AYUSH ministry recommends homeopathy & unani medicines to prevent novel coronavirus infections

AYUSH ministry issued a health advisory on Wednesday and recommended the effectiveness of usage of homeopathic and unani medicines for the prevention of novel coronavirus (nCoV) infections.

A meeting was held by the scientific advisory board of the Central Council for research in Homeopathy under the ministry of AYUSH to discuss the possible ways and means to prevent novel coronavirus infection through homeopathy. After the meeting, an advisory was issued on Wednesday.

In the advisory, it recommended that homeopathic medicine Arsenicum album 30 could be taken on empty stomach daily for three days as a prophylactic medicine against coronavirus.  If the infection prevails, the dose should be repeated after one month in the same way. The same medicine can be used for the prevention of influenza-type conditions.

It also suggested few Ayurvedic medicines, Unani decoctions and home remedies can be followed for symptomatic treatment of nCoV infections.

The advisory also suggested to maintain personal hygiene, to wash hands frequently with soap and water for around 20 seconds, avoid touching of eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and to prevent touching people who are at risk of infection or sick people.

Novel Coronavirus enters into the US through a traveler from Chinese city Wuhan. Photo courtesy of Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay.

The ministry has advised to cover face during coughing or sneezing and use an N95 mask while going to public places or while travelling to prevent droplet transmissions.

The advisory said: “If you suspect Corona Viral infection, wear a mask and contact your nearest hospital immediately”.

It recommends to take prophylactic measures or immunomodulatory drugs to improve immunity by having a healthy diet and lifestyle practices.

Also read Coronavirus symptoms, transmisson, treatment and prevention

What is a Novel coronavirus?

Novel Coronavirus is a large family of viruses that develop illnesses from common cold to acute respiratory syndromes.

Around 132 people were killed by this virus till now and more than 6,000 others were affected in China’s Wuhan.

The virus is thought to be emerged from a seafood and animal market in Wuhan city and is suspected to spread to US and other countries.

Many people are kept under observation in hospitals for suspected coronavirus infection in states like Goa, Maharashtra, Odisha, Kerala, Hyderabad and Delhi in India etc.

People returning from China are being screened for the deadly virus at airports all over the world.

According to the World Health Organisation, Coronavirus symptoms in humans include respiratory problems like cough, shortness of breath, fever, headache and breathing difficulties.