Fact Check: Carbo Vegetabilis Homeopathy Medicine Cannot Be A Substitute For Medical Oxygen; Viral post is Misleading

New Delhi (Vishvas News): Amidst increasing cases of coronavirus in India, social media is deluged with misinformation. A post shared with Vishvas News by a user on Whatsapp for fact checking claims that no need to worry if anybody has breathing difficulty, as 2-3 drops of Carbo vegetabilis 30 or 200 (Homeopathy medicine) will help in increasing oxygen levels. It further claims that this medicine serves as an oxygen cylinder. Vishvas News investigated and found the viral post to be misleading.

Claim

A post received by Vishvas News on its Whatsapp Chatbot reads: “Important Notice. There is a news going on all the NEWS CHANNELS of the country since few days … Lack of OXYGEN … You all will be watching … Nothing to fear … Whichever brother has difficulty in breathing or is nervous !!! Put two or three drops of Carbo vegetabilis 30 or 200 (Homeopathy medicine) on your tongue and then see the result..This medicine is called oxygen cylinder in homeopathy..It fulfills the amount of oxygen in the body …. A medicine Every homeopathy is at the store … the brother who has trouble breathing …. homeopathic oxygen cylinder (CARBO VEG.) Can keep his house … will see you.”

The post is also viral on Facebook. The archived version of the post can be checked here.

Investigation

Vishvas News investigated regarding the homeopathy medicine Carbo vegetabilis 30 or 200 using appropriate keywords. Nowhere on the internet could we find a reliable source of information stating that this medicine can help in increasing oxygen levels or can be a substitute for medical oxygen.
We further searched and found a report on the official website of US National Library of Medicine.

As per the report, CARBO VEGETABILIS helps in abdominal bloating with gas and also used for other diseases. However, one should always consult their doctor before taking any medication.

Vishvas News contacted Dr. Sanjeev Kohli, a homeopathic doctor and discussed the viral claim with him. He said: “The post is misleading. Homeopathic medicines are only used on the basis of symptoms. No, this medicine cannot be a substitute for medical oxygen.”

We also spoke to Prof. Dr.A.K.Gupta, MD(Hom). He said: “Carbo Vegetabilis, a Homoeopathic Medicine is effective in conditions where the patients feel gasping for air. In collapse-like conditions, it has been observed that patients are restored to normalcy in those cases. It helps the patient in breathing easily hence the oxygen saturation also improves. It all happens when the patients have that kind of symptoms. But what people are thinking that it is a substitute for oxygen, by default, is not correct. It must be understood properly and self Medication must be avoided. One should consult with their homeopathic physician for their problems to be treated properly.”

Recently another post got viral claiming that homeopathy medicine Aspidosperma Q 20 can be taken as a substitute when oxygen levels fall.

Vishvas News debunked the post earlier. Its fact check can be read here.