Atara store owners confirmed that the fear of the Corona virus contributed to the popularity of herbal products, such as dairy products, black beans, bitter ginger, hermelot, eucalyptus, wormwood, sesame and turmeric, as it prompted many to try everything available to avoid infection and increase the immunity of their bodies.
They told «Emirates Today» that the increased demand for these products contributed to raising their prices, noting the presence of traditional recipes and herbs that increase the body’s immunity, fight colds, as well as use them to sterilize homes.
They added that most consumers were carrying herbal pictures because they did not know their names.
Consumers confirmed that they had seen recipes and mixes on social media, and had resorted to it to strengthen their immunity.
They said that these herbs do not harm, and strengthen the immune system.
In contrast, a doctor cautioned against overusing herbs, explaining that some of them contain allergens.
He stressed the absence of studies on the benefits of the recipes promoted by the communication sites, as well as the lack of evidence that they protect against "corona".
In detail, workers in spices and herbs in Sharjah confirmed that during the Corona crisis, they received many people who asked about mixtures and prescriptions to treat "corona" and limit its spread. Some of them also requested materials used to sterilize the atmosphere of homes.
They added that most of the people they visited did not know the names of the herbs they wanted to buy from them. Instead of the names, they uploaded to their phones videos and pictures transmitted from social networking sites and "YouTube", asking to buy or mix them, to combat "Corona".
They pointed out that the most herbs that were required during the past three months were milk, which increased the price of one kilogram to more than 200 dirhams, and the natural bitter substance used for sterilization and treatment of some pathological conditions, and the price of some varieties reached 600 dirhams per kilogram, as well as powders Ginger, turmeric, black seed and rosemary.
The merchant, Ismail Masoud, stressed that the herbs, which some believe increase immunity, increased significantly during the period of the "Corona" crisis, pointing to the increase in sales of ginger, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, mint leaf, green tea, milk and myrrh. He attributes this to the widespread belief among citizens and residents that it helps sterilize homes and reduce coronavirus infection.
He added that most of the customers who ask for herbs to boost immunity are women and girls.
He stressed that most of the elderly and old women see that the natural herbs that are used to prevent influenza and respiratory diseases are effective and do not cause side effects, including, for example, garlic, ginger, lemon, cumin and turmeric, as they are anti-bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
He pointed out that he was surprised by recipes and mixes that many members of society flock to, and are searching for them in the Attarin market to protect themselves from infection with the Corona virus.
Consumers said: Lamia Mazin, Fatima Fathi, and Umm Said, that they resort to herbal medicine to treat many diseases. They confirmed taking medical prescriptions through social networking sites and the YouTube platform to prevent corona disease. They also searched online for herbs that increase the body's immunity to viruses and went to the perfume market to buy them.
And they continued that they are preparing for their children and their husbands several mixes to strengthen their immunity, pointing to the circulation of mixtures that include safe and accurate standards - according to their expression - on some social networking sites.
According to Umm Omar, "Eucalyptus and carnation leaves are considered a natural sterilizer," according to what I saw on one of the well-known YouTube channels devoted to alternative medicine.
She explained that, in addition to the eucalyptus, black bean and honey, she used the mixture for her family before breakfast daily.
Nawal Ali emphasized that honey, ginger, chamomile, thyme and sage do not negatively affect health and do not lead to a negative effect. Nawal considers these herbs effective against colds and respiratory diseases, which are symptoms of Corona.
On the other hand, Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Al Hammadi, who is working in the field against the Corona virus, said that fears of the virus have caused many members of society to search for a spark of hope.
He added that «there are studies by Chinese scientists, which promote the use of natural herbs to relieve symptoms of (Corona), and these studies have spread on social networking sites, and encouraged many to go towards alternative medicine and natural herbs, despite the lack of scientific evidence on their effectiveness in treating Or reduce the symptoms resulting from infection with the virus, ”pointing out that" herbal treatment lacks studies to confirm its effectiveness. "
He said: "The doctor cannot advise his patients to go towards this type of treatment, because its effect is not scientifically determined, and some of them irritate the skin's sensitivity."
And he cautioned against resorting to recipes on social media platforms, because "some of them contain substances that cause allergies and irritate them if they are used in the wrong way."
Immune mixtures
Garlic, turmeric and ginger have been the concern of citizens since the beginning of last March, along with other materials, such as halalite, myrrh, apple cider vinegar, sesame, and spices such as cinnamon, anise, pepper, cumin, and others.
Atara shops insist that most customers ask about mixtures that increase the body's immunity, or treat coughs, and colds.
600
Dirham price per kilogram of some types of natural bitter material used for sterilization.
200
Dirham is the price per kilogram of milk, due to the increased demand for it in recent months.
"The effect of recipes and herbs is not scientifically determined, and some of them irritate the skin's sensitivity."
"Most of the customers who ask for herbs to boost immunity are women."
The most popular dairy, bitter, sand, turmeric, and ginger.