Fact Check: Fenugreek seed tape isn’t COVID-19 cure; health experts refute viral claim

New Delhi (Vishvas News): A video going viral on social media claims that fenugreek seeds applied on a tape strip if pasted on thumb and left overnight, it can beat throat infection. The text with the video claims that if you are going for coronavirus test you should wait as you can get cured within 2-3 hours without any medicine using this remedy. Vishvas News investigated and found the viral post to be fake.

Claim

The video viral on Whatsapp claims that fenugreek seed applied on a tape strip if pasted on the thumb and left overnight, it can beat throat infection. The post is viral on Facebook and Youtube as well. The archived version of the post can be checked here.

Investigation

Fenugreek is an herb and a common ingredient in Indian dishes and often taken as a supplement. As per Medical News Today, tea made of Fenugreek herb is also used to relieve symptoms of sore throats.

But, there is no evidence that it can cure coronavirus of throat infections completely and can cure coronavirus, as claimed in the viral post.

Vishvas News spoke to health experts regarding the viral video.

According to Dr. Vimal N, an Ayurveda doctor in the Ministry of AYUSH, the claim in the video is fake. This fenugreek seed tape isn’t the cure for coronavirus. Tea made of fenugreek seeds can relieve sore throat temporarily but it cannot be said that it can cure coronavirus.

In the viral video, it has been stated that fenugreek seed applied on a tape strip if pasted on thumb and left overnight, it can beat throat infection. We tried to find out whether it has any connection with acupuncture. We spoke to an acupuncture specialist in Dr. Lohiya Acupuncture Centre regarding the viral video. He said: “This is fake. There are points for the throat in hands and we put pressure on those points for relieving throat infections. We perform classic acupuncture on those points. But, this is a fake claim that pasting fenugreek seed tape on the thumb can cure a sore throat. This is completely fake.”

Vishvas News also spoke to Dr. Nikhil Modi who is a Pulmonologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital. He also said that the viral claim is completely fake.

WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medicines as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. However, there are several ongoing clinical trials of both western and traditional medicines.

The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to:
• Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose
• Cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue. If a tissue is used, discard it immediately and wash your hands.
• Maintain a distance of at least 1 metre from others.

The post is shared on Facebook by a user named Ravinderjeet Singh. When we scanned the profile of the user we found that the user is based out of New Delhi.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CErBXyEALgK/

Conclusion

Fenugreek seed tape isn’t COVID-19 cure; health experts refute the viral claim. WHO also does not recommend self-medication as a prevention or cure for COVID-19.

Disclaimer: The #CoronavirusFacts database records fact-checks published since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic and its consequences are constantly evolving and data that was accurate weeks or even days ago might have changed. Remember to check the date when the fact-check you are reading was published before sharing it.

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• Coronavirus
• CoronaVirusFacts
• COVID19