COVID-19 is taken as a Janapadodhwamskara or Maraka. A standard treatise in the Ayurveda science quotes that all though there are dissimilarities between every individual, there are certain factors which are similar among all. They are AIR, WATER, DESHA (Place of living), KALA (time/season). Vitiation among any of these factors manifests diseases having similar symptoms, which ultimately may lead to the destruction of country. Such manifested disease leading to destruction in mass is termed as “JANAPADODWAMSA or EPIDEMIC.”

Causation of Pandemics/Epidemic as per Ayurveda: 

1. Adharma activities contributing to destruction of sustaining principles of life or nature. 
2. Disturbance of air/Air Currents: Power Sector (Thermal)/Industrial pollution/Military activity related Pollution/Automobile and Aviation sector related air pollution.
3. Disturbance to Ecology of water bodies: Pollution of water bodies/Sand mining from river beds/Unregulated damming/Contamination of Ocean beds etc can be included for contamination and unwanted changes in water ecological system of the environment.
4. Disturbance to Land Ecology: Rapid Urbanization and huge constructional activity with non-ecofriendly materials/Over exploitation and destruction of mountains, forests & ecosystems. Destructions of other life forms like Animals/ Plants/ Birds and displacement from their natural habitats/ Usage of Non–biodegradable toxic materials like plastics pesticides etc is included.

Ayurvedic patho-physiology: 

Activities of this kind (causative factor) vitiate and disturb the balancing forces of nature and gives rise to abnormal air currents, Cyclones, Floods, non-seasonal rains, extreme weather conditions etc. The vitiation of air currents, seasons, seasonal irregularities and disturbance of land and water ecology simultaneously induces or leads to vitiation of doshas (Cytokines) in humans, causing mass susceptibility to the same illness, while also affecting the oshadhis (food yielding plants), thus reducing the nutritive value and leading to under nourishment. When this combines with the causative factors causing agni mandya (sluggish metabolism)’ it leads to infectious diseases like COVID-19; probably such diseases can be more in future if corrective actions are not taken.

Ayurveda believes that even if there is a virus or bacteria, until there is no vitiation of doshas primarily in the body, none can infect the human system in a way that it manifests as disease. This fact is accepted by modern medicine in the context of tuberculosis, that although there is an infection, disease can happen only if immunity is weakened; this can explain the differences why some people affected by covid-19 show mild, or other show moderate symptoms while some are asymptomatic to the infection.

Doshas and rog marg of Covid-19: 

Since the disease produces dryness (Dry Cough) and shortness of breath, it can be considered that vitiation of Vata dosha is present. The presence of high-grade fever shows vitiation of pitta dosha. Since the disease involves phupusa (lungs), the pathway of the disease can be considered as internal. The target organ for the disease manifestation is phupusa or lungs. 

Ayurveda way of treatment:

The treatment aspect of Ayurveda can be understood in three categories–

1) Ahara: Langhana protocol [Light wholesome and easily digestible diet]

Based on severity of Amavastha (toxicity-infection) which can be grossly correlated with appetite. No curd, milk or raw foods or fruits or non-vegetarian foods are to be given; although non-vegetarian soups (rasa) are permitted and considered useful in vata jwaras(fever). The intake of snehas(fats) processed with deepana pachana dravyas(drugs promoting digestion and increase appetite) like ginger etc should be with good appetite(agni) and lightness in the body to pacify the vata dosha.

Fluid management: Hot water – ushna jalapana/Boiled and cooled water. Paniya – made with panchakola dravyas should be used for initial management in both phases.

Diet should include local and simple seasonal homemade food. Avoid junk food and oily-spicy food habits.

2) Vihara:

• Avoid unnecessary gathering
• Maintain distance from each other
• Maintain isolation
• Avoid sleeping during the daytime
• Avoid excessive physical activity including excessive walking or jogging among individuals under observation, to combat mental stress and anxiety.
• Application of lukewarm oil on forehead and scalp is known to reduce anxiety
• Shirodhara– A panchakarma procedure is known to reduce mental stress and anxiety can be performed
• A good sleep
• Do exercise according to the strength of your body
• Receive sunlight every day.

Yogasana can be practiced for positive health:

Pranayama– Particularly bastrika and kapalabhaati can be performed for 10 min each.

Asanas like– Bhujangasana, Vajrasana, and Padaangushtasana, can be performed for respiratory wellness.

All the above mentioned vihara well help to boost immunity of the body and maintain equilibrium of all the doshas in the body; i.e providing a natural defense against the novel corona virus.

