Role of Ayurveda and Yoga-Based lifestyle in the COVID-19 Pandemic – A Narrative Review

Umesh, Chikkanna; Ramakrishna, Kishore Kumar; Jasti, Nishitha; Bhargav, Hemant; Varambally, Shivarama

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an immense challenge to health care systems around the globe in terms of limited health care facilities and proven medical therapeutics to address the symptoms of the infection. The current health care strategies have primarily focused on either the pathogen on the environmental factors. However, efforts towards strengthening the host immunity are important from public health perspective to prevent the spread of infection and downregulate the potency of the agent. While a vaccine can induce specific immunity in the host, non-specific ways of improving overall host immunity are the need. This scenario has paved the way for the use of traditional Indian therapies such as Ayurveda and Yoga. This review aims at collating available evidence on Ayurveda, Yoga and COVID-19. Further, it draws inferences from recent studies on Yoga and Ayurveda on immunity, respiratory health and mental health respectively to approximate its probable role in prophylaxis and as an add-on management option for the current pandemic.