Ayurveda Passes Clinical Test

A clinical trial of anAyurvedic regime in Covid-19 positive patients has shown encouraging results. The study also proves that Ayurveda is low-risk and cost-effective

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Dec 2, 2020, 05:24 pm IST

A clinical trial of anAyurvedic regime in Covid-19 positive patients has shown encouraging results. The study also proves that Ayurveda is low-risk and cost-effective

A clinical study of an Ayurveda regimen as an add-on in Covid-19 patients by four experts —Pankaj Wanjarkhedkar and Girish Sarade of Department of Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine, Bharat Purandare of Department of Infectious Diseases, and Dhananjay Kelkar of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital & Research Centre–has proved that Ayurveda therapy is effective in treating Covid-19 patients.

According to the findings of the study, published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, there was “early clinical improvement in breathlessness” in patients. “Ageusia reduced early withadd-on Ayurveda regimen. The median duration of hospital staywas reduced,” states the report.

For the study, experts used a combination of Ayurvedic medications as an add-on in Covid-19 positive patientsin a dedicated Covidhospital. The objective of the study was to evaluate the additional benefit of anAyurvedic regime in Covidpositive patients on the basis of rate of clinical improvement. “The Ayurvedic formulation was administered as an add-on to Standard of Care (SoC) in patients with mild to moderatesymptoms, in this prospective, open-label, comparative study. Control group received SoC only. Patientsreceiving Dasamoolkaduthrayam Kashaya and GuluchyadiKwatham in tablet form in addition to the SoCshowed a faster recovery from breathlessness with reduced ageusia. Patients on the treatment groupcould be discharged earlier than those from the control group. Addition of Dasamoolkaduthrayam Kashaya and Guluchyadi Kwatham to SoC appeared to accelerate recovery of patients hospitalised for Covid -19 infection, in terms of reduction of symptoms and duration of hospital stay,” says the report.

According to the report, the study was conducted after four months of Covid-19 pandemicalert; no specific antiviral treatment/vaccine had been recommended or made available by then. “The study was intended toexplore the potential from Ayurveda with evidence over justexperience. This study was initiated after extensive discussionsamong the physicians from the departments of infectious disease,intensive care and Ayurveda of this institute. Covid-19 patientswere presented with low grade fever, dry cough, muscle pain, ormalaise. In some patients sore throat and headache were observed.Cough and shortness of breath were present without signs of severe pneumonia at presentation. Ageusia was observed predominantly; anosmia in few. An European study mentioned thatin mild to moderate Covid-19 category, 88% patient had the gustatory dysfunction. It was observed that dry cough wasoften associated with difficulty in breathing.”

Moreover, the study has found that add-on Ayurveda regimen was low risk and highly cost effective as it reduced hospital stay. No adverse effects observed in study group, stated the report.

Certain organisations misguiding govt: Sushruta Association

Responding to the Indian Medical Association (IMA) who are against the practice of surgery performed by Ayurvedic Post Graduates, the National Sushruta Association (NSA) said, “Adopting the logic of respected organisation, privilege to practice surgery should be the exclusive domain of Ayurvedic practitioners. There are lots of incidents where modern surgeries failed and an Ayurvedic surgical technique cures the diseases.”

In a notice, the NSA stated, “In India more than 400 Ayurveda Colleges are imparting Ayurveda Education and awarding BAMS Degree as per IMCC ACT 1970. Amongst these Ayurveda Colleges, 200 Colleges are imparting Post Graduation Education in different disciplines of Ayurveda including the surgical specialities. These colleges are monitored, regulated and permitted annually by the CCIM and Govt. of India for available facilities in the teaching and training in specialities.”

The association also supported the decision taken up by the Ministry of AYUSH and notified by the Central Council of Indian Medicine for allowing the concerned Post Graduate Ayurveda Surgical Specialist to perform a variety of General surgical, ENT, Ophthalmological and Dental Procedures.

Further, it also slammed the IMA who are misguding the mass. “Adopting the logic of respected organization, privilege to practice surgery should be the exclusive domain of Ayurvedic practitioners. There are lots of incidents where modern surgeries failed and an Ayurvedic surgical technique cures the diseases. Certain organizations are getting more anxious and trying to grab the attention of people using matters of other system of medicine there by misguiding the mass,” it said.

It added, “It is quite unfortunate to express that certain organizations merely acting as a government body creating lobby and misguiding the government and society without proper knowledge about Indian system of medicine by using scary terms like mix system, poaching modern medicine etc. They should understand they can’t create law, or they can’t disobey law laid by Indian constitution. The organizations should focus on reducing the cost of treatment for Indian population instead of commercializing Health System as a business. Numerous Allopathy Doctors may have inclination to protect Indian System of Medicine or integration of Health System.”

Also, the extensive knowledge of Pharmacology, Antibiotics, Anesthesia etc. is thoroughly detailed in the curriculum by the Central Council of Indian Medicine and the aforesaid is taught for the Ayurveda students. It feels immense delighted to express that there is Post graduate specialization in Anesthesia in Ayurveda. So, for strengthening the health care system of our nation as per honorable Prime Minister’s and Mahatma Gandhiji’s version, there should be an integrated approach. We believe it is our duty and responsibility to serve the nation by promoting the integrated approach under one umbrella. It is quite unethical to individualize the matters which may hamper the health care system of our nation.

It also said that if Sushruta has practiced and promoted surgery globally, the point of objection for surgical practice by Ayurveda Surgeons by the esteemed organization is still in muddle. “Every Indian has to be proud about our Indian Medical Surgical Heritage.It should not be a fight or rivalry between Ayurveda and other systems of medicine. The approach should complement each other. The best of both should be adopted in the interest of mankind. A perfect blend of Ayurveda and other systems of medicine is the need of the hour. That’s why our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji announced “Ayurveda teaching and practice need induction of essential modern medical science and technology to meet the present day needs of the patients” on the occasion of Dhanwantari Divas -Ayurveda day on 12th Nov. 2020.