AYUSH ministry asks States/UTs to promote manufacturing of herbal formulation to boost immunity

AIMIL Pharma has already started the process of manufacturing ‘Ayush Kwath’. It will be available in powder and tablet forms in the market.

The AYUSH Ministry has handed out a recipe of a herbal decoction to states and union territories, asking them to promote commercial manufacturing of the formulation which it claims can boost the body’s immunity amid COVID-19.

The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) said the formulation is in the interest of health promotion of masses, which has been endorsed by the Prime Minister.

The formulation, made of herbs Tulsi (basil leaves), Dalchini (cinnamon bark ), Sunthi (dry ginger powder) and Krishna Marich (black pepper), will be manufactured and sold under the generic name ‘Ayush Kwath’ or ‘Ayush Kudineer’ or ‘Ayush Joshanda’, according to a letter written by the ministry to all the States/UTs and ASU drug manufacturers on April 24.

“Considering the importance of immunity-boosting measures in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, Ministry of AYUSH intends to promote the use of following ready-made AYUSH formulation in the interest of health promotion of the masses, which has been endorsed by the Prime Minister during his address to the nation on the Constitution Day, April 14,” the ministry said.

“States/UT governments are hereby requested to direct the AYUSH licensing authorities to consider granting license/approval for manufacturing of above-mentioned formulation to the interested licensed Ayurveda/Siddha/Unani drug manufacturers in accordance with the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945,” the letter stated.

In line with the advisory, a firm, AIMIL Pharma has already started the process of manufacturing ‘Ayush Kwath’, ministry sources said.

The formulation will be available in powder and tablet forms in the market at the earliest, said KK Sharma, MD, AIMIL Pharma, said.

“The ‘Ayush Kwath’ will have all the herbs enlisted by the Ministry. Various reports have shown that coronavirus has been found to be fatal for people with a weak immune system. There are many herbs in Indian traditional system that can boost immunity and keep many diseases away,” Sharma said.

The AYUSH ministry’s letter also explained the method of preparation. It said the formulation can be dissolved in hot water or taken in tablet form.