"Homeopathy has medicine that can prevent the infection as also can act as a cure for the deadly viral infection", claimed Dr. Prasanta Banerji of the PB Homoeopathic Research Foundation.

Patients with SARS, he said, should receive the same treatment as used for patients inflicted with 'serious community-acquired atypical pneumonia of unknown cause'.

"Thuja Oc 30 should be used to ward off the SARS infection. In case of infected persons, Chelidonium Maj 6x should be used every three hours along with Rhus Tox 30 twice daily. Rhus Tox helps in relief of pain and muscle cramps which are associated symptoms of SARS", the internationally acclaimed Homeopath said.

Pointing out that there was no known cure in Allopathy for the mystery disease - that has claimed about 116 lives and sickened another 2700 in 20 countries - Dr Banerji said "our medicines, used in similar cases, should also be effective in cases of SARS... why don't we try out Homeopathic cure and preventives when other disciplines are still in the dark?".

Assuring that no confirmed cases of SARS was detected in the country so far, the Homeopath said "we can, however, take preventive measures of Thuja Oc 30 to ward away the viral infection, particularly during the season change".

On the symptoms of SARS, he said the respiratory illness usually begins with a fever and is sometimes associated with chills, headache, general feeling of discomfort and body aches.

"After two-seven days, patients may develop a dry, non-productive cough that might be accompanied by or progress to the point where insufficient oxygen is getting to the blood", he said.

Scientists, he said, have detected a previously unrecognised corona virus in patients with SARS. "While the new corona virus is still the leading hypothesis, other viruses are still under investigation as potential causes", Dr Banerji said.

Stating that several treatment regimens have been used for patients with SARS, he said "there is still insufficient information at this point to determine if they have had a beneficial effect ... The problem is that Allopathy does not have good cure for viral infections. In such circumstances, Homeopathy can offer its much-tested remedies for similar cases".