The Government of India wants to standardise the practice and procedures of Ayurveda, especially Panchkarma, not just in the country but across the world. While the government is waiting for approval from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Panchkarma treatment guidelines on safety and practices formulated last year, the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), Ministry of Health, has sent letters to US, UK and other countries, where Ayurveda clinics are popular, seeking help for the same. “Letters in this regard have been sent to 45 countries. We have information that there are about 3,000 clinics practicing Ayurveda, particularly Panchkarma. Ayurveda is very popular in Italy, Switzerland, Guyana, Britain as well as America,” said Dr S K Sharma, Advisor, Ayurveda, Department of AYUSH. “WHO takes about a year and half to send its approval. We have sent a reminder a few weeks ago,” added Sharma. According to AYUSH’s definition, Panchakarma is a bio-cleansing regimen and increases the body’s acceptability to various dietary regimens and rejuvenation therapies. Ayurveda practitioners outside the country, too, have been asked to form a control commission that can accredit organisations claiming to practice Panchkarma/Ayurveda. “This will standardise treatment. It has been observed that many health centres, being run in the name of Ayurveda or Panchkarma, are not providing authentic treatment. They have actually deviated from original practices,” said Dr Sharma. The guidelines contain information about manpower, minimum space, equipment, essential ayurvedic medicaments and procedures for Ayurveda clinics.

Share on Facebook

Share on digg

Influenza A (H1N1)

Influenza A (H1N1) is an influenza virus, which has been reported as a cause of illness and death in people. It was earlier known as Swine Flu. Originating in Mexico in April 2009, the virus has since spread to many countries worldwide. Early laboratory testing showed that many genes in this virus were similar to those found in pigs of North America, which is why the illness was originally called Swine Flu. Later on, further tests proved that this virus has gene segments from the swine, avian and human flu virus genes. This led scientists to discard the previous name and rename the virus the ‘Influenza-A (H1N1) Virus’. Swine Flu- More details… (External website that opens in a new window)

Symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1)

The symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1) are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu. People who have this illness may experience fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some patients have also reported diarrhoea and vomiting. The flu virus is thought to spread from person to person through droplets that come out of an infected person’s nose or mouth when he/she sneezes or coughs. Pigs have nothing to do with this disease. Pork products are absolutely safe if properly cooked and culling of pigs is not needed.

• Latest Press Releases (External website that opens in a new window)
• Information on Swine Flu (H1N1) (External website that opens in a new window)
• Frequently Asked Questions (23 KB) (PDF file that opens in a new window)
• Details of Influenza A – H1N1 Virus (513 KB) (PDF file that opens in a new window)
• Prevention and Management of Influenza A – H1N1 (92 KB) (PDF file that opens in a new window)

Commons Precautions

Here are some precautions to prevent contraction of the virus -

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Discard the tissue after use.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly after you cough or sneeze.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs may spread this way.
4. Stay away from close contact with people having respiratory illnesses.
5. If one displays influenza like symptoms, one must limit contact with others by staying at home. However, in case of respiratory distress, one should visit a nearby hospital without delay.
6. Take care of your health. Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, manage stress, drink plenty of liquids and eat wholesome food.

Prevention of Flu Conditions

The Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) (External website that opens in a new window) is concerned about the growing number of H1N1 virus cases being reported from various parts of the country. It is of the view that Ayurveda / Unani interventions can be used for improving a person’s immunity to fight various flu like conditions. These measures can be adopted by normal healthy people as well as those who have mild cold, cough and body pain. The Department of AYUSH set up a group of experts for suggesting AYUSH interventions which are helpful in the prevention / treatment of flu like diseases. Ayurvedic specialists have advised certain measures such as avoidance of ‘Kapha’ food items like curd, cold drinks, fruit juices, ice cream; drinking of hot water in place of cold water and use of decoctions made up of herbs such as tulsi, ginger, black pepper and guduchi in the morning. The Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) (External website that opens in a new window) also had a detailed consultation with Unani experts and recommended certain preventive measures such as use of decoctions, tea, arq, specific compound formulations, local application of particular ‘Roghans’ as well as suggesting a light diet and maintenance of personal hygiene. Here is some more information about Ayurveda and Unani preventive measures (External website that opens in a new window). Flu like illnesses may also be prevented through Homeopathy. The Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (External website that opens in a new window) (CCRH) has recommended a homeopathic medicine (External website that opens in a new window) for protection against such flu like conditions. However, in cases where people develop severe symptoms (Category B and C) (External website that opens in a new window), they are advised to visit the designated screening centres /hospitals set up by the Central and State Governments for the purpose. Medicines for the treatment of this illness are available in India. The Government has procured and stored the necessary drugs in sufficient quantities at designated hospitals. Citizens are strongly advised against procuring and taking medicines on their own, as it will lower their immunity. The Government has also created a strategy to detect Influenza A (H1N1) cases among passengers arriving from affected countries either by air, land or sea and quarantine them. A standard process for screening, testing and treatment will be used across the country. If you have travelled from any of the affected countries in the past 10 days and display the symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1), then kindly visit a nearby hospital. All India Toll Free Helpline: 1075 and 1800-11-4377 Outbreak Monitoring Cell: 011-23921401

Share on Facebook

Share on digg