Análisis retrospectivo del empleo de Eucalyptus globulus como método preventivo contra el COVID-19 en una muestra poblacional de la ciudad de Riobamba.

Abstract

The purpose of this study aimed to carry out a retrospective analysis on the application of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) as a preventive and curative method against COVID-19 in the City of Riobamba. The study was carried out in a population sample of 433 people, in which they had completed a previously validated survey. This was followed by a bibliography review in different databases on the biological effects of the plant species on respiratory diseases including SARS-COV2. In the surveyed results, it was identified that 50.3% were males and 49.7% were females; the predominant age was 18 to 30 years old (89.8%). Of the total of participants, 83.1% had used Eucalyptus globulus as a preventive or curative method for COVID-19, mainly in the form of vapour (58.7%), the 18.2% used the fresh plant under the bed and 14.6% as infusions; 24.5% of the people sought to relieve a sore throat, another 20.8% wanted to relieve nasal congestion. Similarly, it was identified that there was a higher consumption of the combination of this one with ginger (Zingiber officinale) and cascarilla (Cinchona pubescens) during March, April, and May. For the statistical analysis, a Chi-square test was applied in the SPSS 25 program, to determine if the population of Riobamba used Eucalyptus globulus as a preventive or curative method against COVID-19. The P-value was less than 0.05 in all cases, indicating that there is an association with the variables of the study. It is concluded that thanks to the presence of secondary metabolites on Eucalyptus globulus influences on the improvement of symptoms caused by SARS-CoV-2, therefore it is recommended to perform more clinical, pharmacological, and phytochemical studies on Eucalyptus globulus also on other plant species to estimate the antiviral potential against COVID-19.