Update on Virgin Coconut Oil Against Covid-19
Ever since the government approved further studies of virgin coconut oil as a possible cure for Covid-19, many people became more aware not only of the possibility of it being a cure but also to the overall positive benefits it gives the body. The world is still in search of the cure against this deadly disease plaguing the planet. Because of fear, most people are easily considering any proposed medication hitting the newsflash instantly. Since the Philippines is an agricultural country and there is an abundant supply of coconut, almost every Filipino was accustomed to patronizing coconut and its by-products. Currently, virgin coconut oil is a product that is known to many Filipinos and its promising effects against Covid-19 is a notion, though still anecdotal, was easily accepted by many.
Starting April 2020, a study pioneered by Dr. Fabian Dayrit from Ateneo de Manila University was started to explore the possibilities of virgin coconut oil as cure for Covid-19. By June 2020, the government was on green light for clinical trials on hospitals both on covid patients and medical front-liners. Facilities such as the Philippine General Hospital, Sta. Rosa Laguna isolation facility and the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), catered the trial studies. The CPDRC, which happens to be the highlight of most national news, yielded very promising results as 45 out of 69 inmate patients tested negative after incorporating virgin coconut oil during their covid fight.
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The raising of awareness about virgin coconut oil even reached the United States. On June 26, 2020, National Coconut Day for the United States, the Philippine Embassy office of Agriculture Attaché Dr. Josyline Javelosa distributed virgin coconut oil products to VCU Health, a hospital in Richmond, Virginia. As recommended, it was used as a moisturizer applied directly on the skin of medical front-liners, in order to protect them from the virus. Another suggestion was to add virgin coconut oil directly into coffee. Not only will it combat viruses when consumed, it will also help increase their energy. Virgin coconut oil on coffee is known as an effective energy-boosting drink due to its healthy amount of saturated fat.
In the local agriculture sector, small coconut farm owners and farmers became hopeful upon hearing news updates about the promising effects of virgin coconut oil against coronavirus. The positive effects it will bring in the whole coconut industry is a great opportunity for them to gain more profit. Groans of the coconut cultivators were pitched to the national government. They demanded more support from the government regarding the studies being conducted on virgin coconut oil, stressing that they could really do more if they really wanted to.
To normal Filipinos, virgin coconut oil is considered an effective organic aide against most ailments due to its antiviral properties. Hearing reports about it being a possible cure for Covid-19 is as good as an accepted discovery already, even without an established scientific proof from the experts. After all, with the situation of the economy, government and medical system of the country, common people will always risk to put hope in organic products in order to get by. However, in most news articles, the government and the experts are reiterating that they’re still doing clinical trials. Even though health risks are very low with virgin coconut oil, matters of medication are still a case to case basis and should always be done under the supervision of doctors.
For consumers, patronizing organic products is one thing. But using the products as medication for an ailment is another. In the world today, where everything seems unclear and chaotic, it is still up to a person’s discretion to believe or not if a product is effective. Fighting a disease that is ahead of science is a great challenge for the whole world. But to never lose hope and keep trying is the key to win the battle. So may it be virgin coconut oil or any other produce from the earth, may the solution to eradicate this deadly virus be found as soonest as possible. At the end of the day, even after a vaccine for Covid-19 is set to bring the world back to normal, virgin coconut oil is still a wonder organic product that is proven to be very useful, effective and beneficial for the body.