Tuob is part of Filipino tradition which is widely used to relieve the symptoms of colds as part of primary health-care practice.
Tuob/suob or steam inhalation gained attention recently after a local province official in the Visayas swore by tuob to boost people’s immune system amid the threat of Covid-19.
However, the Philippine Institute for Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) has recommended further studies to be done on the clinical efficacy of tuob for the prevention and/or treatment of patients who are probable, suspect, and confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Scientific studies suggest that steam inhalation is indeed effective against symptoms of colds and that it increases nasal patency.
In most recent Department of Health (DOH) statistics of active Covid-19 cases, 96 percent have mild symptoms of low-grade fever, colds, cough, and sore throat; 0.5 percent has severe symptoms; and only 0.1 percent is critical cases.
In a third world country, where resources are limited and accessibility and availability of health-care services are areas of concern, traditional and alternative practices are the only affordable and available source of health care.
PITAHC, the main government agency whose mandate is to promote traditional and alternative health care as provided in Republic Act 8423, supports the use of tuob to alleviate the signs and symptoms of respiratory illness found common among Covid-19 patients. It is a safe remedy if done properly, but can possibly hurt otherwise.
“There are measures that we recommend for the beneficial use of tuob such as: individualized use of bowl and blanket or towel to prevent cross-infection; use of water with temperature not exceeding what is bearable to one’s skin; prevention of steam from making contact with one’s eyes,” according to the Pitahc’s statement.
One should also remember that if symptoms persist or worsen, he/she should seek medical attention. If steam inhalation is done on children, adult supervision is required. Patients with facial lesions and infections are strongly discouraged from this practice.
The Pitahc stressed that tuob cannot be recommended as a standard care treatment for Covid-19 until it is proven by controlled clinical studies.
The public is still advised to observe preventive measures, specifically frequent handwashing, physical distancing, and the wearing of face mask, to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 virus.
No recommendation
The DOH, last week warned the public against possible harms of tuob – inhalation steam with salt, lemon, and other ingredients.
Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said there is no scientific evidence proving that tuob is a cure for Covid-19.
“The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization denied that it can treat the disease,” Vergeire said.
She added that health experts do not even recommend it, while stressing that the virus may even spread by doing it, “it increases nasal secretions spreading the virus further.”
She also warned of possible skin burns if not being careful.
The DOH official maintained that the best protection to prevent the spread of Covid-19 is still wearing of face masks, frequent and proper handwashing, observing physical distancing, and practice of proper cough etiquette.
On the other hand, recently, the Health&Fitness featured a story of a doctor who survived Covid-19 with the use of steam inhalation (hot and cold steam alternately). According to the story, steam inhalation can stimulate the monocytes and the macrophages for increased immunity.
According to Healthline.com, monocytes are a type of white blood cell that help fight bacteria, viruses, and other infections in the body. “Along with other types of white blood cells, monocytes are a key element of your immune response.”
Dr. Ananya Mandal in her article online, meanwhile, explains that “macrophage is a type of phagocyte, which is a cell responsible for detecting, engulfing and destroying pathogens and apoptotic cells. Macrophages are produced through the differentiation of monocytes, which turn into macrophages when they leave the blood. Macrophages also play a role in alerting the immune system to the presence of invaders.”
Several medical studies showed when our body is exposed alternatively to hot and cold stimuli, the monocytes, macrophages and the natural killer cells in the body are activated and enhanced, thus, allowing our immune system to function at optimum level.
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