Guidelines for Naturopathy Practitioners for COVID-19
Naturopathy practitioners impart yoga therapy, naturopathy treatment modalities, nutrition, diet and lifestyle approaches to improve immunity in our population. Research has shown that there is a heterogeneity in susceptibility to infections during a flu epidemic. Psychologic stress, Fitness and physical activity, Nutrition, Sleep, comorbid conditions and lifestyle play a vital role in shaping this immune response. Naturopathy is a system of lifestyle medicine that works in modulating these factors that improve body's innate healing properties i.e. immunity. This may be useful in this current scenario where we are facing a COVID 19 pandemic.
The Ministry of AYUSH has laid down the following guidelines for Naturopathy practitioners for prophylaxis and symptomatic management of COVID-19 –
PROPHYLAXIS & PREVENTIVE CARE:
Measures for Preventive Care & Immune Enhancement:
| S.No | Objective | Measure |
| 1. | Improving mucosal immunity and reducing airway reactivity |
|
| 2. | Improving Innate Immunity or Immune Homeostasis | Naturopathic nutrition with balanced diet consisting of plenty of fruits and vegetables (as given under nutrition).
Intermittent fasting or lemon juice fasting one day a week to reduce oxidative stress, improve autophagy and improve immune homeostasis.
Regular exercise improves circulation and immune homeostasis, and is useful in allergies. |
| 3. | Reducing Stress | Psychological stress can increase susceptibility to infections. Regular practicing of yoga(min 20 min) Loosening/Breathing exercises – 5 min, Suryanamaskar 6 rounds – 6 minutes, Yogic relaxation techniques – 5 min, Kapalabhati – 3 rounds followed by Nadishodana Pranayama – 9 rounds, Yjjayi Pranayama – 9 rounds and Bramari – 3 rounds. |
| 3. | Improving sleep | Poor sleep can increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Regular healthy sleep hygiene with 8 hours of sleep essential to modulate immunity.
Hot foot immersion with cold compress to head for insomnia. |
| 5. | Improving fitness and respiratory health | Regular moderate intensity exercise such as walking 30 min daily prevents incidence of respiratory infections.
Endurance exercises to improve stamina and cardiorespiratory fitness. |
SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT:
Measures for Symptom Management:
| S.No. | Symptoms | Measures |
| 1. | Cold, coryza – running nose, nasal congestion | Steam inhalation with tulsi, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil. Nasal irrigation with warm saline water or Neti kriya – Jalaneti followed by kapalabhati. Hot foot immersion. |
| 2. | Sore throat, Hoarseness of voice | Hot saline water gargle. Gargling with neem water decoction with honey. Coriander and turmeric kashayam with black pepper. |
| 3. | Expectorant Cough | Chewing ginger. It is rich in 1,8 cineole which is an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antitussive, expectorant. |
| 4. | Dry Cough | Ginger kashayam with honey, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric and pepper for dry cough in milk. |
| 5. | Headaches | Hot foot immersion for headaches with cold compress on head. Aromatherapy with tulsi and lavender. |
| 6. | Wheeze, Chest Congestion | Cold chest pack, Hot fomentation to chest and upper back, hot foot immersion Chair breathing to reduce respiratory effort. Steam inhalation with tulsi or eucalyptus oil. |
| 7. | Malaise and fatigue | Nutrition rich in plant proteins, Natural vitamin C, glucose and Vitamin D. Lemon water with honey to boost immunity. |
| 8. | Fever | Cold compress, cold pack for pyrexia |
| 9. | Stress, Anxiety and Depression | Aromatherapy with lavender oil, basil or lemon grass oils.
Yoga Therapy Module:
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GENERAL AWARENESS:
Naturopathy Nutrition:
Good nutrition boosts immunity. "Feed a cold and starve a fever" an old adage has been proven in clinical experiments on animal models and human studies. Food rich in proteins, glucose, vitamin C and D are recommended for faster recovery from viral infections. The dos and don'ts of Nutrition are outlined as under:
| What to Have | What to Avoid |
| Drink plenty of warm water, Lemon or fresh citrus juices with honey or Jaggery.
Add spices in your daily food (Jeera, turmeric, Ajwain, Cinnamom, cloves, cardamom etc.).
Prepare foods that are low on oils and fats (Dhalia, Idly, Kichdi).
Have a balanced diet.
Have protein rich (Dal Kichdi, boiled legumes) and fiber rich foods, millets, (vegetable soups).
Have plenty of colored fruits and vegetables.
Wash them thoroughly, have boiled vegetables as curry or sambhar.
Consume alkaline rich foods. Have Zinc and Selenium rich foods- Oats, spinach, beans, milk, cheese, pumpkin seeds, cashews etc.
Drink at least one glass of Yogurt/day (probiotics) to improve gut flora. | Avoid Cold beverages, Canned juices and aerated drinks, Coffee.
Avoid refined sugars.
Avoid confectionary and bakery products.
Avoid sweets, chocolates, ice creams.
Avoid snacking on oily and junk foods
Reduce salt intake
Reduce the amount of trans- and omega - 6 fatty acids in the diet (Vegetable oils)
Food in eateries
Smoking and alcohol |
Accupressure:
Applying manual pressure with the thumb to certain points in the body is known to confer immunity and improve respiratory effort. Individuals should be taught to apply intermittent pressure over acupressure points LI-4, LI11, SP6, TW 5, CV17, ST36(29) .
Heliotherapy:
Exposure to the sun and air in the morning and evening hours is known to reduce stress and confer immunity by improving Vitamin D metabolism. This will give a change from confines of indoors and has been shown to be useful in managing flu symptoms . Following a healthy regimen is very important to boost one's immune response. The following lifestyle practices have evidence to prevent one from getting infected with flu. Exercise: Regular exercise of moderate-intensity is associated with a reduced incidence of upper respiratory tract infection. The recommended means of aerobic exercise is walking, with an optimal frequency of three to five days a week and an optimal duration of 20 to 30 minutes of continuous activity(30) .
Sleep:
Sleep and the circadian system exert a regulatory influence on immune functions. Sleep deprivation can affect immune function in several ways that lead to enhanced susceptibility to the common cold and pneumonia with poor sleep efficiency.
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