Indian Journal of Ancient Medicine and Yoga

Depression in older adults occurs for various interpersonal, financial and physical health related reasons. The medication used in the management of depression can result in falls, confusion, and disorientation in the elderly. Hence there is an interest in complementary and alternative therapies in managing depression in this age group. This article examines ten studies indexed in PubMed in which three Asian systems of healing, that is yoga, Tai Chi and Ayurveda have been used to manage depression in older adults who have (i) uncomplicated depression, and (ii) depression along with other medical conditions. While some of the trials were well designed with a good percentage at followup, it is apparent that there still remains a lot of research needed in this potentially useful area. Yoga and Tai Chi were found to be useful in depression in older adults. Another point which emerged is possible harmful drugherb interactions when Ayurveda polyherbal preparations are used in older adults receiving medication for some other condition.

Keywords: Depression; Yoga; Ayurveda; Tai Chi.

In anorectal disorders fistulainano is notorious disease and having more recurrence rates and in Ayurveda it was mentioned as mahagada. In this research study the trials conducted at different institutes were summarized which were treated with Apamarga Kshrasutra. The data was collected from different institutes of India during the period of 2005 to 2010. Total 3719 patients were studied and they were analysed for relief, recurrences and complications like incontinences of faeces etc. During the treatment period adjuvant drugs like sphatikadi yoga used for sitz bath, Jatikalp oil used for matra basti while Chakreshwara Rasa and Gandhaka Rasayan for oral administration were given. The duration of treatment was continued till the Apamarg Ksharasutra gets cut through from the fistulous track completely. The shortest duration of the treatment was recorded in patients of sub mucous fistula in which the track had taken one week only to cut through the tract while the longest duration of the treatment was in the patient of multiple tracks of recurrent fistulainano and it took more than 12 months. It was observed that the unit cutting and healing time was average ½ cm per week in most of the patients. 

Keywords: Bhagandara; Fistulainano; Ksharasutra; Matra Basti; Sitz bath.

Hemorrhoids are natural tissues found in the anal canal, and essentially are swollen veins. Hemorrhoidal disease results when the anal tissue and veins enlarge and descend downward into the anal canal. The condition can result from several factors, including constipation with prolonged straining, diet, heredity and pregnancy. There is no established relationship between hemorrhoids and cancer. However, people often mistake signs of colorectal cancer for hemorrhoids. There are many myths and misconception attached with the causation and it’s treatment part which can be conventional, traditional and modern. “Single injectionguaranteed treatment” is also one of the popularly broadcast treatments through radio and televisions by the quacks by way of regular advertisements claiming treatment of piles.

Key words: Constipation;Rural folks; Piles; Myths and misconceptions; Single injection treatment. 

The World’s first Paediatricians Kashyapa and Jeevaka were Indians, who lived in the sixth century B.C. and whose pioneering works on the child care and children’s diseases were as relevant today as many of the modern concepts of child health. The first manuscripts on the management of children, some years before Christ, were Kashyapa Samhita and Vridha Jeevaka Tantra, both scholarly treatises on child care and children’s diseases brought out by Jeevaka, Kashyapa’s pupil. The chapter on Kumarbhrata (i.e. service to children) in his Sushruta Samhita, the classical encyclopedia of Ayurvedic medicine, was perhaps the first record of paediatrics anywhere in the World.[1]

Keywords: World’s first paediatrician; Kashypa; Kashyapa Samhita; Jeevaka; Vridha Jeevaka Tantra. 

Phototherapy or sunlight therapy mean exposure of person to daylight or to specific wavelengths of light. This sunlight is a free source of curative form of method in many disorders now a day. Common use of this is done with the treatment of acne vulgaris, eczema and neonatal jaundice also used in acceleration of wound healing, improvement in blood properties and blood circulation and sinusrelated diseases and disorders. In neonatology, its use is very common in the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia through the isomerization of the bilirubin and consequently transformation into compounds that the newborn can excrete via urine and stools. There are so many inventions going on regarding sunlight use in medical and surgical field.

Keywords: Pioneer; Phototherapy; Niles Ryberg Finsen; Sister Jean E Ward; Neonatal jaundice.

Oral cavity is a major entrance for bodily entities. It has a high risk of getting infections, irritations, etc. Oral Submucosal Fibrosis (OSMF) is an Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic debilitating disease of the oral cavity characterized by inflammation and progressive fibrosis of the submucosal tissues. This is called a disease of Indians. Because, it is most predominantly found in Indians and Indians living abroad. Exact etiology is unknown. The pathogenesis of the disease is not well established, believed to be multifactorial. No definite cure and management is available for OSMF. Only symptomatic relieving measures should be done. Use of topical anesthetics and analgesics alters the taste perception thus, impairs digestion and subsequent processes. Matsyaakshi is a drug with traditional values, available in all the seasons, throughout the India. It is rich in antioxidant betacarotene, Vitamin C and other essential chemicals. It is a traditional drug of choice for controlling the pain in oral cavity. This controls the pain in oral cavity rather than altering the taste perception and thus, does not interfere with the digestion. 

Keywords: OSMF (Oral Submucosal Fibrosis); Matsyaakshi; Anaesthesia.  

Premature ageing is accelerating mode of ageing, which create early symptoms of ageing and age related diseases depending upon its rate determining by various factors. Premature ageing is strongly affected by environmental, lifestyle and some disease conditions which are related to ageing but not due to ageing itself. The objective of rasayana drugs is to improve nutritional state of body by which healthy youthfulness and longevity is expected. All ingredients of Amalakayas Rasayana (AR) are known to have antioxidants, free radical scavenging activity, adaptgenic activity, and immune modulatory activity and to enhance production of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. The study which was single blind clinical research was designed to assess the efficacy of AR on mental health on 51 persons who are clinically aged than their actual age and to evaluate it therapeutically as an antiageing medicine. It was observed that some premature ageing patients had tension (21.66%), depression (7.5%) and anxiety (1.66%). On Both Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), GIT symptoms (76.92%), depressed mood (39.58%), and insomnia (38%) was improved. The improvement of tension, insomnia, depressed mood, respiratory symptoms and GIT symptoms were statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Totally, AR showed moderate improvement on HARS in 28.13% patients, whereas on HDRS in 19.35% patients. On abnormal Manasa Bhava, AR improved priti in statistically highly significant manner (p<0.001), whereas chinta and vishada in significant manner (p<0.01). Keeping all these facts in view, it can be concluded that observed results on parameters of HARS and HDRS and abnormal manasa bhava are due to anti stress and adaptogenic activity and also due to medhya effect of Amalakayas Rasayana. 

Keywords: Hamilton anxiety rating scale; Hamilton anxiety rating scale; Manasabhava; Amalakayas rasayana; Premature ageing.