The chutney of red ants which is largely consumed in tribal areas of Odisha and Chattisgarh has been suggested as a possible treatment for coronavirus to the Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) Ministry and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The chutney, which is a mixture of red ants and green chillies, is largely consumed in several tribal areas to get rid of common flu, cold, and cough.
As reported by The Times of India, the ministry and the CSIR have been given a period of three months to decide on a proposal to use red ant chutney to treat COVID-19.
Barapida-based engineer and researcher, Nayadhar Padhial, was the first to suggest this idea. He later also filed a petition in the court regarding the same. On Padhial’s proposal, the high court issued the directive on the PIL that sought its intervention against alleged inaction.
The bench issued a statement, “Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this court disposes off the writ petition and directs the director general of the ministry of Ayush and the director-general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research to take a decision on the representation filed by the petitioner and pass appropriate order within three months.”
Padhial has suggested that this chutney could be the possible reason for the low number of COVID-19 cases in the tribal areas. The chutney contains formic acid, protein, calcium, Vitamin B12, Zinc and iron which help boost the immune system.