‘Lagundi’ trial vs COVID-19 approved by FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the clinical trial of Lagundi for use by patients affected by COVID-19. According to Secretary Fortunato de la Peña of the Department of Science and Technology, trials began yesterday at three quarantine centers. According to de la Peña, clinical trials will be held at the Quezon Institute quarantine center, Sta. Ana Hospital and the Philippine National Police NCR community quarantine center. De la Peña also said that FDA approval has not yet been issued for the use of the Tawa-Tawa plant administered by UP Visayas. "Now, those are the trials in Tawa-Tawa, your FDA approval has not yet been released, and that will be handled by a… this will be handled by our doctor there in UP Visayas your Tawa-Tawa trial," said de la Peña

The purpose of using herbal remedies is to relieve COVID-19 symptoms such as cough, fever and sore throat. Specific clinical trials will determine whether such herbs can help to reduce the likelihood that patients' illness will worsen. He said it would be a big deal if patients were relieved that the case was "mild". De la Peña also announced that there are about 200 patients involved in the use of Lagundi. Apart from Lagundi, VCO or virgin coconut oil against COVID-19 is also undergoing clinical trials.