Kabasura Kudineer is a gem from the treasure trove of Siddha medicine which originated in the south of India. It is known to be one of the oldest healing systems in the world and continues to thrive. It uses a combination of knowledge of herbs, spiritual practices, and vast understanding about living a long, healthy life aligned with nature. But it is only now that researchers are exploring alternative systems like Siddha, for their wide-ranging uses in improving health and wellness. These may also serve an important purpose in reducing the caseload at health centers, where conditions like mild inflammations can be tackled through natural systems. The use of Kabasura Kudineer being the case in point.

Take for example, the reported research being done by a Frankfurt firm that shows Siddha formulations like Kabasura Kudineer have strong immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory benefits against coronavirus. The pivotal study by Frankfurt Innovation Center for Biotechnology (FIZ) showed that Kabasur Kudineer along with other Ayurveda medicines were effective in screening inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike: ACE2 interaction. The study found Kabasura Kudineer tablets were quite strong inhibitors (84%) of Spike glycoprotein in coronavirus strains, in restricting entry of virus into cells in in-vitro studies.

What is Kabasura Kudineer?

This is a time-tested Siddha preparation (Churnam) that possesses the anti-viral, decongesting, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties of as many as 15 herbs including ginger, kokilaksha (Hygrophila auriculata ) root, haritaki or Indian hog plum, ajwain or thymol seeds, kusta (costus), kalamegha or creat, guduchi (heart leaved moonseed plant), bharangi (Clerodendron Serratum), akarakarabha or Spanish Chamomile, piper longum, dusparsha (climbing nettle), raja pata (Cyclea peltata), mustard, cloves and adulsa. The herbs are dried and mixed with water and boiled to make into a healthy decoction. To make it easier to consumer, Sri Sri Tattva has introduced it in the form of natural supplements.

What does the research say?

The decoction was given to nearly 30,000 asymptomatic and mild COVID confirmed patients in the Indian province of Tamil Nadu in the public health centers, as part of prophylactic treatment. In yet another study conducted, 84 patients received Kabasura Kudineer intervention. The preliminary results showed, those who received Kabasura Kudineer turned negative in two weeks, while others continued to test positive.

How does Kabasura Kudineer improve immunity?

Specific studies on its effectiveness in improving immunity markers, have also been undertaken. In a study conducted at India’s Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute to evaluate the immune-modulating properties, 96 health workers were given the herbal medicines. They received either the standard of care protocol or herbal medicine to compliment the SOC.

“Results showed significant improvement of clinical and laboratory parameters like immunity markers, viz. IFN-β and IFN- λ and antioxidant markers viz. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH) after 14 days of treatment,” said Dr.C.R.Jayanthi, Dean cum Director, BMCRI.

In an effort to study the immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory benefits of natural medicines like Kabasura Kudineer against SARS-CoV-2, Frankfurt Innovation Center for Biotechnology (FIZ) set up the Ayurgenomics project in Mid-2020. Ayurgenomics uses genomic tools for Ayurveda to investigate the correlation of one’s Prakriti (individual psycho-physiological constitution) and genomics.

Apart from various preliminary studies that have been showing encouraging outcomes about the immunity and decongesting benefits, a short in the arm has come in the form of India’s state High Courts (Madras High Court) encouraging the public health authorities to popularize the use of Siddha medicines like Kabasura Kudineer, given that it is working in helping people heal faster.