Sales of pine needle tea have rocketed by 5,000% for one supplier after unfounded claims it can prevent Covid.

Claims on social media have suggested sumarin, a component of the tea, prevents people from catching the virus by reducing its ability to be transmitted and an often heard anti-vaccination conspiracy theory that those who have been jabbed shed harmful proteins on those refusing the potentially life-saving injection.

Reality TV star Leanne Brown, the wife of former Manchester United star Wes Brown, has even urged people to drink pine needle tea rather than get vaccinated.

The star of Real Housewives of Cheshire has also claimed the pandemic is a government cover-up for child trafficking.

But it has sent sales of the speciality tea soaring for the Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, based in Pluckley, near Ashford.

It says it has sold 4,800kg of the stuff since mid-May - 160 times their yearly average of 30kg.

Richard Smith, partner at the company, said: "The demand came out of nowhere and has been astounding - we are processing over 450 pine needle tea orders a day.

"Due to supply issues since the start of May we ran out of the tea thanks to the ‘news’ that it helps prevent coronavirus. We have had people phoning up in states of distress and even tears."

An anti-vaccination conspiracy site, which claims those who have been vaccinated are shedding proteins to the unvaccinated who will then suffer ill effects, says the only line of defence is by drinking pine needle tea.

All the claims have been rubbished - with scientists pointing out those vaccinated against Covid don't 'shed' proteins - and that the claims over the tea have "no basis in science".

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