See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/343111210

Dhumapana: An effective Ayurvedic herbal smoking technique for prevention

and treatment of COVID-19 like diseases

Conference Paper · September 2020

CITATIONS READS

0 4,103

1 author:

Gnanashanmugam Kumaravel
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
15 PUBLICATIONS   16 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

reentry flow field analysis View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Gnanashanmugam Kumaravel on 17 May 2021.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Dhumapana: An effective Ayurvedic herbal smoking technique for
prevention and treatment of COVID-19 like diseases

G Kumaravel

Alumnus, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India

email: kumarenanda@gmail.com

1. Introduction

COVID-19 is a disease caused by viruses belonging to the family of Corona viruses

[1], which in turn belong to the group of viruses causing common cold and
associated fever [2]. Common cold is a viral upper respiratory infection caused
primarily by Rhinovirus, Coronavirus, Influenza, etc. Corona virus causes direct
infection in respiration system, without going through conventional blood infection,
where immunity plays a major role to resist the infection. Therefore the disease
caused by such virus is classified as „Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Due to its nature of direct infection in respiration system and causing suffocation
and breathing disorders, such virus can also be considered as meticulously
engineered biological warfare weapon, by reconstruction and mutation of existing
virus genes [3]. Bio-warfare is not new. Such use of warfare can be traced back to
past millennium [4]. In a bio-war, the army which is using such bio-war weapon will
have a medicine or cure for their safety, but they keep it in secret. It means, even if
one considers COVID-19 as a bio warfare weapon, the medicine or treatment
procedure exists.

The knowledge on respiratory infections caused by micro-organisms and treatment

procedure existed thousands of years back. In Indian traditional Ayurvedic medical
system, such diseases are handled by the method of Dhumapana [5], in which a
patient or a group of patients are subjected to direct or indirect inhalation of smoke
produced by burning herbal medicines in ghee. In this article, various types of
preventive measures and treatment under the broad heading of Dhumapana is
discussed. A simple Dhumapana preparation method is also described, which is
suggested as a treatment procedure for COVID-19 like diseases.

2. Traditional Ayurvedic treatment

Ayurveda is a science of life. A medical science with well-established scientific and

engineering principles developed and practiced in India for several thousand years
[6]. Ayurveda follows holistic approach on treatment of diseases. The foundation of
present day Ayurveda is based on original texts such as Sushruta Samhita, Charaka
Samhita, Astanga Hirudaya, etc, which were written in Sanskrit language thousands
of years before. In this article, Sushruta Samhita is used as reference.
Presented in International Conference on Holistic Approach to Immunity to Microbial
Diseases and their Treatment {HMDT 2020}, 12-September-2020, Kottayam, India

According to Ayurveda, the entire universe is made up of only Panchabhutas- five

fundamental elements namely, Prithvi (earth or solid matter), Jala (water or liquid),
Agni (heat and fire), Vayu (air), and Akash (space). Different matters are evolved
out of Panchabhutas, through different combination and proportion. Ayurveda
considers human body, mind and spirit as a single system and it is also made up of
the same five elements. Three doshas or humors are formed out of the five
elements: earth and water join to form Kapha Dosha, fire forms Pitta Dosha, and, air
and space join to form Vata Dosha. At the time of birth of a child, based on space,
time and parents‟ body-mind-spirit constitution, the child acquires definite proportion
of the three doshas, and they will be in balance with each other. This proportion is
called “Prakriti” of the person, and it does not change with space and time. But the
entire universe is also made up of same five elements and these elements are
associated with the three doshas. Therefore, the food, lifestyle, surroundings or
environment, etc., of the person continuously influence on the person‟s Prakriti.
Because of this, the proportion between the doshas may change, and this will cause
a deviation in Prakriti of the person. This deviation is called “Vikriti,” which is
responsible for diseases. The Ayurvedic treatment procedures involve in finding out
the Prakriti and Vikriti of the person and treat him accordingly to bring back the
system to the original condition. The change of environment (mainly thermal
environment), space (person‟s movement to another place) and time (season) are
the main causes of infection through micro-organisms and thereby outbalancing the
three doshas.

