AYUSH advisory raises eyebrows

Hyderabad: The need to understand prescription information can literally be a matter of life and death, said Andrew Cuomo. Well, the latest advisory by the AYUSH Ministry suggesting medicines to treat 2019-nCoV could hold true to the saying.

The advisory dated January 29 for Coronavirus states Unani and Ayurvedic medicines as being useful in symptomatic management of Corona Virus infection. The AYUSH ministry on Wednesday issued a health advisory and recommended that homeopathic and unani medicines could be effective in the prevention of novel coronavirus (nCoV) infections.

"The recommendation could be dangerous and tantamount to safety of people. There is no drug that can target the virus," said a senior doctor at Gandhi Hospital.

According to the press release by the AYUSH Ministry, a drink made with Shadang Paniya (Musta, Parpat, Usheer, Chandan,Udeechya & Nagar) processed water (10 gm powder boiled in 1-liter water, until it reduces to half) and stored in a bottle could help.

Ayurvedic medicines include Agastya Harityaki 5 gm, twice a day with warm water, Samshamani Vati 500 mg twice a day and Trikatu(Pippali, Marich & Shunthi) powder 5 gm and Tulasi 3-5 leaves (boiled in 1-litre water, until it reduces to ½ liter and keeps it in a bottle) keep taking it in sips as and when required. Also, Pratimarsa Nasya: Instill two drops of Anu taila/Sesame oil in each nostril daily in the morning.

Doctors at Fever Hospital and Gandhi Hospital say that there is no validation. There was no test and conclusive evidence. One can only take precaution by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Such recommendations would only confuse people and many may start believing that there is a cure. It may be noted that the first positive case was confirmed in Kerala. Till date, the nCoV spread to 20 countries and 170 deaths reported in China.