An exhaustive scientific evaluation on effectiveness of Ayurvedic intervention in individuals under quarantine against the Covid-19, done by the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine (DISM) in the south Indian state of Kerala, has thrown up “promising results” however, the state government is allegedly “going slow” on the report despite rising cases.

The report on ‘Ayurvedic Prophylactic Strategy intended for individuals under quarantine against Covid-19’ was submitted to the government on September 22 but no further action, including release of study findings, has been taken so far.

A preliminary study done under the Amritham programme had found only 347 among one lakh recipients (those in quarantine, mostly primary and secondary contacts and persons returning from abroad or other states) tested positive. Most of the infected (0.34 per cent) had only mild conditions and recovered in four to five days.

The results encouraged the department to take up a detailed assessment that included documentation of individual cases, statistical analysis and assessment of diverse aspects of the quarantined population.

“The detailed study was done from July 20 when we’ve selected cases of 577 persons who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection…Various factors like cases with symptoms (mild/complicated) in different cases, co-morbidities, period for turning infection free and those undergone ICU-care were studied in depth. The report was prepared with documentation and statistical analysis so as to reflect a conclusive evidence,” sources said.

“The findings of the study are truly inspiring. The entire exercise will become fruitful in the real sense only upon being published in indexed peer-reviewed journals after the ongoing evaluation and endorsement by the state government,” they added.

The Essential Drug List (ESL) formed by the department for the purpose of Ayurvedic prevention and convalescent care of Covid-19 includes Choornam/Gudika (Sudarshana choornam, Vilwadi Gudika, Aswagandha choornam, Triphala choornam, Guduchi choornam, Yashti choornam, Pippali choornam), Kasahayas (Indukantham, Nayopayam, Pathya Shadamgam, Elakanadi, Vyaghryadi, Drakshadi, Dasamoola Katutrayam, Shadankam/Amruta Shadankam (as panakam), Ghrutham (Indukantham, Bruhat Chagaladi) and Avaleham (Kooshmanda Rasayanam, Agasthta Rasayanam, Pippali Rasayanam, Amrutha Prasam and Chyavana Prasam).

“It’s totally unacceptable that the government sits on the report at a time when the Covid cases are spurting like anything. We should take concrete measures based on the report without losing precious time. The study findings should also be announced,” said a senior Ayurvedic practitioner on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, the department has initiated a second study on the effectiveness of Ayurvedic management for cured Covid-19 patients in their recovery phase. “Already over 10, 000 such people have availed of Ayurvedic cure so far under the Punarjani convalescent care programme,” the sources said.

The Amritham programme, formulated by the State Ayurveda COVID-19 Response Cell (SACRC) and approved by the Government of Kerala is currently being implemented across the state by the DISM, Department of Ayurveda Medical Education (DAME) and National Ayush Mission (NAM).

The studies are based on data, regarding implementation of Amritham programme, obtained from various Ayur Raksha Clinics across the state.