Currently, world’s leading scientists and researchers are in a race to develop an antidote to fight against the coronavirus pandemic which has affected more than 4 million people globally. Some of the researches to find a cure for coronavirus also relate to Ayurveda – India’s traditional medicine system.
Scientists from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, in collaboration with AIST, Japan, have found that one of the most potent and widely used Ayurvedic herbs, Ashwagandha may hold strong potential in fighting against the coronavirus disease. According to them, Ashwagandha can be used in the development of the COVID-19 vaccine.
India’s Ministry of AYUSH and CSIR recently announced a plethora of measures and clinical trials geared toward studying the use of Ashwagandha, along with other Ayurvedic treatment to frontline soldiers and infected patients. Apart from Ashwagandha, Guduchi, Yasthimadhu, Peepli and another formulated drug, ‘Ayush 64’, will soon be be tested on close to 50,000 people.
According to the study, Ashwagandha contains natural biochemical compounds which work in the same manner as other anti-coronavirus drugs work. Researchers examined the Aswagandha properties to treat the main illness causing enzymes in the body and split proteins, Mpro (Main Protease) which help in replication and spread of the illness. They observed one of the compounds present in Ashwagandha called Withanone (Wi-N) which is useful in blocking and weakening the structure of Mpro.
Ashwagandha is considered to be one of the most superior and powerful Ayurvedic remedies, used for many purposes and benefits. Regular consumption can also supercharge immunity of a person.
