The Ministry of Ayush-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) collaboration has recently completed a robust multi-centre clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AYUSH 64 in the management of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients.

In the research, it is found that Ayush 64, a polyherbal formulation is useful in the treatment of asymptomatic, mild, and moderate COVID-19 infection as an adjunct to standard care. Initially, the drug was developed for Malaria in the year 1980 and now is repurposed for COVID-19 by Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush.

Dr Arvind Chopra, Director, Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Pune and honorary chief clinical coordinator of the Ministry of Ayush – CSIR collaboration informed that the trial was conducted at three centres. KGMU, Lucknow; DMIMS, Wardha and BMC COVID Centre, Mumbai involving 70 participants in each arm. Dr Chopra stated that AYUSH 64 as an adjunct to standard of care (SoC) showed significant improvement and thus lesser period of hospitalization as compared SoC alone.

Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan, National Research Professor, another researcher stated that the AYUSH-64 study is highly encouraging and in the current crisis situations needy patients should be able to get benefits of Ayush 64. 

Dr. N. Srikanth, Director General, CCRAS elaborated that the outcome of the seven clinical studies has revealed that AYUSH 64 exhibits early clinical recovery in COVID-19 cases, and additional studies on Ayush 64 are underway at reputed research institutes including CSIR-IIIM, DBT-THSTI, ICMR-NIN, AIIMS Jodhpur and Medical Colleges including Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh; King George’s Medical University, Lucknow; Government Medical College, Nagpur; Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur.

What are Ayush 64 Ingredients?

AYUSH 64 comprises Alstonia scholaris (aqueous bark extract), Picrorhiza kurroa (aqueous rhizome extract), Swertia chirata (aqueous extract of the whole plant), and Caesalpinia crista (fine-powdered seed pulp). It is an extensively studied scientifically developed, safe, and effective Ayurveda formulation. 

 Ayurveda is a plant-based science that passes on the gifts of nature to stay healthy and happy. Ayurveda knowledge is gained through daily regimens or seasonal regimens. The Ministry of AYUSH has released Ayurveda approved practices that can help you in making your immunity strong, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is recommended to follow these practices to maintain your immunity during the times of the coronavirus pandemic.

1.General measures

• Drink warm water throughout the day.

• Practice yoga asana, pranayama and meditation daily for at least 30 minutes,

•  According to the Ayurveda study, spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander helps to increase immunity, so add these spices in your daily cooking.

2. Immune boosting measures

• Take one tablespoon chyawanprash (10 gm) every morning. Make sure that diabetic patients have only sugar free chyawanprash.

• Drink herbal tea (kadha) include tulsi, cinnamon, black pepper dry ginger, and raisins. If you want to have sweet taste you can add jaggery and for bitter taste add lemon juice.
• Golden milk- Add half teaspoon of Turmeric (Haldi) in a glass of warm milk and drink it once or twice a day.

3. During Dry cough/ Sore Throat

• Take steam inhalation once a day with mint leaves or caraway seeds (ajwain) ·

• For cough and throat irritations, you can take clove powder mixed with honey sugar or honey and take this mixture once or twice a day.

• If symptoms continue then consult a doctor immediately.

    4. Daily Ayurvedic practices to follow

• Nasal Application- apply coconut oil, sesame oil, or Ghee in the morning and evening in both of your nostrils.
• Oil pulling therapy- take one tablespoon of sesame or coconut oil in the mouth swish it within the mouth for 2-3 minutes before spitting it out. Rinse it with warm water. Do this at least twice a day.

These simple ayurvedic practices can be followed every day whether you have any COVID-19 symptoms or not. These measures recommended by ayurvedic experts across the nation.

Information source: http://ayush.gov.in/event/ayurveda-immunity-boosting-measures-self-care-during-covid-19-crisis