Skip to content
2000
Volume 11, Issue 3
  • ISSN: 2215-0838
  • E-ISSN: 2215-0846

Abstract

COVID-19, or SARS-CoV-2 or novel coronavirus 2019 (nCoV-2019), first reported in Wuhan, China, has become a global pandemic due to human-to-human transmission with no specific treatment available. This review highlights the history of coronavirus, its diagnosis, treatment, and prevention by immunity-modulating Ayurvedic interventions to manage the disease during the early chaotic days of the COVID-19 outburst. Immunity modulation is a documented mode of action for many Ayurvedic drugs, including , . Several studies have been performed, and many trials have been registered to evaluate the effects of these herbal drugs to combat infectious diseases like COVID-19. Studies have also shown that Ayurvedic drugs, healthy diet, good lifestyle, and psychological aspects all have been researched over the years and found to have a significant role in increasing immunity and decreasing the number of comorbidities; hence, they should be considered in designing a module for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection.

© 2025 Bentham Science Publishers
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/ctm/10.2174/0122150838262609231003071619
2023-10-11
2026-01-03

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/ctm/10.2174/0122150838262609231003071619
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. KahnJ.S. McIntoshK. History and recent advances in coronavirus discovery.Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J.20052411Suppl.S223S22710.1097/01.inf.0000188166.17324.60 16378050
     [Google Scholar]
  2. RaisA. NegiD.S. YadavA. A randomized open label parallel group pilot study to evaluate efficacy of Ayurveda interventions in the management of asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients-experiences of a Lucknow based level 2 hospital of Uttar Pradesh, India.J. Ayurveda Integr. Med.202213210039310.1016/j.jaim.2020.12.013 33897204
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Shankar-HariM. CalfeeC.S. Lack of clinical benefit of interferon β-1a among patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome: Time to overhaul drug trials in ARDS?JAMA2020323871371510.1001/jama.2019.22524 32065830
     [Google Scholar]
  4. CascellaM. Evaluation, and treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19).Treasure IslandStatPearls Publishing2020
     [Google Scholar]
  5. RajV.S. MouH. SmitsS.L. Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 is a functional receptor for the emerging human coronavirus-EMC.Nature2013495744025125410.1038/nature12005 23486063
     [Google Scholar]
  6. ZhouF. YuT. DuR. Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: A retrospective cohort study.Lancet2020395102291054106210.1016/S0140‑6736(20)30566‑3 32171076
     [Google Scholar]
  7. GuanW. NiZ. HuY. Clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in China.N. Engl. J. Med.2020382181708172010.1056/NEJMoa2002032 32109013
     [Google Scholar]
  8. BalkrishnaA. BhattA.B. SinghP. HaldarS. VarshneyA. Comparative retrospective open-label study of ayurvedic medicines and their combination with allopathic drugs on asymptomatic and mildly-symptomatic COVID-19 patients.J. Herb. Med.20212910047210.1016/j.hermed.2021.100472 34055580
     [Google Scholar]
  9. TalwarS. SoodS. KumarJ. ChauhanR. SharmaM. TuliH.S. Ayurveda and allopathic therapeutic strategies in coronavirus pandemic treatment 2020.Curr. Pharmacol. Rep.20206635436310.1007/s40495‑020‑00245‑2 33106765
     [Google Scholar]
  10. RastogiS. PandeyD.N. SinghR.H. COVID-19 pandemic: A pragmatic plan for ayurveda intervention.J. Ayurveda Integr. Med.202213110031210.1016/j.jaim.2020.04.002 32382220
     [Google Scholar]
  11. CovidWJGWHO Dashboard.2020
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Dashboard - India COVID-19 tracker.2023https://www.mohfw.gov.in/
     [Google Scholar]
  13. RajkumarR.P. Ayurveda and COVID-19: Where psychoneuroimmunology and the meaning response meet.Brain Behav. Immun.2020878910.1016/j.bbi.2020.04.056 32334064
     [Google Scholar]
  14. HuangC. WangY. LiX. Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China.Lancet20203951022349750610.1016/S0140‑6736(20)30183‑5 31986264
     [Google Scholar]
