COVID-19 and Ayurveda trial: FMCG giant Dabur India trialling flagship formula on 600 people

Ayurvedic supplement and FMCG giant Dabur India had conducted a three-month clinical trial​ in May to test if its chyawanprash formula could help prevent healthy individuals from contracting COVID-19.

Chyawanprash is an ayurvedic herbal supplement commonly consumed in India. It has a fruit jam-like consistency and contains more than 41 ayurvedic herbs that are said to stimulate the immune system. The ingredients include the Indian gooseberry – a rich source of vitamin C, brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), and gokshura (tribulus terrestris).

Dabur India is a market leader in the category and enjoys more than 60% of the market share. Other companies producing chyawanprash include Himalaya Wellness, Baidyanath, and Emami Group.

Led by Dr Pawankumar Godatwar, the dean of research at the National Institute of Ayurveda, the multi-centre, randomised, open-label, parallel trial was expected to recruit 600 healthy subjects from five to 70 years old.