The clinical trials for the local herb Lagundi against COVID-19 has been approved by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), said Secretary Fortunato dela Peña.
“The project aims to determine if lagundi, as adjuvant therapy, can provide symptomatic relief for mild Covid-19 patients without co-morbidities. It also aims to determine if lagundi can decrease the number of patients who progress from mild to moderate or severe case,”
– Secretary Fortunato dela Peña
He also added that lagundi table or syrup is a proven bronchodilator for cough treatment.
“Several studies have also explained lagundi’s antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral activities,”
Because of these pharmacologic properties, dela Peña said lagundi seems a suitable choice for the symptomatic treatment of Covid-19 patients.
However, he clarified that even if the DOST has approved this, this would still need the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
If approved, this peoject would be for five months and would be implemented by Dr. Cecilia Maramba of the University of the Philippines Manila.
Once they get the approval, their target date of implementation would be on August 1.
“There are numerous studies involving lagundi. It also has been one of our traditional herbs used for cough, which has been scientifically validated to be efficacious for treating respiratory symptoms, such as those in nonbacterial cough and asthma,” dela Peña ended.
