The new virus - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or Sars-CoV-2 is found responsible for causing unusual pneumonia. In short, the disease caused by this virus is Covid-19. Since the world is struggling to develop a vaccine for the Corona virus; this pandemic has turned even more serious resulting in deaths of many patients. In general, oxygen therapy and symptomatic treatment is followed for the treatment of this ailment. Under such circumstances, it is easier to stop something worse happening in the first place than to repair the damage it has caused. This same concept has a place in Ayurveda which is described as “SwasthyashyaSwasthyaRakshanam”, which means maintaining a healthy life rather than “AturashyaVikaraPrashamanancha”, means to treat the ailment of the diseased.
Therefore, seeking alternative preventive therapies based on food, herbs, nutraceuticals and natural supplements becomes obvious till the approval of any tested vaccine against this disease. It is a matter of fact that about, 25 per cent of the drugs such as quinine, taxol, aspirin and morphine are derived from natural resources especially plants and several others are the synthetic derivatives of the prototype compounds. Therefore, one cannot underestimate the power of traditional system of medicines to counter infectious diseases such as Covid-19 and I have the reasons to say so.
China was worst hit by the Covid-19 and there are reports suggesting that it has specifically managed to control this disease by also introducing TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) in the clinical practice. Recently, a scientific study was published in a reputed international journal Pharmacological Research, which highlighted use of QPD (QingfeiPaidu Decoction) comprising of EphedraeHerba, Glycyrrhiza radix among other herbs for the symptomatic treatment of Covid-19 patients. Among the 701 confirmed cases with Covid-19, this TCM-based decoction showed significant results by successfully curing 130 cases, improving symptoms of 268 cases, managed symptoms aggravation in 212 cases and disappearance of symptoms in 51 cases out of 701 confirmed cases. The journal claimed that the QPD had 90% effective cure rate against Covid-19. Similarly, plants like Lonicera japonica, Panax ginseng, Eucalyptus and constituents like Kaemferols present in several plants are reported to possess anti-Corona associated properties according to some studies mentioned in international scientific journals.
In context to natural remedies, Indian traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy are extremely classified systems each having own logic, validity and lakhs of reliable users. Recently, Prime Minister of India, held meeting with the officials of Ministry of Ayush highlighting possible roles of traditional system of medicines in tackling the menace of Covid-19.
During this time of crises where all the health care professionals are working round the clock in search on preventive and curative measures for this pandemic, The Ministry of Ayush, equipped with appropriate responses came up with health advisory focussing on preventive, prophylactic, symptomatic management and conventional care interventions to combat this pandemic. The Ministry of Ayush have suggested some recommendations, based on Ayurvedic literature and scientific publications, for preventive health measures and boosting immunity with special reference to respiratory health.
The idea to prevent this pandemic through traditional system of medicine is by enhancing the immunity (known as Vyadhiksamatva” in Ayurveda) of an individual by administering immunity enhancer herbs. Vyadhiksamatva is not just limited to the understanding or providing immunity against viruses but also providing resistance against the loss of integrity, proportion and associations with human’s tissues and bio-energies and known as dhatus and doshas in Ayurveda. There are several medicinal plants mentioned in the traditional texts having proven immune-enhancer properties such as Ginger, Astragalus, Lahsun, Ginseng, Giloy, Liquorice, Ashwagandha, Amla and Cinnamomum. Therefore, scientifically proven immunity enhancers herbal formulations, nutraceuticals, supplements and so on can be used as one of the preventive measures by the persons, especially old-aged individuals, which are more prone to viruses due to lesser immunity.
Special emphasis was given on enhancing immunity by consuming warm water throughout the day, daily practice of Yogasana, using spices such as Haldi, Jeera, Dhaniya, Lahsun in cooking, oil pulling therapy using sesame or coconut oil and applying sesame/coconut oil or ghee in both the nostrils (PratimarshNasya) in mornings and evenings.
Furthermore, it suggested Ayurvedic herbal formulations like Chyavanprash, herbal tea/decoction made of Dalchini, Tulsi, Kali mirch and so on for enhancing the immunity. Steam inhalation with fresh Pudina (Mint) leaves or Ajwain and administering Lavang (Clove) powder mixed with honey taken 2-3times a day was recommended for dry cough/sore throat.
Similarly, some formulations based on Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy (having a prestigious history to prevent epidemics such as Spanish influenza, Typhoid, Influenza, Diphtheria, and so on) were also recommended for prevention, prophylactic and symptoms management of Covid-19. The Ayush formulations such as SamshamaniVati: A tablet of Tinosporacordifolia (Giloy) based on Ayurveda, decoction of Nilavembu Kudineer: An extract of Andrographispaniculata & others based on Siddha system of medicine, decoction of Unnab (Zizyphus jujube), Behidana (Cydonia oblonga), Sapistan (Cordiamyxa), etc. based on Unani and Arsenicum album 30:
Manufactured on the principles of Homoeopathy, besides others, were recommended for preventive and prophylactic management by the ministry with specific doses and conditions (Refer detailed advisory by Ministry of Ayush). Common medicinal plants such as Curcuma longa (Haldi), Tinosporacordifolia (Giloy), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) and Zingiberofficinale (Ginger) having remarkable and diverse pharmacological properties were also underlined for preventive and symptomatic treatment of this pandemic.
At present, when we are devoid of specific curative therapy for this disease, it is therefore essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle, boost immunity through foods, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals and herbs to prevent the spread of this pandemic. Besides requirement of re-exploring and scientifically validating Indian herbs and related formulations to manufacture singular and conjunction therapy against Covid-19, adopting prophylactic, preventive measures based on Indian system of medicines would prove pathbreaking in combating this pandemic.
Declaration: The work is supported by FITM, Ministry of Ayush and RIS (Research and Information System for Developing Countries). The views expressed are personal
(Singh is a FITM fellow, Ministry of Ayush at RIS (Research and Information System for Developing Countries) & research scholar at MRSPTU, Bathinda, Punjab, and Baldi is professor and dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, MRSPTU, Bathinda, Punjab. They can be reached at preetnabha67@gmail.com and baldiashish@gmail.com)