FAKE REMEDIES being peddled across India to “protect” against #COVID19. It’s total nonsense.

As both an epidemiologist and a firmer nutrition researcher who looked at the study, there is no evidence to support benefit of Chyawanprash. It’s pandemic profiteering. My thread https://twitter.com/saffrontrail/status/1390370319332823042

2) it’s horseshit nonsense.

Chyavanprash is a cooked mixture of sugar, honey, ghee, Indian gooseberry jam, sesame oil, berries and various herbs and spices. It is prepared as per the instructions suggested in Ayurvedic text.

But study showed no effect.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.17.21251899v2

3) bad journalism / misleading author quotes:

This is false — “Chyawanprash Can Protect From Severe Infection Of Covid-19: Ayurvedic Study” https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.outlookindia.com/website/amp/india-news-chyawanprash-can-protect-from-severe-infection-of-covid-19-study/377962

4) false “in the long term follow-up after completion of the intervention period, the participants in the study group were found to be **more protected** from a severe infection of Covid-19 as only two participants were RT-PCR positive after 2 months”— that is incorrect!

5) Misleading author is Prof (Dr) Vidula Gujjarwar, the Director and Principal of the hospital said. He runs Chaudhary Brahm Prakash Ayurved Charak Sansthan, the country’s biggest hospital of Indian system of medicine!!! Why the hell?!? It was just 2 vs 4 cases!!!

6) Lots of other homeopathy fakes. https://twitter.com/saffrontrail/status/1390370329214607361

7) There is even worse nonsense like cow dung urine. I won’t bother showing your the “guru” peddling this. Suffice to say it’s real. https://twitter.com/saffrontrail/status/1390370367059881985

8) one of the weird products being peddled is this odd supplement called “Coronil” that is being oddly in demand. The company behind Coronil even once claimed it was certified per WHO. WHO had to put out a statement that it’s false. https://twitter.com/saffrontrail/status/1390370362232229890

9) It’s incredibly bizarre. @WHOSEARO had to even tweet it was false that any traditional medicines got WHO certification—alluding to Coronil debate.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/world/who-clarifies-it-hasnt-reviewed-or-certified-coronil-for-covid-19-treatment/article33893901.ece/amp/

10) Most irresponsible of all— India’s own MINISTER OF HEALTH @drharshvardhan was pictured promoting the Coronil product, despite no proven efficacy for preventing or treating COVID https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/world/who-clarifies-it-hasnt-reviewed-or-certified-coronil-for-covid-19-treatment/article33893901.ece/amp/

11) Fake medicines also are everywhere. four people were arrested this month for selling fake vials of remdesivir for Rs35,000 ($464), far above the official Rs2,000 ($27) price cap for the genuine product. https://www.ft.com/content/1bb3c839-d796-46f8-a2cd-519122a5908c