Songkhla residents consume kariyat medicine as protection against Covid-19 

After the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine revealed that kariyat, a herbal remedy that’s been used in ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, can stop the virus, people in Hat Yai district have turned out in droves to buy the medicine to strengthen their immunity.

The general manager of Pharmaplex, the largest drug store in Songkhla province, said stocks of kariyat medicine are sufficient to meet demand for two months.
“If demand increases, we have to limit purchases, but will sell the medicine at the same price,” he said.
“People keep buying this herbal medicine because they are also afraid its price will go higher and there will be a shortage,” he added.

Meanwhile, pharmacist Pachinee Saokaew said kariyat has also been processed into capsule form and is available at general drug stores.
“There are two types of kariyat herbal medicine – dried and extracted. The extracted type is more effective due to the difference in andrographolide,” she said. 
However, she warned people who grow kariyat that they should consult a doctor before consuming it because it needs to be combined with other herbs to reduce side effects.