NATURAL HOME REMEDIES MAY ACT AS POTENTIAL IMMUNOMODULATORS TO PROTECT AGAINST SARS-COV-2 INFECTION

Abstract

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). The infection begins with flu like symptoms with respiratory problems but in severe cases it affects cardiovascular system and excretory systems. On March 11, 2020 World Health organization (WHO) announced this disease as pandemic. Researchers are working continuously to find a proper treatment in the form of an effective vaccine or drugs/medicines but till date these are not available in the market and mainly symptomatic treatment is provided to COVID-19 patients. Under these circumstances, Ministry of Health and AYUSH, India has released advisory to people to use natural home remedies as potential alternative treatment. Home remedies are easily available at home in the form of spices and herbs e.g. citrus fruits, garlic, ginger, turmeric, ashwagandha, mulethi, tulsi, oregano, ginseng etc and have immunomodulatory effects as evidenced by ayurvedic literature and scientific publications. As per WHO guidelines the use of herbs within permissible limit would be helpful to manage COVID-19 but its overuse may have harmful effects. In the present article authors attempted to draw the attention of readers about the easy availability and affordability of home remedies to boost immunity and general well being of our body to fight against COVID-19.