Social media rumors a boon for herbalists

Many Saudis and expats have turned to alternative medicine in the absence of vaccinations to treat the MERS virus.
Health shops have experienced an influx of visitors following rumors that people had been cured from flu-like symptoms through such forms of treatment, which include herbal remedies and other natural elements.
Meanwhile, many families have begun pur-
chasing incense to sterilize their homes.
Several shop owners and employees told Arab News that customers often pretend to have a health prescription specifying certain remedies.
“We can whip up natural prescriptions according to our customers’ wishes,” said Ahmed Al-Wadaani, a Yemeni worker at a local shop in Jeddah. “However, most of these prescriptions cannot guarantee a cure from MERS no matter how much they increase immunity.”
“We have not raised prices despite the increase in demand,” he said. “However, many similar stores have since opened thanks to rumors that people have been cured through herbal remedies.”
Information on herbal remedies continues to spread via social media networks, such as Twitter and Facebook, advocating bogus concoctions made from garlic, onion and other vegetables thought to increase immunity.
“MERS patients are in need of hospital supervision, not unproven remedies,” said Alaa Abdul Fatah, a doctor in Jeddah. “Many people can fall victim to fake natural prescriptions made by individuals pretending to be experts in the field, which can do more harm than good.”
The prices of vegetables have increased in the local market, meanwhile, thanks to unofficial medical advice given by individuals who claim that high consumption of fruits and vegetables can boost immunity by as much as 25 percent.
Misleading alerts on MERS are rampant due to the absence of medical solutions to the deadly virus.