  15. NalB. ChanC. KienF. Differential maturation and subcellular localization of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus surface proteins S, M and E.J. Gen. Virol.20058651423143410.1099/vir.0.80671‑0 15831954
     [Google Scholar]
  16. JayawardenaR. SooriyaarachchiP. ChourdakisM. JeewandaraC. RanasingheP. Enhancing immunity in viral infections, with special emphasis on COVID-19: A review.Diabetes Metab. Syndr.202014436738210.1016/j.dsx.2020.04.015 32334392
     [Google Scholar]
  17. BoulwareD.R. PullenM.F. BangdiwalaA.S. A randomized trial of hydroxychloroquine as postexposure prophylaxis for Covid-19.N. Engl. J. Med.2020383651752510.1056/NEJMoa2016638 32492293
     [Google Scholar]
  18. GreinJ. OhmagariN. ShinD. Compassionate use of remdesivir for patients with severe Covid-19.N. Engl. J. Med.2020382242327233610.1056/NEJMoa2007016 32275812
     [Google Scholar]
  19. PeirisJ.S.M. LaiS.T. PoonL.L.M. Coronavirus as a possible cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome.Lancet200336193661319132510.1016/S0140‑6736(03)13077‑2 12711465
     [Google Scholar]
  20. AliN. Relationship between COVID-19 infection and liver injury: A review of recent data.Front. Med.2020745810.3389/fmed.2020.00458 32793619
     [Google Scholar]
  21. NesariT. KadamS. VyasM. A prophylactic Ayurvedic immunity boosting kit reducing positivity percentage of IgG COVID-19 among frontline Indian Delhi police personnel: A non-randomized controlled intervention trial.Front. Public Health20221092012610.3389/fpubh.2022.920126 36052011
     [Google Scholar]
  22. GhasemianM. OwliaS. OwliaM.B. Review of anti-inflammatory herbal medicines.Adv. Pharmacol. Sci.20162016913097910.1155/2016/9130979
     [Google Scholar]
  23. BelapurkarP. GoyalP. Tiwari-BaruaP. Immunomodulatory effects of triphala and its individual constituents: A review.Indian J. Pharm. Sci.2014766467475 25593379
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Van Der MeijdenA.P.M. Non-specific immunotherapy with bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG).Clin. Exp. Immunol.2001123217918010.1046/j.1365‑2249.2001.01449.x 11252346
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Schulze-KoopsH. BurkhardtH. KaldenJ.R. What we have learned from trials of immunomodulatory agents in rheumatoid arthritis: Future directions.Drugs Today1999354-532735110.1358/dot.1999.35.4‑5.552208 12973437
     [Google Scholar]
  26. ZiauddinM. PhansalkarN. PatkiP. DiwanayS. PatwardhanB. Studies on the immunomodulatory effects of Ashwagandha.J. Ethnopharmacol.1996502697610.1016/0378‑8741(95)01318‑0 8866726
     [Google Scholar]
  27. ChadaS. RameshR. MhashilkarA.M. Cytokine- and chemokine-based gene therapy for cancer.Curr. Opin. Mol. Ther.200355463474 14601514
     [Google Scholar]
  28. GpeD.K. Chikitsa Sthana Charak Samhita.1st edVaranasiChaukhambha Krishnadas Academy2013
     [Google Scholar]
  29. TripathiJ.S. SinghR.H. The concept and practice of immunomodulation in ayurveda and the role of rasayanas as immunomodulators.Anc. Sci. Life1999191-25963 22556921
     [Google Scholar]
  30. DoshiG. UneH. ShanbhagP. Rasayans and non-rasayans herbs: Future immunodrug - Targets.Pharmacogn. Rev.2013714929610.4103/0973‑7847.120506 24347916
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Doshbhediya adhyaya.In: Nidan Sthan Ashtanga Hridaya Vagbhatta, Sarvangasundara, Ayurved rasayana, Hemadri Udar Nidan adhyaya, on Nidana sthana.Udara2014358
     [Google Scholar]
  32. KumarD. AryaV. KaurR. BhatZ.A. GuptaV.K. KumarV. A review of immunomodulators in the Indian traditional health care system.J. Microbiol. Immunol. Infect.201245316518410.1016/j.jmii.2011.09.030 22154993
     [Google Scholar]
  33. UpadhyayA. KumarK. KumarA. MishraH. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. and Thoms. (Guduchi) - validation of the Ayurvedic pharmacology through experimental and clinical studies.Int. J. Ayurveda Res.20101211212110.4103/0974‑7788.64405 20814526
     [Google Scholar]
  34. BorseS. JoshiM. SaggamA. Ayurveda botanicals in COVID-19 management: An in silico multi-target approach.PLoS One2021166e024847910.1371/journal.pone.0248479 34115763
     [Google Scholar]
  35. ChandranU. PatwardhanB. Network ethnopharmacological evaluation of the immunomodulatory activity of Withania somnifera.J. Ethnopharmacol.201719725025610.1016/j.jep.2016.07.080 27487266
     [Google Scholar]
  36. PatwardhanB. ChandranU. Network ethnopharmacology approaches for formulation discovery.Indian J Tradit2015144574580
