Fact check: No, two drops of lemon juice in your nostrils cannot cure COVID-19
The viral remedy being shared claimed that ‘two drops of lemon juice in the nostrils can help cure COVID-19’.
By Tejal Sinha Published on 28 May 2021 4:07 AM GMT
Hyderabad: The second wave of COVID-19 in India has created a lot of chaos. People are desperately seeking ways to keep themselves from being affected by the virus. Social media has made the situation even worse with many circulating messages and videos about 'home remedies' against the COVID-19.
One such viral remedy being shared claimed that 'two drops of lemon juice in the nostrils can help cure COVID-19'.
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The person dressed as a priest in this video can be seen claiming that the 'lemon therapy' can not only boost immunity but also save people from being infected by the Coronavirus. He advised people to put two drops of lemon juice in their nostrils and by doing this all the main organs, including the eyes, ears, nose, and heart would be purified in just five seconds. "This will also provide relief to those facing cold and cough," the man claimed in the video.
Fact Check
The claim made in the video is false.
NewsMeter spoke to Dr S.N Aravinda, consultant - Internal Medicine at Aster RV Hospital, Bangalore about the claim.
He said that lemon drops in the nose and throat cannot cure COVID-19, cough, or cold and it can cause irritation in the nose that can lead to ulcers. He said that Vitamin C can help to improve immunity. So instead of putting lemon drops in the nose, people can drink lemon juice or use it in food items along with a nutrient-rich diet to strengthen immunity.
However, excessive use of lemon in any way will not provide any protection against COVID or treat COVID. Rather, if you have any symptoms related to COVID, please get yourself tested and follow the treatment protocol depending on the severity of the symptoms. Consult a doctor on the steps to be followed. Follow all safety norms to avoid getting infected and take the vaccine when possible.
The viral video was also declared to be false by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check.
A tweet by PIB on the topic read, "In the video being shared on social media, it is claimed that by pouring lemon juice in the nostrils the Coronavirus would be cured immediately. There is no scientific evidence that says that adding lemon juice to the nose can cure #Covid19."
Reports published by the DNA, the Jagran and the Navbharattimes, have also said that there is no scientific evidence to support the claim in the video.
The claim was also rejected by The National Academies of Sciences and Engineering Medicine website. The website stated that lemon juice will not prevent or cure a COVID-19 infection, no matter what is mixed with it.
Evidently, the claim made in the video is false as there is no scientific evidence proving the claim.
