Can adding Ayurveda help fight corona virus- COVID 19? -

Can adding Ayurveda help fight corona virus- COVID 19? It is serious, and we all are doing it tough but we should not panic. We need to better prepared for the worst. We are living in a global world where everything is available and accessible at any time. On one hand we are enjoying such globalization, on other hand we are fighting with many lifestyle diseases which are caused by modern lifestyle, globalization and industrialization. And then, we also have something called as sudden outbreak of deadly viral infections. The recent one is Novel Corona virus (COVID 19). It is another strain (variety) of corona virus family and almost 84% similar to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS corona virus)- what we had it in 2002. It causes high grade fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. We don’t know many other things about it yet and therefore the treatment is still not discovered. World scientists are on this and soon we hope to get some answers. Till then we need to follow precautions and do what better possible to prevent such infections.

The China model of adding Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM)

Amid the corona virus scare in the whole world, people are looking up to Alternative and traditional medicines for some information. Managing infectious disease is a huge challenge in any medical science. So, what was China’s secret in managing COVID 19 or so-called Wuhan Pneumonia? In late January this year, the Chinese leader made his first public call for the “combination of Chinese and Western medicine” in the diagnosis and treatment of Covid-19. Few days back, I read a news on CNN news making headlines as ‘Beijing is promoting traditional medicine as a ‘Chinese solution’ to corona virus. Not everyone is on board’. It explained that people with corona virus were given some 20 herbs blended soup and some other herbs daily.

More than 85% of all corona virus patients in China,about 60,000 people had received herbal remedies alongside mainstream antiviral drugs. In a study of more serious cases, patients receiving combined treatments also left hospital sooner than the control group and had greater levels of oxygen in their blood and a higher lymphocyte count — an important indicator of the health of recovering patients, according to Yu. From the 16th of February onward, almost 87% of all treatments nationwide in China included TCM as part of the treatment protocols.

But there are lot of questions regarding the quality of trials, ‘it could be a placebo’ – one of the persons in the study claimed and did not like the taste of the herbal soup. Moreover, we know as expected, herbal remedies/traditional medicines always face even more skepticism from conventional medical experts, who have many questions/doubts about their effectiveness and safety. Fare enough. However, unless we allow do some research in traditional medicines and be open to it, people will keep raising doubts. We need an integrative approach to many such diseases.

Why not Ayurvedic medicines with conventional medicines in India?

So, looking at China model, why not we in India can think of at a combined approach of Ayurveda with conventional medicines? Well, this is a very big ask. We know Ayurveda is fighting it tough at many corners of health care sector. The misconception about Ayurvedic medicines and poor/not enough research leave Ayurvedic doctors isolated. Especially, when many people are skeptical about Ayurvedic medicines, their efficacy and safety in many cases. However, there are few proven remedies which can be endorsed. This needs a lot of discussion and planning. But I hope AYUSH ministry is onboard on this. I believe Ayurvedic medicines has much more to offer to present generation and it’s status is improving since a while now. Well, that a whole another topic of discussion.

When Indians have Ayurveda. But are utilizing it properly? What we need is to recognize, test the formulas and get evidence altogether to claim anything. Unless one test them, denying Ayurvedic efficacy is not fare. I agree that there are no trials that can claim that Ayurvedic medicines can help with such pandemic related symptoms. Also, that there are no clinical trials which can prove that Ayurvedic medicines are ineffective in such cases.

As private Ayurvedic doctors, we get many people who come to us asking for ‘anything for corona’? Are there any medicines which can boost the immunity? And then whole Ayurveda fraternity came into action searching for what can be offer. Few days back AYUSH ministry withdraws its suggestions of what possibly could prevent corona. We need to be very careful and responsible in claiming anything in such sensitive atmosphere. However, any medical fraternity has a right to put forward what their science says about such outbreaks. All possibility needs to be explored in such a difficult situation where we don’t have treatment plans. So, what we need is to be on same page as multi-disciplinary team and fight with this unknown evil. Well, I leave this to AYUSH ministry and other government officials and institutions.

