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Omo Biosphere Reserve in Nigeria produces anti-COVID-19 sanitiser with local products

The Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) has been promoting research for the development of safe herbal medicines and medical products in the country

6 May 2020

Last update:20 April 2023

In the context of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, the has looked into its evergreen landscape in order to produce a reliable herbal-based sanitiser following standards laid out by the . The result a an alcohol-based solution with oil of Luffa cylindrica seed, which was found to possess both anti-bacterial and antiviral effects, added with black seed oil (Nigella sativa) and honey. So far, 5,000 units have been produced.

Omo Biosphere Reserve, Nigeria

Located in the south of Nigeria, the luscious forests of the biosphere reserve are extremely rich in species, with high levels of endemism.

The products from the biosphere reserve have not only proved useful for environmental and biodiversity conservation, but also for rural livelihood, food and especially medicine, among others

Professor Adeshola O. Adepoju, Director-General of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN)

The country will host the upcoming 32nd session of the . Originally scheduled for June 2020, the meeting of programme’s highest decision body was postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis.