No potli please, Camphor, Lavang do not elevate oxygen level
One such claim viral on social media is about Camphor, Lavang, Ajwain, few drops of Eucalyptus oil. "Make potli and...
By Satya Priya BN Published on 15 April 2021 1:22 PM IST
With the second wave of COVID-19 sweeping across the country, several false claims about the symptoms, cure, etc are being circulated on social media.
One such claim viral on social media is about Camphor, Lavang, Ajwain, few drops of Eucalyptus oil. "Make potli and keep smelling it throughout the day and night. Helps increase oxygen level and congestion. This potli is also given to tourists in Ladakh when the oxygen level is low. Many ambulances are now keeping these too. It's a home remedy. Kindly share and help," a user posted.
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Fact Check:
The claim that Camphor, Lavang, Ajwain, and Eucalyptus oil together can increase oxygen levels is FALSE.
Though individually they are used in several home remedies to remove congestion and decrease Cough and cold. But there is no scientific evidence that this combination is enough to support any severe congestion caused by COVID-19 infection or elevates the oxygen level in the human body.
Most of the oxygen is carried by red blood cells, which collect oxygen from the lungs and deliver it to all parts of the body.
The body closely monitors blood oxygen levels to keep them within a specific range.
A person's blood oxygen level is an indicator of how well the body distributes oxygen from the lungs to the cells, and it can be important for people's health.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.
According to PubChem.com, the scientific study on camphor shows that it has rubefacient, parasiticide, antiseptic, analgesic, and diaphoretic actions. Most herbal preparations containing camphor are for external application and include composite oils to relieve pain, muscle tension, arthritis, rheumatism, and respiratory congestion.
Camphor oil is a time-tested remedy for treating respiratory woes like nasal congestion, clearing phlegm, cough, and cold. Simply inhaling the fragrance of camphor can clear the mucus and phlegm in the nasal tract, bronchi, and lungs. Camphor oil is a key element in vaporizing rubs owing to its strong decongestant properties.
Cold is easy to catch and tough to get rid of. If you are struggling with a blocked nose and trying to breathe properly, camphor is what you need. Take a large bowl of hot water and add camphor to it. Cover your head with a towel to prevent the steam from escaping. Now, in big gulps, take the vapor in.
https://doctor.ndtv.com/
According to scientific research, Ajwain (T. ammi) has antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, digestive stimulant, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, anti-spasmodic, broncho-dilating, antilithiasis, diuretic, abortifacient, galactogogic, antiplatelet-aggregatory, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, antifilarial, gastroprotective, nematicidal, anthelmintic, detoxification of aflatoxins, and ameliorative effects
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
According to doctor.ndtv.com, Ajwain is rich in antioxidants and has numerous anti-inflammatory properties that not only bring relief to chest congestion but also help in dealing with colds and sinuses.
Eucalyptus oil has been used trusted source widely for centuries as a home remedy for respiratory conditions.
Eucalyptus oil contains an ingredient called cineole. 2013 study Trusted Source found that cineole had antimicrobial effects on some bacteria that cause respiratory illnesses.
Eucalyptus oil is also an anti-inflammatory and stimulates your immune system. That means that using eucalyptus oil can destroy harmful bacteria that are aggravating your COPD symptoms. It may also soothe your throat and chest, and speed up healing.
The effects of Cineole in the treatment of acute bronchitis were clearly measurable and could be proven after a treatment period of merely 4 days. This study corroborates the fact that Cineole actively and significantly reduces cough frequency after four days. Therefore, it has been shown to have a great socio-economic impact.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Cloves are also enriched with antiseptic, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties. The anti-inflammatory compounds help heal sore throats, cold and cough, and headache. The eugenol present in clove helps ease digestion; healthy digestion is key to effective weight loss. Clove also helps rev up metabolism naturally.
Though all the ingredients are used in Home remedies and have medicinal properties, there is no scientific data to confirm the combination of these herbs elevates oxygen level in the body.
Hence, the claim that Camphor, Lavang, Ajwain, and Eucalyptus oil together can increase oxygen level is FALSE. Though these herbs are excellent to reduce slight congestion in the lungs, they are NOT enough to elevate oxygen level in the body especially during severe infections like COVID-19.
