Mushroom no remedy for Covid-19: Medical experts

KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of internet pages recently carried reports regarding the efficacy of mushroom against Covid-19. Health experts, however, say such claims have no scientific basis and are mere rumours.

Some medicines and herbs are recommended on social media as a remedy for the treatment of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rumour: Mushrooms boost the immunity system and prevent Covid-19.

The Imna website released an article, which says mushroom consumption strengthens immunity and prevents the coronavirus.

Another internet page (Economic World) also released a report titled “Fight Covid-19 by eating these things!” It said mushrooms contained Vitamin D that was vital to immunity.

Mizan, another website, also claimed mushrooms, having vitamins C and D prevent the deadly disease.

Rumours of mushroom efficacy

Marwa, a resident of the Khairkhana area of Kabul, said: “Two years ago, when I contracted the virus, I wondered what to do. Then a friend told me one day to use mushroom soup in addition to other meals.”

At that time, she prepared mushroom soup on a daily basis and all members of her family enjoyed consuming it.

Mohammad Amin, another resident of Kabul, said: “I obtained information from social media about the effectiveness of mushrooms against Covid and have since been taking them in my diet.”

Spogmai, an inhabitant of Kart-i-Parwan area, said: “When Covid-19 spread, I started following news related to the pandemic on social media to stay safe from the virus.”

Having read many articles regarding the effectiveness of mushrooms on social media, she has included mushrooms in her diet.

On the other hand, medical experts insist that effectiveness of mushrooms against Covid-19 is yet to be proven.

Dr. Sherzad, former advisor to the Ministry of Public Health, told Pajhwok: “Proper nutrition guarantees health but no specific remedy for Covid has been found so far.”

In a message to the public, he said: “Everything that is used to increase the resistance of the body, for instance, fruits, vegetables, proteins, minerals, all can keep the body healthy and protect it from infectious diseases.”

Faridullah Omari, trainer and specialist at the Antani Hospital in Kabul, also confirmed some online sites were releasing articles that mushrooms were useful against Covid. However, he said, no research had been done on such claims that had no scientific basis.

He added: “Although these materials exist in people’s minds in the form of a hypothesis. This always reminds one that vegetables increase immunity. They have a very important role, but they are not included in the treatment of the coronavirus. In general, mushrooms raise the level of immunity.”

Omari urged the citizens: “If someone contracts the disease, try to observe social distancing, use your own utensils wear masks and use warm liquids and vegetables.”

Dr. Hashmatullah Faizi, an official of Afghan-Japan Hospital, cautioned: “Mushrooms have poisonous nature, so they are not often prescribed and there is no special reason for it to be prescribed.”

He asked the people to follow and take seriously health guidelines from the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Public Health.

Sa/mud

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