Amid the worst outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, a 62 year old farmer in a remote village of Manipur’s Ukhrul district has devised his own, unique steam inhaler in a bid to combat the deadly Coronavirus.

Although there is no scientific evidence that steam inhalation can help in fighting COVID-19, experts advise that it may help to decrease the respiratory issues and congestion problems in the nasal passage and airways.

Shimreiyo Haorei, a resident of Khamasom Khullen village said that he has been using this homemade steam inhaler for years as a home remedy to get relief from symptoms of cold and other related infections. For flavour, he usually adds locally found herbs like black pepper and lemongrass.

Shimreiyo stated that, ‘We have been following this practice whenever we get ailments like common cold, sore throat or fever. Sometimes, we remove our shirt and wrap ourselves with a blanket, sit on a stool and thrust the steam mouth inside to feel the heat and the flavour’.

However, these days, we are not adding any flavour but only water for hot steam to combat the virus, later he added. Since the second wave triggered the country, including his village with one positive case, many villagers according to Shimreiyo have now adopted the method and started their own homemade steamer as a precautionary measure.