Vitamins and supplements along with such herbs for steam inhalation as ginger, lemongrass, lemon, perilla to protect against COVID-19 have become best-sellers in Da Nang following a spike in community infections.

Such herbs for steam inhalation as lemongrass and lemon products are being sold at wet markets across Da Nang. Picture is taken at the Hoa Cam traditional market. Photo: THU HA

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly, an employee working in a pharmacy located on Tran Quang Dieu Street in An Hai Tay Ward, Son Tra District, said that such vitamins and supplements as Vitamin C effervescent tablets and multivitamins become top selling products at her pharmacy, and these products are sold out very quickly. In addition, such herbs for steam inhalation as lemongrass, ginger, perilla, and dried herb leaves are the most sold products in wet markets.

Steam inhalation is one of the most widely used home remedies to soothe and open the nasal passages and get relief from the symptoms of a cold or sinus infection. The age of COVID-19 has facilitated this traditional home remedy to resurface among the general mass as a helpful approach for the prevention and adjuvant treatment of the disease. “Natural spices (turmeric, ginger, garlic etc.) and leaves (neem, paw, guava, etc.) with notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were found to be beneficial. These home remedies may hold promise in the prophylaxis and cure of COVID-19 infection.

In recent days, stalls selling dried herbs at the Con market have been crowded with buyers. After the Lunar New Year holiday, an average of 70 to over 100 packages of dried herbs for steam inhalation have been sold every day, and the figures have been much higher than normal. In addition, dried honey locusts are in high demand from local residents. A dried herb seller said that using dried honey locusts is one of the best solutions to purify air at home in the context of COVID-19.

Apart from being sold at wet markets, dried herbs are being offered for sale on social media sites like zalo and facebook. Currently, essential oils of melaleuca, lemongrass, grapefruit, cinnamon become best- selling products in grocery stores and pharmacies. Besides, essential oil diffusers, vaporizers, steam tents are the most popular items in Da Nang, and they are sold at different prices.

According to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, COVID-19 patients under home-based isolation and care require close monitoring of their health from local healthcare workers in a bid to prevent them from developing worse conditions. Such patients are advised to focus on rest, good hydration, proper nutrition and following the advice of healthcare professionals in order to help them make a full recovery from the illness. In addition, they should keep a positive mindset and following careful instructions from health providers.

Reporting by QUYNH TRANG – THU HA – Translating by H.L