The recent outbreak of the Corona Virus Epidemic has caused considerable distress and morbidity among the affected population. The current treatment measures are helping just to a certain extent while no satisfactory treatment regimen is available for managing sequelae of the acute phase.2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), most commonly known as Coronavirus is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. It was detected as a cause of respiratory sickness outbreaks in Wuhan (Capital of Hubei Province), China. The virus is believed to have originated late last year in a food market in the Chinese city of Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife. Health experts think it may have originated in bats and then passed to humans, possibly via another animal species. Coronavirus is an infectious disease that can be transmitted between animals to humans and human to human. The novel coronavirus infection that first broke out in Wuhan, China, has spread to 25 countries so far. As of 4th Feb 2020, at least 361 deaths and 17,205 cases of the virus have been reported from China while new infections are being reported around the world. The WHO reported 146 confirmed cases in 23 countries outside China including 3 cases in Kerala, India.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Common sign of infection includes respiratory symptoms, cough, fever, breathing difficulties or shortness of breath, and diarrhea. Infection can cause severe acute respiratory syndrome, pneumonia, kidney failure, and even death in more severe cases. It is estimated that it takes 2 to 10 days from exposure to onset of symptoms by the World Health Organization. Analysis of the recent outbreaks has suggested that the increased severity of the disease may be due to a change in genetic sequence and the virus attacks cells and begins replicating to cause an Infection. It all depends on the virus’s lifecycle and replication rate that how fast the virus spreads throughout the body. It rearranges the membrane of cells and stimulates them to fuse together. This process causes sufficient damage to host tissues to shut down the body’s immune system, to fight viruses, infections, and other diseases.
Treatment and Vaccination
Unfortunately, the vaccination is under investigation and not available for Novel Coronavirus. The efforts are already underway by global organizations, governments, and private companies, but it may take months. There is no specific management for Novel Coronavirus. Vaccine. Symptomatic treatment is recommended. The line of management is usually rest, Intravenous fluids, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic agents.
Correlation of Ayurveda and Siddha Medicine with Preventive Measures
Ayurveda - the science of life, and Siddha - means achievements, the twin medicine system in India are the comprehensive system of health care of ancient wisdom, based on experiential knowledge and grown with perpetual additions. The original dimensions of Ayurveda are inbuilt into the ancient compendia of Indian wisdom called Vedas, which are believed to be documented around 6000 years back. About 65% of the population in India is reported to use Ayurveda and medicinal plants to help meet their primary healthcare needs and the safety of this vibrant tradition is attributed to time-tested use and textual reference.
The concept of epidemics is very well defined and established in Ayurveda and Siddha. Acharya Charaka (1500BC - 400AD), the great physician of Ayurveda had mentioned epidemic conditions under the head ‘Janapadodwamsa”. The contamination and vitiation of various factors like– Jala (water), Vayu (air), Desha (place), and Kala (season), are considered to be responsible for the production of communicable diseases which can be well correlated with modern science. Susruta (1500BC-500AD) has very clearly defined such diseases under Oupasargika yoga i.e., communicable diseases
Numerous methods of prevention and control of epidemics, and measures for environmental sanitation find an important place in Ayurvedic and Siddha literature. It has also been mentioned that the natural course of the disease and its treatment may vary according to the period, geographical extent, eco-climatic conditions, and psychosomatic constitution of an individual, and so on. Certain new disease entities may also appear in the time that has no identity and they may be managed through suitable drugs and procedures based on the symptom profile, taking leads from authentic literature.
Numerous methods of prevention and control of epidemics, and measures for environmental sanitation find an important place in Ayurvedic and Siddha literature. It has also been mentioned that the natural course of the disease and its treatment may vary according to the period, geographical extent, eco-climatic conditions, and psychosomatic constitution of an individual, and so on. Certain new disease entities may also appear in the time that has no identity and they may be managed through suitable drugs and procedures based on the symptom profile, taking leads from authentic literature.
This provides us a basic ideology of creating evidence on safety and efficacy through Reverse pharmacology. Today water-borne diseases, environmental diseases, epidemiological disorders, and seasonal disorders due to infections can be correlated with Janapadodhwamsa Vyadhis.
Evidence of Contagious Disease Treatment By Ayurveda
Various communicable diseases like Chikungunya, Dengue, Swine flu, etc. were declared as global emergencies earlier, The observations drawn from medical camps and documented reports collected from various parts of the country revealed that the Ayurveda and Siddha regimens certainly have a role in cure and management of the symptoms of these diseases effectively. This would immensely help in taking forward the leads from Ayurveda and Siddha for further scientific validation on safety and efficacy in the Coronavirus condition also through systematic experimental and clinical studies.