Ayurvedic treatment procedure basically involves in balancing the three doshas and
thereby regaining health. Doshas balance naturally when the toxins from the body is
removed. Removal of toxins from the body is done through Panchakarma treatment.
Panchakarma is carried out in three steps- poorva karma or preparation, prathan
karma (main treatment) and paschat karma (post panchakarma treatment). Poorva
karma consists of two main processes to dislodge the accumulated poisonous
substances in the body: Snehana or oleation (body massage with oil) and Swedana
or fomentation (sweating using medicated steam), after oleation.

In main panchakarma treatment, elimination of toxins from the body is carried out
in five parts:

(i) Vamana or therapeutic emesis to cleanse the upper gastro till the duodenum and
upper part of the respiratory tract

(ii) Virechana or therapeutic purgation to cleanse the lower gastro from the
duodenum till the exit

(iii) Anuvasana or enema using medicated oil to take out all the lipid soluble waste
out through the anus by lubricating the rectal area

2
Presented in International Conference on Holistic Approach to Immunity to Microbial
Diseases and their Treatment {HMDT 2020}, 12-September-2020, Kottayam, India

(iv) Nasyam: intake of medicated substances through nasal to cleanse the

respiratory tract and para-nasal sinuses

(v) Astapana Vasti or therapeutic enema to cleanse the area from the transverse
colon till the anus

Not all the five treatments are given to all the patients. Depending upon the disease,
few of the above treatment are given. It is seen that Vamana is suggested for
diseases of upper respiratory tract like COVID-19. But, in order to carry out Vamana,
the poorva karma or preparatory treatment is to be given. But, poorva-karma takes
minimum one to two weeks depending upon the disease and it is not practical for
COVID-19 patients especially when they have breathing suffocation.

Apart from panchakarma, Ayurveda suggests two inhalation methods for treatment
of common cold and associated respiratory disorders: (i)Swedana: Indirect inhalation
of vapor from herbs in boiled water, practiced as medicated steam bath, after body
massage, (part of Poorva-karma as mentioned above) and (ii)Dhumapana: direct
inhalation of smoke by burning some herbal preparation in ghee.

Though Swedana is effective in treatment of upper respiratory infectious diseases, it

has the disadvantage that the steam inhaled may condense in lungs and it is not
desirable. Only Dhumapana is effective in curing respiratory disorders caused by
external infection like COVID-19.

3. Preventive measures using Dhumapana

It is interesting to note that spread of micro-organisms like Corona viruses through

aerosols in surrounding air was very much known thousands of years back, but not
in the present context. The spread of such micro-organisms through aerosols was
prevented and controlled by various types of Dhumapana at multiple levels:

(i) In Hindu temples, where public gather for worship and in houses, prior to public
gatherings in functions such as marriages, house-warming, organized death
ceremony (sixteenth day), etc., a fire ritual called Homam [7] is practiced at early
hours of the day, prior to visit of devotees or guests. In such fire ritual, various
herbs are burnt in ghee with coconut and the smoke is spread widely in the
surrounding air. Thus, the surrounding air is purified prior to public entry [8]. It is to
be noted that the fire ritual or Homan is not just a medicated smoke producing
practice. It is a spiritual practice followed for many benefits, the discussion of which
is outside the scope of this article. Interested readers can visit
www.VedicAstrologer.org for more details.

(iii) In traditional Hindu houses, medicinal plants such as neem trees, turmeric, holy
basil, aloe vera plants, etc. are grown in the garden. Also, many medicinal plants like

3
Presented in International Conference on Holistic Approach to Immunity to Microbial
Diseases and their Treatment {HMDT 2020}, 12-September-2020, Kottayam, India

Acalypha indica, Phyllanthus niruri, etc. are grown naturally in abundance. According
to Sushruta [5], practically there is no plant which has no medicinal property. In
regular garden cleaning procedure, the dry leaves of trees and these plants are
burnt and the smoke purifies the surrounding air.

