Indian Journal of Ancient Medicine and Yoga

Amavata is disease of Rasavaha srotasa commonly associated with pain in the multiple joints, stiffness and swelling over the joints. It is considered as a progressive illness that has the possibility of causing joint destruction and functional disability. In contemporary science, this condition can be correlated with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation and deformity of the joints. And the medical management has got a better result to overcome pain through NSAIDs. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs decrease the inflammation, but tend to create gastrointestinal disturbance and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs cause renal, bone and hepatic side effects. So the management of this disease by other systems of Medicine is not that much satisfactory or cannot control the further progression of disease. Hence to overcome from this problem, different treatment protocols can be adopted based on the different stages of RA. Like treatment of Amavastha and Niramavastha with medicines and shodhana chikitsa. Clinical observation has shown effectiveness of Ayurvedic treatment protocol in the management of Amavata. A case report of 38-year old female who presented with complaints of Hasta sandhi shotha, shoola and Stabdhata (Inflammation, severe pain and stiffness (particularly observed in morning hours) in metacarpo-phalangeal joints & proximal inter phalangeal joints), Paad sandhi shotha and shoola (Inflammation & severe pain in metatarso phalangeal joints), Mandagni (poor appetite), Angagourav (Feeling of heaviness in the body) and Angamarda (myalgia) has been presented here.

Keywords: Amavata; Rheumatoid arthritis; Shodhana; Agni; Shamanoushadi.

Skin being the largest organ of the body, is the first site to get infected from various types of allergens and other environmental agents. In Ayurvedic texts, skin diseases are described under the heading of Kushta Roga. These are mainly divided in two types: Mahakushta and Kshudrakushta which are further divided in 18 types on the basis of Doshika predominance. Ek-kushta (Psoriasis) is described under Kshudrakushta having Vata-Kapha predominance. It is characterized by Aswedanam (loss of sweating), Mahavastu (spread on a large area) and Matsyashaklopamam (having scaly lesions). In present case report, a patient with complaint of itching and scaly lesions over lower leg, back of palm and back, was treated with Shodhana (Virechana) and Sanshamana Chikitsa and significant results was obtained. This showed that combination of Ayurvedic modalities resulted in great improvement in overall condition of the patient.

Keywords: Kushta; Ek-kushta; Psoriasis; Shodhana; Sanshamana Chikitsa.

Controversial and unidentified drugs are burning issues in Ayurveda. Due to in-appropriation of synonyms in nighantu classics, issue still remains a big challenge for the scholars of Ayurveda. Asan and Bijaka are considered to be synonymous by a large section of scholars of Ayurveda and Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Fabaceae) has been considered to be official source for classical drugs Asan and Bijaka. Bijaka is popularly known as Vijayasal in many parts of country. In forested area of Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, two entirely different plants are available and used by the names of Asana (Terminalia alata Heyne ex. Roth, Combretaceae) and Vijayasal (Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.). Present paper is an attempt to address the controversy regarding botanical source of these two classical drugs.

Keywords: Local Health Traditions; Ayurveda; Terminalia alata Heyne ex. Roth.; Pterocarpus marsupium.

The plant Bakuchi Psoralea Corylifolia L. is a very important drug mentioned in Ayurvedic, Korean and Chinese system of Medicine. The leaves, seeds, root and seed oil can be used for various ailments. The major compounds isolated from this plant are glycosides, phenols, monoterpenoids, coumarins and flavonoids which are mostly present in the seeds. The seeds and the leaves of this plant, possess a potent anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity. It can be used in cancer, skin diseases, psoriasis, diabetes etc. It can also be used as an Estrogen receptor against and also be used for spermatogenesis. Psoralen one of the active constituent is increased in stress condition and can be used as a biomarker for plant stress in the plant Bakuchi. The plant also has radio resistant properties. It can be used as an antiviral and antiprotozoal agent in fish.

Keywords: Bakuchi; Psoralea Corylifolia; Psoralen.

Skin being the largest organ of the body, is the first site to get infected from various types of allergens and other environmental agents. In Ayurvedic texts, skin diseases are described under the heading of Kushta Roga. These are mainly divided in two types: Mahakushta and Kshudrakushta which are further divided in 18 types on the basis of Doshika predominance. Ek-kushta (Psoriasis) is described under Kshudrakushta having Vata-Kapha predominance. It is characterized by Aswedanam (loss of sweating), Mahavastu (spread on a large area) and Matsyashaklopamam (having scaly lesions). In present case report, a patient with complaint of itching and scaly lesions over lower leg, back of palm and back, was treated with Shodhana (Virechana) and Sanshamana Chikitsa and significant results was obtained. This showed that combination of Ayurvedic modalities resulted in great improvement in overall condition of the patient.

Keywords: Kushta; Ek-kushta; Psoriasis; Shodhana; Sanshamana Chikitsa.

Ayurveda is a branch of Atharvaveda. Vedas are described as the disciplines of god. They are not books but they are the endless knowledge scattered in this universe in the form of Para Pashyanti, Madhyama and Vaikhari Vani. According to Ayurveda, the human body is made up of twenty four Tatva. These are Avyakta, Mahat, Ahankara, Panchtanmatra, Ekadasha Indriya and Panchmahabhuta. There universal representatives are Ekadasha (eleven) Rudras, Ashta Vasu, Dwadash Adityas and Prajapati. When by various Yogsadhna our inner elements get purified and become powerful than these outer representatives start connecting themselves with the inner ones making us wealthy by their powers. Chikitsak is the main Pada of Chikitsa, if he is powerful then there is no question of defeat in therapeutics. By the knowledge of these twenty four elements we can make ourselves wealthy and also can benefit the others including patients. The classics of Ayurveda say that in order to become a complete physician, one should have a thorough understanding of the concept of Purusha, along with its various components. Acharya mentions various types of concepts regarding Purusha like Eka Dhatvatmaka Purusha, Tri Dhatvatmaka Purusha, Shad Dhatvatmaka Purusha, Chaturvimshati Dhatvatmaka Purusha. But there are several areas where there is lack of clarity regarding how this concept can be used in the clinical context. Nowadays we are focusing mainly on Panchmahabhuta and are neglecting others. If we know about the normal constitution and function of these elements, we can be able to diagnose about their imbalance and the balance can be achieved accordingly. So the complete knowledge of all of these twenty four elements than nothing in this universe will be left unknown, including Chikitsa. Dharma, Artha, Kaam, and Moksha are said to be Purusharth Chatushtaya. This review would help to bring better clarity into the concept of Chaturvimshati Purusha described in Ayurveda Samhita which would help in better diagnosis and management of diseases according to Ayurveda principles.

Keywords: Chaturvimshati Purusha; Avyakta; Mahat; Ahankara; Panchtanmatra; Panchmahabhuta; Ekadasha Indriya.