Indian Journal of Ancient Medicine and Yoga

 Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology leading to chronic synovitis and permanent disability in some cases. Ayurvedic formulations can play a vital role in the management of disease. A poly herbal preparation containing ashvagandha, shunthi, suranzan, pippali, marich and mishri was clinically tested for its efficacy and found effective in the management of disease.

Keywords: Ayurvedic compound, Rheumatoid arthritis, Amavata. 

 The word nadi comes from the Sanskrit root nada, which means flow. The physical body is structured by an underlying system of nadis. These are subtle flows of vibration. The Upanishads explain that the nadis penetrate the body from the soles of the feet to the crown of the head, carrying prana, the breath of life. The atman is the source of Shakti and the1 animator of all the worlds. The entire network of nadis is so vast that even yogic texts differ in their calculation of the exact number. Regardless of the exact figure, the description of their structure is always the same - thin strand-like threads, similar to those of the lotus stem, which emanate from the spinal column. The science of nadis that is of recent interest to scientists all over the world, had been analyzed extensively by Indian yogis of lore. Through they lacked the physical equipment available to modern science, these yogis through their dedicated practice (Abhyasa), Inner vision (Antardrishti) and self analysis (Swadyaya) had made an extensive number of observations on this concept. Scientific research has been carried out to determine what and where nadis are.

Key words – Nadi, Ida, Pingala, Sushumna and other Principle nadis 

  Apâmârga is a well known drug and has been used widely in Ayurvedic therapeutics. In Brhattrayî, Charak and Susrut have mentioned only one variety of the drug by different names in different references. These names are being considered as synonyms of the same source plant A. aspera L.. by the Scholars of Âyurveda. Vâgbhatta in Astâng Hridaya has mentioned one more variety of Apâmârga by the name of GAURDANDA APÂMÂRGA. Nighantu writers have
mentioned two varieties of the drug viz. White and Red. Identity of different varieties of Apamarga has not been established satisfactorily till date. While working on the research project entitled “Studies on Herbal Drugs Used as Ethnomedicine by the Tharu Tribe of Kheri District (U.P., India)” during my post graduation, two distinct varieties of Apâmârga have been noticed being used by the tribal medicine men. A critical discussion regarding the botanical identity of two varieties of the plant drug is being produced here.

 The study was carried out to find an effective, economical Ayurvedic treatment free from side effects for burning problem of Arsha (hemorrhoids). In this research work, local application of Kshara i.e. Pratisaraniya Kshara was selected as treatment modality in patients suffering from Arsha and an attempt to elaborate the concepts of Arsha and its management by Ksharkarma procedure is made. In this study, all patients having the features of primary hemorrhoids were selected and divided into two groups of each comprising 10 patients. First group was treated with Palasha Kshara (Butea frondosa) & another group with Kutaja Kshara (Holarrhena Antidysenterica). Ksharpatankarma was done every day and the results were assessed thoroughly on the basis of observations for 7 days. As per Ayurvedic classics, Palasha & Kutaja have the properties of Kshara to treat Arsha. The Ksharas were prepared with aforesaid drugs separately under closed scientific supervision. The research work was planned as conceptual study, drug review, application of Kshara, pre & post operative management, observations, criteria for assessment & results. It is concluded that the application of Palasha & Kutaja Kshara showed significant improvement over all in 1st & 2nd degree of piles.

Key Words: Arsha, Hemorrhoids, Kshara, Ksharpatankarma, Kutaja, Palasha, Pratisaraniya.

 It is clear that each and every procedure is capable to produce some type of impact on drug by altering qualities of raw drug. Qualities altered to inherit by Samskaras, ultimately will give rise to various formulations and thus can produce different effects. Acharya Charaka says, to change the quality is known as Samskara i.e. qualitative alteration done for improvement, enhancement, modifications, decrease the bad effects etc. Bhavana is one type of Samskara. The potency of the single or compound drugs could be further potentiated by conducting the Bhavana process, using liquid media of the same drug or the drugs similar in potency. The main reason behind this is even a less quantity of a drug will exerts multiple action if it has undergone proper Bhavana. In Amalaki Rasayana, Churna of Amalaki is Bhavita by its own Swarasa for 21 times. So, active chemical constituents may increase. In this study, O.A.C., F.D.A.C., O.A.R., F.D.A.R. and O.A.R. (S) - water soluble extractive (42.64, 66.54, 66.19, 77.45 and 68.92%w/w respectively), methanol soluble extractive (33.51, 62.62, 54.16, 70.34 and 79.86% w/w respectively) and total phenolic content (14.4, 16.00, 24.40, 25.40 and 25.00%w/w respectively) were found.

