Background: What is COVID-19?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), also known as the coronavirus or COVID, is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Merriam-Webster (n.d.) dictionary gives the definition of COVID-19 as ‘a mild to severe respiratory illness that is caused by a coronavirus (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of the genus Betacoronavirus), is transmitted chiefly by contact with infectious material (such as respiratory droplets) or with objects or surfaces contaminated by the causative virus, and is characterized especially by fever, cough, and shortness of breath and may progress to pneumonia and respiratory failure.’ While Coronaviruses are a group of related  viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds, bats and rodents are natural reservoirs for betacoronaviruses (Wartecki & Rzymski 2020).

The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern regarding COVID-19 on 30 January 2020, and later declared a pandemic on 11 March 2020. However, even before the WHO’s declaration, in November 2019, the John Hopkins Centre for Health Security hosted ‘Event 201’, a pandemic simulation exercise. The university identified ‘massive preparedness gap’ and ‘envisioned a fast-spreading coronavirus with a devastating impact’ (Pearce 2019, p. n.p.). 

Studies on treatment strategies for COVID-19

In April 2020, Lewis Kaplan, a professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania has discussed that  novel coronavirus patients were ‘showing up with microclots – and even larger clots – regardless of their medical history, and even sometimes while taking anticoagulant medication’ (Kaplan 2020). Patients were micro-clotting even after recovery from COVID-19 infection.   

In May 2020, a study from Monash University has contemplated the use of snake venom ‘to fight against COVID-19’ (Kakumanu, Kuruppu & Hodgson 2020). Researchers have noted that the venom was causing body to release factors in the body that caused blood pressure to drop ‘suddenly, or slowly’.

In September 2020, Harvard Medical School in the ongoing research have discussed effects of both high and low ‘levels of the blood clotting protein factor V’ in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 infections  and critically ill (MGH News and Public Affairs 2020).  ‘Their findings, based on studies of patients with COVID-19 in Mass General intensive care units, point to disturbances in factor V activity as both a potential cause of blood clotting disorders with COVID-19 and potential methods for identifying at-risk patients with the goal of selecting the proper anticoagulation therapy’.

In June 2020, a study in India focusing on Ayurvedic clinical profiling of COVID-19 based on Allopathic clinical treatments of the same has presented the typical and atypical clinical symptom in COVID-19 under five categories – major, common, occasional, sporadic, and rare (Puthiyedath et al. 2020). The symptoms further divided as early, take and complications based on their emergence in the cycle include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Breathing difficulty
• Mild Pneumonia
• Hypoxia
• Pneumonia
• ARDS
• Coagulopathy
• Chills

Types of animal toxins that can impact humans

Dillon (n.d.) at Florida State University has explained the chemistry of poisons with particular focus on snake venom. Toxins are categorized based on the system within the body they affect. In the case of snakes, which are most venomous and fatal, three main types of toxin are identified.

• Neurotoxins – affect the nervous system,
• Cytotoxins – affect cells
• Hemotoxins – affect blood and through blood affect organs

Neurotoxin target and destroy nerves they can cause paralysis, seizures and death. ‘The neurotoxin causes death by binding to and keeping nerve cells from performing their normal activities. When the nerve cells become damaged the body sends signals that cause cellular apoptosis or self-death. The damaged pathways lead to complete nervous system shut down and since nerve signals are what tell our heart to beat and lungs to inhale death soon follows’.

Cytotoxin is any compound or molecule that has a toxic effect on cells. Systemically (throughout the body) anti-clotting proteins in the venom can cause system wide bleeding and organ damage.

Hemotoxins are those that destroy red blood cells.

