The present pandemic is projected by the media as a deadly one with no way out in the visible future but the doctors from India’s indigenous systems have maintained that it is possible to prevent, treat and even cure if the illness is identified early enough (non-severe patients) with these ancient medicinal systems. One such COVID-19 management drug widely floated by the practitioners of Siddha medicines is Kabasura Kudineer.
Siddha System of medicines traces their lineage from the ancients Siddhas (Mystical Sages) of Tamil Nadu. Even during the earlier Nipha Outbreak in Southern India, Nilavembu Kudineer from the Siddha System played a major role in its prevention.
Kabasura Kudineer is a traditional formulation used by Siddha practitioners to cure fever, dry and wet cough, cold, flu and other common respiratory ailments.
Kabasura Kudineer possesses strong anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, liver-protective, anti-pyretic, anti-asthmatic and immunomodulatory properties. Hence it can help reduce swelling in air passages and cure fever and dry cough.
Kabasura Kudineer literally means ‘Water that balances Kapha”, this is administered to diseases which occur due to the aggravation of Kapha. Like Ayurveda, Siddha system also classifies the diseases based on Tridosas -Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The three can be loosely associated but not limited to “Circulation of the air (Vata), the functioning of the bile (Pitta) and secretion of mucus (Kapha)”.
RISE AS A COVID PREVENTION DRINK
In the last week of March when India announced a nationwide lockdown for the first time, an association of Siddha doctors in Tamil Nadu recommended Kabasura Kudineer for COVID-19 management.
Since then Kabasura Kudineer is administered alongside mainstream medicines for most COVID-19 patients with the blessings of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Health ministry of Tamil Nadu has retained hopes on the Siddha concoction till date.
An AYUSH ministry circular stating guidelines for Siddha practitioners for COVID-19 prevention also recommends consumption of Kabasura Kudineer twice a day.
SUPPORT FROM THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY
The Times of India on April 24, 2020, reported that Chennai based researchers have by scientific research proved that the ingredients in Kabasura Kudineer has the potential to cure Covid-19.
This is oversimplified yet, Phyto-compounds of up to Nine (9) ingredients used in Kabasura Kudineer act like a molecule binding itself to the spike protein of the virus. This prevents the virus from binding with the receptor proteins in human cells which act as a doorway for the virus to enter our body.
Since then Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCSR) and many other groups have commenced scientific researches on the efficiency of Kabasura Kudineer for prevention of COVID-19.
INGREDIENTS AND THEIR BENEFITS
Kabasura Kudineer is a mixture of 15 ingredients. All the ingredients are dried, powdered and mixed in a specific proportion as laid down by the ancient Siddhars thousands of years ago.
PREPARING THE DECOCTION
Five grams of the Kabasura Kudineer powder is mixed with 250-300ml of water and boiled to at least one-fourth of the original. The preparation is distilled and consumed immediately for best results.
TAKE AWAY
Many pieces of research are underway to test and scientifically establish Kabasura Kudineer as a cure for Covid-19. In the southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu, volunteer groups and political parties have even started mass distribution of the decoction as a preventive measure. Kabasura Kudineer is also administered to COVID positive patients in the state alongside allopathic medicines.
AVAILABILITY
The Ingredients of the powder are all locally available in South India. Hence production and supply are adequate.
Kabasura Kudineer powder is available in Ayurcentral stores all across Bangalore.
References
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/ingredients-in-kabasura-kudineer-can-fight-covid-say-researchers/articleshow/75335027.cms
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/siddha-treatment-for-coronavirus-kabasura-kudineer-6481841/
https://theprint.in/judiciary/vested-interests-are-acting-against-development-of-siddha-medicine-says-madras-hc/458854/
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/panic-stricken-people-look-up-to-siddha-to-fend-off-covid-19/articleshow/74921113.cms
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/consume-kabasura-kudineer-to-boost-immunity-minister/article31545983.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/distributing-kabasura-kudineer/article31434215.ece
https://thewire.in/health/traditional-indian-medicine-ayurveda-siddha-unani-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-immunity
https://www.ayush.gov.in/docs/siddha-guidelines.pdf
