Articles
Potential of Moringa oleifera Lam. in reducing severe symptoms of COVID-19 infection: a South African perspective
Article number
1394_11
Pages
85 – 92
Language
English
Abstract
Coronavirus (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on the 11th of March 2020, after affecting most countries.
South Africa (SA) had 4 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of February 1st, 2023, and claimed 103 thousand lives.
Although vaccination has a significant influence on national hospitalizations and mortality rate, access to limited vaccines by marginal communities means that many people remain vulnerable.
Even among the vaccinated, concerns have been raised about the duration of protection and efficacy of vaccines against evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.
As such, there is an urgent need for alternative, cost-effective and accessible therapies that could improve peoples well-being by strengthening their immune system and subsequently prolong their lives; especially those with underlying medical conditions.
In SA, the disease severity is high, and the health care services and facilities are overwhelmed.
As such, the use of therapeutic/health beneficial food plants such as Moringa oleifera Lam. (moringa) may assist in reducing the impact of COVID-19 and other diseases.
Along with antibiotics, COVID-19 patients are given zinc and vitamins to boost their immune system and reduce the number of days the common flu lasts.
Moringa is high in vitamins A and C as well as zinc and iron and can potentially reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms, especially for immune-compromised people on homebased care.
The use of locally available means such as moringa for boosting the immune system has received little attention as compared to other strategies of protection against this virus.
The current review, therefore, highlights the status of science on moringa as a potential power crop for reducing prevalence of COVID-19 and hospitalization in SA. We concluded that with the advancement of modern biotechnology techniques and exploring existing knowledge gaps, there is a compelling case for investment and development in moringa as a candidate for managing COVID-19 symptoms.
South Africa (SA) had 4 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of February 1st, 2023, and claimed 103 thousand lives.
Although vaccination has a significant influence on national hospitalizations and mortality rate, access to limited vaccines by marginal communities means that many people remain vulnerable.
Even among the vaccinated, concerns have been raised about the duration of protection and efficacy of vaccines against evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.
As such, there is an urgent need for alternative, cost-effective and accessible therapies that could improve peoples well-being by strengthening their immune system and subsequently prolong their lives; especially those with underlying medical conditions.
In SA, the disease severity is high, and the health care services and facilities are overwhelmed.
As such, the use of therapeutic/health beneficial food plants such as Moringa oleifera Lam. (moringa) may assist in reducing the impact of COVID-19 and other diseases.
Along with antibiotics, COVID-19 patients are given zinc and vitamins to boost their immune system and reduce the number of days the common flu lasts.
Moringa is high in vitamins A and C as well as zinc and iron and can potentially reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms, especially for immune-compromised people on homebased care.
The use of locally available means such as moringa for boosting the immune system has received little attention as compared to other strategies of protection against this virus.
The current review, therefore, highlights the status of science on moringa as a potential power crop for reducing prevalence of COVID-19 and hospitalization in SA. We concluded that with the advancement of modern biotechnology techniques and exploring existing knowledge gaps, there is a compelling case for investment and development in moringa as a candidate for managing COVID-19 symptoms.
Publication
Authors
C.V. Mashamaite, B.L. Ngcobo, A. Manyevere, M.N. Ramatsitsi
Keywords
coronavirus, immune system, medicinal uses, moringa, nutrition, rural communities
Groups involved
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