India is likely to start trials of treatment protocols on Covid-19 patients by using ayurvedic medicines. Many states, like Haryana, Goa & Kerala, have already started using ayurvedic medicines for asymptomatic patients and even frontline workers.
An industry source, who has been attending meetings with the ministry said, “The ayush ministry had invited suggestions from ayurvedic & homeopathy practitioners across India. They got around 2,000 proposals. Now, the task force (formed for scientific validation of ayurveda and traditional medicine formulas through research institutions) that has been going through these proposals has shortlisted a protocol. It is likely to be notified soon.”
After being notified, they would then be tried on Covid-19 patients, first on asymptomatic ones or non-severe patients and even suspects.
Coronavirus Treatment by Ayurveda:
PM Narendra Modi while addressing the nation on Tuesday spoke about traditional home remedies such as drinking warm water through the day and taking home-made immunity boosters. Earlier, he had a video conference with ayush practitioners. The task force has members from the department of biotechnology (DBT), Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and even the ayush practitioners. It is deliberating on inter-drug reactions if a patient is administered an ayurvedic medicine to fight coronavirus along with the regular allopathic therapy.
According to ayush minister Shripad Y Naik, “The ministry’s task force is scrutinising the proposals which are submitted by ayush practitioners. After that, it will send it to research organisations such as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) which is working actively on the Covid crisis. It would then revert to the ministry with its opinion i.e. whether or not to go ahead with the line of therapy. In China also, they have used traditional medicines along with allopathic drugs. We are awaiting a final decision on this & can expect it within this month.”
Naik felt that as there is no established vaccine available for the coronavirus, ayurveda can be useful even as a preventive measure. At the same time, some states such as Haryana, Kerala, & Goa have already started using it as a preventive medicine along with regular allopathic medicines.
As per sources, some government hospitals are also using it to treat asymptomatic patients & even those which are under quarantine.
Partap Chauhan, founder director of Jiva Ayurveda said, “Ayurvedic texts have talked about epidemics, ways to control them & also illnesses that have very similar symptoms that the Coronavirus has. Though, there has been no clinical study on coronavirus patients, these therapies have been tried & tested over centuries. A singular treatment line is unlikely as ayurveda is highly customised according to the person’s prakriti or nature.”