I am both an Ayurvedic doctor and holds a master degree in public health. My responsibility as a public health graduate takes over my Ayurveda clinical practice in this case.I am here to put forward my views of what Ayurvedic doctors could do in helping the government and people is to encourage follow given guidelines of what needs to be done to manage a pandemic and moreover not to panic. Additionally, personally I believe that there is no harm in working on your diet (eating healthy) and taking some herbs (suggested by a qualified Ayurvedic doctor only) along with strictly following the public health precautions and measures such as staying at home and washing hands at regular intervals to avoid community transmission of corona virus. So, while rest of the world is busy in finding its vaccine, we Ayurvedic doctors are workingat their level on all possibilities from Ayurvedic perspectives. Be aware that there is no Ayurvedic medicine yet explored which can prevent or treat corona virus.

Anti-Viral herbs (What is proved to be effective)

So, what an Ayurvedic doctor would suggest to manage any viral infection for an instance? There are lot of potential herbs which has been researched for their efficacy and called as antiviral herbs. But I am mentioning about only one- Yastimadhu.

Yastimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra-Licorice root):

This my all-time favorite medicines for many diseases including common cold and cough. It has been extensively used for ages in Ayurvedic medicines along with ancient Egyptian medicine and traditional Chinese medicines. In 2002, SARS Corona virus outbreak led to the research From China, Hong Kong, Europe and the USA in to licorice. And it had breakthrough results. But then we had another virus outbreak in 2012 and focus shifted from SARS. And it was all about developing a vaccine and not treatment. Almost more than 83 research papers were published supporting the efficacy of licorice against SARS virus. There were more than 83 published researched papers showing the effectiveness.

Self-care at home

Social isolation- as people are now staying at home, they may have time to look after themselves. You might not get this time of self-care so often. So please, focus on healthy habits and avoid anything which can cause your interaction with the virus.

Follow personal hygienic methods.
Have healthy diet- eat fresh foods.
Be physically active.
Spend time in managing things which you always wanted to do. For example, clean your home.
Spend time in cooking your own meals and Avoid eating outside.
Make some ginger kashaya or ginger lemon or honey teaor Tulasi tea and drink or just drink boiled and cooled water.
Meditate and relax well.
Do Yoga at home.
Do not panic.
Save all the important numbers in your mobile and also write them down in your diary.
Be prepared and informed.

Boosting Immunity

We always recommend to take Rasayanas. Various such formulas have been told by Ayurvedic experts and clinically we give them to so many patients for a very long time. Remember, Immunity cannot boost in one or two days. So, if you are thinking that any Ayurvedic formula will help you in one day please rethink. And I believe that Corona virus pandemic has much more to do with than immunity alone.

Anyways, plants rich in flavonoids, vitamin C, or the carotenoids so can enhance immune function. There are many herbs and formulas in Ayurveda which are believed to boost immunity of a person such as Ginger, Garlic, Trikatu, Triphala etc. The most famous and commonly used formula is Chyawanaprasha. This is believed to be the best formula for boosting respiratory immunity and to avoid seasonal diseases. It is also effective in treating cough and cancer (radioprotective). Another one is Amrutha or called as Guduchi is an Immunomodulator. It was clinically effective in treating Chikungunya too.

There are many other herbs which works on Pranavaha channels (Respiratory system) such as – Pipplaai, Kantakari, Pushkaramoola, Agastya Rasayana, Vasa, Tulasi, etc. I don’t want to mention many other formulas as I don’t want to claim anything here. Do not believe wats app message or any other message on social media about the Ayurvedic cure for COVID 19. Do not pick up immunity boosting medicines randomly from Ayurvedic shops without consulting Ayurvedic doctors. Better to contact your Ayurvedic doctor and ask your questions and be assured.

Final Words:

There are many other questions which arise as the world encounter such pandemics- Is it all over? We may have another virus outbreak in future and will we in this situation again? So what can done to prevent those? What causes such outbreaks? Why so many deaths? Why no solution? Why our body is so weak/susceptible for such infections. What about social determinants of health of people? We know that our environment has met serious disaster. Is it the environmental crisis? Or is this just made by us? There are many things we need to re-think as human beings and to see what kind of world we are into making. COVID 19 is serious, and we all are doing it tough but we should not panic. We need to better prepared for the worst.