Is Ayurveda The Key To Combat Coronavirus Pandemic? Here's All You Need To Know

The Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik claims that Ayurveda has the answer for the treatment of Coronavirus even though there is no evidence that it would work to treat COVID-19 patients or even prevent it.

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New Delhi: Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant announced that COVID-19 patients of the state were now being treated with Ayurvedic medicine. Coronavirus positive cases in India has risen to 6500, causing a state of alarm in the country. Without a vaccine or a definite cure for this outbreak, it is difficult to control it, different methods are being tried to find what works. The Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik claims that Ayurveda has the answer for the treatment of Coronavirus. He even claimed that Prince Charles who has now recovered was treated with Ayurveda, the Clarence House however has denied this claim. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medicinal practice that hasn’t yet been tested against the Coronavirus, there is no evidence present whether it would work to treat COVID-19 patients or even prevent it. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is an independent trust which manages the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh has created a set of five drugs to combat Coronavirus. These drugs include Pavitra - hand sanitizers, Amruta - antibiotic tablets, Rakshogna Dhupam - protective disinfectant, Gandoopam- Gargling liquid and Nimba Sasha - nasal drops. These are made to the AYUSH standards. The center has asked for scientific validation of these drugs. As another form of treatment Patanjali has submitted a proposal, which says that certain ayurvedic herbs combined with dose hydroxychloroquine. The Haridwar-based Patanjali Research Institute (PRI) that functions under the Patanjali Ayurveda, stated that phytochemicals in ashwagandha, giloy and tulsi have the potential to fight Covid-19. The paper submitted claims to have found a strategy that may be utilised to block or weaken the viral infections like Covid-19, via disruption of the electrostatic interaction of the interacting viral protein with the ACE2 receptor. Prime Minister Modi during his phone calls with international ministers talked about the power of Ayurveda & Yoga during the time of the lockdown. On a conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The two leaders discussed the inadequate availability of medicines and medical equipment required during the pandemic and agreed to explore avenues of cooperation. There has been no solid research that can prove the effectiveness as of now Ayurveda for treating or preventing COVID-19. But considering the current allopathic treatments are just working on certain patients, exploring different medicine is a good idea.