The federal government's strategy in the Corona endemic disease focuses almost exclusively on two areas:

1. Protection from infection through various measures such as masking, spacing and hygiene measures, and
2. Vaccination.

In contrast, measures to strengthen one´s immune system are hardlyconsidered and certainly not recommended as a third measure, neither by the virologists advising the government nor by the responsible politicians. Yet there is little doubt in scientific medicine about the great importance of the body's own immune system as a protective mechanism against infectious diseases in general and against Covid-19 in particular. From the point of view of the German Society for Ayurveda (DGA), this therefore appears to be an imperfect package of measures. We believe that a holistic and above all preventive approach is urgently needed. Ayurvedic medicine, which is now used worldwide and recognized by the WHO as a traditional healing system, has a wealth of experience spanning thousands of years in the use of natural medicines and therapies, especially for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

Scientific studies related to Covid-19

In an effort to find effective medicines against Covid-19 infection and disease, numerous synthetic and naturally occurring substances have now been scientifically studied and, in some cases, clinically tested. While anti-malarial drugs and conventional viral inhibitors have shown no or unsatisfactory efficacy, two traditional Ayurvedic medicinal plants are proving to be promising sources.

Licorice root – potential means of protection against SARS corona viruses

As early as 2003, scientists at the University of Frankfurt demonstrated that glycyrrizine from licorice root inhibited the replication (replication) of the then SARS corona viruses in vitro (1). Another protective mechanism, also against the current corona virus, has now been demonstrated by researchers at the Medical School of Hong Kong and Stanford University (2). Glycyrrhizin can effectively block the entry ports for SARS corona virus at ACE2 receptors in the lungs, thus preventing the virus from entering the body.

Ashwagandha – Traditional Ayurvedic Medicinal Plant Inhibits Key Enzyme of Virus Replication

Indian scientists found that the active ingredient withanoside V from the root of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), blocks the key enzyme (M pro ) responsible for the multiplication of the virus in the organism (3).

Combination of active ingredients from licorice and ashwagandha.

plants are traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to strengthen the immune system and against infections caused by viruses and other germs. Both plants have additional effects that are protective and healing supportive in respiratory infections. They have anti-inflammatory, immunostrengthening, cough-soothing and tonic effects. An Ayurvedic preparation containing the active ingredients of the two plants is available as a traditional dietary supplement from the importer via the Internet and in pharmacies also in Germany without prescription. It has been used successfully for years by physicians familiar with Ayurvedic medicine as a preventive measure to strengthen the immune system and as a supportive measure in the treatment of viral respiratory infections. In patients with Covid-19 disease who were in domestic quarantine, this combination of active ingredients has been remarkably successful. Incidentally, this phytocombination was recommended by the Indian government for the population to take as a preventive measure at the very beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, along with three other herbal preparations.

Antiviral properties of ginger root

In addition to numerous other natural substances, the active ingredients of ginger root, a defense-boosting medicinal plant frequently used in Ayurveda, also inhibit the multiplication of viruses in the body and reduce the risk of infection. In addition, ginger is effective not only against viruses but also against pathogenic bacteria and strengthens the immune system (4).

Vitamin C, vitamin D3 and zinc

Vitamin C, vitamin D3 zinc are known agents for a functioning immune system. The English government is currently considering vitamin D3 as a preventive measure to strengthen the immune system and against Co-vid-19 and has commissioned scientists to develop dosage recommendations for the population. As the British newspaper The Guardian reported in its Nov. 14 issue, the government led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson apparently wants to recommend taking supplements. High-risk groups are also to receive free vitamin supplements. This is already the case in Scotland. It should be noted that Health Minister Spahn, according to an interview, is also said to have received vitamin D3 and zinc from his treating physician during his Covid-19 illness.

Light, air, sun, exercise and sport- extremely important for a healthy immune system.

A video commissioned by the German government wants to encourage young people to stay at home during the current partial lockdown, spending time in togetherness on the couch, in front of the TV and eating junk food. This is well-intentioned and is intended to encourage people to get in touch with each other and thus reduce the rate of infection. However, this kind of leisure time activity is probably not conducive to good health, and the question also arises as to whether young people will even feel addressed by such a video in view of the lockdowns and the company bankruptcies and job losses and the associated worries. In contrast, during the first lockdown, virologists explicitly recommended spending time in fresh air and sunshine, also in connection with individual sports, also because this is known to promote health and strengthen the immune system.

Fear weakens the immune system

We are currently experiencing a split in the population, which is also reflected in daily conversations and discussions with patients in many doctors' offices: Fear on the one hand and increasing rejection of corona protection measures on the other. Negative emotions such as persistent fears, worries, hopelessness and loss of confidence, are proven to weaken the immune system. With all understanding for necessary measures and education to protect the population, we miss a language of hope, confidence and trust in politics and media, which have a special responsibility here. A beneficial and confidence-building step in this direction would also be for policy makers, in consultation with experts from the various medical specialties, including representatives of recognized complementary medicine associations, to evaluate ways to strengthen the immune system and recommend appropriate remedies and measures to the population as a third strategy to protect against Corona.

Literature:

(1) Cinal J, Morgenstern B, Bauer G, Chandra P, Rabenau H, Doerr HW. Glycyrrhizin, an active compo-nent of liquorice roots, and replication of SARS-associated coronavirus. Lancet 2003: 361: 2045-2046.

(2) Hansen Chen, Qiaohui Du. Potential natural compounds for preventing SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) in-fection. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339399846_Potential_natural_compounds_for_pre-venting_SARS-CoV-2_2019-nCoV_infection

(3) Manish Kumar Tripathi, Pushpendra Singh, Sujata Sharma, Tej P. Singh, A. S. Ethayathulla & Punit Kaur(2020). Identification of bioactive molecule from Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) as SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor, Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1790425.

(4) Chang JS, Wang KC, Yeh CF, Shieh DE, Chiang LC. Fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) has antiviral activity against human respiratory syncytial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines. J Ethnopharmacol 2013; 145: 146-151.

Author(s):
Ernst Schrott, MD.
Physician for naturopathic medicine
Chairman of the German Ayurveda Society
Director German Ayurveda Academy
Steyrerweg 11
D- 93049 Regensburg
Tel. +49 (0)941-25040 www.vedamed.de dr.schrott@vedamed.de