By A Correspondent| Popular Harare based traditional healer, Sekuru Banda has added his voice on the topical discussion around the use of herbs and snuff to fight COVID-19, urging people to reduce uptake of the widely recommended concoctions to avoid negative effects.

In an interview with ZimEye, Sekuru Banda said as much as people are encouraged to take zumbani leaves to boost immunity, they should take it in small quantities and even skipping days.

On snuff, Sekuru Banda said it should not be taken for preventative purposes but only as cure, saying it has nicotine which makes it addictive if continuously taken.

“Snuff has nicotine and people should only take it when they are not feeling well because continuously taking it may cause serious health problems like heart disease, pancreatic cancer and can also block nasal passage.

“This is on top of it being addictive such that if you take it everyday you end up wanting to have it always. But you are not feeling well, you can take snuff because it cures a lot of ailments, it also clears the chest especially to those with COVID-19,” said Sekuru Banda.

He also spoke on steam inhalation which he said should not be an everyday routine.

“People should not over-do steam inhalation especially when they do it as a preventative measure, because the body may become resistant to it,” added Zuma.

There has been a lot of debate about use of indigenous knowledge system in curing COVID-19 which has resulted in people taking Lippia javanica commonly known as zumbani which is consumed in form of tea.

Snuff which is a product of tobacco has also been thrown into the ring as another remedy for COVID-19 with proponents of the drug saying it causes sneezing which clears the nasal chest especially to those struggling with breathing.

COVID-19 continues to claims tens of lives in Zimbabwe everyday.

Government recently announced that vaccines will only be available later into the year leaving people without a choice but to continue with home remedies.