The Silicon Review ^Asia

AYUSH, the government of India’s Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy had recently released an “advisory” which highlights methods of prevention for coronavirus infection. The virus had already crossed the borders of China, from where it had been claimed to emerge from and caused the death of about 130 people and infected over6,000 people all over the world.

The “advisory” mainly lists good practices for hygiene during a viral epidemic. Among them is taking an Arsenicum album-30 on an empty stomach daily for three days and it can be taken as a prophylactic medicine against Coronavirus infections.It’s a general, preventive tool for influenza-like illnesses.Another preventive treatment is shadang paniya, based on Unani medicine.

Other general recommendations were also given, such as washing hands with soap and water for more than 20 seconds, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, avoiding contact with your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and staying back at  home when you’re sick.

The advisory faced backlashes from the general public and medical professionals. The allopathic medicines, which hold a monopoly in the pharmaceutical industry, are usually subject to years of ruthless testing before they come into medical stores. The World Health Organization had not yet prescribed any medicine or treatment and recommends the same generic measures such as washing hands regularly with soap and water, etc.