Key words : Bhavana, Samskara, Ordinary Amalaki Churna (O.A.C.), Freeze Dried Amalaki Churna (F.D.A.C.), Ordinary Amalaki Rasayana (O.A.R.), Freeze Dried Amalaki Rasayana (F.D.A.R.)

 Ageing is the mixture of three different dimensions – chronological, biological & psychological. It is described as Jara: Kalaja (timely) & Akalaja (premature ageing) in ancient classics with decade wise deterioration in biological functions. The present clinical study deals with the evaluation of dietary habits, life style related factors, mental health disturbance etc., affecting the premature ageing.

Key words: Premature ageing, Akalaja jara, Ama, Free radical, Diet, Life style

 Ksheerapaka Kalpana a liquid dosage form plays an important role in Ayurvedic therapeutics, due to its nutritive and curative values. It is found both in Brihatrayi and Laghutrayi, but specially the method of preparation and ratio of the ingredient are elaborately described in Laghutrayi. The dosage form is mainly prescribed for the management of diseases caused due to Agnimandya like Jwara, Raktapitta and Gulma etc. There are more than fifty formulations described in the classics of ksheer paka which are prepared from different herbs. Milk is the main ingredient and used as a media for the formulation. A lot of variety of milk is utilized in classics but amongst them cow’s and goat’s milk are the most common. Milk is a colloidal suspension of casein micelles, globular proteins and lipoprotein particles. During the pharmaceutical procedures, the stability of casein micelle and solubility depends upon some of the physico-chemical factors like temperature, pH, salt content, hydrophobic interaction etc, and are ultimately responsible for their therapeutic efficacy of the products.

Key Words: Ayurvedic formulations, Ksheera paka, milk

 Ayurveda the science of life is based on some fundamental facts & principles.Prakriti is one of them. The study of prakriti & its association with diseases has been defined since Vedic period .But in modern era a new branch pharmacogenomics has been developed; depending upon human genome information. According to Ayurveda pharmacogenomics is nothing but a branch of prakriti.

Key Words: Prakriti, pharmacogenomics,Drug development.

 Context herbal drug “Rasona pinda Mahan” is a compound formulation having chief ingredient Rasona ( Allium Sativum ) with 24 other ingredients. Following study is based on the reference given by Bhaisajya Ratnavali. It is a well reputed drug since ancient time for the treatment of Amavata( Rheumatoid Arthritis).The drug was given 6-9 gm daily with anupana of warm water or for 45 days.Total 40 cases were selected regardless of their age,sex, socioeconomic consideration but fully satisfying the criteria of diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in modern medicine & Amvata in Ayurveda.The overall result of clinical trial showed that 60% demonstrated mild to moderate degree of improvement , 17.5 % significant improvement & 22.5% showed no change after clinical trial.

Key Words: Rasona pinda mahan, Amvata, Rheumatoid arthritis.

 Yoga is the science of right living and, as such, is intended to be incorporated in daily life. It works on all aspects of the person; the physical, vital, mental, emotional psychic and spiritual. The science of yoga applies itself to all aspects of life, on a more practical level, yoga is a means of balancing and harmonising the body, mind and emotions. This is done through the practice of asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha, shatkarma and meditation, and must be achieved before union can take place with the higher reality. The science of yoga begins to work on the outermost aspect of the personality, the physical body, which for most people is a practical and familiar starting point. when imbalance experienced as this level, the organs, muscles and nerves no longer function in harmony, rather they act in opposition to each other. For instance, the endocrine system might become irregular and the efficiency of the nervous system decrease to such an extent that a disease will manifest. Yoga aims at bringing the different bodily functions into perfect co-ordination so that they work for the good of the whole body.

Key Words: Yogic approach, all diseases, Shatkarma, Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Trataka, Nauli, Kapalbhati.

Suryaprabha Vati is a novel herbo-mineral formulation prepared by Swami Kanhaji. It can treat all kind of human disease. During the extensive surveys on Monk wisdom based on plants under the text Monk Botany; the formulations pertaining to above Vati has been disclosed by Swamiji. The Chandraprabha Vati has been mentioned in Bhaisajya Ratnavali. However, there is no description of Suryaprabha Vati in any classical literature of Ayurveda.

Kewords: Suryaprabha Vati, Monk Botany, Novel herbo-mineral formulation