Nhlakanipho Mncwabe

The Minister of Science and innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande announced that South Africa has started testing the traditional herb that has been used by many people since the COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in South Africa. The herb is the Artemisia Afra hat locally known as umhlonyane to fight COVID-19.

Nzimande also revealed that dagga is also being tested to fight against COVID-19. Artemisia Afra is highly known to be able to treat normal flue with coughing and aching body, which can also be symptoms of COVID-19.

“To fight COVID-19, we have started testing scientifically traditional medicines like Artemisia Afra that’s locally known as umhlonyane” said Nzimande in an interview with eNCA.

In the past three months, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina told the world that his country has proof that Artemisia Afra can cure COVID-19.

President Rajoelina also revealed that Artemisia was not fully supported by scientists, but they used it because their forefathers used it. Rajoelina also asked South Africa to help with the testing and Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said South Africa will assist with the testing.

Nzimande said that an amount of about R90 Million has been placed aside for scientific testing of Artemisia and Dagga.

“We are working very close with traditional leaders so that we can be able to test scientifically all traditional medicines, dagga is also going to be part of everything that we are testing but I am not saying people should smoke dagga”. Blade Nzimande added.

Picture: qz.com