AYUSH Ministry On COVID-19 Management

As phased unlock continues to happen, the AYUSH Ministry issued a Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga for management of COVID-19, along with mask-wearing. Here are a set of general and dietary measures stated by the AYUSH ministry during COVID.

With the COVID-19 virus still in the air and the country unlocking, the AYUSH Ministry recently issued a Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga for management of Covid-19. It states, “This situation is much more severe due to possible devastating situations because of several social and economic factors.

Effective management to address this infection is still evolving and attempts are being made to integrate traditional interventions along with standard of care.”

However, Rajesh Kotecha, the Secretary of AYUSH Ministry clarified "It is not a replacement to the standard advisory, but an addition to it. If a person stops wearing masks after following the protocols, then the protocols by AYUSH would not work".

Ayurvedic and yogic practices go long back in the Indian history and have once again gained popularity as people have started switching from chemical to natural medications. Here are some of the measures stated by the AYUSH Ministry to be followed:

General Measures

1. Follow physical distancing, respiratory and hand hygiene, wear mask
2. Gargle with warm water added with a pinch of turmeric and salt. Water boiled with Triphala or Yashtimadhu also can be used for gargling.
3. Nasal instillation/application of medicated oil (Anu taila or Shadbindu Taila) or plain oil (Sesame or Coconut) or nasal application of cow's ghee (Goghrita) once or twice in a day, especially before going out and after coming back home.
4. Steam inhalation with Ajwain, Pudina or Eucalyptus oil once a day
5. Adequate sleep of 6 to 8 hrs.
6. Moderate physical exercises like yoga, etc.

Dietary Measures during pandemic

Dietary Measures

1. Use warm water or boiled with herbs like ginger, coriander, basil or cumin seeds etc., for drinking purposes.
2. Fresh, warm, balanced diet
3. Drink Golden Milk (Half teaspoon Haldi powder in 150ml hot milk) once at night. Avoid in case of indigestion.
4. Drink Ayush Kadha or Kwath (hot infusion or decoction) once a day.
   Kadha made from Tulsi (Basil), Dalchini (Cinnamon), Kalimirch (Black pepper), Shunthi (Dry Ginger) and Munakka (Raisin) - once or twice a day. Add jaggery (natural sugar) and / or fresh lemon juice to your taste, if needed.

Managing COVID with these steps

Management Of COVID-19

Although there is still no curative treatment of the novel coronavirus, in its protocol, the AYUSH Ministry states some of the ways in which the symptoms of COVID-19 can be managed. The consensus document has been developed together by various expert committees from all over India.

“This protocol is for management of mild COVID-19. Moderate to Severe COVID-19 individuals may have informed choice of treatment options. All severe cases will be referred.

This protocol and its annexure are approved by the Chairman, Interdisciplinary Committee for inclusion of Ayurveda and Yoga in the management of mild COVID-19 and approved by the empowered committee of the Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Taskforce on COVID-19, both constituted by the Ministry of AYUSH.” it states.

For Prophylactic care (high risk population, primary contacts) :

• Ashwagandha or its powder

Dosage: 500 mg extract or 1-3 g powder twice daily with warm water for 15 days or one month or as directed by Ayurveda physician

• Guduchi Ghana vati or its powder
  Dosage: 500 mg extract or 1-3 g powder twice daily with warm water for 15 days or one month or as directed by Ayurveda physician
  
• Chyawanaprasha
  Dosage: 10 g with warm water / milk once a day

For Asymptomatic— COVID-19 Positive :

For prevention of disease progression to symptomatic and severe form and to improve recovery rate

• Guduchi Ghana vati or its powder
  Dosage: 500 mg extract or 1-3 g powder twice daily with warm water for 15 days or one month or as directed by Ayurveda physician
  
• Guduchi + Pippali
  Dosage: 375 mg twice daily with warm water for 15 days or as directed by Ayurveda physician
  
• AYUSH 64
  Dosage: 500 mg twice daily with warm water for 15 days or as directed by Ayurveda physician

For Mild COVID-19 Positive :

Symptomatic management Fever, Headache, Tiredness Dry Cough, Sore throat Nasal congestion. Without evidence of breathlessness or hypoxia (normal situation)

• Guduchi + Pippali
  Dosage: 375 mg twice daily with warm water for 15 days or as directed by Ayurveda physician
  
• AYUSH 64

Dosage: 500 mg twice daily with warm water for 15 days or as directed by Ayurveda physician

Post COVID-19 Management

Prevention of Post COVID Lung complications like Fibrosis, Fatigue, Mental Health

• Ashwagandha or its powder

Dosage: 500 mg extract or 1-3 g powder twice daily with warm water for 15 days or one month or as directed by Ayurveda physician

• Chyawanaprasha
  Dosage: 10 g with warm water / milk once a day
  
• Rasayana Churna
  3 g powder twice daily with honey for one month or as directed by Ayurveda physician

All these medicines are in addition to the general and dietary measures mentioned above. However, in case you are facing any symptoms and are willing to opt for ayurvedic treatment, it is always recommended to consult an ayurvedic physician first, as symptoms of COVID-19 may vary from person to person. Do Not unnecessarily start the treatment on your own.