Theoretical effectiveness of steam inhalation against SARS-CoV-2 infection: updates on clinical trials, mechanism of actions, and traditional approaches

Abstract

Steam inhalation therapy can be a contemporary approach for COVID-19 affected patients of all age groups to manage respiratory conditions, though it presently lacks the scientific backing to establish itself as a befitting practice. The age of COVID-19 has facilitated this traditional home remedy to resurface among the general mass as a helpful approach for the prevention and adjuvant treatment of the disease. In this review, the means of SARS-CoV-2 infection and impact of the parameters, namely steam inhalation and heat on such infection has been delineated via enumerating the effect of the parameters in the human body and against SARS-CoV-2. The literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, Google Scholar, and CNKI Scholar databases. The keywords used in the survey include ‘Steam inhalation’, ‘SARS-CoV-2’, ‘COVID-19’, ‘Clinical study’, ‘Mechanism of action’, ‘Traditional uses’, ‘Phytochemistry’ and ‘Adverse effects’. Clinical studies concerning steam inhalation by COVID-19 patients have been comprehended to demarcate the scientific obscurity of the practice. The safety profile of the procedure has also been outlined emphasizing evading measures against COVID-19 and other related disease states. To recapitulate, application of the steam inhalation with herbal concoctions and phytochemicals having folkloric prevalence as an inhalable remedy against respiratory illnesses has been explored in this review work to focus on a new aspect in the COVID-19 treatment paradigm using steam and progress of further research hither.

The Influence of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Health Seeking Behaviors of Adults Living With Chronic Conditions: A View Through the Health Belief Model

“…Similar findings were reported by other studies in Italy, 32 United States 33 and Ghana. 34 Although, no study has reported dietary modification and supplementation, 35 or established the effectiveness of steam inhalation 36 could prevent COVID-19, Hibino and Hayashida intimated that in the wake of vaccine hesitancy, effective non-pharmaceutical interventions, healthy lifestyles and improved dietary patterns could improve the health of individuals and reduce the risk for COVID-19. 37 Several other studies emphasized the relevance of micronutrients such as zinc and Vitamins in the optimization of immune system and regulating immune response.…”

Flavonoids: A treasure house of prospective pharmacological potentials

“…People predicted the therapeutic benefits of medicinal plants before the creation of contemporary therapies [ 2 ]. The use of traditional and unconventional methods to treat various illness conditions is widespread worldwide [ 3 ]. Even in the modern period, plants are still a possible source of therapeutics for serious illnesses like cancer, oxidative stress, diarrhea, depression, fever, and thrombosis [ 4 ].…”

The Use of Herbal Health Products and Home-Based Remedies for Protection Against Covid-19

“…The use of steam inhalation (local hyperthermia) in the treatment and prevention of Covid-19 is gaining popularity. Its effectiveness was demonstrated in a clinical trial [28]. In one study, [29] were administered five cycles of four minutes for twenty minutes for four consecutive days at a temperature of 55°C and 65°C in the first 4 to 5 min after the initiation of water boiling.…”