Clinical experience in treating Covid 19 patients with Siddha Medicine

 

Just before the first case was reported in India on 28^th Jan 2020, a popular tamil TV Channel wanted me to participate in a talk show in their prime time slot to discuss about the preparedness of Tamil Nadu Govt. if there is a outbreak here. By then there was some understanding of the type of virus and its earlier outbreaks. So went through various scientific articles and looked at various herbs with potential for fighting corona virus. Immediately after the first case of a medical student testing positive (she arrived earlier but results was known on 30^th Jan 2020), we in CTMR discussed among ourselves and released a video clip on how to prevent spread and also the possible Siddha medicines and external therapies that could prevent the virus entry and multiplication in human cells. Then we focused on creating awareness among our patients and other organizations for which we have been providing health care support. (Experience in prevention is the previous blog).

 We waited for the Ministry of Ayush to release its guidelines to treat patients as initially Public health authorities were not in favour of any AYUSH treatment and also there was a warning under Pandemic Act. (Though we have sent our treatment protocol for approval) But a stage came were we needed to start treating patients. The first few were patients whose spouses  tested positive and moved to hospitals and house sealed with tin sheets. These patients also tested positive and were helpless because of financial constraints and ready availability of beds in Covid wards. (By then Covid care centres were not opened in a big way). We reached out to these people in our neighbourhood with our medicines through the corporation appointed volunteers. One of them recovered fast in two days free from fever and cough and said but her husband in the hospital still has fever, cough, loss of taste and smell and refusing to eat. She asked if she too can go and stay with him and give our medicines. The 60 plus person with history of diabetes and previous history of having two stents in the heart sounded very depressed. She took the medicines and prepared kashayam to him. He started feeling better with the medicine and the food she took from home. Few more cases were in similar situation of -one in hospital and other in home quarantine and Siddha drugs. Small family gatherings and visit to temples and work place has been the reason of spread in most patients as we could see people from same history.

 Then we evolved a methodology

• 1.      The health authorities of the area should be informed of the status and that of the treating physician’s details and share prescription and instructions note with them.
• 2.      All patients should strictly adhere to the prescription of medicine, diet (Non oily, non fat , non spicy food . intake of good quantity of boiled vegetables and fruits)and quarantine in a separate room with attached bathroom facility for 14 days
• 3.      All patients should record their oxygen saturation, pulse rate temperature every four hours and send whatsApp message and inform of other clinical features.
• 4.      Patients should have their BP and CBS recorded if diabetic and inform at regular interval (With digital apparatus and Glucometer)
• 5.      Patients were also instructed to locate and identify a neighbourhood hospital just in case of oxy saturation fall below 85 or develop severe respiratory distress ( Fortunately none required it)
• 6.      All patients who have co-morbidity were instructed not to stop their routine medication

•  The treatment included the following

 1.     Nilavembu kudineer churanam (one teaspoon of coarse) and Athimathura churanam ( half teaspoon of powder)as Decoction  thrice a day after mild food to avoid gastric irritation – irrespective of fever for five days

2.     2. Adathodai kudineer ( 5 gram) twice a day if cough, sore throat is present for five days

3.      3Thalisathy vadagam ( 500 mg tab)thrice a day as chewable tab for controlling cough and sore throat

4.     4  if Ground glass change is seen and Oxygen saturation going below 95 to lower level of 85 Adathoda kudineer , Thalisathy vadagam and Thippili Rasayanam ( 5 gram) 15 days.

5.      5 Milk with turmeric, black pepper and palm candy once a day

6.     6.  Steam inhalation – plain steam or with Vitex negundo leaf- twice a day

7.    7. Salt water gargling- twice a day

 

All medicines used are formulations listed in the Formulary of Siddha Medicine of Govt. of India based on classical texts.

 

(The much promoted drug during the season was not choosen as most manufacturers expressed difficulty in sourcing authentic raw material and the formulation was never prepared and dispenses officially in the oldest Govt Siddha Medical college hospital since its formation, many adverse reactions were reported by people)

 

The outcome of the treatment among 250 patients was positive with most people recovering from symptoms in third to fifth day while few with comorbidity continued to have fatigue and cough for 15 days. Nobody required further hospitalization.

 

Repeat tests were carried out for people who had symptoms for more than five days (32) at the end of 14 days and all of them tested negative. CT Scan for 16 who had changes initially showed significant progress (came down to 5/40  or 3/25 as two different scales are used by different labs)

 

We have also remotely treated patients in other countries and other towns in certain changes depending of availability of medicine (Thirikadu Dry ginger, black pepper and long pepper and licorice Ajwain turmeric were the primary ones until medicines reached them) There too results were encouraging

 

The treatment in home quarantine had many benefits – less crowding, good care and timely food and monitoring by family members, psychological strength and less cost ( Rs 500 for medicine for the patient and protective dose for the care giver ,cost of pulse oxymeter, bp apparatus, thermometer and glucometer). Many could start working from their rooms after initial five days and were engaged.

 

The patients in the initial stages did feel the social stigma of ambulance arriving and taking them to hospital, family members and friends not able to interact and this arrangement gave them a great sigh of relief.

 

The objective is only to say that not all patients require oxygen support and hospitalization but needs to be closely monitored. I am sure the patients who took treatment from us would also read this blog and as also critics who still feel Siddha or Ayurveda treatment were provided just to give a placebo effect.

 

 

Note on Medicines

Nilavembu kudineer churanam comes as a coarse powder to be made into a decoction This  Siddha formulation fulfills the requirement contains the following ingredients – Andrographis paniculata (herb), Vetiveria zizanioides (roots), Cymbopogon jwarancusa (roots), Santalum album (heart wood), Trichosanthes cucumerina (herb) Cyperus rotundus (tuber) Zingiber officinale (rhizome), Piper nigrum (fruit), and Mollugo cerviana(whole plant). Antiviral plants in the formulation are Andrographis paniculata, Santalum album and Trichosanthes cucumerina. Antipyretic plants in the formulation are Vetiveria zizanioides, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Andrographis paniculata, Santalum albumand Trichosanthes cucumerina. Immunomodulant plants are Zingiber officinale, Piper nigrum. Analgesic ingredients are – Andrographis paniculata, Zingiber officinale and Cyperus rotundus. Antibacterials are Vetiveria zizanioides, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Santalum album and Trichosanthes cucumerina.

 

Dose: 2 gram of the powder boiled with 60 ml like tea – With a lid to prevent evaporation of essential oils, filtered and taken. The decoction is freshly prepared every time and taken twice a day preferably after food as for diabetes taking in empty stomach can rarely cause hypoglycemia and for people with gastric irritation can cause nausea or vomiting 

 

Adathodai kudineer churanam comes as a coarse comes as a coarse powder to be made into a decoction It contains Justicia adathoda  (malabar nut) leaf  Glycyrrizha glabra (licorice) Piper longum ( Long pepper) Taxus baccata ( Himalayan yew) . Glycyrrizha glabra has anti-viral action against corona virus and soothing to the throat. Adathoda is effective in preventinf constriction of the respiratory pathway. Long pepper is anti-viral, hepatoprotective and helps in respiratory diseases as well. Taxus baccata is useful in regulating IL6 and TNF-alpha.

Now with almost all Siddha Covid Care Centres closed. People who want to take Siddha treatment really do not know where to go. that is yet another reason why this post was written. Other purpose for posting at this point of time is we were waiting to observe the patients for three months for post covid complication if any. Atleast 100 plus patients have completed 3 months post quarantine now.