Health Minister Harsh Vardhan published a protocol to control infection by coronavirus, which mentions dietary acts, yoga and Ayurvedic herbs, as well as formulations for coronavirus prevention and the treatment of mild and asymptomatic cases, such as Ashwagandha and AYUSH-64.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Ministry of AYUSH promoted Ayurveda claiming that alternative medicines would increase immunity.In his address to the nation in April, Narendra Modi also supported the ministry's advice.The protocol also refers to the dosage of these medicines. The guidelines specified that general and nutritional steps should be followed in addition to these medicines.
"This protocol addressing preventive and prophylactic steps is an essential move not only in COVID-19 management, but also in making conventional expertise applicable to the resolution of modern-day problems." said Harsh Vardhan.
The protocol encourages the use of different doses of ashwagandha, guduchi, pippali, Ayush 64 tablets and yoga to prevent Covid, treat mild symptoms and self-care after Covid.
Gargling with hot water added with a pinch of turmeric and salt was also recommended by the ministry, nasal instillation / application of medicated oil , plain oil or cow's ghee once or twice a day, particularly before entering and after returning home, steam inhalation once a day with Ajwain, Pudina or Eucalyptus oil, moderate physical exercises and Yoga protocol.
Dietary steps include the use, for drinking purposes, of hot or boiling water with herbs such as ginger, coriander, basil or cumin seeds, etc., drinking golden milk once at night and taking Ayush Kadha once a day.
It is also recommended, apart from observing distancing, respiratory and hand hygiene, and wearing masks for sufficient sleep of 6 to 8 hours along with moderate physical exercises.
In ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha is regarded as the master herb, while guduchi ghan vati is a tablet made from another herb regarded as giloy or heart-leaved moonseed. Herb pippali is used for the treatment of respiratory disease, also known as long-pepper, and Ayush 64 is a proprietary anti-malarial medication developed by the AYUSH Ministry.
As described in the protocol, the goals of performing yoga are to improve respiratory and cardiac performance, reduce stress and anxiety, and to improve immunity.
To prevent Covid, it suggested a 45-minute yoga practise, which involves both standing and sitting postures along with prone and supine lying asana and pranayama-called breathing exercise.