4. Treatment procedure through Dhumapana

Five types of Dhuma are discussed in Chapter-40, Dhuma-Nasya-Kavala-Graha-

Chikitsita of Chikitsita sthana in Shusruta Samhita [5]: (i) Prayogika for daily use, (ii)
Snehana for soothing, (iii) Vairechana, or, expectorant to promote secretion of
sputum by air passage,(iv) Kasaghna or anti-cough and (v) Vamaniya or emetic.

Some of the ingredients mentioned in Sushruta [5] are: Cardamon, Clove,

nagakesam, black pepper, long pepper, dry ginger, gugglu, brihati, kanta karika,
karamarda, asafoetida, ingudi bark, guduchi, manashila, etc. In addition, neem
leaves, holy basil leaves and turmeric are good anti-biotic medicines and they are
easily available and therefore, they are also included in the ingredient list in the
present Dhumapana preparation for COVID-19 like diseases.

A simplified procedure for preparation of Dhumapana with basic ingredients for

direct inhalation is illustrated below. It can be used effectively for prevention as well
and it is expected to give a quick relief from suffocation.

Micro-organisms once enter into human body face defense from immunity and they
get into fight or flight mode for survival. It is a different question whether virus is a
living being [9]. In fight mode, the throne-like external structures of micro-
organisms act stronger to stick to the surface and fight for intrusion into the cells.
But, in an uncomfortable situation, they get into flight mode and they roll down to
find an exit. Dhumapana or herbal smoke inhaled through respiration system is
expected to create such uncomfortable situation to micro-organisms. In conventional
Dhumapana procedure [4], the smoke is inhaled through nose by keeping the smoke
source of burnt herbs near the nose. But, an effective administration is through
mouth, like smoking of conventional nicotine based cigarettes and accordingly,
Dhumapana pipe is formed which is different from that mentioned in [5].

Basic materials considered in the preparation of Dhumapana are: (i) neem leaves,
dried in indirect sunlight for a week, (ii) turmeric, (iii) pepper, (iv) dry ginger, (v)
holy basil (tulsi) leaves. Ghee is used as base material. Pepper leaves dried in
indirect sunlight (should be flexible) is used as Dhumapana pipe like rolling the
Indian cigarette (beedi). Figure. 1 shows the photographic views of the five
ingredients.

4
Presented in International Conference on Holistic Approach to Immunity to Microbial
Diseases and their Treatment {HMDT 2020}, 12-September-2020, Kottayam, India

(i) Neem leaves (ii) Turmeric

(iii) Pepper seeds (iv) Dry ginger (v) Tulsi leaves

Figure 1: Photographic views of the ingredients used for Dhumapana preparation

All the above five ingredients are fried in low amount of ghee in very low fire, just
enough for dry grind. They are mixed and ground. Rough grinding is sufficient. The
pepper leaf is fold into two pieces on the longer side and straightened back. These
ingredients are spread on the pepper leaf in one-half and the other half leaf is folded
over it and tip of both the halves are folded little inside. It is then rolled like a
conventional Indian Cigarette (Beedi) and it is tied with cotton thread. The folding of
leaf helps in preventing the soot particles from entry into mouth. The final
preparation is shown in Figure 2. Now, keep the patient in sitting position on an
easy chair so that he/she can comfortably inhale the smoke from the roll through
mouth. Now, ignite the roll like conventional cigarette at the tip and let the patient
start smoking. Initially there will be difficulty in retaining the fire and one may need
to ignite the roll several times. But, with skill, it can be achieved. Inhalation should
be slow and the patient should feel comfortable throughout the course. Because of
pepper and ginger, over-dosage of smoke may cause a slight throat burn. If the
patient is comfortable, it can be repeated two or three times, followed by a
breathing exercise like Kapalabhati [10]. If pepper leaves are not found or unable to
make a proper roll, the simplest way to make this type of Dhumapana is to buy low
cost filtered cigarette from market, remove the entire nicotine content and fill the
cigarette with herbal mix cautiously and smoke like a conventional cigarette.
However, the cigarette may retain the nicotine smell. Alternately, cigarette holder or
smoking pipe can be used (Figure 3).

