Story By: Lee Bullen,Sub Editor: Joseph Golder,Agency: Central European News
Indonesia’s agriculture ministry has released a eucalyptus-based necklace after telling people it can kill the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Agriculture minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo, 65, said the “antivirus necklace” was “invented” by the ministry’s Health Research and Development Agency (Balitbangtan) to both treat and prevent COVID-19.
The agency will “mass produce” the alleged protective accessory next month, according to Limpo.
The eucalyptus-based necklace is one of four products being released by the Indonesian ministry to treat or prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Limpo told local media: “It was [developed] by Balitbangtan. From 700 species of eucalyptus, our lab test results showed that one kind could kill the coronavirus. We are certain.”
He added: “If we [wear it] for 30 minutes, it can kill 80 percent [of the virus].
“We have also produced a roll-on. If we ever get cut by a knife, the wounds can be healed by applying the product.”
The minister said that the necklace gave him the confidence needed to visit crowded places.
Balitbangtan head Fadjry Djufry also claimed that eucalyptus-based products have been effective in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Djufry told local media: “We tested 20 employees from the Agriculture Ministry who had tested positive for COVID-19. Their testimonies after inhaling and being treated were positive. It helped improve their breathing.”
However, health experts are less convinced that eucalyptus-based products are effective in the treatment of the virus, adding that there is no scientific evidence for the claim.
Herawati Sudoyo, the deputy director of the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, told local media: “We know that the world has not yet found a cure for the disease.
“I think it would be wise for us not to spread further claims to a panicked society.”
Sudoyo said that research on eucalyptus has not yet been peer-reviewed and should only focus on its natural active components.
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