Dr Stephanie Dillon also discusses the speed at which the poison spreads in the body. Speed depends on the pathway taken for poison to enter the body. From fastest to slowest

Intravenous (into a vein) injection > inhalation > intraperitoneal (into the body) injection > intramuscular (into the muscle) injection> ingestion > topical (onto the skin) absorption

Poisons are also categorized by their speed of action into four types:

• Acute: Acute poison spreads in less than 24 hours usually from one exposure
• Sub-Acute: Sub-Acute poison spreads over a month with exposure to repeated doses
• Sub-Chronic: Sub-chronic poison spreads from one to three months with exposure to repeated doses
• Chronic: Chronic poison spread takes over three months with exposure to repeated doses – long term exposure

If the spread of the acute poison stretched over few weeks, when the blood starts to thicken/clot, the oxygen will not reach the nerve endings and might cause insomnia, anxiety. Affected patient might not be able sleep for a few nights. Then they experience shortness of breath and fatigue. In the next few days, the patient develops fever and chills, loss of taste and or smell, followed by cold and or cough, respiratory tract infections. At this stage, the patient feels a tightness in chest.  A mental fatigue sets in and the patient become less responsive to the external environment. Once, this stage is reached, in the next two or three days, the patient experiences fatal cardiac arrest. This seems to be mechanism by which COVID-19 seems to be spreading in patients as well.

Hindu perspective to treatment strategies of the symptom

Traditionally, Hindus follow the Ayurveda or the ‘Hindu system of medical science.’ Datta (1899, p. 15) notes that while even the Greeks had no remedy for snake bites and treating venom, ‘Indians cured those who happened to incur the misfortune’ by applying treatments strategies from the Vedic science.

In rural areas, in native languages of India, any secretion from animals, reptiles, insects, and plants whether by Ingestion (swallow), Inhalation (smell), Dermal/Topical (touch), Injection (sting) which causes harm to human body is called Visha/Vish (Poison). Some of the insects considered poisonous include the Black widow spiders, scorpions, snakes, certain types of leeches, mosquitoes, millipede etc. The treatment strategies applied include the addressing the effects of the Visha (toxins) on the body and the symptoms with appropriate ayurvedic plants and herbs.  Considering that coronaviruses originate from animals and are harmful to human health, in Indian languages they would classify as Visha (Poison).

Life experiences in jungles and farms show broadly two forms of responses to the insect/reptile bites, anti-coagulation of blood in the case of some leech species, and coagulation of blood in the case of poisonous mosquitoes and snakes. In the case of COVID-19, Betacoronavirus is forming micro and macro blood clots.

Treatment approaches using Ayurvedic plants

Whilst people are waiting for vaccines, in India, people are also falling back on the indigenous treatments traditional medicines, and home remedies drawn from Ayurveda to build immunity and address some of the symptoms.  These recommendations are not done in isolation but rather to be amalgamated into pre-covid and post-Covid infection treatments.

• Raw Garlic water is a blood thinner and has been used to improve oxygen circulation in the body even in high altitudes. Similar to Aspirin that is also used as blood thinner.
• There are many ayurvedic plants used to treat insect, snakes and scorpion bites to treat Visha (poison/toxins). Many sacred plants and herbs used in Lord Shiva and Lord Ganapati Pooja have been used traditionally as home remedies as a treatment for toxins as well as for other symptoms and complications arising from toxins.
• Nagadali (Garden Rue) is also called NaraVisha (remover of poison from the nerves) and is used for treating NaraVisha (Neorotoxins). Nagadali is also used to treat cold, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
• Rudrapushpi (also Dronapushpi or Tumbe) is used to treat NaraVisha, The plant is used to treat Sinusitis, reducing fever.
• Samudraphala (Sage) is used for its  antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and antioxidant effects
• Brahmi, Shankapushpi, Vishnu Kranti Patram are used for Nara-Bala, They help in improving of the nervous system. cognitive ability, relieve stress, regulate blood sugar levels, and treat respiratory conditions.
• Rusmari (Rosemary) helps in blood circulation and immune system.
• BanAjwain (Thyme), Maruvaka (Marjoram), Davana, Machi Patre, Bandhuka (Indian Hawthorn) antiseptic, antifungal  and help in respiratory tract, lungs and heart health.
• Ganika patra is know to be antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and antipyretic
• Upodikaa (Malabar spinach) for treating Ulcers, Swellings, Burns, Boils, Abscesses, Scalds and as diuretic.
• Tulasi-ma, Amruthaballi – (Krimigna, Raktashodhaka) is good for heart

 

All these herbs are also culinary and are used in different cuisines across the world in small/appropriate quantities as seasoning or natural flavors and for health benefits. The herbs are hence safe for consumption unless known allergies.

