Homeopathic Aspidosperma Q 20 is not a substitute for oxygen in COVID patients

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NEW DELHI: Aspidosperma Q 20 is a homeopathic medicine and is advised for clearing breathing pathways. This medicine comes from a flowering plant found predominantly in South and Central America and has medicinal properties, but there is not enough scientific evidence stating that the plant has any specific use in increasing oxygen.

CLAIM

A social media message has been circulating asking people to take a few drops of Aspidosperma Q 20 in a cup of water to immediately balance one’s oxygen levels. The viral message suggests people to not wait for oxygen if they witness a drop in oxygen levels, and instead to take Aspidosperma Q 20 immediately.

REALITY

Homeopathic doctors have come forward saying that while this medicine improves oxygen uptake in cases of certain diseases, it does not do so in case of COVID-19 infection and that it is in no way a substitute for oxygen. Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, has also called out this claim to be a faux. Dr Singh, when contacted by BOOM, the first Indian member of the International Fact Checking Network, said that Aspidosperma Q 20 has the power to improve oxygen levels through bronchial dilution, but it fails to do so in COVID-19 patients, because their lungs have collapsed. He established that this medicine is prescribed on case-by-case basis.