The Ministry of Health has warned of legal action against people who sell Chinese traditional herbal medicine Lianhua Qingwen capsules, which some used to treat Covid-19 symptoms.

In an announcement explaining the move on June 26, it said the accounts have not been registered with the ministry.

The ministry said it had checked the medicine sold online and discovered that most of the products were either of poor quality or counterfeit. The medicine also had no clear source or proof that it could cure Covid-19.

“To avoid wasting money and any negative impact from the products which could lead to death, the health ministry advises the public to stop buying these products online.

“Before buying such traditional herbal medicine, please check the package, which should have the name of the importer and registration number,” the ministry said, adding the product was being sold on at least eight Facebook accounts.

In late April, the Chinese government donated 88,000 boxes of the traditional Chinese medicine Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang to Cambodia. The ministry issued a registration certificate recognising and allowing this kind of medicine to be sold in Cambodia on April 27.

The medicine is used to help treat certain symptoms and diseases by detoxifying and lowering the temperature in the lungs. It is administered in cases of flu, fever and muscle soreness.

Health minister Mam Bun Heng said in late May that the medicine helped patients with mild symptoms to recover quickly from runny nose, cough and fever. It had prevented people from developing severe symptoms.