5
Presented in International Conference on Holistic Approach to Immunity to Microbial
Diseases and their Treatment {HMDT 2020}, 12-September-2020, Kottayam, India

Figure 2: Dhumapana preparation

Figure 3: Smoking pipe

Apart from the five basic ingredients, which are known for curing respiration
disorders, many more ingredients mentioned earlier can be added. Dried cow dung,
which is one of the ingredient of panchagavya also can be added, which will help in
sustaining the fire for longer time. Dried mint leaves also can be added as a
refresher. It is to be noted that the Dhumapana is only a procedure and the exact
ingredients, the combination of herbs and proportion, dosage to individual patients,
etc. all depend on clinical trials. There are contra-indications mentioned in Sushruta
[5] due to over-dosage and wrong use of Dhumapana. But, for a patient suffering
from suffocation, a quick relief from such symptoms is more important and use of
Dhumapana with herbal ingredients will not cause any harm in long run. But, how it
works? In simple analogy, it is comparable to kerosene smoke used to chase away
the mosquitoes from an open grass field. But, human body and the respiration
system are so delicate that Dhumapana has to be prepared with known herbs and
should be administered properly.

6
Presented in International Conference on Holistic Approach to Immunity to Microbial
Diseases and their Treatment {HMDT 2020}, 12-September-2020, Kottayam, India

The conventional immunity booster is a long way for a patient to develop immunity
to fight against the germs. According to Ayurveda, the digested food is converted
sequentially into seven Dhatus: Rasa (digested juice or plasma), Raktha (blood),
Mamsa (flesh), Metha (fat), Asthi (bone), Majja (bone marrow) and finally to Sukra
dhatu (reproductive fluid). The sukra dhatu is responsible for immunity of the body.
In normal course, it takes nearly one month for the digested food to convert to
Sukra dhatu. Therefore, immunity booster is not practical for patients suffering from
respiratory syndromes. However, it can be given to normal people for prevention.
Dhumapana is effective because the patients will get quick relief from suffocation. In
fact, many laboratories have come out with many nasal inhalation techniques for
treatment of COVID-19, similar to Swedana [11, 12].

5. Discussions

The use of Dhumapana should be considered as a first-aid procedure to relieve the

patient from suffocation and thereafter, the patient can be treated in normal course.
The inhalation of aerosols with corona viruses is comparable to inhalation of low-
concentrated poisonous gas. In fact, the word „virus‟ is derived from Latin language
which means „poison‟ [13]. First aid procedure is most important in such situation.
The physical strength or immunity of the victim is secondary, when one is subjected
to such a situation.

Ayurveda divides the living beings into two broad categories: Sthavara or immobile
beings which include plants and Jangama or mobile beings which include animal
kingdom, micro-organisms, etc. Nature has a balance. For every disease that is
caused by any Jangama, there exists a cure from any Sthavaras. One can make a
long list of table, listing infection due to any animal or micro-organism (Jangama)
and corresponding complementary medicinal plant (Sthavaras) for cure. For
example, juice of Acalypha indica leaves cures many insect bites. Milk from the
leaves of Calotropies is used to cure dog-bite in traditional Indian medicine.
Andrographis paniculata leaves are used for snake bite and so on. The point stressed
here is: No disease caused by animal kingdom or micro-organisms is incurable. What
is required- is the right medicinal plant(s), right preparation, proper usage and
procedure.

It is once again reiterated that the exact formulation, combination, fraction and
dosage of herbs in Dhumapana can be worked out only through clinical trials.
Dhumapanam is time-tested procedure used in traditional Ayruvedic medicine for
respiratory disorders and it can be safely attempted on patients with COVID-19 like
diseases. However, the author shall not be responsible for any adverse effects due
to over-consumption or wrong preparation and combinations of herbs. It is
suggested that healthy persons should try such Dhumapana after preparation,
before administering to patients. Also, start with very low dosage in the beginning.

