How does Ayurveda deal with Corona and other viruses?

Currently, it can be extremely difficult to escape conversations about Corona. In this small article, I would like to spare you my opinion on how dangerous and harmless I feel this situation is. In a nutshell, I would like to share some home Ayurvedic recipes that have been tried and tested for centuries. 

Typical characteristics of a corona infection

If you have caught a cold with a runny nose and secretions when you cough (sputum), it will most likely have nothing to do with the corona virus. A disease caused by the corona virus (coronavirus pneumonia) typically manifests itself with a dry cough without sputum and without a runny nose.

Prevention through improved immune system

Basically, we can say that we cannot kill viruses or get rid of them. Actually a virus is not alive itself. However, we can curb their growth and keep them in check through a well-functioning immune system. Viruses, by the way, are ubiquitous.

Western herbal therapy – phytotherapy

In modern phytotherapy, we do not “only” refer to thousands of years of experience, but try to understand the effects of the ingredients of the individual plants. Today we have the means to examine them and to understand much of their properties. We find a particularly antiviral effect in plants with certain tannins (especially rose and labiates tannins) in combination with essential oils. This combination of essential oils and tannins has a particularly denaturing effect on proteins. The construction principle of viruses is always the same. Only the protein structure is specific. So we need these substances that denature proteins, regardless of whether they change. Viruses change their surface; they mutate. In simple terms, viruses only have protein residues. Therefore we can only act virus-static (they are „frozen”).

The tannins from bark play a preferred role:

Lapacho bark, cat’s claw bark, cinchona bark
also highly antiviral: clove root, rockrose herb, ladanum (is the resin of rockrose and even more antiviral), frankincense (resin).

How to use:

The best and cheapest way is to take the suggested plants over the watery extract (tea) (pour boiling water over them and let them steep for 20 minutes). Preparations are more expensive, but also work (ifrankincense, as an exception, works best as a tincture or as capsules. Ladanum as well). Get advice from a naturopath who specializes in Ayurveda or phytotherapy. Some of the plants mentioned should be combined with easily laxative plants, as they have a slightly constipating effect (e.g. clove root).

Vitamin D 

The so-called sun hormone is not only very important for bone metabolism, but also has a very important function in regulating the immune system. The effects of Vitamin D are very varied and complex. The following are to be emphasized: Decreases the risk of cervical cancer, influenza virus, and respiratory infections. Make sure they are not taking any artificial vitamin D. recommended are for example cod liver oil.

Ayurvedic home recipes:

Well-proven and confirmed by numerous studies today, pomegranate skin has a highly antiviral effect.

Preparation:

From the pomegranate you can use everything. However, the main anti-viral effect comes from the peel (skin). From the peel (including the white skin) make a juice as follows:
The skin of half a pomegranate + 2 cups of water. Simmer it until the water is reduced by half (about 35 min). Filter the juice and add another half flat teaspoon of turmeric before drinking it. You can take it spread out over a couple of hours.
To my taste, it doesn’t taste very good; more like a strict medicine where you make funny faces. You can add honey to improve the taste.

Another house recipe:

If you have already caught a cold, use the following additional recipe:
Half a teaspoon of ginger powder (if not available, then fresh ginger), a pinch of cinnamon, 8-12 basil leaves and a teaspoon of honey (this amount fits one, rather two cups).

If available then additionally:

Add a flat teaspoon of turmeric and a clove (with the addition it is for 2-3 cups). Mash this mixture with the mortar and pour boiled water over it. Let it stand for 15 to 20 minutes (longer possible), then filter it and then add the honey.

Further Ayurvedic recommendations:

• Drink enough hot ginger water. You can add honey to it.
• Avoid or reduce the consumption of dairy products (except butter). The corona virus is assigned to the Dosha Kapha (affects the lungs) (e.g. herpes virus is assigned to Pitta).
• Eat a shallow teaspoon of turmeric powder every morning on an empty stomach. Stir it in warm or hot water and add a pinch of pepper.
• Avoids stress. Avoid watching too much news during the day and exercise enough in the fresh air.