EFFECTIVENESS OF VIDHIVAT RASAYANA UPAYOGA WITH HARITAKI CHURNA AND RASAYANA CHURNA VATI IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POST-COVID SYNDROME: AN EXPLORATORY COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Post-COVID syndrome may be associated with persistent manifestations such as joint pain, fatigue, muscular pain and intermittent fever. The present study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of Vidhivat Rasayana Upayoga using Haritaki Churna followed by Rasayana Churna Vati in comparison with Rasayana Churna Vati alone. The clinical study was designed as an open-label, randomized, exploratory interventional trial. Objective: To comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of Vidhivat Rasayana Upayoga with Haritaki Churna followed by Rasayana Churna Vati and Rasayana Churna Vati alone in the management of post-COVID clinical manifestations. Methods: A total of 60 participants with persistent post-COVID manifestations were included and allocated into two groups of 30 participants each. Group A received Rasayana Churna Vati (5 tablets once daily on an empty stomach with lukewarm water), while Group B received Haritaki Churna (3–5 g once daily) followed by Rasayana Churna Vati. The intervention period was 30 days, followed by assessment at 60 and 90 days. Clinical outcomes included joint pain, fatigue, muscular pain and fever. Results: Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvement in joint pain, fatigue, muscular pain and fever after treatment. In Group A, significant improvement was observed across the four assessment points for joint pain, fatigue and fever (p < 0.001), with major improvement occurring during the initial treatment phase and being maintained during follow-up. Group B also demonstrated significant improvement in the assessed clinical parameters, including joint pain and fatigue (p < 0.001). On comparative analysis after treatment, Group B showed significantly betteimprovement than Group A for joint pain (p = 0.034), fatigue (p = 0.022), muscular pain (p = 0.012) and fever (p = 0.021). Conclusion: Both interventions were effective in reducing the major clinical manifestations of post-COVID syndrome. However, the combination of Haritaki Churna followed by Rasayana Churna Vati, representing Vidhivat Rasayana Upayoga, demonstrated comparatively better clinical outcomes than Rasayana Churna Vati alone. The findings support the therapeutic potential of an appropriately sequenced Rasayana intervention in the management of post-COVID manifestations.