Immunity boosting: ISM distributing medicine on large scale amid COVID-19 pandemic
SRINAGAR: Director, Indian System of Medicine (Ayush), Dr Mohan Singh Saturday said that in order to fight coronavirus pandemic, the Directorate has procured all immunity-boosting medicine—besides ensuring their free availability at all district hospitals.
Divulging details, the Director said that the Directorate with the help of its dedicated staff was ensuring the distribution of AYSUH medicine for preventive health measures and boosting immunity during COVID-19 pandemic.
The Director said that serving humanity was the paramount duty of every healthcare professional. “In the wake of the Covid 19 outbreak, entire mankind across the globe is suffering. Enhancing the body’s natural defence system (immunity) plays an important role in maintaining optimum health,” Dr Singh said. “We all know that prevention is better than cure. While there is no medicine for COVID-19 as of now, it will be good to take preventive measures which boost our immunity in these times,” he added.
The Director said that they constituted a team of District Nodal Officers ISM (AYUSH) and directed them to remain alert in view of any exigency. He said all the District Nodal Officers have been directed to ensure that all frontline workers deployed in COVID-19 duties across Jammu and Kashmir districts, who are more susceptible to the infection, are provided Immunity Boosting Medicine to enhance their immunity.
These immunity booster medicine are being distributed free of cost by the Department of Indian System of Medicine (AYUSH). The Director informed that the immunity boosting medicine have already been distributed among the frontline workers across the districts.
He said that as per the advisory of Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, immune-boosting AYUSH medicine were distributed free of cost among employees of all the departments including Divisional Commissioners’ offices and District Development Commissioners’ offices across all the districts.
In Kashmir, around hundreds of employees of ISM including Medical Officers and para-medical staff, are working tirelessly in the field along with their allopathic counterparts in all the districts of the valley.
The Director said that during the distribution, Divisional Nodal Officer ISM, District Officers, COVID-19, and team of doctors instructed employees about the mode of consumption and dosage of these immune-boosting medicine. The employees are being educated about the universal preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19 including regular hand washing, social distancing, coughing and sneezing etiquettes and other related precautions which need to be observed in present crisis.
The Director said, besides the ISM teams also go out to generate awareness among the people about the efficacy of Indian System of Medicine in the time of pandemic COVID-19, especially among the frontline workers. He said that people are also advised to maintain social distancing and follow other guidelines as per protocol while distributing medicine.
The Director said that the Ministry of AYUSH recommends the following self-care guidelines for preventive health measures and boosting immunity with special focus on respiratory health. These are supported by Ayurvedic literature and scientific publications.
Under general measures of the Ministry, drinking warm water throughout the day, Spices like Haldi (Turmeric), Jeera (Cumin), Dhaniya (Coriander) and Lahsun (Garlic) are recommended in cooking, Ayurvedic immunity promoting measures like taking Chyavanprash 10gm (1tsf) in the morning helps a great deal. Drinking herbal tea, decoction (Kadha) made from Tulsi (Basil), Dalchini (Cinnamon), Kalimirch (Black pepper), Shunthi (Dry Ginger) and Munakka (Raisin) – once or twice a day is recommended. Add jaggery (natural sugar) and / or fresh lemon juice to your taste, if needed.”
People are also advised for their nasal application to apply sesame oil, coconut oil or Ghee in both the nostrils in morning and evening.
During dry cough or sore throat, steam inhalation with fresh Pudina (Mint) leaves or Ajwain (Caraway seeds) can be practiced once in a day. Loung (Clove) powder mixed with natural sugar / honey can be taken 2-3 times a day in case of cough or throat irritation. These measures generally treat normal dry cough and sore throat. However, it is best to consult doctors if these symptoms persist. The above measures can be followed to the extent possible as per an individual’s convenience.
KV News
