Kapha - Jwara Kadha (Kabasura Kudineer) - Siddha Shashtric Medicine; a hope of supportive treatment for COVID - 19

Kapha - Jwara Kadha (Kabasura Kudineer)  - Siddha Shashtric Medicine; a hope of supportive treatment for COVID - 19

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister of India, who has taken utmost effort and precautions to save the citizens of India. Today, we are in safe mode because of his restless efforts and pure dedication towards the Nation. 

Every citizen should understand their duties and responsibilities to make a successful fight against COVID -19. Our Prime Minister of India's role is like Rama's to build Setu over the Ocean. Small contributions may also play a key role if performed in a correct manner. Let us be a small squirrel to help Rama during his Setu building over the ocean. Considering this in the mind, I decided to write these articles to make them beneficial to citizens of India.

World Health Organization had already announced COVID-19 as a Pandemic. It is a very troublesome period to fight the disease in the absence of suitable medicines and vaccines.  The treatment is carried out based on supportive medicines and extra intensive care. Previously, it was told that this disease is highly affecting to senior citizens or people; suffering from any cordial, renal, or diabetic problem but later on, it was shown that many middle-aged people even children are not found safe with this COVID – 19. All over the world, many attempts are being made to make the vaccine and other antidotes to get rid of these pandemic situations but it will surely take more time as it has to cross many more trials on several levels.

As we know that the Siddha, a part of AYUSH, is very popularly practiced in South India especially in Tamil Nadu. Due to many important and ancient literature had been written in Tamil, the people of other states of India is not much benefit from Siddha Medicines. When the world is suffering from COVID – 19, the Siddha System of Medicines has given hope to treat the patient as supportive measures other than the allopathic system.  

In the AYUSH system, many Siddha Practitioners suggested using Kabasura Kudineer as complementary medicines for two groups of people - those who are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to contacts or travel history and to those who are asymptomatic but have tested positive for COVID-19.  In their opinion, China has also been trying its traditional medicine in treating COVID-19. The Siddha Physician told that Kabasura Kudineer has no side effect as the drug is prepared by using 15 herbs and spices that had been used for a long time in Siddha for treating pneumonia-like symptoms that lead to severe complications including respiratory issues.

According to Siddha Physician, it may also be given twice a day for five days (in the correct doses) as a measure to safeguard from swine flu by improving immunity. The immunity developed by ‘Kabasura Kudineer’ will provide an effective remedy for a range of fevers, shivering, cough, nasal congestion, body pain, diarrhea, irritation and watering in eyes, laryngeal irritation, loss of taste, etc.,”  

In Siddha physiology, 'Kaba' or 'Kabam' represents one of the three subtle physiological principles existing in our body (Vatham, Pitham, Kabam), which need to be maintained in equilibrium for physical and mental well-being and an imbalance will cause diseases. Derangement of 'Kabam' generally correlates with signs and symptoms of the respiratory tract.' Sura' or 'Suram' means fever. 'Kudineer' represents a therapeutic recipe in the form of decoction.

In view of the above, we can understand the meaning of 'Kaba Sura Kudineer', i.e., a decoction indicated for the management of fever due to the derangement of 'Kabam'.

Different texts describe different signs and symptoms for 'Kaba Suram'.  

The medicine was in practice for more than 1000 years and it contains herbal ingredients only. Hence, no need to worry about its safety.

Kabasura Kudineer - Siddha Shashtric Medicine (Ref: Siddha Formulary of India Part - I)

Ingredients:

      1.  Zingiber officinale (Rhizome)        -  Sonth       

       2.  Piper longum (Pippali)                 -   Dried .Fruit               

       3. Syzygium aromaticum (Laung)    -  Floral  Bud  

      4. Tragia involucrata (Pit Parni/Barhant ) - Root             

      5. Anacyclus pyrethrum (Akarkara)       - Root         

      6. Hygrophila auriculata (Talim Khana/Kokilaksha) - Root         

      7. Adathoda vasica (Vasa)      - Leaf               

      8. Plectranthus amboinicus  (Patharchur/Karpooravalli) - Leaf     

      9. Saussurea costus (Kutha/Kuth/Kust) - Root            

     10. Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy)  - Stem            

      11. Clerodendrum serratum (Bharani/Babhanaiti) - Root    

      12. Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh) – Whole plant     

      13. Cisampelos pareira  (Patha/Laghu patha)  - Root                        

      14. Cyperus rotundus (Motha)  - Rhizome              

      15. Terminalia chebula  (Harra/ Harad) – Dry Fruits without seeds        

Method of preparations - 

The ingredients should be fully dried and cleaned. The cleaned drugs should be taken in equal proportions (eg. 15 ingredients x 6.66 g = 100g approx.). All the ingredients are mixed well and ground coarsely. Now again mix well and keep it in a neat and well-cleaned container. this is called  ‘Kabasura Kudineer’. Now 20 g of  ‘Kabasura Kudineer’ mixture should be boiled with 1.5 liters of water and reduced to 200 ml. This should be given to patients in doses. For Adult., 15- 20 ml decoction twice a day after food; for children up to 10 years, 7-10 ml decoction twice a day after food. This decoction should not be given to children below 5 years without consulting the Siddha Physician. This decoction may be taken in lukewarm mode only; however, once prepared can be stored for 24 hours after that fresh preparation is only recommended.

I have simplified the preparations to the person who wishes to use the medicine as the prepared medicine might not be available in other parts of our country due to high demand.

 Stay healthy, stay safe

Thank you🌹😊