‘AirVaidya’ fumigation could prove efficient in mitigating Covid-19: BHU scientists

New Delhi: The latest study by the scientists at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) over an Ayurvedic formulation showed encouraging results and indicated its efficiency in preventing air-borne infections.

The study, done over the Ayurvedic formulation AirVaidya Herbal Dhoopa (AVHD) showed that its fumes carry anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

The significance of the latest study has increased as the world grapples with the highly transmissible Omicron variant of Covid-19. Dr KRC Reddy, Professor, Department of Rasa Shastra (Ayurveda), Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, who led the research, said Dhoopan (fumigation) has been described as a medicinal therapy in Ayurveda compendia for ages.

"Being potent in anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-viral action and given rising Covid-19 cases, this is the first scientific study,” he added.

Explaining the clinical study, Dr Reddy informed that the participants were divided into two groups—the intervention group (150 persons) and the controlled group (100 persons).

"The results were encouraging. Just 4 per cent of the intervention group on the medicinal therapy showed Covid like symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, or no taste or smell; on the other hand, at least 37 per cent, who were not given such therapy, were found to have Covid-19 like symptoms. The fumes were also chemically safe on Drosophila flies in the first phase of the clinical trial," he said.

"Since the Covid-19 virus generally enters through nose and mouth into the human body, medicinal fumigation therapy was given to the participants of the intervention group. They were asked to inhale 'AirVaidya Herbal Dhoopa' (AVHD) fumes for ten minutes twice a day, while the control group was not given such treatment," Dr Reddy added.

BHU scientists also said the formulation was also found beneficial in disinfecting home and office surroundings. AIMIL Pharmaceuticals which manufactures AirVaidya in the form of herbal incense said that the formulation contains phytochemicals from 19 medicinal ingredients.

"It contains medicinal ingredients like Ushir, Guggal sudh, Nagarmotha, Mehendi, Jigat and Ghee—possessing therapeutic effects that may prevent the entry of coronavirus into the human body system by enhancing the immunity and thus reduces the inflammation caused by virus and bacteria," Dr Sanchit Sharma, Executive Director of AIMIL Pharmaceuticals said.

Sharma added that AVHD has been launched in the market with the series of Ayouthveda to help people reprieve from Covid-19 infection. (UNI)