2019 Novel Corona Virus: Will Ayurveda Again Serve to be A Clinical Protocol?

by Mishank Barnwal Digital Marketing (SEO,SMO,Blogger)

The recent outbreak of Corona Virus Epidemic has caused considerable distress and morbidity among the affected population. The current treatment measures are helping just to certain extent while no satisfactory treatment regimen is available for managing sequelae of acute phase.2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), most commonly known as Coronavirus, is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. It was detected as a cause of respiratory sickness outbreaks in Wuhan (Capital of Hubei Province), China. The virus is believed to have originated late last year in a food market in the Chinese city of Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife. Health experts think it may have originated in bats and then passed to humans, possibly via another animal species. Coronavirus is an infectious disease that can be transmitted between animals to humans and human-to-human. The novel coronavirus infection that first broke out in Wuhan, China, has spread to 25 countries so far. As on 4th Feb, 2020 , at least 361 deaths and 17,205 cases of the virus have been reported from China while new infections are being reported around the world. The WHO reported 146 confirmed cases in 23 countries outside China including 3 cases in Kerala, India.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

A common sign of infection includes respiratory symptoms, cough, fever, breathing difficulties or shortness of breath and diarrhea. Infection can cause the severe acute respiratory syndrome, pneumonia, kidney failure and even death in more severe cases. It is estimated that it takes 2 to 10 days from exposure to onset of symptoms by the World Health Organization. Analysis of the recent out breaks has suggested that the increased severity of the disease may be due to a change in genetic sequence and the virus attacks on cells and begins replicating to cause an Infection. It all depends on the virus’s lifecycle and replication rate that how fast the virus spreads throughout the body. It rearranges the membrane of cells and stimulates them to fuse together. This process causes sufficient damage to host tissues to shut down the body’s immune system, to fight with viruses, infections and other diseases.

Treatment and Vaccination

Unfortunately, the vaccination is under investigation and not available for Novel Coronavirus. The efforts are already underway by global organizations, governments, and private companies, but it may take months. There is no specific management for Novel Coronavirus. Vaccine. Symptomatic treatment is recommended. The line of management is usually the rest, Intravenous fluids, anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents.

Correlation of Ayurveda and Siddha Medicine with Preventive Measures

Ayurveda - the science of life, and Siddha - means achievements, the twin medicine system in India are the comprehensive system of health care of ancient wisdom, based on experiential knowledge and grown with perpetual additions. Original dimensions of Ayurveda are in built in the ancient compendia of Indian wisdom called Vedas, which are believed to be documented around 6000 years back. About 65% of population in India is reported to use Ayurveda and medicinal plants to help meet their primary health care needs and the safety of this vibrant tradition is attributed to time tested use and textual reference.

The concept of epidemics is very well defined and established in Ayurveda and Siddha. Acharya Charaka (1500BC - 400AD), the great physician of Ayurveda had mentioned epidemic conditions under the head ‘Janapadodwamsa”. The contamination and vitiation of various factors like– Jala (water), Vayu (air), Desha (place) and Kala (season), are considered to be responsible for the production of communicable diseases which can be well correlated with modern science. Susruta (1500BC-500AD) has very clearly defined such diseases under Oupasargika roga i.e., communicable diseases.

Numerous methods of prevention and controls of epidemics, measures for environmental sanitation finds an important place in Ayurvedic and Siddha literatures. It has also been mentioned that the natural course of disease and its treatment may vary according to the period, geographical extent, eco-climatic conditions, and psychosomatic constitution of an individual and so on. Certain new disease entities may also appear in the course of time that has no identity and they may be managed through suitable drugs and procedures based on the symptom profile, taking leads from authentic literatures.

This provides us basic ideology of creating an evidence on safety and efficacy through Reverse pharmacology. Today water borne diseases, environmental diseases, epidemiological disorders and seasonal disorders due to infections can be correlated with Janapadodhwamsa Vyadhis.

Evidence of Contagious Disease Treatment By Ayurveda

Various communicable diseases like Chikanguniya, Dengue , Swine flu etc. which were declared as global emergencies earlier, The observations drawn from medical camps and documented reports collected from various parts of the country revealed that the Ayurveda and Siddha regimens certainly has a role in cure and management of the symptoms of these diseases effectively. This would immensely help for taking forward the leads from Ayurveda and Siddha for further scientific validation on safety and efficacy in the Coronavirus condition also through systematic experimental and clinical studies.

