Role of Ayurveda to Combat the Emerging Challenges of Communicable Diseases

Background: Communicable disease has always been a major global public health threat worldwide as it has the potential to overwhelm the capacity of communities, with serious health and socio-economic consequences. It is believed that modern medicines are must to cure communicable disease. But besides the miraculous achievement of modern medical science, humanity is passing through a horror of disease and drug phobia. Some of the drugs have adverse reactions on the body rather than beneficial effects. Also as of now, some viral diseases like COVID-19, no medicine has been found. So it will be good to take preventive measures which boost our immunity. Ayurveda – the ancient system of medicine has a great potential in preventing such disorders. Ayurveda has volumes of texts available explaining many fundamental principles for promotion of health and longevity and prevention of diseases. Many references are available in Ayurveda to combat these diseases at various levels i. e. stopping the progression, building immunity against disease using various means and treating them. Aims and objectives: To explore the concept of communicable or infectious disease and there preventive and curative measures described in ayurvedic classics. Material and methods: Classical treatises of Ayurveda along with modern standard textbooks related with communicable disease were scrutinized. Conclusion: Ancient ayurvedic acharyas had knowledge of communicable diseases that’s why references with thorough description regarding their cause, mode of transmission, prevention and cure are available in Samhitas. Sadvritta along with other regimen to improve immunity power those described by acharyas contribute most in preventing the communicable disease and transmission of infections.