3) Aushada– Abhyantara aushadi: 

Acharya Charaka in his treatise, has explained that Tikta rasa aushadi should be given during Jwara kala. (Bitter taste dominant medications)

Accordingly, considering the prakriti of the individual, roga and rogi bala (body strength), kala (time and stage of disease) and adhisthana (body part involved) of roga the treatment is to be decided. Since the COVID-19 is vatapittaja vyadhi, the treatment is accordingly. 

Mild illness/Mild pneumonia- Sudarsana Churna Kalpas; Amritarishtam; Tribhuvana kirti ras; Ananda Bhairava Rasam and other formulations that includes kirata, guduchi, katu rohini, musta , vasa etc.

Severe illness/severve pneumonia: 

1.Dasamula katutrayadi Kasayam, if Swasa (SOB), Kasa (Cough), fever is Dominant.

2.Sudarsana Churna kalpas.

3.Amritarishtam/Vasakasavam (if Pittanubanda).

4.Tribhuvana kirti (if fever dominant).

All the above are used with Anupana (medium)  of  luke warm, guda or with ghritam in good appitite.

Preventive aushadi: Usage of Ginger, Turmeric, Long pepper, Clove, Garlic, Cumin, Coriander, Cinnamon, Basil leaves (Tulsi) in excess either along with food or alone

Ushna jalapana (Frequent intake of hotwater)– Can be added with Mint leaves and Coriander leaves, Fennel, Ajwain.

4) Aushada– Bahya– Urdhwagata shodana:

Nasya– Medicated Nasal drops can be instilled into both the nostrils every day and night. Since the pathway of disease is upper respiratory track, Nasya can be beneficial to combat the disease and to keep the channel clear for breathing.

Kavala graha– Keeping the medicated oil or kashaya (decoction) in the mouth for some time until the eyes starts watering. This keeps the oral cavity clean and strengthens the gums.

Gandusha– Gargling- The procedure helps to clear the sinuses and keeps the channel patent

Swedana– Sudation- Frequent inhalation of steam with addition of bronchodilating drugs like Vasa, Bharangi depending on roga and rogi bala. The procedure helps to clear the airways and aids smooth respiration.

Fumigating the house and surroundings periodically with drugs like guggulu, Nimba, Vacha.

Immunomodulators such as Ashwagandha, Guduchi, Yashtimadhu, Shatavari, and Amalaki can be provided to diseased persons to enhance their immunity.

Measures to restore human environment relationship according to Ayurveda:  As the root cause of Epidemics is Adharma – Leading to Rudra Kopa (Fever); until we realize the oneness of life & learn to live in harmony with nature & creatures around us, we cannot have a complete prevention of Future Pandemics.

Hence Ayurveda advises us to practice Dharma in the form of.

1. Satya: – Being truthful in all dealings & in one’s work.
2. Daya: – Compassion on all living beings including animals, plants.
3. Tapa: – Austerity.
4. Japa:- Meditation.
5. Homa& Devatarchana: – Measures to pacify the vitiated nature & its controlling energies, through the principles of Snehana of Prapanchika Vaayu through Vaidika Agni to restore the dynamics of air currents.
6. Brahmacharya: – Self-control& seeking of Spiritual happiness
7. Dedication to Spirituality
8. Prayaschitta (Act to do things right) : – Actions undertaken to undo the wrongs towards nature and Life forms, with a view to repair Man’s Relationships with Nature and to help Nature in Healing Itself from the ravages of overexploitation caused by our Civilization & to rediscover living and growing in harmony with Mother Nature.

Conclusion:

COVID 19, a new strain of virus causing mortality all over the world, can be prevented with appropriate food intake, hygiene, and social distancing. Distancing one from the affected individuals is the key. Respiratory and personal hygiene is to be followed in order to protect oneself from the disease. Following the recovery, the individuals should not resort to daily routine activities until the individual regains strength and his agni bala (digestive capacity) is normal.

Preventive measures to reduce the chances of infection include getting vaccinated, staying at home, wearing a mask in public, avoiding crowded places, keeping distance from others, ventilating indoor spaces, managing potential exposure durations, washing hands with soap and water often and for at least twenty seconds, practicing good respiratory hygiene, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Ayurveda not only aims to heal the diseased but also to protect the health of the healthy individuals; hence, the measures applied for the treatment of disease should also be followed by healthy individuals to prevent the disease occurrence.