Covid-19 : Preservation of health through Ayurveda in COVID-19 Era.

Covid-19 : Preservation of health through Ayurveda in COVID-19 Era.

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Preservation of Health Through Ayurveda in COVID-19 Era


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Author : Dr. Ankur Kumar Tanwar



"In this current era, COVID-19 became the pandemic which spread in the world so rapidly. Many scientists all over the world try to search the preventive as well as therapeutic measures against this pandemic. Hit and trial are continuously going on for the search of medicine, still, no one is successful to find prophylaxis as well as therapeutic aspect. Every system of medicine makes an effort to safeguard the peoples but except for the traditional system of medicine, no one is successful as a shield. Now, the whole world looks towards the ancient science of life called Ayurveda which through its preventive, predictive, promotive, participatory, and therapeutic approach will become the main branch of medicine shortly. The basic principle of ayurveda, the age-old science of life is "Swasthasya swasthya rakshanam". This means to maintain the health of the healthy is the first main objective of Ayurveda rather than merely "Aaturasya vikar prashmanam" to cure the disease of the diseased individual. Ayurveda always emphasized to maintain health and prevent disease by proper follow up of healthy lifestyle and dietary instructions. Ayurvedic concepts of lifestyle include conduct like dietary habits under the heading Ahara vidhi vidhana, general behavioral patterns under the heading Sadvritta , daily and seasonal conduct under the heading dincharya, and ritucharya, etc. In the perspective of COVID-19, Ayurveda acts as prophylaxis through various preventive measures like sadvritta, dinacharya (daily regimens) and Ritucharya (seasonal regimen), and as therapeutic through the practical application of herbs as immunity-boosting, rasayana therapy, etc.

Sadvritta : The application of Sadvritta is important for the prevention and cure of disease. Sadvritta emphasizes the cleanliness of the body and mind. Sadvritta helps to boost mental health which is essential in the current time of COVID-19. Sadvritta helps to decrease the level of stress called lockdown stress and make us healthy in terms of mentally, socially, and physically. Sadvritta is the non pharmacological preventive approach for healthy life which mentions the good conducts for positive wellbeing. The code of conduct mentioned in the Sadvritta increases the sattva guna which increases the potency of body and mind. The conducts advocated may help to increase the immunological status of the individual. Sadvritta increases the resistance from disease and helps the individual to fight with the disease mentally and physically. The main focus of Sadvritta is on the preventive aspect of life which in terms fulfills the primary objective of Ayurveda.

If a person followed the practices mentioned in Sadvritta, he gets all rejuvenation effects like longevity, memory, free from disease, and excellent potency of the body and mind. Both the aaharaja and viharaja nidana which causes the disease is not practiced and mentioned in Sadvritta. Following the Sadvritta acts as preventive measures and prophylaxis communicable diseases like COVID-19. Sadvritta helps to boost mental health which is essential in the current time of COVID-19 and lockdown stress.

Dinacharya and Ritucharya : The influence of daily routine and seasonal variation always occurred on the disease pathology and prognosis and the same was found in COVID -19. Ancient sages set up the regimen according to seasons and daily routine to obtain swasthya (health) and prevent the disease. So with the knowledge of seasonal and daily regimen, we can surely avoid disease and to stay healthy forever. The knowledge of ritucharya (regimen for various seasons) is important for maintaining health .People don't know or ignore the food stuff and other regimens according to season ,this leads to derangement of doshas and causes various diseases. Dinacharya regimens are looking very small and worthless but play an important role in maintenance of health and thus prevention of communicable disorder as well as non communicable disease.

Yoga : Yoga is a holistic practice that strengthens our body physically, mentally, and spiritually. As this pandemic hampers the respiratory system, pranayama(breathing exercise) increases the lung capacity and pulmonary functions, improves oxygen supply to all cells and tissues, helps to increase breathing time, and finally increases immunity and gives longevity to life. As a result, the body's defense mechanism against pathogens like bacteria and viruses also improves.

Yoga is a non-pharmacological approach against various communicable and non-communicable diseases. It is a body-mind medicine and preventive, promotive, and therapeutic approach. It reduces stress levels through antayoga as well as maintains autonomic response against stress.

Aahara : Aahara is the best of all medicine. Medicine can perform well only with administration of proper food. Due to the endless effect of diet, Aahara (diet) is one of the three upstambha called three pillars for the healthy sustenance of the body. Ayurveda described the role of diet in growth, development, as a source of energy, as an immunity enhancer, etc. It is now acknowledged in the medical field that nutrition provides overall resistance against disease if taken in proper and balanced ways. In the end, a balanced diet as per dosha can be used for treatment as well as preventive strategies for maintaining health and resilience. According to Ayurveda, some combinations of food called virudhahara are not good for health and should be avoided in all conditions.If virudhahara is taken ,then toxins accumulate in the body and result in disease.

Oja or Vyadhikashamtva : Oja is the essence of all dhatu and indication of bala or vyadhikashamatva of the individual which is essential to prevent any disease specially COVID-19. The use of rasayana(rejuvenation therapy), Immunity boosting herbs, and Ojovardhaka diet and herbs are useful in the preventative as well as therapeutic aspect against the pandemic. The following herbs and formulation may act as a powerful defender:


1.Sanshamni vati : It is a herbal formulation prepared from Giloy (Tinospora Cordifolia).It is also called amrita due to its many properties like anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, immunomodulator, anti-viral, anti-diabetic, and anti-bacterial which make the herb best against SARS-Cov-2.
2.Ashwagandha Churna/Tab : Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is the best rasayana(rejuvenating herb). It is the best immune modulator as well as anti-inflammatory activities.
3.Bhunimba Kwath : also called as kalmegha (Andrographis paniculata) is one of the best drugs mentioned in classics for fever and cough. Its Kapha pitta shamaka. Due to its antipyretic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective action, it is the best herb among the several drugs for COVID-19
4.Amalaki churna/ amla juice : Amalaki (Emblica officinale ) is a good source of vitamin C which is antioxidant and important for the normal functioning of the immune system.
5.Braham Rasayana : It is the best rasayana for the stress factor in the current pandemic. It is a herbal formulation containing around 45 ingredients and helps in the enhancement of immunity and gives strength and power.
6.Amritarishta : It is a liquid formulation used in fever and digestive stimulants. Helpful to lower down the fever.
7.Indukantam Kashyam : Liquid formulation acts on the digestive organs and is beneficial in abdominal disorders including abdominal spasms, loss of appetite. It also provides strength and increases immunity.
8.Ayush kwath powder/Tab : It contains the ingredients like sauthi, Dalchini, Tulsi, and kalimirch which contribute to the enhancement of immunity.
9.Honey : The use of honey one tablespoon twice daily may be helpful in the current pandemic. Honey is tridoshahara and through antiviral, antimicrobial, antibacterial activity, it is useful in respiratory disorders, cough, and sore throat.



All these principles if followed properly enhance the vyadhi kashyamatva or immunity and act as defender.


Author : Dr. Ankur Kumar Tanwar,
M.D.Scholar,Dept of Kriya Sharir,
Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College,
Govt of NCT Delhi,
Mobile no. : 09250868756



 

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