Advisory lists Ayurveda ways to prevent mucor

Ghaziabad: The district administration has issued an advisory listing some steps that might help reduce chances of getting black fungus (mucormycosis). The advisory issued on Monday includes measures like sitting in the sun for a couple of hours in the morning, consuming a potion of alum, turmeric and rock salt mixed with warm water and applying mustard oil in nasal cavities.
Ghaziabad has reported 70 cases of black fungus. On Sunday, the district recorded its third mucormycosis death after a 52-year-old woman from Shastri Nagar passed away. Shakuntala Devi was undergoing treatment at a hospital since May 16.
Regional ayurveda and unani officer, Dr Ashok Rana, said: “Samshamani Vati, Nishamalaki Vati and Sudarshan Ghanwati can be used as prophylactics. One tablet each of Samshamani Vati and Nishamalaki Vati have to be taken twice a day. One tablet of Sudarshan Ghanwati in the morning and two at night are also needed. One drop of Anu tel, a herbal oil, has to be administered in the nostrils.” He added that a patient should contact an ayurvedic practitioner before taking these. A potion of alum, turmeric and rock salt mixed with warm water can be taken and a few drops of mustard oil can be put in the nasal cavities, the advisory says. “Drinking a mixture of 5 gram alum, 10 gram turmeric, 20 gram rock salt and warm water every morning can help,” says the advisory. “Take the powder, add mustard oil to make a paste, and apply that on the gums. Rinse after two minutes… A few drops of mustard oil in the nostrils will help stop the growth of the fungus.”
Doctors, however, said regulated use of steroids and maintaining hygiene are the best ways to keep the infection away. Senior ENT surgeon Dr BP Tyagi, who has treated about 35 black fungus patients at his Raj Nagar clinic, said: “There is no study that proves such methods can prevent black fungus.” Dr Ajay Kumar Gupta, principal consultant and head of department, internal medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, said: “Turmeric and alum have antiseptic properties. Rock salt and warm water are used for infection in the mouth. So, these can be used.”