Ashwagandha For Prophylaxis Treatment Of COVID-19?

New Delhi: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and AYUSH Minister Shripad Yesso Naik on Thursday jointly launched three Central AYUSH ministry-based studies related to COVID-19.

These are:

1. Study on Ayurveda interventions as prophylaxis and as an add on to standard care to COVID-19.
2. Population-based interventional studies on the impact of AYUSH-based prophylactic interventions.
3. AYUSH Sanjivani App-based study for impact assessment of acceptance and usage of AYUSH advisories in prevention of COVID-19.

The Interdisciplinary Ayush R&D Task Force has formulated and designed clinical research protocols for prophylactic studies and add-on interventions in COVID-19 positive cases for studying four different interventions:

• Ashwagandha
• Yashtimadhu
• Guduchi
• Pippali and a polyherbal formulation (AYUSH-64).

The study will draw a comparison between the impact of Hydroxychloroquine and Ashwagandha for the prophylaxes against SARS-COV-2 in healthcare providers with increased risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a video conference, the Health Minister said, “We should not hesitate in using our traditional medicines. Studies show that even China has used its traditional medicines and treatment methods on COVID-19 patients there”.