Journal of Global Resources
Volume 6 (01a)https://doi.org/10.46587/JGR.2020.v06si01.005

Special Issue June 2020
Page 38-43
ISSN: 2455-2445 (Online)

05
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: SOME ALTERNATIVE AND HOLISTIC
ANTIVIRAL GIFTS OF NATURE
Kamal Asif
Head, Department of Geography, Delhi Public School (SW), Aligarh (U.P.), India
Email: kasif2006bustan@gmail.com
Abstract: This article unveils some of the nature’s kindest gifts possessing properties in dealing
with several viral infections. These are the substances obtained from living components of plants
such as essential oils, gums, resins and other vegetative products. Such natural substancespresent in the plant bodies protect them against infections, heals physical injuries, provide
resistance from disease and pests and other ill effects of the environment. Human beings use themin alternative methods of therapies with holistic approach in various kinds of ailments. At present,
the entire world is in the shackles of the COVID-19 Pandemic leading to global socioeconomic
lockdown. Till date, it is uneasy to say that, there is no proven solution to prevent and treat
coronavirus disease rather to deal with the traditional complimentary therapies for various kinds ofinfluenza, microbial infections and other common ailments. Thus, the main purpose of this article isto highlight the therapeutic importance and application of some commonly used herbal substances
which may be helpful in preventing viral infections and safeguarding our homes from microbial
advents, during this hard time of COVID-19 Pandemic.
Key words: Alternative Medicines, Therapeutic Herbs, Ayurveda, Unani and Naturopathy.
Introduction
Alternative and holistic systems of remedies is a complementary approach to health care andwellness which includes mental, emotional, functional, spiritual, social, and community aspects,
and treating the whole person in a comprehensive manner. During the recent pandemic of COVID19, people around world are very much perceptive towards the alternative and holistic therapies.
They include different modalities of naturopathy like steam inhalation, massage therapy, saunabaths, herbal tea and decoctions, fumigation etc. Throughout the human civilizations thesealternative remedies with holistic approach of treatment are being successfully used. They havebeen used by human beings over the centuries in various ailments. Such methods can be verymuch helpful in curing viral infections and safeguarding our homes from microbial advents.
There are several therapeutic herbal products such as Frankincense, Myrrh, Lavender,Basil, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Camphor, Benzoin, Sandalwood, Lemongrass, Bay leaves,Cinnamon bark, Licorice root, Tea Tree, Pine, and Geranium etc. Fumigation of living spaces byburning or vaporizing these natural substances is one of the oldest methods of holistic therapy.
Ayurvedic fumigation with natural plant products is effective in reducing air-borne bacteria and in
disinfecting inanimate surfaces. The traditional fumigation with herbal products has huge potential
to address the problem of nasal infections. This method has been in practice since ages andproven by ancient cultures, religions and other communities. In the present day world, this kind oftherapy has been outmoded due to modern lifestyle and insensitivity of new generation towards theroots.

38Nature of the Virus
According to Figueiras (2020), there are currently no proven studies on Novel Coronavirus;
therefore we have to look to the influenza virus on the best way to deal with viral infections. Firstly,
we need to consider that viruses have a lifecycle which can simply be explained in the following
manner: entry into the host and binds with a cell in the respiratory tract (nose/throat/lungs)
 the surface proteins of the virus bind to receptors like a lock and key
 the virus is then able to enter the cell & infect it
The virus must have a host to replicate. Viruses live longer on hard surfaces such as metaland plastic than they do on fabrics and soft surfaces. The virus may also be spread by airborne
droplets which have landed and live in the environment waiting to be picked up and transferred to alive host. It can live on inanimate surfaces for potentially more than 24 hours (depending on thetemperature & humidity), but will eventually die without a host to infect. There are variety plant
products such as essential oils gums, resins, barks and leaves etc. have been shown to disrupt theviral lifecycle at different stages.
Table 01: Common Ailments Associated with Coronavirus Disease
and Effective Herbal Remedies
S.No.

Herbal Plants

Common Ailments Associated with Coronavirus Disease
Throat Sinusitis Influenza Bronchitis CommonInfections
Cold-Joint
Pains

Insomnia Depression Anxiety

1.

Basil--

2.

Eucalyptus

---

3.

Frankincense-

4.

Geranium-5.

Lavender

6.
7.

---

8.

Pine---

9.

Sandalwood-

10.

Tea Tree-------

Lemongrass--

Licorice Root------

Source: Based on the knowledge from several literatures related to alternative and holistic systems of medicines.

