An exhaustive scientific evaluation on
effectiveness of Ayurvedic intervention in individuals under quarantine against
the Covid-19, done by the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine (DISM) in the
south Indian state of Kerala, has thrown up “promising results” however, the
state government is allegedly “going slow” on the report despite rising cases.
The report on ‘Ayurvedic Prophylactic
Strategy intended for individuals under quarantine against Covid-19’ was
submitted to the government on September 22 but no further action, including
release of study findings, has been taken so far.
A preliminary study done under the Amritham
programme had found only 347 among one lakh recipients (those in quarantine,
mostly primary and secondary contacts and persons returning from abroad or
other states) tested positive. Most of the infected (0.34 per cent) had only
mild conditions and recovered in four to five days.
The results encouraged the department to
take up a detailed assessment that included documentation of individual cases, statistical
analysis and assessment of diverse aspects of the quarantined population.
“The detailed study was done from July
20 when we’ve selected cases of 577 persons who had tested positive for
SARS-CoV-2 infection…Various factors like cases with symptoms
(mild/complicated) in different cases, co-morbidities, period for turning
infection free and those undergone ICU-care were studied in depth. The report
was prepared with documentation and statistical analysis so as to reflect a
conclusive evidence,” sources said.
“The findings of the study are truly
inspiring. The entire exercise will become fruitful in the real sense only upon
being published in indexed peer-reviewed journals after the ongoing evaluation
and endorsement by the state government,” they added.
The Essential Drug List (ESL) formed by
the department for the purpose of Ayurvedic prevention and convalescent care of
Covid-19 includes Choornam/Gudika (Sudarshana choornam, Vilwadi Gudika,
Aswagandha choornam, Triphala choornam, Guduchi choornam, Yashti choornam, Pippali
choornam), Kasahayas (Indukantham, Nayopayam, Pathya Shadamgam,
Elakanadi, Vyaghryadi, Drakshadi, Dasamoola Katutrayam, Shadankam/Amruta
Shadankam (as panakam), Ghrutham (Indukantham, Bruhat Chagaladi) and Avaleham
(Kooshmanda Rasayanam, Agasthta Rasayanam, Pippali Rasayanam, Amrutha
Prasam and Chyavana Prasam).
“It’s totally unacceptable that the
government sits on the report at a time when the Covid cases are spurting like
anything. We should take concrete measures based on the report without losing
precious time. The study findings should also be announced,” said a senior
Ayurvedic practitioner on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, the department has initiated
a second study on the effectiveness of Ayurvedic management for cured Covid-19
patients in their recovery phase. “Already over 10, 000 such people have
availed of Ayurvedic cure so far under the Punarjani convalescent care
programme,” the sources said.
The Amritham programme,
formulated by the State Ayurveda COVID-19 Response Cell (SACRC) and approved by
the Government of Kerala is currently being implemented across the state by the DISM, Department of Ayurveda Medical
Education (DAME) and National Ayush Mission (NAM).
The studies are based on data, regarding
implementation of Amritham programme, obtained from various Ayur
Raksha Clinics across the state.
