‘Siling labuyo does not cure dengue’

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the possible increase in dengue cases this rainy season, a doctor turned lawmaker yesterday warned the public that siling labuyo and other plants such as tawa-tawa have not been proven to cure dengue.

Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin advised people not to believe online posts saying that siling labuyo can cure dengue.

“This online story on siling labuyo is really not true. This is a marketing strategy with the onset of the rainy season,” Garin, who served as health secretary, said.

Garin said online posts about siling labuyo are not based on medical research, adding that there is no proven cure for dengue to date.

She said the Department of Health (DOH) has dismissed people’s belief that siling labuyo, tawa-tawa or virgin coconut oil can cure or fight dengue.

“These are not cure for dengue. They only have anti-viral properties, which can help a dengue patient,” Garin said.

“Every time there is herbal medicine with anti-viral properties, people tend to generalize this as a cure for dengue or even HIV. That is the problem, that is why people get misinformed,” she added.

According to the DOH, tawa-tawa may qualify to be registered with the Food and Drug Administration as a traditionally used herbal product for fever.

However, a study by Acta Medica Philippina has not found sufficient length of time of traditional use for the treatment of dengue, conjunctivitis, cough, diabetes as well as malaria, gastritis and diarrhea.

The World Health Organization lists dengue symptoms as follows: high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands and rash.