Ancestral remedies as alternative treatment for respiratory infections in pandemic times

Abstract

Introduction: Medicinal plants were used in therapeutic purposes since more than two millennials ago before Christ. Actually they face to pandemic and interest has resurfaced for the use of these medicinal plants, mainly for respiratory symptoms. The objective is to determinate which ancestral remedies were used in pandemic times in the metropolitan region of Cochabamba. Methodology: the study process is descriptive, transversal and prospective. 1520 subjects of information participated from 20 years old. Results: The ancestral remedies were used by the 53% subjects, while the 23% opted for drugs. But instead the 8% preferred medicinal remedies and the 17% indicates neither. The remedies are eucalyptus 63%, honey 50%, lemon 48 %, ginger 42 %, chamomile 37%, garlic 30 %, wira wira 29 %, onion 20 %, Luisa herb 9 % and others 32 %. The most frequent manifestation was used for the cough these remedies in 44 %.  The information they acquired in the family 30 %, 21 % internet, 8 % neighbors, 9 % mass media and 25 % others . Referring to the improve of clinical signs, the 52 % indicate that they obtained good results, 19 % excellent, 13 % regular, 2 % bad and 15 % reported none of these remedies. Discussion: In the first and second wave of Covid 19 it has been observed that natural remedies acquired grater importance. The shopping centers and markets provide these products, so that the healing effect is remarkable. Therefore it is necessary to promote the development and strengthening of politics, health programs, protection plans, rational use of biosafety and the promotion of ancestral medicine in Bolivia.