From Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani to Siddha, healthy decoctions to boost immunity
With the number of COVID 19 cases increasing every day, PM Modi announced the extension of the lockdown till 3 May. Not just this, in his speech, he also advised people to follow certain measures in order to keep themselves safe from the novel coronavirus. One of the things he recommended was following home remedies suggested by the Ministry of Ayush to boost our immunity.
The advisory from the Ministry of Ayush included following some basic tips like sipping on boiled tulsi water, having crushed ginger and turmeric, sleeping on time, having fresh food and practising yoga and pranayama under the guidance of a qualified instructor.
The advisory also promotes the consumption of honey with a pinch of pepper powder for curing cold and advises people to avoid heavy food items.
Other decoctions advised
The advisory by the Ministry of Ayush includes four sections - prevention, symptom management of COVID 19, add-on interventions to the conventional care and general preventive measure. The advisory stressed on the importance of four schools of alternative medicine - Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani and Siddha.
Ayurvedic school of medicine
Use of samshamani vati, an ayurvedic remedy made of giloy, which is believed to cure all types of fevers, weakness and anaemia. One should consume it twice a day.
Homoeopathic school of medicine
For homoeopathy, it suggests the consumption of Arsenicum album 30. This medicine is a common prescription in case of respiratory infections.
The advisory has supporting evidence including 33 pieces of research for all the recommendations it has provided.
In another advisory released by the Ministry of Ayush on March 31, it recommended having chyavanrash in the morning and the consumption of herbal tea once or twice a day. It also advised people to have golden milk - turmeric powder in milk - twice a day
Unani school of medicine
Under unani, it recommends a decoction made by boiling Behindana, Unnab, sapistan in water.
Siddha school of medicine
Under siddha, it recommends the Nilavembu Kudineer decoction, which is a combination of nine herbs used to treat fevers caused by viral infections like malaria, chikungunya.