Potentiality and possibility of Medicinal Plants on Ayurvedic Principle in prevention and treatment of COVID-19

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic health emergency, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people and those with underlying some medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness. Considering different classical and contemporary viewpoints, the newly identified COVID-19 can be categorized under agantuja vyadhi (exogenous disease) by inception, caused by bhoota (organisms), and transforming to nija (endogenous) leading to disequilibrium of kapha, vata, and pitta doshas and manifestation of clinical features of mainly pranavaha (cardio-pulmonary system), rasavaha (cardio-vascular system) and raktavaha (vascular and RES) srotas dushti (vitiation of channels). In Ayurveda, for a new disease, the treatment principle is designed on the basis of the nature of the disorder, etiology and location. Hence rasayana drugs for epidemic disease, disinfectants for microorganism, dosha (mainly kapha and vata) pacifying drugs and disease-location specific treatment i.e deepana (stomachic), pachana (digestive), shwasahara (anti-dyspnea) and kasahara (anti-cough) are being discussed in this paper. Apart from this, potential of mukhavaishadyakara (mouth cleansing agent), patimarsha-nasya (nasal smearing), krimighna (anti-viral), vishaghna (anti-toxic) and kshara (alkali) dravya (medicinal plants) are being highlighted as these groups of drugs are effective in subsiding kapha, vata, killing microorganism and protecting ojas (immunity) by virtue of their broad spectrum pharmacodynamic properties.

Antiviral Potential of Indian Medicinal Plants Against Influenza and SARS-CoV: A Systematic Review

“…Experimental evidence corroborated by the Ayurveda classical textual references and recent literature suggests that Yashtimadhu ( G. glabra ), Bhunimba (A. paniculata) , Haridra ( C. longa ), and Shunthi ( Z. officinale ) 65‐71 may constitute a synergistic combination which could be potentially helpful in the near future for effective management of COVID-19 infection and the associated cytokine storm like inflammatory conditions.…”

“…Recent double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trials have reported that combined administration of NVK with Kaba Sura Kudineer (KSK) (another herbal formulation) in mild to moderate symptomatic COVID-19 patients shortened hospital stay, decreased SARS-CoV-2 viral load, and reduced the time taken for patients to become asymptomatic from symptomatic, in comparison to the placebo arm. 64 Experimental evidence corroborated by the Ayurveda classical textual references and recent literature suggests that Yashtimadhu (G. glabra), Bhunimba (A. paniculata), Haridra (C. longa), and Shunthi (Z. officinale) [65][66][67][68][69][70][71] may constitute a synergistic combination which could be potentially helpful in the near future for effective management of COVID-19 infection and the associated cytokine storm like inflammatory conditions.…”

Ayurveda: The Prominence of Herbal Medicine in Containment of COVID-19

“…The aetiology, signs/symptoms, and treatment regimen for aagantuja jwara are all well-explained in Acharya Charaka's treatise. [35] (Chikitsa sthana, 3:4) Charaka samhita Jwara, according to Acharya Charaka, is "something that causes damage to Deha (Body), Indriya (Sense organs), manas (Mental faculty"), "that which illness generates additional discomfort among all diseases and that which takes a huge amount of Bali, is termed as jwara and "that which is described by Acharyas originally owing to its significance in its destructive capacity. " He highlighted Aagantuja jwara, which is produced by external/ foreign substances or germs, when discussing several forms of Jwaras.…”

Labeling compliance and online claims for Ayurvedic herbal supplements on the U.S. market associated with the purported treatment of COVID-19

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers took a keen interest in supplements that claimed to support immune health, heart health, and stress relief, with U.S. herbal supplement sales increasing to a record breaking US$11.261 billion in 2020, a 17.3% increase over 2019 ( Smith et al, 2021 ). Numerous Ayurvedic supplements have been suggested for the purported prevention or treatment of COVID-19, including ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ), ginger ( Zingiber officinalis ), tulsi ( Ocimum sanctum ), amla ( Emblica officinalis ), vacha ( Acorus calamus ), guduchi ( Tinospora cordifolia ), cinnamon ( Cinnamomum verum ), tribulus ( Tribulus terrestris ), and turmeric ( Curcuma longa ) ( Ministry of AYUSH, 2020 ; Rastogi et al, 2022 ; Sen, 2020 ; Yakhchali et al, 2021 ). In 2020, ashwagandha demonstrated the greatest sales growth among all dietary supplements in the mainstream channel, with sales totaling US $31.7 million, an increase of 185.2% compared to 2019 ( Smith et al, 2021 ).…”