Abstract

ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF AYURVEDIC IMMUNITY BOOSTING REMEDIES IN PREVENTING COVID-19 INFECTION

Renuka Munshi* and Supriya Kurane

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), declared a pandemic in March 2020, still does not have a curative treatment which makes the role of preventive measures crucial. The Department of AYUSH, Government of India, released a set of guidelines for the public based on Ayurveda to boost immunity as protection against COVID19 infection. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey in Mumbai to determine the various Ayurvedic immunity boosting remedies and/or practices being consumed by lay public to prevent or treat Covid19 infection and any potential adverse effects observed with the use of these remedies. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional Questionnaire based survey was conducted among the general public in Mumbai following ethical approval. A validated questionnaire was administered to individuals from the local Community following informed consent, both as face-to-face interview and digitally using a Google form. Results: 493 participants completed the questionnaire, out of which 336 participants chose Ayurvedic remedies/practices to boost their immunity. The remedies included drinking herbal decoction, turmeric milk, warm water, steam inhalation, having Chyavanprash etc. They also performed practices like yoga, meditation and pranayam. 56% participants have been using these remedies since March 2020. 73 (21.72%) participants suffered from COVID-19 infection, of which 37 (50.68%) were asymptomatic. 14.58% participants informed that they experienced adverse reactions consuming these remedies which included hyperacidity and constipation. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that majority of people in Mumbai are knowledgeable about COVID-19 transmission and preventive measures. A considerable proportion confirmed the use of various Ayurvedic remedies in order to protect themselves from Covid19 infection.

Keywords: Ayurvedic remedies; immunity boosting; Covid19; lay public; adverse effects.