7
Presented in International Conference on Holistic Approach to Immunity to Microbial
Diseases and their Treatment {HMDT 2020}, 12-September-2020, Kottayam, India

Refer to Sushruta samhita [5] for detailed description on Dhumapana. One can make
his/her own formulation based on it.

In addition to individual Dhumapana inhalation for patients, a homam or fire ritual

can be arranged in hospitals where such patients are admitted in large. The herbs
mentioned in [5, 7], neem leaves, turmeric and etc. can be burnt in the fire along
with ghee and dry coconuts. This will help in purifying the surrounding and also
work as prevention for the medical staff attending the patients. It is worth
mentioning that in many temples in South India, black pepper with salt are put in
the camphor fire for purification of the surrounding air and believed to eradicate
negative energy.

Apart from respiratory diseases, Dhumapana procedure can be used effectively for
treatment of complicated diseases like brain tumor, clogged arteries, etc. These
areas are not yet explored.

6. Conclusions

Dhumapana procedure is followed for treatment of respiratory disorders in

Ayurveda, the traditional system of Indian medicines. A description of Dhumapana
procedure and preparation method using basic ingredients were described for
treatment of patients with COVID-19 like respiratory diseases and for prevention as
well. The exact preparation and right combination and dosage of herbs can be
brought out through clinical trials.

References

1. Fisher, D., Heymann, D. Q&A: The novel coronavirus outbreak causing COVID-19.
BMC Med 18, 57 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-020-01533-w

2. Wat, Dennis. “The common cold: a review of the literature.” European journal of
internal medicine vol. 15,2 (2004): 79-88. doi:10.1016/j.ejim.2004.01.006

3. Natesan Ramalingam, “A Path to discover”, Notion press, Chennai, India, 2020

4. Friedrich Frischknecht, “The history of biological warfare”, EMBO Reports. 2003

Jun; 4(Suppl 1): S47–S52. doi: 10.1038/sj.embor.embor849

5. Kaviraj Kunja Lal Bhishagratna, An English translation of The Sushruta Samhita,

S. L. Bhaduri: Calcutta, 1916

6. G.Kumaravel, “Engineering aspects of Ayurveda, The Mechanics and

Thermodynamics of human physiology”, Chapter 6, “Holistic Healthcare, Possibilities
and Challenges, Vol. II”, Apple Academic Press (CRC Press), ISBN: 978-1-77188-
7151, April, 2019

8
 Presented in International Conference on Holistic Approach to Immunity to Microbial
Diseases and their Treatment {HMDT 2020}, 12-September-2020, Kottayam, India

7. K. Kannathasan, A. Thangamani, „‟ Identification of Medicinal Plants in Homam: a

religious practice”, Journal of Applied and Advanced Research 2016. 1(1); 16–19
doi.: 10.21839/jaar.2016.v1i1.4

8. Narayana Rao. M, Sukruti Duvvuri , Hari Ram Naik , Gopi Kiran.M and Manu
Srivatsav.G , “Environmental Impacts of Homam- a Case Study”, International
Conference on Environmental Science and Technology, 2012, IPCBEE vol.30 (2012),
IACSIT Press, Singapore

9. Luis P Villarreal, “Are viruses alive?” Scientific American, January, 2005

10. Gupta, R. K., Telles, S., & Balkrishna, A. (2015). A Review Article on Kapalabhati
Pranayama. (Pages 51-53). In National Conference on “Governance on Traditional
Knowledge and Contemporary Innovations” organized by MHRD-IPR Chair,
Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand during March 13-14, 2015

11. Sumanpreet Kaur, et. al, “Selocalcitol (A Vitamin D formulation): Scope of

inhalational formulation for prevention and cure of COVID-19 illness”, Research
square, August, 2020

12. Oron Zachar, “Nanomedicine Formulations for Respiratory Infections by

Inhalation Delivery - Covid-19 and Beyond”, Research gate, March, 2020

13. Krug, Robert M. and Wagner, Robert R., “virus”, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12
Nov, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/science/virus

View publication stats