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@article{185717,
        author = {Mohana Janga and Dhanshree Lakudkar and Md Quamruz Zafar},
        title = {Post-Covid Immunity Claims -Ayush Kwath And Ministry Endorsed Formulas Scientific Validity Check},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {5},
        pages = {2776-2816},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=185717},
        abstract = {The SARS CoV 2 virus causing the COVID19 pandemic has increased the sense of urgency of prevention and supportive treatment to limit acute infection and alleviate long-term outcomes (post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV 2 infection, PASC/Long COVID). In this respect, the Ministry of AYUSH in India approved the use of immunity-promoting preparations, such as Ayush Kwath, Chyawanprash and AYUSH-64. The given assertions are criticized in the current paper on the basis of critical analysis of Ayurvedic concepts, phytochemical, action, and the available scientific body of evidence.
Ayurveda views immunity as Vyadhikshamatva (resistance to diseases), Ojas (vital essence), Agni (digestive/metabolic fire) and Rasayana (rejuvenative therapies). Ayush Kwath is a combination of Tulsi, Dalchini, Sunthi, Krishna Marich, which contains phytoconstituents that include eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, gingerols and piperine, which have been reported to possess antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and bioenhancing effects. Amla-based polyherbal Rasayana, Chyawanprash, is claimed to possess adaptogenic and immunomodulatory effects, whereas AYUSH-64 which was created to address malaria had antiviral, anti-inflammatory and thrombolytic effects.
The immunomodulatory and protective properties of these herbs are supported by laboratory and pre-clinical research, and show the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, regulation of the innate and adaptive immune systems, and the gut-immune axis. However, strong clinical evidence is still lacking. The AYUSH-64 trials have demonstrated faster recovery and lower hospitalisation in mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19 and community-based administration of Ayush Kwath and Chyawanprash have proposed prophylactic effects. But, due to methodological limitations such as a small sample size, lack of blinding, and lack of biomarker evaluation, definitive conclusions are limited.
The regulatory provisions laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) allow functional claims that the products improve the immunity, but the assertions stated are disease-specific either preventive or curative are highly successful. In turn, even though AYUSH interventions have potential, they need to be supported by serious randomized controlled trials that can confirm their efficacy.
Finally, AYUSH-approved formulations were implemented culturally relevant and affordable to reach large groups of populations during the pandemic. However, to be included in the modern health systems, they require strong evidence-based validation and optimization of population-health outcomes.},
        keywords = {COVID -19; post-COVID immunity; AYUSH; Ayush Kwath; Chyawanprash; AYUSH-64; Ayurveda; Immunomodulation; Herbal formulations; Clinical validation.},
        month = {October},
        }