Ayurveda and Siddha offer several single drugs, compound herbal and herbs-mineral combinations, maybe rationally used to combat such conditions. It is evident from the above description that Ayurveda has an enormous knowledge of the mode of spread, the nature of microorganisms, and how to combat the disease long back. The krimis, bhutas, grahas, rakshas, and tarantula nidana are all microorganisms maybe a virus, bacterial and fungal organisms.
Charaka has given three main processes for treating the krimi rogas:
- These are Nidana parivarjana (to avoid the factors responsible for the production of disease),
- Apakarshana (removal of krimi from the affected site) and
- Prakriti Vighata (changing the environment, which is favorable for the growth of microbes).
In the Siddha system of medicine, the treatment modalities are categorized into
- Symptom modifiers- say the drugs which improve the Quality of Life by providing strength or resistance against the disease such as Jvara Hara (antipyretic); Sotha Hara (anti-inflammatory); Vedanaa Hara (analgesics); Kasa Hara (antitussive); Swasa Hara (anti dyspnoeic); Atisara Hara (anti-diarrheal) etc.,
- General health promoters- the agents that alleviate symptoms and facilitate early recoveries such as Balya (Tonic) and Rasayana (Immunomodulator)
- Vector control measures/agents -that are mostly physical measures for environmental cleanliness like Dhoopana ( for Fumigation) and Bhuthaghna & Rakshoghna (Antimicrobial agents).
The concept seems to be very similar to modern microbiology and the practice of medicine. Though there is no direct reference to Coronavirus, it can be equated with the prevailing conditions to some extent.
How Ayurvedic Products Can Prevent?
It is always necessary to take action before it is late. As a preventive measure, some of the herbs-minerals like Holy Basil, Giloy (Heart-leaved Moonseed) Amla, Winter Cherry, Turmeric, etc, produce antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effects and are effective in all age groups, for stronger immunity, better digestion, healthy liver functioning, metabolism, and a balanced hormonal function. There are a lot of Ayurvedic formulations available to cleanse toxins, provide nourishment, and lubricate and reinstate the balance. This process increases immunity and protects the body against viruses and infections. Ayurvedic products like herbal immunity boosters can help boost overall immunity, which helps protect the body against viruses, bacteria, fungi, infections, and even parasites, and empowers energy and resistance. These immune system boosters are usually designed by natural herbs to promote increased energy and help aid in your body’s ability to fight infection. They help to keep illnesses away and provide an optimal immune defense.
Best Herbal Immunity Booster
Best Herbal Immunity Booster
Ayurvedic formulations with immune-boosting properties are available in tablets, capsules, supplements, and tonics, which promote overall health and well-being. But finding a trustworthy and reliable product is all that matters. Bio Immunoboosters Capsule by BIOAYURVEDA (One of the biggest Ayurvedic brands) is one of the most reliable immunity system boosters, formulated with completely pure ingredients such as Giloy (Heart-Leaved Moonseed, Amla, Turmeric, Green Chiretta, Black Pepper, Moringa, Dry Ginger and many more natural herbs that help to sustain immunity with its anti-inflammatory properties. It helps in enhancing the function of the white body cells that fight infections. It helps improve the body's response to respiratory infections and digestive health. It works remarkably well in activating the immune system to bring overall wellness.
Some More Necessary Safety Measures
Ayurveda always recommends Diet and Lifestyle adoption, i.e
- Ahara (Diet) -Always have homemade fresh food, plenty of lukewarm liquids, a light, and warm diet, and liberally use ginger and turmeric in foods Always avoid food prepared under unhygienic conditions, contaminated and stale food, Cold drinks, beverage, etc.,
- Vihara (Lifestyle)- Avoid visiting the disease-prevalent areas
- Proper sanitation measures to be followed like
Regular handwashing with soap and water, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs, avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, staying home when you are sick, cleaning and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, etc. are the common recommendations to avoid infection spread. Avoid intimate contact with any person showing signs of respiratory sicknesses like cough and sneezing
Coronavirus is an epidemic disorder, and there should be continuous upgrading of the knowledge about the infection, transmission, control, virus, vector, and epidemiology. As this disease is mainly related to public health, the research has to be focused on the geographical extent and spread of the infection, and further research is needed to standardize these formulations by developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), pharmacopeia standards, stability studies and establishing the safety data of these formulations along with scientific evidence. Various Health Departments have to be actively engaged in patient care, patient education, and community education which also includes, organizing various preventive and curative medical camps to tackle this disaster and health menace globally.