M A I N   N E W S

Ayurveda, Unani systems to fight flu
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 20
Concerned over the rising number of H1N1 cases and mortality, which has caused panic among people, the government today sought refuge in the ancient Indian systems of alternative medicine, asking people to try ayurveda and Unani to protect themselves from flu-like diseases.

The government said it was bothered about people with flu coming over for H1N1 testing even when the guidelines specify that not everyone requires H1N1 treatment.

In a decision taken here tonight to ward off the panic and help people build their immunity, the government, specifically, department of AYUSH, said viral epidemics like those going around come under the “Vaata Kaphaja Jwara” category mentioned in Charak Samhita and other ancient ayurvedic texts.

“We had constituted an expert group to suggest AYUSH interventions useful in the prevention and treatment of flu-like disease. The group comprising ayurveda experts, physicians from government hospitals, private sector as well from research councils and the department of AYUSH has said viral epidemics come under “Vaata Kaphaja Jwara,” said government officials.

To avoid Vaata-Kaphaja diseases, which mean viral epidemics, the government has recommended to people to avoid Kapha provoking diet like curd, cold food, cold drinks, fruit juices especially citrus fruits, fermented food, ice-cream. Drink hot water instead of cold water.

“Use decoction made up of any one or combination of tulsi, ginger, black pepper, long pepper, Guduchi in the morning,” experts said.

The government has further recommended ayurvedic medicines like Sudershanghana vati, Sudershana churna, Samshamani Vati (Guduchi Ghana vati), which work by way of improving the host defence mechanism. Vamana (emisis) procedure of Panchakarma may also be taken up under observation of an expert vaidya, if necessary.

Meanwhile, the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) also had consultations with Unani experts who have suggested the following preventive measures available in Unani system: decoction, tea of Unnab, Bahidana, Sapistan, Dalchini; arq prepared from Afsanteen, Chiraita, Kasni, Nankhwah, Gaozuban, Sad Koofi, Nilofar, Banafsha, neem may be prepared and taken with Sharbat Kaksi.

Specific compound formulations such as “Habb-e-Jadwar”, “Khamira Nazli Aab Tarboozwala”, Tiryaq-e-Farooq may also be taken. Local application of Roghan baboon/ Roghan-e-Morn, Roghan Kahu, Roghan Kadu on scalp and chest would help. Doctors have suggested light diet and personal hygiene are also recommended.

While clearing all the above-mentioned therapies to help people, the department of AYUSH today said ayurveda and Unani interventions could be used for increasing the immunity to fight flu like conditions.

“These can be adopted by healthy persons as well as those who have mild cold, cough and body pain. However, cases with severe symptoms develop they are advised to go to the designated screening centres for clinical diagnosis.