Ayurveda Immunity Program: Ongoing the coronavirus pandemic has unpredictably changed the scenario globally and most of all the norms regarding social distancing and lifestyle changes have made people more cautious about health. The speed at which it is spreading has made government authorities to take the required measures to prevent this from spreading. Meanwhile, Kerala is being admired and applauded for its immiscible actions to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been reported that authorities have taken every possible step to reduce the death rate and increasing the recovery rate. Their main motive is to strengthen the immunity in people by holding the hand of our Indian traditional medicine system.
What Are the Measures Taken by Kerala in Combating The Pandemic?
Ayurveda Immunity Program – From the last two months, Kerala is continuously uplifting Ayurveda in maintaining immunity in the general population. The state authorities have organized state Ayurveda Covid-19 response cell (SARC) and have included Ayurveda practitioners who are working continuously on managing pandemic situation. All were recommended to practice Yoga, meditation, lifestyle, and dietary changes for effective management. Moreover, the government has advised to wipe out myths on Ayurveda and spreading only authentic information among citizens. Health Minister K.K. Shailaja has clarified the fact that Ayurveda will be followed only for supportive care and lifestyle. While modern medicine system will be followed for diagnosis, management, and medication. She promoted the use of the traditional system and the modern system in conjunction.
How Ayurveda Immunity Program Worked in Kerala?
Kerala’s government has planned their action with the motto “Karuthalode keralam, karuthekan Ayurvedam” which means Ayurveda can protect Kerala. They have executed four kinds of Ayurvedic interventions i.e. Swasthyam, Sukhayushyam, Niramaya, and Punarjani. The purpose of Swasthyam was to provide strength especially in the age group below 60 while Sukhayusham’s main purpose was the protection of individuals above 60 years of age. Niramaya which was a social media platform for posting the informative and relevant material along for all the citizens. In the end, Punarjani’s aim was to be ensured about the recovery of Covid-19 active patients.
The state had developed Ayur Raksha clinics which were under the department of AYUSH and Indian systems of Medicine along with Ayurvedic dispensaries that are closely linked with the Covid-19 monitoring system. Government bodies have tied up students and Ayurvedic practitioners with ASHA workers for volunteering the detection of Covid-19 patients and reporting it to the medical facilities. Council of scientific and industrial research (CSIR) in partnership with the National Institute for Interdisciplinary science and technology (NIIST) have developed two natural products for the better management of Covid-19. The two value-added products included sanitizing gel and steam inhalation formulated from high-quality Ayurvedic herbs.
Mental Health Care During Lockdown
Lockdown has affected mental health up to a great extend so for this state government has involved various Ayurvedic institutions for monitoring mental health. It has been reported that VPSV Ayurveda College situated Kottakkal which is an Ayurvedic research Institute for mental health, has taken an initiative to reduce the individuals who were quarantined. According to the surveys, around 6000 persons who have attended the conducted program have seen benefited from it. In the same way, other programs were held by DSIM in other regions also. In addition to this, they have started teleconsultation at various institutions in the state.
Mode of action through Ayurveda
Government authorities have advised dietary restrictions as a part of immunity building programme i.e. munching on dry fruits and banana chips instead of snacks. They have developed a list of crucial Ayurvedic drugs for preventing Covid-19 but the officials notified the public that in any condition drugs and therapies can be claimed as a cure for Covid-19. Locals were recommended to consume rice gruel once a day and to strictly avoid non-vegetarian food. They have encouraged the use of herbs like ginger, coriander seeds, muthanga, ajwain, turmeric and basil leaves to make a decoction cum herbal tea which is known as chukka vellam. Also, everyone was suggested to make Chukku kappi made which is prepared from dry ginger and coffee and is believed to act as a digestive appetizer. Medical advisors have recommended milk boiled along with dry ginger mixed with turmeric powder which will effectively improve respiratory health.
What were the benefits of implementing Ayurveda?
Ayurveda move and executing the strategies in rehabilitation and prevention of Covid-19 came up when traditional Chinese medicine which included herbal powders, fumigations, decoctions, etc. Studies have shown that this has yielded significant results in this pandemic situation. According to the surveys, there was a great drop-in rate of severe cases.
