AYURVEDA FOR COVID-19

Immunity is the need of the hour

The Covid-19 has made most of us turn to home remedies especially the focus has been to build immunity which is very essential to combat the deadly virus. On the occasion of Ayurveda Day observed on November 13, the Ministry of AYUSH is organising various activities with focus on how Ayurveda can help in immunity building in the context of Covid-19. This year, the theme is centred around "Ayurveda for Covid-19" which aims to look into initiatives of Ayurveda to mitigate Covid-19.

The talk on immunity boosting has been going on for the last few crucial months following which the market is flooded with several herbal products on immunity. A resilient immune system is very important to reduce the impact of any virus or infections. Immunity is our body natural defense to disease-causing viruses or bacteria. Along with proper exercise and good nutrition, one must eat time-tested natural foods known to build immunity naturally.

Natural ingredients can reduce the impact of any virus

Natural remedies derived from plants are far more effective than synthetic medicines. And for over thousands of years, Ayurveda is known to have remarkable remedies for several chronic ailments. This has led to a global interest in this traditional medicine.

Ayurveda (Science of life) is one of the oldest medicine systems developed (between 2000 - 1000 BC) in India, by ancient sages using their observation, experience and natural resources.

Milestones in the development of Ayurveda

Ayurveda was derived from the Vedas, the compendium of ancient Indian knowledge. The Atharvaveda, or "fourth Veda" (1500-1000 BC) also mentions many medicinal plants and concepts from Ayurveda.

The Charaka Samhita (1000 BC) and Sushruta Samhita (1000 BC) are the original texts of Ayurveda.

The western system of medicine was introduced into India by the British in the 19th century. In 1827, classes in Ayurvedic medicine began at the Government Sanskrit College, Calcutta. A five-year degree course in Ayurvedic medicine and surgery was offered at Banaras Hindu University from 1927.

In 1970, the Ayurvedic formulary of India (1.2) was published in two volumes by the Government of India. It contains over 600 compound Ayurvedic formulations.

In 1999, Part I of the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India (3) was published by the Government of India. To date, five volumes have been published

Document titled “Benchmarks for training in Ayurveda” by the World Health Organization (WHO)

With immunity being the talk of the town, Ayurveda has an answer to not only boost immunity naturally but minimise the chances of catching infections. Ayurveda mentions the three energies in the human body(doshas) namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha all of which must coexist in harmony for a healthy body. Natural spices and herbs like turmeric, ginger, ashwagandha, tulsi, cinnamon, pepper and honey play a vital role in balancing these energies.Using them in the right combination can help strengthen immunity and provide relief from ailments.

Here are a few effective guidelines by the Ministry of AYUSH, based on Ayurvedic literature and scientific publications.

Simple guidelines by the Ministry of AYUSH to increase immunity

• Drink plenty of warm water.
• Use spices like turmeric, cumin in cooking.
• Practice yoga, Pranayama.
• Drink herbal tea made of tulsi, black pepper, dry ginger, raisin and lemon juice.
• Take 10 gms of Chywanprash every morning. Diabetics should take sugar free Chywanprash.
• Clove powder mixed with honey can be taken 2 - 3 times a day, for throat irritation.
• Drink golden milk with half tea spoon turmeric powder in 150 ml hot milk, twice a day.

The main objective of Ayurveda Day is to focus on strengths of Ayurveda in reducing ailments and contribute towards National Health Policy and National Health programmes, and to promote Ayurvedic principles of healing in society.