GENERAL BRIEF INFORMATION on AYURVEDA and COVID-19
/I have been inspired to write this brief article after many discussions with colleagues, and with several of my patients that have been infected during the holiday season. My intention is to clarify a few points around COVID-19, and how Ayurvedic treatment can be effective in the management of this condition. COVID-19 is being investigated and understood globally by countless scientists from every system of medicine, as this is a global effort for the scientists this is also a global effort for each of us to comprehend and adapt to as well.
It is important to note that Ayurvedic Medicine is a system of medicine designed to support health, well-being, sickness prevention, health maintenance, and illness reduction or possible resolution. During these times as COVID-19 cases have risen, during and post-holidays, it appears that there is some misunderstanding around all of it.
1) To some individuals, COVID-19 is perceived as a simple or potential magnification of a cold or flu. This is incorrect.
2) To some individuals, COVID-19 doesn’t seem to be a big deal as there are some individuals who became infected and were vaccinated, and now that they seem better after a couple of days that everything is fine and can just move forward. This is incorrect.
3) To some individuals, COVID-19 doesn’t have long-term health consequences. This is incorrect.
4) Can Ayurveda help? Absolutely!
COVID-19 affects the body in ways that a cold/flu does not. Here is a chart that demonstrates all three in comparison.
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It is understood in Ayurveda, that anything that affects the body regarding any disease process will have and leave an imprint on the body. In Ayurveda, for example, a cold (untreated) can last up to 10 days, then individuals think they can go on their way but in the consideration and under the care of an Ayurvedic condition it is understood that some important protocols must be put into place in order to support the rebuilding of health in the individual post any disease manifestation. Ayurveda shares that a person that is afflicted by disease, or some form of internal/external condition, is known to have and whether overcoming it or not, what is termed in Ayurveda, a Kha Vaigunya (compromise/”defective space” or “defective system”), as a result of this type of trauma to the body. Having this knowledge provides a framework for what can be put in place with the potential recovery process through extensive protocols. Additionally, kha vaigunya is something that is generally understood in Ayurvedic sciences to occur as a result of genetic inheritance as predispositions. Epigenetics are exploring such pathways in understanding the role of genes and health.
With the correct and appropriate protocol in place an individual can regain health and recover the tissue damage as much as possible and in most cases. These protocols are specifically individualized in order to meet the patient where they are at as per Ayurvedic assessment. Therefore, a cold is never just a cold to an Ayurvedic clinician. Ayurvedic professionals seek to understand the root cause, the resolution of, and the rebuilding thereof. It is a complete process from beginning to end. The kha vaigunya must be addressed in order to further prevent the return of a similar condition or something else.
In the case of COVID-19, it is not any different. Just because a vaccinated individual had no symptoms, mild symptoms, or quickly recovers from the symptoms, it doesn’t mean there isn’t much work to be done. In fact, the reality that some of these individuals were not hospitalized or deceased is the first step in the right direction and that the work does not stop there. Such circumstances should not be taken for granted. The possibility of getting COVID or anything later down the road is not an ideal scenario with or without the vaccine. Having COVID once, predetermines that the individual may have other complications related or non-related simply because this virus is affecting the body in many ways that are known and yet to be discovered.
Ayurveda is a proactive system designed to help maintain health and prevent disease by being able to predict patterns, which are correlated with Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. In the case of COVID-19, Ayurveda has the capacity to help in maintaining health and assisting those individuals (vaccinated or not) in returning back to a healthier state as much as possible. This is the power and practice of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a universal scientifically proven and established system that is part of this global effort.
What are you doing for your self-care around all this? How are you contributing to the well-being of your community? To the global effort? If you or someone you know would like support around any of this please seek a qualified expert in this field of clinical Ayurveda or any scientific system that is designed for such practices.
RESOURCES:
IMPAIRMENT OF CYTOKINES AND LIVER FROM COVID-19
LONG-TERM NEUROPSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS POST COVID-19 INFECTION
CYTOKINE SIGNATURES POST COVID-19 RECOVERY AND LONG-TERM
AYURVEDA AND IMMUNOMODULATORS AND COVID-19
CURRENT UPDATE ON COVID FROM CDC:
DISCLAIMER: This information is meant for educational purposes only. Any changes in lifestyle should be reviewed with a qualified practitioner and primary care physician if you are currently under their care for specific conditions.