     [Google Scholar]
  37. RastogiS. RastogiR. SinghR. Adverse effects of Ayurvedic drugs: An overview of causes and possibilities in reference to a case of Vatsanabha (Aconite) overdosing.Int. J. Risk Saf. Med.2007193117125
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Srikantha MurthyKJVCO Sarangadhara-Samhita: A treatise on Ayurveda, Madhyam khanda.2012verse 18-21103
     [Google Scholar]
  39. India TAFo.Vati kalpana.1st edition
     [Google Scholar]
  40. BishtD. SharmaY. MehraB. A clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Pippali Rasayana in certain respiratory disorders.Ayu2009303337
     [Google Scholar]
  41. SrikanthN. SinghA. OtaS. SreedharB. Galib DhimanKS. Chemical characterization of an Ayurvedic herbo-mineral preparation- Mahalaxmivilas Rasa.J. Ayurveda Integr. Med.201910426226810.1016/j.jaim.2018.01.002 30466809
     [Google Scholar]
  42. GolechhaM. Time to realise the true potential of Ayurveda against COVID-19.Brain Behav. Immun.20208713013110.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.003 32389701
     [Google Scholar]
  43. ChandranS. DineshK.S. PatgiriB.J. DharmarajanP. Unique contributions of keraleeya ayurveda in pediatric health care.J. Ayurveda Integr. Med.20189213614210.1016/j.jaim.2017.10.008 29471987
     [Google Scholar]
  44. TilluG. ChaturvediS. ChopraA. PatwardhanB. Public health approach of ayurveda and yoga for COVID-19 prophylaxis.J. Altern. Complement. Med.202026536036410.1089/acm.2020.0129 32310670
     [Google Scholar]
  45. ShrungeswaraA.H. UnnikrishnanM.K. Evolution of dietary preferences and the innate urge to heal: Drug discovery lessons from Ayurveda.J. Ayurveda Integr. Med.201910322222610.1016/j.jaim.2017.08.003 29576440
     [Google Scholar]
  46. AmrutheshS. Dentistry and Ayurveda - IV: Classification and management of common oral diseases.Indian J. Dent. Res.2008191526110.4103/0970‑9290.38933 18245925
     [Google Scholar]
  47. VinjamuryS.P. VinjamuryM. SucharitakulS. Panchakarma: Ayurvedic detoxification and allied therapies - Is there any evidence? In: Rastogi S, Ed. Evidence-Based Practice in Complementary and Alternative Medicine.Berlin, HeidelbergSpringer2011
     [Google Scholar]
  48. AbbottD.J. BaroodyF.M. NaureckasE. NaclerioR.M. Elevation of nasal mucosal temperature increases the ability of the nose to warm and humidify air.Am. J. Rhinol.2001151414610.2500/105065801781329464 11258654
     [Google Scholar]
  49. SaketkhooK. JanuszkiewiczA. SacknerM.A. Effects of drinking hot water, cold water, and chicken soup on nasal mucus velocity and nasal airflow resistance.Chest197874440841010.1016/S0012‑3692(15)37387‑6 359266
     [Google Scholar]
  50. VellingiriB. JayaramayyaK. IyerM. COVID-19: A promising cure for the global panic.Sci. Total Environ.202072513827710.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138277 32278175
     [Google Scholar]
  51. GulatiK. Immunomodulatory Indian medicinal plants.J. Nat. Remed.2002212131
     [Google Scholar]
  52. BaruaC.C. GuptaP.P. PatnaikG.K. Immunomodulatory effect of Albizzia lebbeck.Pharm. Biol.200038316116610.1076/1388‑0209(200007)3831‑SFT161 21214455
     [Google Scholar]
  53. VinothapooshanG. SundarK. Immunomodulatory activity of various extracts of Adhatoda vasica Linn. in experimental rats.Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.20115330631010.5897/AJPP10.126
     [Google Scholar]
  54. SinghS.K. A complete over review on Adhatoda vasica a traditional medicinal plants.J Med Plants Stud201751175180
     [Google Scholar]
  55. NeagM.A. MocanA. EcheverríaJ. Berberine: Botanical occurrence, traditional uses, extraction methods, and relevance in cardiovascular, metabolic, hepatic, and renal disorders.Front. Pharmacol.2018955710.3389/fphar.2018.00557 30186157
     [Google Scholar]
  56. MazumderP.M. DasS. DasS. DasM.K. Phyto-pharmacology of Berberis aristata DC: A review.J. Drug Deliv. Ther.20111210.22270/jddt.v1i2.34
     [Google Scholar]
  57. JyothyK.B. PatelK.S. SheshagiriS. RajagopalaS. A critical appraisal on Swarnaprashana in children.Ayu201435436136510.4103/0974‑8520.158978 26195896
     [Google Scholar]
  58. WilkingM. NdiayeM. MukhtarH. AhmadN. Circadian rhythm connections to oxidative stress: Implications for human health.Antioxid. Redox Signal.201319219220810.1089/ars.2012.4889 23198849
