On Wednesday, the Ministry of AYUSH sparked a row by issuing an advisory for the “prevention” of Coronavirus infection. It listed out a range of steps/medicines that need to be taken as per Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Unani medicinal systems to escape from the deadly virus.

The official advisory says that Arsenicum album30, which is prescribed in homeopathy to treat influenza-like illness, can help prevent the virus. Drinking shadang paniya, consuming samshamani, etc is prescribed under Unani. As per recommendations of Unani physicians, easily digestible, light and soft diets are advised, the advisory adds. "This advocacy is for information only and shall be adopted in consultation with Ayurvedic practitioners only," it adds.

Since Coronavirus has no cure or preventive vaccine, the advisory has naturally raised eyebrows. "On the one hand, China is taking steps on a war footing. On the other hand, India is peddling pseudoscience. It's shocking that the Modi government has issued this unscientific advisory," a Twitter user lamented.