USE OF ALTERNATIVE AND HOLISTIC REMEDIESResins and Gums
Aromatic antivirus resins are nature’s own fragrant first-aid against viruses and bacteria (Iyengar,2020). Resins are extracted from the barks of a variety of tree species. One of the oldest is
frankincense, a powerful remedy for the body and the soul. Frankincense is used in incense,
natural medicines, perfumes, and essential oils that can be inhaled or applied to the skin for their
purported health benefits. Frankincense and myrrh kill bacteria or any microorganisms including
viruses as it was proven by the ancient Egyptians. Research about mummification by the ancient
Egyptians reveals that the use of frankincense and myrrh was not just for the pleasant scent but todelay the decay process.
On a starlit night long ago, as the story goes, three wise men brought gifts to baby Jesus
in a stable. One was gold, the others frankincense and myrrh (another sublime of resin) and has
special mention in the Bible. Frankincense, was highly prized and thought to be worth its weightin gold, but it wouldn’t have been hard to find. Trees that yield the fragrant resin werewidespread in the lands of the Bible and beyond. This resin is obtained from several species ofBoswellia tree which are typically grown in the dry-mountainous regions throughout northern Africa
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and in India, Oman, and Yemen, are increasingly under pressure, largely because ofoverexploitation for their aromatic resin (Fobar, R. 2019).
Oman is known as Al-Ard Al-Lubaan in Arabic which means ‘the Land of Frankincense’,that is mentioned in the Holy Quran. For more than 5000 years, Boswellia sacra tree in Oman’s
Dhofar region have been tapped for rare aromatic resin traded across Arabia, Africa, Europe, andAsia up to Far East, mostly known as Frankincense (or olibanum). This much sought after resin
has been used for centuries in cultural ceremonies, as a cosmetic agent, and as traditional
medicine to treat a variety of ailments like inflamed joints, congestion and anxiety (Environment
Society of Oman). Frankincense is used in incense, natural medicines, perfumes, and essential
oils that can be inhaled or applied to the skin for their purported health benefits (Fobar, R. 2019).
Figure 01: Production of Frankincense from Boswellia Tree, Fumigation and its Benefits

Source: http://omantourismuk.blogspot.com/2015/11/; https://www.maps.com;
https://www.healthline.com and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

In the Islamic culture, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) is reported to have said that,“incenses like Frankincense, Myrrh, Syrian Rue and Wormwood helps to expel evil spirits from thehouse”. The Fourth Caliph of Islam Hazrat Ali (R.A) advised it best for enhancing memory, relaxingof respiratory system, proper kidney functioning and joint pains. Further, in the later Arabicmedicines, frankincense has mentioned to heal bleeding wounds, stomach ache, weak indigestion,
ulcers, diarrhea, flatulence, chest congestion, eyesight impairments etc.
In India, frankincense is commonly known as loban used as a fumigant to disinfect living
spaces and as remedy in Ayurveda and Naturopathy. Boswellia trees are found in dry hilly areas ofRajasthan, Gujarat, Bundelkhand, Chattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana, and Karnataka. The burning ofloban is more common in religious rituals because it is believed that it eliminates negative energies
and allows positive energy to let. It is an antiseptic and disinfectant agent that has antimicrobialeffects. It has the ability to eliminate cold and flu germs from the homes and the body naturally,
and it can be used in place of chemical based household cleaners (Deo, 2020). Frankincense has
a woody, spicy smell and can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin, steeped into a tea or taken asa supplement. Moreover, it is used in Ayurvedic and Unani system of medicines for hundreds ofyears, to offer certain health benefits, from improved arthritis and digestion to reduced asthma and40