     [Google Scholar]
  59. Bonmati-CarrionM. Arguelles-PrietoR. Martinez-MadridM. Protecting the melatonin rhythm through circadian healthy light exposure.Int. J. Mol. Sci.20141512234482350010.3390/ijms151223448 25526564
     [Google Scholar]
  60. HolickM.F. Biological effects of sunlight, ultraviolet radiation, visible light, infrared radiation and vitamin D for health.Anticancer Res.201636313451356 26977036
     [Google Scholar]
  61. BlossomS. Yoga and psychoneuroimmunology.Int. J. Yoga Therap.2004141232710.17761/ijyt.14.1.n7378013rjkvj7u5
     [Google Scholar]
  62. RavishH. VenkateshH.N. Delphine SilviaC.R.W. SrinivasH. Molecular signature of the immune response to yoga therapy in stress-related chronic disease conditions: An insight.Int. J. Yoga202013191710.4103/ijoy.IJOY_82_18 32030016
     [Google Scholar]
  63. MorganN. IrwinM.R. ChungM. WangC. The effects of mind-body therapies on the immune system: Meta-analysis.PLoS One201497e10090310.1371/journal.pone.0100903 24988414
     [Google Scholar]
  64. KimS.W. SuK.P. Using psychoneuroimmunity against COVID-19.Brain Behav. Immun.2020874510.1016/j.bbi.2020.03.025 32234338
     [Google Scholar]
  65. MohammadiN. ShaghaghiN. Inhibitory effect of eight secondary metabolites from conventional medicinal plants on COVID_19 virus protease by molecular docking analysis.ChemRxiv202010.26434/chemrxiv.11987475.v1
     [Google Scholar]
  66. SivaramanD. PradeepPs. Revealing anti-viral potential of Bio-active therapeutics targeting SARS-CoV2-polymerase (RdRp) in combating COVID-19: Molecular Investigation on Indian traditional medicines.Preprints2020
     [Google Scholar]
  67. ChenC. Favipiravir versus arbidol for COVID-19: A randomized clinical trial.MedRxiv20202020.0310.1101/2020.03.17.20037432
     [Google Scholar]
  68. ZhangW. DuR.H. LiB. Molecular and serological investigation of 2019-nCoV infected patients: Implication of multiple shedding routes.Emerg. Microbes Infect.20209138638910.1080/22221751.2020.1729071 32065057
     [Google Scholar]
  69. ChenH. GuoJ. WangC. Clinical characteristics and intrauterine vertical transmission potential of COVID-19 infection in nine pregnant women: A retrospective review of medical records.Lancet20203951022680981510.1016/S0140‑6736(20)30360‑3 32151335
     [Google Scholar]
  70. ChanJ.Y.K. WongE.W.Y. LamW. Practical aspects of otolaryngologic clinical services during the 2019 novel coronavirus epidemic: An experience in Hong Kong.JAMA Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg.2020146651952010.1001/jamaoto.2020.0488 32196070
     [Google Scholar]
  71. BaiY. YaoL. WeiT. Presumed asymptomatic carrier transmission of COVID-19.JAMA2020323141406140710.1001/jama.2020.2565 32083643
     [Google Scholar]
  72. WangT. DuZ. ZhuF. Comorbidities and multi-organ injuries in the treatment of COVID-19.Lancet202039510228e5210.1016/S0140‑6736(20)30558‑4 32171074
     [Google Scholar]
  73. XuK. Management of COVID-19: The Zhejiang experience.J Zhejiang Univ (Med Sci)2020492147157
     [Google Scholar]
  74. StockmanL.J. BellamyR. GarnerP. SARS: Systematic review of treatment effects.PLoS Med.200639e34310.1371/journal.pmed.0030343 16968120
     [Google Scholar]
  75. BalkrishnaA. PokhrelS. VarshneyA. Tinocordiside from Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy) may curb SARS-CoV-2 contagion by disrupting the electrostatic interactions between host ACE2 and viral S-protein receptor binding domain.Comb. Chem. High Throughput Screen.202124101795180210.2174/18755402MTExEMzQt1 33172372
     [Google Scholar]
  76. RizviZ.A. TripathyM.R. SharmaN. Effect of prophylactic use of intranasal oil formulations in the hamster model of COVID-19.Front. Pharmacol.20211274672910.3389/fphar.2021.746729 34721035
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/ctm/10.2174/0122150838262609231003071619
Loading
Management of COVID-19 Pandemic by Immunity-modulating Ayurvedic Interventions: A Bright Panacea
Current Traditional Medicine 11, E111023222051 (2025); https://doi.org/10.2174/0122150838262609231003071619
/content/journals/ctm/10.2174/0122150838262609231003071619
/content/journals/ctm/10.2174/0122150838262609231003071619
Loading

Data & Media loading...


  • Article Type:     Review Article
Keyword(s): ayurveda; Coronavirus; COVID-19; herbal drug; immunity; immunomodulation

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test