The Concept of Pandemic Diseases in Ayurveda
Outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics of highly communicable diseases have afflicted mankind since the beginning of human history and were very well -known to the ancient Ayurvedic scholars. In the Charaka samhita (one of the principle textbooks of Ayurveda) both epidemics and pandemics are clearly described together with what preventive measures should be taken. Epidemics are defined as sudden, unexpected outbreaks of a disease within a fairly local area. Pandemics, in contrast, refer to a very widespread disease that affects an entire nation or the world. In Ayurveda epidemics are called aupasargika roga and pandemics are janapadodhvansa roga. Coronavirus is an example of the latter. Janapadodhvansa literally means “annihilation of society”.
Modes of Transmission
According to Ayurveda, all pandemics spread via one of the following four factors—all of which are capable of affecting the mass population: vayu (atmosphere). udaka (water), desha (land), or kala (season). More specifically, pandemics and outbreaks were observed to be transmitted by any of the following modes:
- Prasanagat (physically close interaction)
- Gatra samsparshat (physical contact with diseased individuals)
- Nishwasa (via inhalation of infected respiratory droplets)
- Sahabhojanat (sharing food)
- Sahashayya (sleeping together)
- Asana (sitting close together)
- Vastra (sharing the same clothing)
- Malya (via handkerchief and towels)
Management of Specific COVID-19 Symptoms
DRY COUGH
This is one of the most common features of this infection. It is effectively managed through the administration of various snehana measures (administering oleaginous substances).
Oral medicines. For oral administration, we commonly use ghritas to great advantage. Ghritas are herbalized ghees which are made individually for each patient. The most useful ones are variations on these: dashmoola Rasna ghrita, vasa ghrita, kantakari ela ghrita, yastimadhu pippaladi ghrita. These are several others as well.
Enemas (Bastis). Oily substances also must be given per rectum in the form of anuvasana bastis (small volume, oil-based herbalized enemas for a consecutive number of days). These are very simple to self-administer—once you’ve been taught the proper technique. The quantity of oil injected is generally very small (3-4 ounces) and the herbs used are kapha-vata ahara (kapha and vata lowering).
Ahara (Diet). The diet used to treat or prevent a condition such as COVID -19 is generally a standard Ayurvedic ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet modified according to each persons constitution and doshic disease predominance. The few specific food items which are included in most diets regardless of prakriti or symptoms are pippaladi ksheer (milk with added pippali powder), lasunadi ksheer (garlic milk), Kritayusha (vegetable barley soups spiced liberally with trikatu (ginger, black pepper, and pippali), barley, millet, buckwheat, and oats.
Dhoomapana (Medicinal Smoke). If the dry cough is accompanied by difficulty breathing or by high-pitched musical wheezing, this indicates srotodushti sanga—obstruction in the small passages of the respiratory tract. In this case we administer dhoomapana: the nasal inhalation of herbalized smoke. Dhoomapana is useful in relieving blockages and congestion in the lower respiratory tract. The method of performig dhoomapana is beyond the scope of this article but the herbs which are traditionally used in these cases include:
- Devadaru (Cedrus deodara)
- Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum)
- Eranda (Ricinus communis)
- Neem (Azadirachta indica)
- Laksha (Laccifer lacca)
- Guggulu (Commifora mukul)
Swedana (Fomentation or “Sweat” Therapy)
I have written extensively elsewhere on the benefits of swedana so here I will confine my thoughts to its application with respect to COVID-19 early treatment and prevention.Swedana is almost always indicated but especially when there is nasal, sinus, or chest congestion. Both localized (i.e. heat applied only to the chest, back, sinuses, etc) or generalized, whole-body heat may be indicated. Fomentation (induction of perspiration) can be in the form of wet or dry heat.
The wet heat procedures include:
- Dhara (pouring of warm or hot oils, ghee, or other liquids over a specific body region)
- Pinda sweda (partially fermented herbalized rice boluses applied to body regions)
- Bashpa sweda (whole-body herbalized steam treatment)
- Pizicchili (continuous application of thick layers of very warm oil over the whole body by two or more therapists simultaneously). Oils used for this procedure in COVID-19 are marichadi taila, sarshapa taila, ajamodadya taila, and haritaki-danti taila.
Dry heat procedures include:
- Ashmaghna (The patient lies on a stone slab on which has been burning special varieties of wood. The wood is removed and the patient clothed in cotton and wool)
- Bhu (Same as above except the patient lies directly on the earth instead of on a stone slab.)
- Karshu (The patient lies in the bottom of a pit, which has a smokeless fire, well wrapped in protective clothing. The heat is produced by burning wood or hot stones.)
- Kupa (The patient lies on a woven bamboo bed suspended over a pit containing the burning.)
- A modern version of dry heat which is very effective is full-spectrum infrared heat systems.
In every case, to choose the proper form of swedana the physician must take into account the constitution of the patient, the disease and bodily organs most affected, the season, the age of the patient, and the place where the treatment is being given