better oral health. The other resins having antimicrobial properties found in India are Agar Wood,Acacia arabica (Babul), Camphor, Pine, Deodar, Juniper, etc.
The future of frankincense is on risk because over exploitation and wrong methods ofextraction form live trees and overgrazing by animal herders (Environment Society of Oman).
Better attention of conservation practitioners, policy makers and frankincense companies, andimproved management of frankincense forests may secure future production of this iconic resin(Teshome, M., et al. 2017). Thus, sustainable methods and awareness of conservation have to beinculcating among the local communities therein.
Essential Oils
Essential oils for their antiviral and relaxing properties have been used in all traditional systems ofnaturopathy. It is also known as aromatherapy because healing through fragrances. Healing ofbody through massages by using essential oils is one of the proven methods of stimulating blood
circulation which in relieving anxiety, joint pains and depressions. Antiviral essential oils are analternative form of treatment for some of the symptoms of colds and flu and can alleviateconditions like a blocked nose, or aid sleep to improve recovery times (Deo, 2020). There is a wide
range of essential oils which can be used according to their healing properties. The most effective
essential oils have been selected to present as herbal remedies for prevention of common ailments
associated with Coronavirus (Table 01). They include Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Geranium,Lavender, Sandalwood, Tea Tree, Lemongrass etc. Among various essential oils, due to a highbeneficial potential, frankincense oil is also referred as “the king of essential oils”. It has healthboosting and beautifying effects, make frankincense essential oil as one of the favorites. It is aproven remedy for throat infections and influenza. Moreover, it has anti-inflammatory and antiageing effects, and enhances overall wellbeing by increasing efficiency of immune system(AYUSH).
The various methods of applications of these essential oils are masso therapy, steam
inhalation, sauna baths, room sprays and vaporizers. For massage therapies concentratedessential oils are used blended with base oils like Almond, Walnut, Sesame, Coconut, Jojoba,Sunflower, etc. It depends on the availability and ideal weather conditions. These medicated oils
used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine primarily used for local application in the treatment ofskin disorders, bone and joint pain relief, relief from headache and hair and scalp problems.
Figure 02: Essential Oils for Aromatherapy and Herbal Decoctions

Image Courtesy: https://www.avpayurveda.com/ and https://food.ndtv.com/

Herbal Decoctions
Decoctions are the most commonly used traditional herbal preparations used in Ayurveda andUnani system of medicines. It is an oral medication that involves the extraction of the active
components of herbal plants with boiling water, reduces it to half of its original quantity. Decoctions
are normally prepared by using roots, stem wood, barks, gums, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds ofnumerous medicinal plants. Some of the commonly used herbal products used for preparing herbal
41decoctions are obtained from Licorice Root (Mulethi), Ginger, Clove, Cinnamon, Black Pepper,Basil Leaves, Turmeric, Lemongrass, Mint leaves, Chamomile, Rosemary, Withinia(Ashwagandha), Ginseng, Jujube Fruit, Senna Leaves, Etc. During the procedure of preparing
decoctions, the boiling utensil must be covered to prevent loss of any essential volatile component
through evaporation. The final extract is strained using a filter, and used either as a whole or after
suitable dilution in warm or hot water, as and when required. The therapeutic potential of herbal
decoctions since ages has made it safe and effective in curing and preventing infectious diseases,common cold, cardiovascular ailments, inflammatory problems, body detoxification and bloodpurification. Decoctions are quiet a good to be used as immunity boosters among all ages.
Misconceptions on Alternative and Holistic Remedies
With no approved drugs for the Novel Coronavirus, people are turning to alternative medicines,
often on the advice of their governments. Initially, the World Health Organization (WHO) hadadvised against taking traditional herbal remedies. But later it acknowledged that, some wereturning to alternative medicines to alleviate some of the milder symptoms of COVID-19. Also thegovernments of some developing countries have claimed that combining herbal medicines withconventional medicine helped to deal with the outbreak. While there are other countries who are
warning against the use of alternative herbal medicines and other therapies for treating COVID-19,
on the ground of no evidence of cure and they are unsafe to use. However, China’s National
Health Commission issued a document claiming the recovery of COVID-19 patients by using
several herbal medicines to relieve symptoms including weakness and fever, and a soup forclearing and detoxification of the lungs. The Ministry of AYUSH of the Government of India too hasrecommended the use of alternative herbal medicines and a dietary plan to strengthen the immunesystem. It was also clarified by the government that, it is an absolutely preventive measure rather
than cure.
Conclusion
The present study concludes that, the alternative and holistic approaches of treatments of the bodyand the soul is an age old practice, since all human civilizations. The elements present in the plant
products are self defensive agents against infections and diseases, and other environmentaleffects. A variety of plant substances like resins, gums, essential oils, bark, leaves, flowers, fruits
and seeds are used as alternative remedies. Several plants and herbs are being used in different
ailments in Ayurveda, Unani and Naturopathy. Frankincense (Loban) in the form of resin andessential oil has proven effects on bacterial and other viral infections, and checks microbial adventin our living spaces. Besides these effects, it is also used as a remedy in other common ailments.
Moreover, this natural substance has powerful actions against negative energies which are also
accepted in various cultures and religions. Thus, the usage of frankincense makes our living
spaces pure and full of positivity to live a healthy life. In the current situation of COVID-19
Pandemic, such remedies can be very effective as a preventive measure against common
symptoms like influenza, throat infections, common cold, insomnia and anxiety. They are also
helpful in safeguarding our homes from the advent of airborne viral infections and other microbes.
However it is to be noted that, these therapeutic approaches of alternative and holistic medicines
are not intended for any treatment, as they are complimentary and preventive in nature.
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