COVID-19: Opportunity for mainstreaming Ayurveda to transform Indian health care

Abstract

Introduction: Every 100 years, world face dreadful pandemic proving human helpless in front of nature. Nowadays, we are struggling with COVID-19 pandemic which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has spread worldwide, its first case was reported in Wuhan, China, and since then, it has spread across the world becoming one of the worst pandemics in the history of humankind. Approach to the disease is still relying on a trial basis. No accurate cure or medications have been proved effective till date. The world is trying to invent effective vaccination, but it will take one or 2 years for a successful launch of effective vaccine. Objectives: Medical sciences are giving more importance to boosting immunity and that is the heritage of Ayurveda. COVID-19 is equally affecting physical as well as mental health. So, Physical and mental health of covid-19 affected as well as non-affected persons can be very well managed with Pragmatic Ayurvedic approach. Material and Methods: An extensive literary search of different classical texts has been conducted to collect classical references along with multiple databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) available online for the related published works. Conclusion: In this panic situation, the holistic approach of Ayurveda in the form of curative and preventive medication, Rasayana Chikitsa, Yoga, and Pranayama, etc., will be helpful to manage this disease. This article is going to dig out the treasure of Ayurveda in the form of holistic approach.