By Ritika Srivatsan
Since there is no vaccine available yet to prevent COVID-19, experts have stressed on the importance of acquiring better immunity. Therefore, alternative and natural immunity-boosting therapies, such as Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Reiki, are becoming increasingly popular. Alternative practitioners advocate that drinking herbal concoctions elevate a person’s immunity. They add that fumigating homes with herbs may also be an effective method of disinfection.
Ayurveda and COVID-19
Ayurveda is a form of alternative medicine which originated in India about 5000 years ago. It places great emphasis on prevention rather than cure and encourages one to maintain a healthy balance between the mind, body and soul. In the past months, Ayurvedic practitioners have seen a significant rise in patients, partly due to COVID-19.
Dr Monika Sharma, director of ND Care Nirogam with around two decades of experience in the field, explains that Ayurveda enhances immunity through Aahar, Vihar and Aushad (diet, lifestyle, and herbal preparation). Fumigating homes using Ayurvedic herbs, such as garlic peel (Allium sativum), turmeric powder (Curcuma longa), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) seeds and Loban (resin of Styrax benzoin), may also be a useful strategy for disinfection.
Besides, Rasayanas (rejuvenating herbs) support a healthy respiratory system as they include Brahma Rasayana, Chyavanprasha or Pippali (Long pepper). Rasayanas act as antioxidants, anti-stressors, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial immunity boosters.
Preventive Ayurvedic recipes by Dr Sharma
- Sipping hot water throughout the day instead of cold beverages and ice-creams. In Ayurveda, cold food is said to supress the Agni (digestive fire) and high exposure to cold items will diminish natural immunity.
- A decoction, including a bit of ginger and giloy leaves, in hot water. This makes for an excellent drink which should be taken at least twice a day.
- Pippaladi ksheer (milk with long pepper powder).
- Lasunadi ksheer (garlic milk).
- Kritayusha, a type of vegetable barley soup with trikatu (ginger, black pepper and long pepper), barley, millet, and oats.
“Traditional food patterns that is conducive to an individual is best. The rule is to eat light, fresh, warm and always on time,” says Dr Sharon Samuel, an Ayurvedic practitioner as well as consultant and professor at Sri Sri College of Ayurvedic Science and Research. “Ayurveda cannot make a person particularly immune to COVID-19. It instead creates a system where immunity is innate. The body becomes self-sufficient; like in a war,” she adds.
Dr Sharon also stresses on the importance of maintaining the circadian rhythm, which is an internal process that regulates the sleep cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours. A disrupted circadian rhythm could lead to sleep and mental health disorders as well as obesity, among other issues.
‘Homeopathy’s mild nature is perfect to build immunity’
Homeopathic medicine originated in Germany over 200 years ago and is based on the principle of ‘Like cures like’. This means, the medicine for a particular disease is chosen due to the similarities between the medicine and disease, and the effect it has on the body. With high doses, the chosen medicine has the ability to produce symptoms of a sick individual, even when the person is completely healthy. Homeopathy capitalises on this aspect and administers small doses to improve the immunity as the body gets familiar with the harmful substance.
Dr Rishabh Vyas, a homeopathic practitioner at Healvibe Healthcare, gives prominence to Vitamin C rich foods such as lemons and oranges to help ward off COVID-19 naturally. Along with this, turmeric, a natural antiseptic can be taken with a glass of warm water as well as a decoction containing black pepper, tulsi and ginger boiled in water which can be consumed every day.
“Everything must be in limited quantity to get the best results,” says Dr Vyas. “Homeopathy builds immunity and is milder compared to allopathy. It believes in rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of health.”
Reiki and COVID-19
Reiki is a form of alternative medicine which balances all chakras and aligns energies. Practitioners use their hands to transfer ‘universal energy’ to their patient. Reiki master Ashwita Goel has 13 years of experience and views Reiki as an energy form. She describes it as a simple process where an individual practices ‘tuning up’ their bodies every day to achieve better stability in body and life. “There is tremendous anecdotal evidence to show that Reiki helps people boost their immunity and significantly reduces both the frequency as well as intensity of flus and common colds,” says Goel. “It also helps with breathing problems, including long-term asthma. Regular practice can improve health significantly and help the body stay much healthier.”
Identically, Neiha Jaiswar, Reiki Grandmaster, Karuna Master and founder of Karabhayam Reiki Healing, explicates that Reiki heals respiratory issues, cold, flu, and lung problems as these are caused only when the body’s natural defense mechanisms fail. Therefore, healing will boost one’s immunity first and also heal fear, mental blocks and emotional stress, along with the physical ailments.
Both practitioners want the individuals to keep an open mind and give Reiki a try. It might not be mainstream and it might not work for all but if it does, the wonders it could do are paramount. They urge people to understand that healing is a process and one can’t achieve it overnight. Apart from the lack of side effects, Reiki can be practiced alone at any given time or place.
Herbal concoctions
Kabasura Kudineer, a herbal concoction made in Tamil Nadu, is quite popular in the state to boost a person’s immunity. Even the Tamil Nadu government is propagating its widespread use to prevent more cases of COVID-19. While the Siddha doctors say that this medicine is good to fight COVID-19, the TN government only endorses it for its immune-boosting prowess. Now, Bangaloreans can have access to this medicine endorsed by Siddha research papers. Says Deepthi Babu of Salt World: “A company from Tamil Nadu is sending us this medicine. We have also given it to many COVID-affected patients. Kabasura Kudineer might be much needed now to boost human immunity.”
Ultimately, there is no substitute for a vaccine which is key in preventing the infection. However, with adequate external precaution, such as social distancing and wearing masks, taking care and improving immunity plays a significant role in the body’s ability to fight.
