Ayurvedic Response to COVID-19 Pandemic in Kerala, India and Its Impact on Quarantined Individuals – A Community Case Study

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 infection has resulted in massive loss of valuable human lives, extensive destruction of livelihoods and financial crisis of unprecedented levels across the globe. Kerala, a province in India, like the rest of the country, launched preventive and control measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 early in 2020. The Government of Kerala started 1206 Ayur Raksha Clinics and associated Task Forces across the state in April 2020 to improve the reach and penetration of Ayurvedic preventive, therapeutic and convalescent care strategies for the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation framework of the strategy was properly designed, and had a decentralized, people-centered, and participatory approach. Kerala has robust public health machinery with adequate human resource and infrastructure in the conventional medicine sector. This community case study examines how the decentralized organizational framework was effectively utilized for facilitating the delivery of Ayurvedic services in the COVID-19 situation. Key observations from the study are: Ayurvedic programs implemented systematically, under an organized framework with social participation enables wider utilization of the services. Such a framework is easily replicable even in resource-poor settings. Rather than a pluralistic approach, an integrative health system approach may be more viable in the Kerala scenario in public health emergencies.

Introduction to Traditional Medicine and Their Role in Prevention and Treatment of Emerging and Re-Emerging Diseases

“…Modern medicine focuses on boosting immunity against potential foreign attacks from agents; the Ayurveda is focused more on the host. It encourages them to adopt a holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle rather than just curing the disease through therapeutic agents [ 45 ].…”

“…The healer pays particular attention to the doshas and prescribes herbal medicine and non-pharmacological interventions like meditation and yoga where needed. The Indian Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) ministry advocated using Kadha of natural substances such as ginger, curcumin, honey, and cumin seeds during the day to boost one’s immunity [ 45 ]. Based on these preliminary results, the local Kerala government has collaborated with other public health organizations to expand the use of traditional medicine in the treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Consumers perception and preference towards ayurvedic medicines post covid-19 in Tamil Nadu

“…(Rasul et al, 2021). The federal (central) and provincial (state) governments have coordinated efforts to expedite the vaccination push, along with active management of all positive cases and coordinated preventative and mitigation initiatives, and it is anticipated that a third wave will occur (Joseph et al, 2021). Traditional medical systems around the world have developed guidelines for the prevention and treatment of early COVID-19 based on existing practises and understanding (Hussain et al, 2020) (Tillu et al, 2020) (Zhao et al, 2021).…”

Cultivating Culture towards a Healthy City Design: Learning from the Pandemic

“…This ancient science enables Indians to prepare home remedies and natural food supplements which boost immunity and enables people to live a healthy and safe lifestyle. Faced with a steep increase in Covid-19 infections, the Government of India under the Ayush Ministry promoted the use of homemade Ayurvedic medicines by people along with herbal doses for people quarantined in various government-operated facilities (Joseph et. al., 2021).…”