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Homeopathy 2022; 111(04): 261-270
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1745755
Original Research Article

Effectiveness of Arsenicum album 30C in Prevention of COVID-19 in Individuals Residing in Containment Zones of Delhi—A Prospective, Community-based, Parallel Cohort Study

Debadatta Nayak 
1   Department of Epidemic Cell, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India
,
Karanpreet Nahar
2   Department of Clinical Research, Dr. D.P Rastogi Central Research Institute of Homoeopathy, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
,
Rupali Bhalerao
1   Department of Epidemic Cell, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India
,
Lovepreet Kaur
1   Department of Epidemic Cell, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India
,
Tabassum Parveen
1   Department of Epidemic Cell, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India
,
Ruchika Bhalla
1   Department of Epidemic Cell, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India
,
James Michael
1   Department of Epidemic Cell, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India
,
Swati Sharma
1   Department of Epidemic Cell, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India
,
Parul Singh
1   Department of Epidemic Cell, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India
,
Afsana Jainab
3   Department of Clinical Research, State Homoeopathic Dispensary, Pataria, Patwai PHC, Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, India
,
Hanuman Ram
4   Department of Materia Medica, Madhav Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Madhav Hills, Rajasthan, India
,
Abhishek Chaudhuri
1   Department of Epidemic Cell, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India
,
Ummesalma Parvin
1   Department of Epidemic Cell, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India
,
Nidhi Jain
1   Department of Epidemic Cell, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India
,
Anil Khurana
5   Department of Clinical Research, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Janakpuri, New Delhi, India
› Author Affiliations Funding This study was funded by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi, India.
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Abstract

Objective This work was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of Arsenicum album 30C against COVID-19.

Design The work was designed as a prospective parallel cluster cohort study.

Intervention Participants were enrolled in a homeopathy intervention (HI) cohort (who received Arsenicum album) or in a non-intervention (NI) cohort (who received no systematic intervention) from COVID-19 containment areas of Delhi. Individuals of age 5 years or above were given four medicated pills of Arsenicum album 30C, while those from 1 to 5 years old were given two medicated pills in each dose.

Results The analysis included 10,180 individuals residing in 11 COVID-19 containment areas in Delhi, out of which 6,590 individuals were in the HI cohort and 3,590 individuals were in the NI cohort. The overall protective effect of Arsenicum album 30C was 83.43% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76.77 to 88.17): 45 cases per 6,590 (8.34 per 10,000 person-weeks) in the Arsenicum album 30C group versus 143 cases per 3,590 (45.01 per 10,000 person-weeks) in the NI cohort. The protective effect of Arsenicum album 30C against laboratory confirmed COVID-19 was 74.40% (95% CI, 55.08 to 85.41): 18 cases per 6,590 (3.32 per 10,000 person-weeks) in the Arsenicum album 30C group versus 38 cases per 3,590 (11.85 per 10,000 person-weeks) in the NI cohort.

Conclusion The   use of Arsenicum album 30C was associated with some protection against probable and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in a containment-zone setting. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm or refute these results.

Keywords

Arsenicum album - COVID-19 - homeopathy - prophylactic

Glossary of Indian Medicinal Terms

Giloy


The common name for Tinospora cordifolia, which is a medicinal plant that has been used in folk and Ayurvedic medicines throughout India since ancient times. All the parts of the plant are useful due to the presence of different compounds of pharmaceutical importance, belonging to various groups such as alkaloids, diterpenoid lactones, glycosides, steroids, sesquiterpenoids, and phenolics.[18]


Haldi milk


Otherwise called 'golden milk', it is prepared by mixing turmeric powder with hot milk.[19]


Chyawanprash


An Ayurvedic formulation, considered as a rasayana('rejuvenation' medicine) in Ayurveda, characterized by benefits of maintaining vigor and vitality via antioxidant and immuno-stimulatory action. Chyawanprash is a combination of more than 40 herbs in appropriate proportions, prepared in a base of Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) fruit pulp.[20]


Herbal tea/Kadha


Made from Tulsi (basil), Dalchini (cinnamon), Kali mirch (black pepper), Shunthi (dry ginger) and Munakka (raisin).[19]




Publication History

Received: 21 July 2021

Accepted: 14 December 2021

Article published online:
29 June 2022

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