Ayurveda and Yoga for COVID-19 Prophylaxis

 

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic is unique and unprecedented in several aspects and has challenged health care systems. At present, the global momentum is unabated, and a second wave is anticipated.1

The experience and lessons learnt from the earlier severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemics appear inadequate and call for better approaches and strategies in public health and medical care. Conventional mainstream medicine is at the forefront when it comes to curbing this menace, especially at the critical care stage. The current prophylactic measures are insufficient, and suggested options such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) are still under investigation.

The experience and lessons learnt from the earlier severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemics appear inadequate and call for better approaches and strategies in public health and medical care. Conventional mainstream medicine is at the forefront when it comes to curbing this menace, especially at the critical care stage. The current prophylactic measures are insufficient, and suggested options such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) are still under investigation. The prophylactic and therapeutic potential of traditional and complementary medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Yoga is not really being considered during this crisis and global hunt for effective preventive and treatment measures. In this commentary, we have attempted to highlight the knowledge and practices from Ayurveda and Yoga that might be effectively utilized in the prophylaxis and adjuvant therapy of COVID-19. Several of our recommendations in this paper are driven by the emerging dynamics of the causative organism SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the unravelling of the pathophysiology of COVID-19.While we focus here on prophylaxis and the protection of vulnerable target organs, Ayurveda and Yoga as an add-on therapy may support patients of COVID-19 by improving the quality of standard care.

Research and therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 have focused on agents to attack the virus or immunize against it. This leaves aside the consideration of the host—one of the most important factors in disease dynamics. Ayurveda pays particular attention to the host and recommends measures for a healthy lifestyle rather than the mere prescription of medicine. Charaka Samhita, the classic of Ayurveda, describes epidemic management and defines immunity as the ability to prevent disease and arrest its progress to maintain homeostasis. The concept of building strength of mind and body to cope with various stressors, including infection, is a cornerstone of Ayurveda practice. Similar to innate and acquired immunity, the Ayurveda concept of immunity (Bala or strength) is classified as natural (Sahaja), chronobiologic (Kalaja), and acquired (Yuktikrut). The holistic approach of Ayurveda toward promoting health (Swasthavritta) includes personalized interventions based on host and environmental factors. The interventions include therapeutic cleansing procedures (known as Panchakarma)6 and certain immunomodulators7 (known as Rasayana). Local8and systemic9 interventions to boost the immune system have been advocated to manage respiratory illnesses. The choice of specific Ayurveda therapeutic agents and practices is based on certain individual genetic characteristics known as Dosha Prakriti types (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha).10 In our opinion, several general measures described below may be useful to reduce the risk of SARS-COV-2 infection and complement therapeutic management as add-on treatment.

Source

https://home.liebertpub.com/company/company-home/153