With the pandemic threat likely to persist for long, the focus should be on preventive healthcare that entails strengthening of the body’s defence systems, for which Ayurvedic interventions are the most suited, according to experts.

A webinar on the topic ‘Ayurveda for Covid-19 Prophylaxis’ was organised by the Ayush Valley Foundation in association with the Ayurveda & Health Tourism Magazine on Saturday which was attended by scores of participants from across the world.

The second of the international webinar series was moderated by Dr Madan Thangavelu, noted Genome Biologist from the University of Cambridge, UK. The prominent speakers included Dr S Ajith, Founder, Australasian Institute of Ayurvedic Studies, Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya, Director, The DINacharya Institute, New York, United States, and Dr Martina Ziskova, Ayurvedic Gurukula, Prague, Czech Republic.

The speakers touched upon topics like ‘Power of daily and seasonal routines in pandemic ailments’, Ayurveda’s immunity boosting measures for self-care’ and ‘Dinacharya & Ritucharya.

“Such pandemic threats are likely to crop up again in future, but with a different name. Here comes the role of the holistic healing science of Ayurveda which places great emphasis on maintaining a balance of the body elements… The power of ‘Agni’ (digestive fire) is the key element determining one’s health. However, we give little importance to the right types of food and lifestyle,” Dr Ajith noted.

He urged people to follow the Ayurvedic regimen in building up immunity. “Flushing out toxins from the gutt is important. A simple detox drink like warm water mixed with ginger, honey and lemon juice twice a day could do the trick,” he added.

Dr Bhaswati, a Physician-turned Ayurvedic practitioner, stressed on the need to practice daily and seasonal Ayurvedic regimen so as to enjoy ‘Ojas’ and keep the diseases at bay.

“It’s time the AYUSH systems should come to the mainstream so that people could enjoy robust health through cost-effective treatment …building up natural immunity will make you less vulnerable to diseases,” she said.

Dr Martina Ziskova said it’s time we focus on a disease preventive approach and batted for integrating Ayurveda with modern medicine.

“Modern medicine can be availed as a temporary relief measure while Ayurveda, the Life of Science, can be integrated to treat the causes at the root and enable one to enjoy a permanent health,” she observed.