Kyrgyzstan pushes poisonous root as virus cure

Kyrgyzstan pushes poisonous root as virus cure

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyzstan is using a poisonous root as a treatment against the coronavirus despite health warnings as the country battles a new wave of infections. The health ministry unveiled the remedy at a news conference on Friday, claiming the impoverished country's leader used the herb to cure "thousands“ of sick inmates when he served jail time last year.

Health Minister Alimkadyr Beishenaliyev took sips of the solution that contains extracts of aconite root as he talked up its healing properties. "There is no harm to health,“ he said, noting that the remedy had already been used to treat coronavirus patients. "You need to drink it hot, and in two or three days the positive PCR test result disappears and the person immediately becomes better.“

Beishenaliyev however warned that "spasms and death“ could befall anyone drinking the solution cold. "(Even) if you drink it hot and then have cold water or ice cream, you can die,“ he said, noting that kettles to boil the solution had been purchased for hospitals around the mountainous country. Aconite root is used in traditional medicine even though it is considered highly toxic.

The authorities have said that a third wave of Covid-19 cases is beginning in the