The Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR) has warned that no known medical plant, or herbal product or local gin, has, at yet, been proven to be efficacious against COVID-19.

The CPMR noted that their caution has become necessary following reports on social media that alcoholic bitters could be a substitute for hand sanitizers in seeking to prevent coronavirus.

CPMR in a statement explained that no herbal bitters or local gin could be a viable substitute for hand rubbing because for a sanitizer to be effective, in ridding the hands of coronavirus, it must have 60-95% alcohol by volume and that alcohol content for bitters on the market is often less than 45%.

“Thus, clearly, such bitters and their alcohol contents are inadequate as a sterilising measure against COVID-19,” the statement said.

As a research center, CPMR revealed it is engaging with various partners and stakeholders including the Ministry of Health and Traditional Medicine Practitioners to explore research opportunities against COVID-19 using herbal medicine.

Ghana has so far recorded nine confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The government has, thus, placed a ban on all social gatherings to prevent the spread of the disease.