A person called Dheeraj Sharma posted a viral video on Facebook of Dr Parameshwar Arora MD (Ayurveda), a senior consultant at Sir Gangaram hospital, New Delhi addressing passersby on the street. Arora can be seen claiming in the video that he has five tips to prevent coronavirus. He even offers personal treatment to anyone who, despite following his tips with conviction, gets the viral infection. On Dheeraj Sharma’s account, the video had 12 million views and over 3 lakh shares at the time of writing this article. Baat Manoge to corona nhi hoga | DR Parmeshwar Arora ,Ganga Raam Hospital क्या बीतेगी अगर आपके ghar में corona हो gaya तो dhyaan से सुनिए Dr. Saab की बात अगर मानें तो corona नहीं होगा | DR Parmeshwar Arora ,Ganga Raam Hospital Posted by Dheeraj Sharma on Wednesday, 3 June 2020 ABP News also shared this video clip on their YouTube channel along with their interview with Arora. The channel has promoted and given Arora a platform during several broadcasts. In the viral video, Arora appeals to the people of Hindu faith to include home ‘remedies’ like clove, black pepper, caraway (ajwain) and hot water in daily religious activities to fight against coronavirus infection. However, Arora isn’t the only individual promoting such ‘home remedies’ to prevent or cure Covid-19. #चाय और बड़ों की #राय समय-समय पर लेते रहना चाहिए !! ☕️☕️ कोरोना वायरस के संक्रमण से बचाव के लिए शरीर का इम्यून सिस्टम मजबूत होना जरूरी है।तुलसी,लौंग,काली मिर्च,इलायची,अदरक,और सौंफ वाली चाय से आपका इम्यून सिस्टम भी मजबूत होगा। #जयश्रीराम pic.twitter.com/BU0B8wUvIr — Sangeeta Bhandari (@sbhandari16) June 25, 2020 Since the virus outbreak, the government has been advising people to drink kadha. This was also amplified by the media. Clove and black pepper are some of the ingredients used to make this Ayurvedic recipe. कोरोना के खिलाफ़ जंग में योग के बाद आयुर्वेदिक काढ़ा भी उतर गया है, अब सैशे में भी मिलेगा काढ़ा पाउडर। ज़्यादा जानकारी के लिए देखिए @mewatisanjoo की रिपोर्ट अन्य #ReporterDiary के लिए क्लिक करें: https://t.co/mf6keLW7vJ#IndiaFightsCorona #COVID19 #Ayurveda pic.twitter.com/8hu5uo1nql — AajTak (@aajtak) June 5, 2020 Consumption of or gargling with warm salted water is also widespread claim. Posted by Jay Monroe on Friday, 13 March 2020 This article contains scientific research to prove the efficacy behind these claims as a coronavirus treatment. In the absence of evidence against the COVID-19, we reviewed the research for these remedies against the symptoms of COVID-19 or against the treatment for any other viral infectious diseases of the upper respiratory system. CLAIM: Alt News Science dissected this video and other social media claims to list three distinct advises on prevention/ cure of coronavirus. The Hindi audio in Arora’s video has been translated. 1. Claims against the coronavirus infection by treating the upper respiratory tract with home remedies “On day 1 of infection, the virus is weakly attached in our oral cavity (mouth and throat). By slow consumption of hot water, the virus will travel through and reach the stomach where it will be destroyed by the stomach’s acidic environment.” “The consumption of clove, black pepper, or caraway with a pinch of salt thrice a day will protect against the virus while the infection is still in the oral cavity.” “Gargling with a pinch of turmeric and equal amounts of rock salt with hot water before bedtime will destroy the virus if it is in the upper respiratory tract or the throat.” “Steaming from the water with turmeric and rock salt will clear the virus from the nasal activity (inside the nose).” 2. Claims regarding immunity and coronavirus infection “Consumption of dry grapes with milk or water will boost one’s immunity.” “Consumption of cashew and almonds during summer can cause indigestion.” “Consume large amounts of paitha (winter melon or wax gourd) for immunity.” 3. Claims of using a herbal mix when the infection becomes systemic (reaches the blood) “Consuming a mixture of garlic, black pepper, big cardamom, clove, cinnamon, holy basil (tulsi), liquorice, long pepper in any combination with water will help, if the infection has reached the circulatory system (via blood).” VERDICT: False FACT-CHECK: 1. Claims against the coronavirus infection by treating the upper respiratory tract with home remedies. Let us first briefly discuss the way the virus establishes infection in our body. The novel coronavirus (SARS-COV2) is transmitted predominantly by respiratory droplets, contact, and potentially by the faecal-oral route. After the virus enters the nasal cavity and pharynx (upper respiratory tract), it attaches to the outermost layer of the cells lining the respiratory tract called the ‘epithelial cells’ (see figure).