Ayurveda and Siddha offers number of single drugs, compound herbal and herbo-mineral combinations, may be rationally used to combat such conditions. It is evident from above description that the Ayurveda has an enormous knowledge of mode of spread, nature of microorganism and how to combat the disease long back. The krimis, bhutas, grahas, rakshas and their agantuka nidana are all microorganisms may be virus, bacterial and fungal organisms.

Charaka has given three main processes for treating the krimi rogas:

(1) These are Nidana parivarjana (to avoid the factors responsible for the production of disease),

(2) Apakarshana (removal of krimi from the affected site) and

(3) Prakriti Vighata (changing the environment, which favorable for the growth of microbes).

In Siddha system of medicine, the treatment modalities are categorized into

(a) Symptom modifiers- to say the drugs which improve the Quality of Life providing strength or resistance against the disease such as Jvara hara (anti pyretic) ; Sotha hara (anti-inflammatory); Vedanaa hara (analgesics) ; Kasa hara (anti tussive) ; Swasa hara (anti dyspnoeic); Atisara hara (anti diarrheal) etc.,

(b) General health promoters- the agents that alleviate symptoms and facilitate early recovery such as Balya (Tonic) and Rasayana (Immunomodulator)

(c) Vector control measures/agents -that are mostly physical measures for environmental cleanliness like Dhoopana ( for Fumigation) and Bhuthaghna & Rakshoghna (Anti- microbial agents).

The concept seems to be very similar to modern microbiology and practice of medicine. Though there is no direct reference of Coronavirus, but it can be equated with the prevailing conditions to some extent.

How Ayurvedic Products Can Prevent?

It is always necessary to take action before it is late. As a preventive measure, some of the herbo-minerals like, Holy Basil, Giloy (Heart-Leaved Moonseed) Amla, Winter Cherry, Turmeric etc, produce the antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effect and effective in all age groups, for stronger immunity, better digestion healthy liver functioning, metabolism, and a balanced hormonal function. There are a lot of Ayurvedic formulations available to cleanse the toxins, and provide nourishment, lubricate and reinstate the balance. This process increases immunity and protects the body against viruses and infections.

Ayurvedic products like herbal immunity booster can help boost overall immunity, which helps protect the body against viruses, bacteria, fungi, infections and even parasites, and empowers energy and resistance. These immune system boosters are usually designed by natural herbs to promote increased energy and helps aid in your body’s ability to fight infection. They help to keep illnesses away and provides optimal immune defense.

Best Herbal Immunity Booster

Ayurvedic formulations with immune-boosting properties are available in tablets, capsules, supplements and tonics, which promotes overall health and well-being. But finding a trustworthy and reliable product is all that matters. Bio Immunoboosters Capsule by BIOAYURVEDA (One of the biggest Ayurvedic brands) is one of the most reliable immunity system booster, formulated by completely pure ingredients such as Giloy (Heart-Leaved Moonseed, Amla, Turmeric, Green Chiretta, Black Pepper, Moringa, Dry Ginger and many more natural herbs that helps to sustain immunity with its anti-inflammatory properties. It helps in enhancing the function of white body cells that fights infections. It helps in improving the body's response to respiratory infections and improves digestive health. It works remarkably well in activating the immune system to bring overall wellness.

Some More Necessary Safety Measures

Ayurveda always recommend Diet and Life style adoption, i.e

(a) Ahara (Diet) -Always have homemade fresh food, plenty of lukewarm liquids, light and warm diet, liberally use ginger and turmeric in foods Always avoid food prepared under unhygienic conditions, contaminated and stale food, Cold drinks, beverage, etc.

(b) Vihara (Lifestyle)- Avoid visiting the disease prevalent areas

(c) Proper sanitation measures to be followed like

Regular hand washing with soap and water, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, stay home when you are sick, clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, etc. are the common recommendations to avoid infection spread. Avoid intimate contact with any person showing signs of respiratory sickness like cough and sneezing

Coronavirus is an epidemic disorder, there should be continuous upgrading of the knowledge about the infection, transmission, control, virus, vector and epidemiology. As this disease is mainly related to public health, the research has to be focused on the geographical extent and spread of the infection, and further research is needed to standardize these formulations by developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), pharmacopoeia standards, stability studies and establishing the safety data of these formulations along with scientific evidences. Various Health Departments has to be actively engaged in patient care, patient education, community education which also includes, organizing various preventive and curative medical camps to tackle this disaster and health menace globally.