Introduction

It is well said that health is wealth. In the present scenario of COVID-19, the statement proves to be true. Health is one of the most precious assets which once lost, is difficult to regain. The advancement in technologies and new researches have succeeded in enhancing the ease of life, but on the other hand, has been a significant threat to humanity due to deprivation from living a healthy lifestyle.

Day by day, there is an increment in the diseases which have affected the human health and population to a greater extent. These diseases spread from one person to another through various modes and hence called as infectious diseases. Multiple conditions such as Ebola virus, H1N1, COVID-19 has affected the considerable population. Such epidemics have hampered human health rapidly. In ancient texts of Ayurveda, the acharyas have mentioned about such outbreaks and its causative factors under the headings Janapadhodhwamsa (Goyal, 2019). Sushruta Samhita mentions, there is a good description of the mode of transfer of disease. They are called Aupasargika rogas (Bihari, Nitin, & Robin, 2015).

Overview of literature

In Charak Samhita, Acharya has mentioned about the vitiation of Pancha mahabhutas and the wrong acts of human beings known as pragnaya aparadha, which is quoted as one of the reasons for janapadhodhwansa. In Sushruta Samhita, Acharyahas mentioned about various ways of spreading of the diseases such as contact with contaminated food, objects, garlands and even physical touch is one of the hetu for the spread of Aupasargika Rogas (Bihari et al., 2015).

Ayurveda focuses on avoidance of hetus as an important step in the treatment of the diseases which are sadhya. For the healthy being of an individual, the regimens such as dinacharya, ritucharya, and sadvrittapalan have prime importance (Amol, Gulve, Londhe, & Makhare, 2015). The foremost aim of Ayurveda has maintained the health of human being rather than management of the diseases, adopted by the department of AYUSH, Govt. of India (Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, 2020).

Utilisation of Panchakarma

Vaman(Emission), Vierchan(Purgation), Niruhabasti(medicated enema of decoction), Anuvasanbasti(medicated enema of oil)and Shirovirechan(Errhine Therapy)arePanchakarma(five body purification methods) described by AacharyaCharak, Acharya Sushrut and Aacharya Vagbhat included Raktmokshana (bloodletting) in above-described procedures. The overall factors such as Dosha(three senses of humour), Dushya(vital entities), Bala(energy), Desha (location), Kala(period), Vyadhi(disease) appropriate Panchakarma is planned (CCRAS, 2020; Rawal, Chudasma, Vyas, & Parmar, 2010). There is a preprocedural treatment for Panchakarma explained as - Snehana (Massage) and Swedana (Sudation) helps to accumulate the Dosha at one place (abdomen) and take out from the body with appropriate suggestive Panchakarma procedure (Sawarkar & Sawarkar, 2019).

Role of Rasayana and Sadvrutta

Ayurveda having a holistic approach towards healing, focuses on causative factors along with the treatment principles. Hence one should have more attention towards the maintenance of a balanced state of the Doshas and ability to fight against the diseases (Travis & Wallace, 2015). To maintain the health of a healthy person, one should have Rasayana daily which rejuvenates the immunity (Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, 2020). Several medicinal plants have been described in Ayurveda as Rasayanas acts as effective antioxidant (Kuchewar, Borkar, & Nisargandha, 2014). Even Achara Rasayana mentions about the set of rules which depicts the behavioural aspects of a person and code of conduct (Desai & Wanjari, 2012). Following these moral values helps a person to attain healthy mental and spiritual being in the same way as consumption of Rasayana helps. One should not yawn, sneeze, and laugh without covering the mouth. A person should not urinate on the road, in crowded places and while taking food. One should not let out mucous nasal excreta at the time other than cleaning off ace or bath, and also the person should keep far away from different persons to prevent inhalation of expired air from them (Kumawat, Shreeram, Verma, Yadav, & Meena, 2018).

