Mexicans opts for traditional medicine to fight virus

Some people in Mexico are using traditional medicinal methods to try and combat the spread of the new coronavirus.Used since pre-colonial times, herbs and medicinal plants are an integral part of the Mexican cultural heritage and still play a central role in society.A part of the Mexican society considers the use of plants and herbs a family tradition or a cheaper option compared to conventional medicine.For one or another reason, the herbs and plants market continues to be as popular as ever.

Vendor Edgar Galindo said has been preparing stock to send it to the United States, where he said people people were buying it to try cure COVID-19 symptoms.Dr. Humberto Brocca, a surgeon and specialist in traditional medicine, said the plants and herbs can be used as a preventative.

"If one is properly prevented and takes care, one can reduce one's chances of suffering from the COVID infection," he said.Traditional knowledge about the plants and roots is often used in conjunction with allopathic medicine, and many in Mexico learn about their properties in childhood.According to John Hopkins University, Mexico has reported 349 thousand COVID-19 cases and 39,485 deaths as of Tuesday.

(Image Credit: AP)