Indian Journal of Ancient Medicine and Yoga

Obesity - an abnormal growth of the adipose tissue due to enlargement of fat cell size or an increase in number or combination of both, 1 is becoming global health problem now a days. It is the most common nutritional disorder in affluent societies due to luxuries, defective diet & inactive, sedentary life style. Obesity contributes to develop coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and 60 to 70% cardiac patients die of obesity. It is described as sthaulya in ancient Ayurvedic classics. The present study revealed that lack of exercise, excessive intake of sweet, heavy, unctuous food articles and Medo-dhatwagnimandya precipitate obesity with proneness in kapha pitta prakriti subjects.

Key words: Sthaulya, Meda, Obesity, Overweight 
 

Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. is a fern and has great linkage with Rudra Jata as ethnobotanical marker like tribal name and similar uses of the plant which is described in classical text of Ayurveda. The studies on tissue systems of medicinal parts mainly rhizome and roots of the plants, their histochemistry and phytocompounds are delineated in the paper would be most useful towards proper evaluation in perspectives of consideration as Ruda Jata and future more pharmacological and clinical studies in Ayurveda.

Key words: Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw., ethnobotanical marker, Rudra Jata, tissue systems, histochemistry, phytocompounds. 

 Gridhrasi is one of the Vata disorders out of 80 Nanatmaja Vatavyadhi and difficult to treat as per Charaka. Nidan of Gridhrasi in Indian system of medicine is due to systemic vitiation of Vata Dosha as well as local site involvement. The symptoms of the Gridhrasi can be correlated with sciatica at par with modern medicine. The involvement of sciatic nerve may be there due to factors like simple irritation to compression of the sciatic nerve with or without fracture of the vertebrae. Prevalence rate of the disease increases due to the continuous sitting, hard work and degenerative changes in the bone as well as in the whole body. Total 60 patients were registered and divided in to two groups of 30 patients in each. Patients of first group were treated with Raktamokshana by Siravyadha, once weekly for two times for a period 15 days. 100 ml of Dushita Rakta was drained out during each sitting and relief of symptoms was recorded as per the proforma specially prepared for that. The patients of second group were treated with local Abhyanga & Nadisvedana for 15 consecutive days and the observations were recorded as per the proforma. Follow up of patients was done for two months. Data related to the disease – Gridhrasi / sciatica and Raktamokshana were collected from ancient & modern text and interpreted comprehensively. Finally it was concluded that the Raktamokshana by Siravyadha shown better result in comparison to local Abhyanga & Nadisvedana in the disease of Gridhrasi.

Key Words: Abhangya, Gridhrasi, Nadisvedana, Raktamokshana, Sciatica, Siravyadha

Research study was conducted in 56 overweight or obese subjects to assess the effect of naturopathy and yoga in obesity. Nature-cure treatments and Yoga therapy was administered for 21 days. All the parameters of assessment of obesity except fat percentage and HDL reduced significantly after treatment. Mean reduction in weight was from 74.2(±11.32) kg to 69.2(±9.94) kg (6.75%), body mass index reduced from 30.52(±4.4 8) to 28.31(±4.2) (7.2%), total cholesterol reduced from 198.72(±45)mgs/dl to 175.39(±33.7)mgs/dl (11.7 %), where as triglycerides reduced from 181.4(±62) mgs/dl to 133.79(±34.7)mgs/dl (26.3%) and reduction was from 119.31(±41.7)mgs/dl to 105.5 (±34.4)mgs/dl (11.6%) for LDL.

Key words: Nature cures therapy, Diet therapy, Yoga therapy, obesity, Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).

 Vrana means break in continuity of bodily dhatus. Various classifications of Vrana are done depending on different criteria, one among which is prognosis/Sadhyasadhyata. Under Yapya & Kashtasadhya vrana there’s mention of Vrana in Madhumehi. This is considered as Dushtavrana as it taken long duration to heal because of its association with disease Madhumeha and certain sthanika karanas like kleda, visha etc. It is made clear that onset of Vrana is with involvement of Rakta dhatu & management of Vrana in Madhumehi in accordance to Dushtavrana. In present study, Raktamokshana by Jalaukavacharana and Magadhyadi taila as Vranaropana in Vrana in Madhumehi is taken. Two groups were made comprising of 20 patients each. In Group A- Magadhyadi taila was applied to vrana once daily for 30 days. In Group B - Jalaukavacharana was done in four sittings with an interval of one week followed by daily dressing with Magadhyadi taila for a period of 30 days. All the references realated to vrana in a madhumehi were screened across the literatures and an attempt was made to understand the same with scientific way. Observations on the clinical study were mentioned in the table and graphical form and the results of two groups were drawn separately to find out the best solution for the same., Total 40 patients were treated in the present study. Out of 40 patients, Group A had 4 patients with good response, 6 with moderate response and 10 with poor response which was insiginificant statistically, when compared to Group B, with 10 patient having good response, 6 with moderate response and 4 with poor response. At the end of the study, it was found that the patients treated with Raktamokshana along with the application of Magadhyadi taila externally gave good results when compared to patients treated only with application of Magadhyadi taila.

Key Words: Vrana, Madhumeha, Jalauka, Raktamokshana, Magadhyadi taila.