• Vitamin D, Vitamin C and Zinc have been shown to be highly effective in fighting virus infections so it is advisable to ensure that patients maintain the right levels

Some precautions:

Herbs such as Garlic, Nagadali, Davana Marjoram are heat generating. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers need to consult Ayurvedic doctors before using any ayurvedic herbs.

All the herbs are medicinal and hence only small quantities need to be boiled in water for making Kashaaya.

Recent articles/broadcasts on Ayurvedic treatment for COVID patients:

• Coronavirus Treatment: India will soon do the clinical trials of Ayurvedic drugs for COVID 19 treatment
• Nellore: Krishanapatnam Ayurvedic COVID Medicine Ingredients List
• Poly Scientific Ayurveda and PSA Management of Corona and Digital Doctor Assistant | Dr Ravishankar

Why are patients with vaccination still vulnerable?

It is worth knowing the reason for people getting infected even after taking two doses of the corona vaccine.

• The second dose is to be taken 21/28 days after the first dose of the corona vaccine.
• The vaccine starts to form antibodies immediately after entering the body.
• When antibodies are forming in our body, our immunity decreases a lot.
• When we take the second dose of the vaccine after the 21/28 days, our immunity decreases even more.
• 14 days after the second dose, when the antibodies are completely formed in our body, our immunity starts to grow rapidly.

During this one and a half month, due to low immunity, the chances of the corona virus entering our body are very high. It is due to an exposure to the virus at this vulnerable time that a person gets infected, which makes it very risky to get out of the house during this month and a half. Even after taking two doses of the vaccine, you can become a victim of Corona.  After one and a half months, the immunity in the body rises by 100 to 200 times, after which you are safe. It is highly recommended that people need to be careful and safe for one and a half months from the first dose. Always make sure to wear a mask and get out of the house only if necessary.

Rise of other complications in post-COVID-19 cases 

In India, doctors are also seeing a rise in post-COVID-19 brain stroke, Black Fungus and heart attack cases leading to  paralysis, blindness and fatalities resulting in death of patients (Debroy 2021a, 2021b).

Our experience

While appropriate home remedies and allopathic treatments helped to recover from the COVID-19 infections, patients continued to be fatigued and slow to recover. Angiogram done immediately after infection had subsided helped detect and remove large blocks in main arteries. Early detection of both COVID-19 and micro-clots post COVID-19 turned out to be life saviors.

Conclusion

While Allopathic treatments are highly effective in managing emergency situations, in many cases patients do require additional support. Vaccines are one way to reduce the affect of virus infections, data regarding their efficacy is still being calculated, In many cases certain vaccines are causing blood clots in patients and even in such cases the treatment mentioned in this article can certainly augment the regular treatment. It has been noticed in patients after being cleared of infection still carry blood clots in their bodies which could result in organ failure. It is highly recommended that before being discharged patients seek blood clot tests and if unsure even Angiogram to test for clots in major arteries or veins. Oxygen concentrators are immensely helpful during pre and post treatment stages of COVID and it is recommended to leverage such equipment for speedy recovery.

We wish all those affected a speedy recovery and safe health to everyone else!

Right now in India with paucity of health workers, Infrastructure the situation is sliding from bad to worse and the numbers of the affected people are increasing, hence there is an extensive need for someone to take it up seriously at ground level and start working towards the same to bring everything under control. With COVID care treatment, lung capacity pre and post is always on the lower side and we need to support the patient with oxygen support system. Oxygen concentrators would supplement the government efforts in lowering mortality and complications. Patients, hospitals and doctors on the ground urgently need Oxygen Concentrators (OC) , to complement the Health Department across nation with at least 1000 units.The need for these equipment is very urgent and have to be delivered OC to hospitals at the earliest so that patients can be helped before treatment and also after treatment. This money will be used to fund the purchase, allocation to various hospitals across Karnataka and neighbouring states. OC procurement, allocation and distribution will be managed by Nayonika eye care charitable Trust (FCRA registered to receive foreign funds) with very well known board members. Management of these equipment will include the following steps:

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Let us help each other recover faster and regain our health! Namaste!