In a boost to the ancient Indian health system, the Ayush ministry’s All India Institute of Ayurveda will conduct a study. The study will be on ‘Ashwagandha’ for boosting recovery from Covid-19 in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK.
According to the ministry, both schools signed a Memorandum of Understanding to undertake Ashwagandha clinical trials on 2,000 patients in three UK cities. The cities are Leicester, Birmingham, and London (Southall and Wembley).
Ashwagandha is commonly known as ‘Indian Winter cherry.’ Withania Somnifera is its scientific name mostly used in Ayurved. It is a traditional Indian herb that boosts energy, reduces stress, and gives an individual a healthier immune system.
It is an easily accessible, over-the-counter nutritional supplement with a proven safety record in the UK. Numerous therapeutic benefits of Ashwagandha have been demonstrated in Covid. Covid is a multi-system disease with which no effective medication or management has been found.
The trial’s successful conclusion might be a big advance, giving scientific credibility to India’s ancient medicinal system. There have been multiple research on Ashwagandha to better understand its advantages in various conditions. This is the first time the Ministry has collaborated with a foreign institution to look at its efficacy on Covid-19 patients.
“For three months, one group of 1,000 participants will be administered Ashwagandha (AG) tablets while the second group of 1,000 participants will be assigned a placebo, which is indistinguishable from AG in looks and taste. Both patients and the doctors will be unaware of the group’s treatment in a double-blind trial,” Dr. Nesari said.
The participants were chosen at random, according to AIIA director Dr. Tanuja Manoj Nesari. He is also a co-investigator in the project with Dr. Rajgopalan, Coordinator Of International Projects. The study’s lead investigator is LSHTM’s Dr. Sanjay Kinra.
The 500mg tablets must be taken twice a day by the participants.
Self-reported quality of life, impairment in daily activities, mental and physical health symptoms, supplement use, and adverse events will be monitored on a monthly basis.
