A traditional hub commonly used by healers scientifically known as Ajuga remota but known as Wanjiru wa Rurii in Kikuyu is under scientific tests as a possible cure for coronavirus.
Ajuga remota was common among the Gikuyu and Aembu people as an effective malaria treatment herb.
Kenyan researchers from the Institute of Primate Research (IPR) want to establish if it speeds up the recovery of a patient suffering from coronavirus.
The tests will be tried out on 250 monkeys according to the scientists working at the largest research facility in Africa.
“We believe that if the herbs are put to the test, they can help bring us close to finding a way to deal with Covid-19, Dr Peter Mwethera, a senior research scientist at IPR told Nation.
Dr Mwethera offered that the herb has shown potency in reducing the effects of coronavirus.
Dr Atunga Nyachieo, the chief of research at IPR, added that the centres is working on finding an immune booster to aid coronavirus victims.
He appealed to other researchers seeking to formulate a vaccine for coronavirus to involve the centre.
“We’re also requesting those intending to develop new vaccines by testing them in Africa to pass them through IPR as we are the only dedicated primate research institute in the whole of Africa,” he said.
Kenya could follow in the steps of Madagascar’s “COVID Organics”, a herbal tea that President Andry Rajoelina says is a powerful antidote for coronavirus.
Before coronavirus pandemic, just like ajuga remora, Madagascar’s COVID Organics was a herbal medicine used to treat malaria.