Discussion

The concept of contagious disease, along with the mode of spread, has been explained in Sushruta Samhita. Aupasargika roga (communicable) diseases like obstinate skin problems like leprosy or fever, malnutrition and conjunctivitis, spread from person to person. The spread can happen by contact, touch, respiration, sharing food, sharing bed and seats, using clothes, garlands and unction's used by the person suffering from Aupasargika rogas. The epidemics according to Ayurveda is due to the vitiation of earth, water and wind. Due to this vitiation the micro-organism is given a space for their grow than multiplication by any or all of these media. Even though Ayurveda consider presence of micro-organism it is given more importance to the equilibrium of the internal environment so that these organisms can't multiply (Hankey, 2010). The present condition of Covid-19, rather than removal of causative factors, precaution by social distancing and hygiene are most important factors as well as purification of air by Dhoopana, with Bhootanashak Dravyas(antimicrobials) etc. likewise cleaning the environment and keeping one's individual is also essential in these conditions (Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, 2020).

Communicable Diseases prevented by three measures; Controlling reservoir or source of infection, Interruption in the routes of transmission, Immunizing the susceptible host. Sadvrittaat times of COVID-19 can be taken into consideration as the hygienic measures to prevent transmission of infection such as: creating awareness about how to cover, cough and wash our hands, availability and use of tissues when coughing and sneezing, and reminders to dispose of used tissues properly, judicious use of a mask, maintaining Social-distancing, stressing hand hygiene after contact with respiratory secretions. This applies to the patient, family members, visitors, employees, and care providers (Tawalare, Nanote, Gawai, & Gotmare, 2014). Three main measures which are adopted for prevention or control of infectious disease by modern science (World Health Organization, 2020) in the same way Sadvritta may also be applicable in three ways:

Controlling reservoir or source of infection

Many ways of controlling the cause of disease as a person should not urinate on the road, in a crowded place and while taking food.

One should not let out mucous nasal excreta at the time other than cleaning off ace or bath. And also, the person should keep far away from different persons to prevent inhalation of expired air from them. One should avoid bones, thorns, impure piercing articles, hairs, chaff, and garbage etc. One should not eat in an unclean utensil, nor eat dirty meals served by unclean service persons and also not in improper places where garbages are accumulated. Beyond this, one should not have stale things. One should bathe twice ad ay, cutting of hairs & shaving, one should always wear clean clothes and nor put on the same clothes after bath. One should wear auspicious herbs and gems on hand (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019).

Interrupting route(s) of transmission

Many ways interruption of the route of transmission as of One should not sleep or sit together and should not yawn, sneeze, and laugh without covering the mouth. And also, persons should keep far away from other persons to prevent inhalation of expired air from them. One should not eat in an unclean utensil, nor eat a dirty meal served by an unclean serving person. One should apply oil on head, ear, nose and feet every day. Should fertigate. Should not dust and broom the roof. Should not use garlands and unguents used by other people. Must wash hands, feet and face before having food (Monto, 1999).

Immunising the susceptible host

Code of conduct works more widely and effectively than immunisation concerning prevention from communicable diseases as it is cheap and easy to follow. Physical health by a procedure called as acharara Sayan, which give all qualities of Rasayana dvajeekaran qualities gained by following vyavyay sadvritta (brahmacharya). By applying ahara, vyavyay & hygiene, sadvritta person can prevent from disease & attain good health (Bogdan, Schröppel, Lohoff, Röllinghoff, & Solbach, 1990).

This shows that the code of conduct is not limited up to only mental hygiene, but it has a much broader spectrum of benefits, and among them, one is prevention from infectious diseases. It plays a significant role in preventing transmission of infections along with improving immunity power by other regimen & one can achieve long and healthy life which prevents them from becoming source as well as a host of infectious disease in terms of the physical, psychological and social aspect. Implementation of regimens of Sadvritta (code of conduct) gives new point to look, behave and think at the world which can result in the decrease in transmission of infection and have a society which is healthy by all means.

Conclusion

Ayurveda being an ancient science of life with its holistic approach, provides in detail regarding the infectious diseases, its causative factors and the outbreak of epidemics. The vast devastation caused by COVID-19 throws light on the principles mentioned in the holistic science of life. Thus, following the rules for a healthy lifestyle will help to boost the immunity to tackle the infections affecting one’s health. It is the need of the hour to get back to the principles of ancient science and have a healthy way of living life. It provides an opportunity for further researches to explore the approach of holistic science of life towards communicable diseases.