The Philippines might study the use of traditional herbs tawa-tawa and lagundi to treat patients with the novel coronavirus, the Department of Science and Technology said Thursday, as the world raced to find a cure against the contagion.

The Food and Drug Administration allows the use of lagundi or chaste tree for cough, and tawa-tawa or asthma plant as a supplement for dengue patients, said DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña.

"Tayo ang nagpi-prepare na rin, baka sakaling i-try natin. Actually, nag-set aside na kami ng pondo para sa tawa-tawa at lagundi," he told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

(We are preparing, we might try them. We have set aside funds for tawa-tawa and lagundi.)

Local researchers are also studying the efficacy of virgin coconut oil for severe COVID-19 cases.

• 'Works like soap': Scientist explains why virgin coconut oil could be COVID-19 cure

TeleRadyo, June 11, 2020