There is no scientific study to prove that consuming betel leaf, ginger, garlic and honey can cure coronary artery disease.

A video (in Hindi) on YouTube claims to have found the perfect way to unclog heart arteries – without any medication or surgical intervention. All you need to do is consume a paste of betel leaf, ginger, garlic and honey on empty stomach for 15 days to reverse coronary artery disease (CAD), says the video.

Is it true? asked a reader of First Check and so, we decided to fact-check the claim.

CAD is a medical condition where cholesterol builds up plaque in the walls of the arteries of the heart, thereby narrowing the artery partially or totally blocking the blood flow. Over a period of time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle and it may lead to heart failure, a serious condition where the heart can’t pump blood well enough to meet the body’s needs.

“CAD is a variable disease; it varies from person to person. Someone with CAD can have a heart attack with a single artery blockage, while someone else may live for years with three artery blockages,” explains Dr Hasmukh Ravat, senior interventional cardiologist, Fortis Hospital, Mumbai, India.

The doctor further expressed his concern about unscientific home remedies propagated on social media. “These claims are unproven, not backed by scientific research,” he notes.

There is no scientific study to prove that consuming betel leaf, ginger, garlic and honey can cure CAD. There are some studies that seem to indicate individual health benefits of these ingredients, but they are far from definitive. For instance, there is evidence showing beneficial effects of betel leaf in experiments on animals, but its validation in humans is still lacking.

Despite the use of these common ingredients in Ayurveda and Chinese folk medicine, studies have found issues regarding their proper use – in terms of preparation, dosage, duration and interaction with generic drugs. It’s important to understand that “natural home remedies” can have unhealthy side effects.

If you have CAD, it is prudent to follow your doctor’s advice to help lower your risk for heart attack or worsening of the heart disease. This could include lifestyle changes, such as low-sodium, low-fat diet, increased physical activity, weight loss, as well as medication to treat risk factors, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. In some cases, surgical procedures may be needed to help restore blood flow to the heart.

Beware of quick fixes, especially when it comes to health. The price you pay may be too high.