William Ruto seeking an invitation to State House, just like the evangelical denominations.

Please Share
Continue Reading

National

Uhuru Gardens ready for Madaraka Day fete, says PS Kibicho

The principal secretary said they would be visiting the gardens every Thursday until June 1 to ensure all loose ends are tied up properly, promising that the celebrations will be very colourful.

Please Share

Published

9 months ago

on

May 13, 2022

By

Madaraka Day

This year’s national Madaraka Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi County will be open to 30,000 people, up from 10,000 in 2021.

Permanent Secretary in the State Department for Interior, Dr Karanja Kibicho, said this follows the relaxation of COVID-19 containment measures.

“Children will also be allowed in on the celebrations this year, and we expect county celebrations to happen too,” the PS said while on an inspection tour of the venue.

The PS said the government decided to move the celebrations from the County rotational back to Nairobi because it will be the last event for the current administration before it exits office.

“Because of the significance of this particular Madaraka day, being the last for this regime, we decided to celebrate it at Uhuru Gardens to break the tradition of celebrating it in counties,”

He revealed that preparations were currently at 90 percent complete and expressed confidence that all will be set for the event as the country marks 59 years of self rule.

The principal secretary said they would be visiting the gardens every Thursday until June 1 to ensure all loose ends are tied up properly, promising that the celebrations will be very colourful.

Please Share
Continue Reading

National

Queen Elizabeth mourns Kibaki as a great Statesman with commendable legacy

Kibaki will be buried at his home in Othaya, Nyeri County on Saturday.

Please Share

Published

10 months ago

on

April 29, 2022

By

Queen Elizabeth II has mourned former President the late Mwai Kibaki eulogizing him as “a great statesman”.

“I was sorry to receive the news of the death of Mwai Kibaki. He had a lifelong record of service to the Kenyan people. It will be of deep sadness to your country to have lost a great statesman, but Kenya can take pride in the legacy of his leadership. I send you and the people of Kenya my condolences at this loss,” the message read.

The British High Commission further affirmed its close ties to Kenya and renewed its assurances to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The British High Commission avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya the assurances of its highest consideration,” the High Commission said.

The late Kibaki passed away on 21 April 2022, aged 90.

President Uhuru, who issued a proclamation that he would be granted a state funeral with full civilian and military honours, announced his death.

Kibaki will be buried at his home in Othaya, Nyeri County on Saturday.

Please Share
Continue Reading

Trending