Ayurveda practitioners have upped the ante and demanded the
government approve the ancient healing system in tackling the coronavirus cases
after a preliminary study by the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM)
in the south Indian state of Kerala found the traditional medication effective
in preventing the deadly disease.

“We’ve submitted our primary study observations to the
government. A detailed evaluation of data complied under the ‘Amrutham
Programme’ has also been initiated to find the efficacy of Ayurveda against the
infection,” said a senior official in charge of the State Ayurveda Covid
Response Cell (SACRC). The ‘Amrutham scheme’ focuses on providing preventive
medicines to those in quarantine through government Ayurveda dispensaries and
hospitals.

According to the official, a total of 1.80 lakh people in the
state have so far taken the traditional medication while under quarantine since
May 21.

“The preliminary study considered the first one lakh cases
out of this and interestingly only 342 were affected by the infection. Even the
infected had only mild conditions and recovered in four to five days,” he said.
The detailed evaluation will see the ISM officials collecting data like
symptoms, infection period, doses and medication frequency and also the
recovery time in infected cases.

 The Kerala government
has allowed traditional medicine use as a preventive measure though it’s yet to
approve ayurvedic treatment in Covid-19 cases.

“We’ve submitted a memorandum seeking permission for
Ayurvedic cure or integrative treatment in coronavirus cases. The department
study itself is there for analysis and it’s high time the permission granted,”
said Dr Raju Thomas, Kerala Chapter President, Ayurveda Medical Association of
India (AMAI).