Can Chyawanprash Save Us From Covid-19?

All over the world, scientists and researchers have been trying their best to come up with a vaccine that’ll put an end to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This feverish display of scientific temperament, it emerged on Thursday, has now caught the attention of FMCG company, Dabur, which is apparently also looking into new ways to slow down the spread of coronavirus.

Over the last couple of days, in what should come as good news for every pre-teen in India, Dabur has indicated that its flagship product, Chyawanprash, may be a preventive remedy for the disease. The company has, according to reports, already begun funding trials to prove the claim.

With over 41 Ayurvedic ingredients and clinically-tested 2X Immunity, say goodbye to infections & illnesses when you have a spoonful for #DaburChyawanprash everyday! Also available in Chocolate flavour, Mix fruit flavour and Sugar-Free variant. #DoubleImmunity #SkipItPlease pic.twitter.com/x1PQZ0G0U2

— Dabur Chyawanprash (@DB_Chyawanprash) May 15, 2020

The study, tittled “Clinical study on Dabur Chyawanprash as a preventive remedy in the pandemic of Covid-19”, divides healthy participants into two groups, The Print reported. One group will eat 500 gm of Chyawanprash over 45 days while the other will drink a glass of milk every day for 90 days.

Over time, the study seeks to prove that the famed Ayurvedic mixture can boost our immunity enough to prevent viruses from attacking the body. No one can say for sure if it will work just yet — considering no one is sure what goes in the mixture in the first place — but the company has said that the study is wholly scientific in nature.

“This purely scientific study would assess not just the preventive aspects of Chyawanprash, but also its effect on recovery from Covid, and reducing severity of infection on individuals,” Dabur’s CEO told The Times of India.

However, the fact that the announcement comes just days after the ICMR rejected a proposal to study the “effects of Ganga Jal” on the virus, did not escape the notice of some on Twitter.

But this was not to last for long: Along came Dabur Chawanprash!
Scooped by @LeroyLeo7https://t.co/7PgrIPLVPE

— Anoo Bhuyan (@AnooBhu) May 14, 2020

Last month, the AYUSH ministry had recommended the use of Chyawanprash, apart from other herbal products to boost immunity during the pandemic lockdown. Since then, these products have been in high demand, even as other products have suffered. Sales for some — like Chyawanprash — have shot up by 40-50 per cent.

Coronavirus effect: Chyawanprash, other Ayurveda immunity booster products fly off shelves @PriyaSheth7 #Corona #coronavirus #daburchyawanprash #coronavirusindia https://t.co/mx9xiEZs1t

— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) March 13, 2020

There was once a time every parent was convinced that their child would never get ill if they had a spoon of Chyawanprash in the morning. It now seems like it’s only a matter of time before their suspicions are either backed or rejected by science.