False: The medicinal plant Andrographis paniculate is an effective medicine to stop COVID-19.

An exclusive statement by Dr Kwankao and an email by Dr Brown to AFP proves that Andrographis Paniculate is not an effective medicine for COVID-19.A claim with the caption stating that Andrographis paniculate is an effective medicine to stop COVID-19 has been circulating on social media. Dr Pakakrong Kwankao, Head of the Empirical Evidence Centre at Chao Phraya Abhaibhubehjr Hospital said that there is no research that confirms Green Chireta or Andrographis Paniculata properties that protect and cure COVID-19. Through an email, Dr Richard Brown, Programme Manager of Health Emergencies and Antimicrobial Resistance at the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Thailand said that the information provided by some media is incorrect. Further, added WHO website does not have provision saying Andrographis Paniculate would cure or prevent COVID-19 infection. According to Thailand Medical News, though Andrographis has antiviral properties that were effective against the SARS coronavirus of 2003 at the initial few stages of studies, at the later stages, there are no studies which prove that the medicinal plant is an effective way to prevent COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.