Role of Medicinal plants in Covid-19 pandemic: An Ayurveda perspective

ABSTRACT

The corona virus Covid-19 pandemic is the defining ongoing global health crisis situation. In Ayurveda communicable and epidemic diseases are described as Aupasargika Rogas - infectious or contagious and Janopadhvansa - pandemics respectively. The aim of this study is to review medicinal plants acting on Pranavaha Srotas and Rasavaha Srotas along with their action on signs and symptoms correlated with Covid 19. Extensive compilation and tabulation of medicinal plants is done by literary search of Brihat-trayee and their pharmacological actions from research databases. A total of 26 different medicinal plants have been enlisted. Analysis of these plants has been made as per Rasa, Anurasa, Vipaka, Veerya, Gunas and Karmas. Pharmacological actions are analyzed. Review reveals huge potential of many medicinal plants which can be used in this Covid-19 pandemic situation. This review evaluated the importance of medicinal plants described in Ayurveda literatures which can be used in the management and prevention of Covid-19.