Indian Journal of Ancient Medicine and Yoga

 Rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus Linn.(Cyperaceae), extensively used in Ayurveda by the name of “Mustaka” for the treatment of digestive disorders, bowel disorders and inflammatory diseases, have been focus drug for ancient as well as present day scholars of Ayurveda. It contains essential oils, terpenes, flavonoids, beta- itosterol and ascorbic acid. The main terpenes in C. rotundus are cyperenes, which include sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Pharmacological studies have proved its efficacy as antiviral against hepatitis B virus, antimicrobial, antipyretic, anti-obesity and anti-allergic drug. This paper envisages evidence based information regarding classical therapeutic indications and pharmacological activities of this plant drug.

 Person using takra never gets diseased and by its virtue a disease is cured by takra never recurs. As Amrita (nectar) is precious for Devatas (Gods), likewise takra is said to be precious for mankind on earth. Keeping such importance of takra in mind, this review article is highlighted to give all relevant information’s at one place together with its value in contemporary science.

 Even though liver has a marked regenerative capacity, hepatic failure may develop due to severe liver injury with massive necrosis of liver cells. This hepatic failure may manifest as Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE). This neuro-psychiatric syndrome is characterised by disturbance in consciousness and behaviour, progressive drowsiness, irrelevant speech etc. It can be compared with later stages of Kamala and Shonitaja mada where lakshnas like tandra, moha, swalpa asambaddha vachana and personality changes like krodha prachurata etc. are mentioned. The main principle of management of HE is to eliminate precipitating factors such as toxic product like ammonia by using laxative and counteracting complications by using antibiotics, diuretics. Virechana is mentioned for the management of both Kamala and Mada which aims at elimination of nitrogenous waste substance to the present context with other benefits. A case with ALD with jaundice landed in Grade 1HE considered as the later stage of Kamala and also Mada, treated successfully with Virechana and complications are countered by using antibiotics, specified as an example in this conceptual study.  

 Insomnia is highly prevalent and impairs cognitive and physical functioning of person. Irregular and impaired sleep patterns are reported to manifest many fatal diseases. Sleep, one among the three essential factors required for living as per ayurveda. Proper sleep leads to healthy and long life. Ancient Acharyas have stated that happiness and sorrow, growth and wasting, strength and weakness, virility and impotence and the knowledge and ignorance as well as the existence of life and its cessation depend on the patterns of sleep. Certain contemporary studies revalidated the concept laid down in classical literature about sleep. Seers emphasize sleep as an important factor for human life and put it under three sub-pillars of body which shows their deep knowledge of science. It is advisable to have good and sound sleep to maintain proper health.

Crepidium acuminatum is one of the nature’s most extravagant group of flowering plants i.e. Orchids distributed throughout the world from tropics to high alpine. It is grouped among Astavarga plants, Jivaniya Gana and Bramhiniya in different Ayurveda classicals. It is grown primarily at a height of more than 1500fts in India and different parts of the world. It has been used in many parts of the world in traditional healing system as well as in the treatment of a number of diseases since the ancient times. It belongs to the largest family of plant kingdom i.e. Orchidaceae. Yet no studies have been done regarding its medicinal properties and traditional uses. Here a brief research is carried out on its phyto-chemical profile and pharmacology to rule out its medicinal properties. It faces the extreme danger of extinction due to over- xploitation and habitat loss.  

 The term nidana is related to both aetiology as well as diagnosis of diseases. In the present context term nidana refers to the causative factors. Nidana plays an important role in diseases which are krucchra sadhya or yapya. Disease aggravates as long as patient gets exposed to nidana. There are many aharaja and viharaja nidanas explained as causative factor for manifestation of Tamaka Shwasa. With this background an observational study was conducted on patients of Tamaka Shwasa in Belgaum city which is considered as anupa desha. After the observation it was found that, among all nidanas dadhi was found to be consumed by most of the patients followed by stress as a second major cause. These nidanas are responsible for vitiation of doshas in body and plays an important role in samprapti of Tamaka Shwasa. Hence as a part of Nidana parivarjana chikitsa the practitioners of this particular locality can concentrate on advising the patients to avoid these nidanas as far as possible to prevent and manage the condition effectively.