To bring in uniformity and consistency in the Ayush-based Covid-19 treatment across the country, the Union Health and Ayush Ministries on Tuesday jointly launched a protocol for the clinical management of Covid-19 based on Indian traditional medicine system for prevention of coronavirus infection and treatment of mild and asymptomatic cases.
According to the ‘National Clinical Management Protocol, based on Ayurveda and Yoga for Management of COVID-19’, which was released by Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday in the virtual presence of Shripad Naik, Minister of State for AYUSH, one should follow dietary measures, yoga and consume Ayurvedic herbs and formulations such as Ashwagandha and AYUSH-64 among few other herbal formulations.
“This protocol dealing with preventive and prophylactic measures is a significant step not only in management of COVID-19 but also in making traditional knowledge relevant to solving problems of the modern time,” Vardhan said.
“Unfortunately, Ayurveda did not receive much attention after independence until Prime Minister Narendra Modi took up this cause with the importance it deserves,” he said while stressing that Ayurveda “had a significant impact in the foundations of modern medicine”.
The protocol document points out that the current understanding indicates a good immune system is vital for prevention of coronavirus infection and to safeguard from disease progression.
It suggests use of medicines such as Ashwagandha, Guduchi Ghana Vati or Chyawanaprasha as prophylactic care for high risk population and primary contacts of patients while recommending consumption of Guduchi Ghana Vati, Guduchi and Pippali or AYUSH 64 for asymptomatic COVID-19 positive patients for prevention of disease progression to symptomatic and severe forms and to improve recovery rate.
Guduchi and Pippali, and AYUSH 64 tablets can be given to mild coronavirus infected patients, it said.
Union Secretary Rajesh Kotecha said, “We call this first version of the protocol, which will be modified as more evidence is generated through further studies in future.”
The document also listed Ashwagandha, Chyawanprasha or Rasayana Churna for post-COVID-19 management to prevent lung complications like fibrosis, fatigue and mental health.
Further, to improve respiratory and cardiac efficiency, to reduce stress and anxiety and enhance immunity, the ministry has listed Yoga Protocol for Primary Prevention of COVID- 19.