Indian Journal of Ancient Medicine and Yoga

Modern lifestyles, characterized by rapid urbanization, reliance on digital technology, and convenience-based habits like processed foods and inactive work, have led to decreased physical activity and increased stress. This fast-paced way of living is linked to health issues like obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Poor nutrition, substance abuse, and reliance on technology, such as the overuse of mobile phones and late-night computer usage, contribute to mental and physical health risks, including sleep disturbances and depression. In contrast, India’s ancient practice of yoga, derived from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” meaning union, offers a holistic solution to modern health challenges. Yoga therapy, based on physical postures (asana), breathing techniques (pranayama), meditation (dhyana), and ethical guidelines, addresses the body, mind, and spirit. It not only relieves symptoms of lifestyle diseases but also promotes awareness of healthier choices, reducing anxiety and fostering balance in life. By integrating these practices, yoga offers a comprehensive approach to health, providing both physical and emotional well-being, and facilitating self-awareness and spiritual growth.

Cognitive impairment, often described as “chemo brain,” is a common but under addressed issue among cancer survivors. Yoga Nidra (YN), a deeply restorative guided meditation, may offer a promising, non-invasive therapeutic pathway to enhance cognitive function and overall quality of life. This commentary explores the neurophysiological mechanisms of YN, its accessibility, and emerging evidence supporting its application in survivorship care. Greater incorporation of YN into clinical and home-based cancer recovery programs could provide substantial benefits in cognitive restoration and psychosocial well-being.

IronDeficiencyAnaemia(IDA)isoneofthemostwidespreadnutritionaldisorders globally, particularly affecting women and infants. In women of childbearing age, the physiological demands of menstruation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding often deplete iron stores, making them especially vulnerable. While only about 3% of men are iron deficient, the prevalence rises to around 20% in women and up to 50% in pregnant women. IDA is a pressing public health issue, especially in developing countries like India. Iron, particularly in its heme-based form, is vital for numerous metabolic functions, including oxygen transport via hemoglobin. It also plays a critical role in enzymatic processes, such as those involving cytochromes essential for energy production and cellular metabolism. Iron exists in two key states ferrous (Fe²+) and ferric (Fe³+) enabling it to participate in redox reactions. Most of the body’s active iron is found in hemoglobin, with additional amounts in myoglobin and cytochromes. Despite various public health efforts, IDA remains highly prevalent in India, impacting health, productivity, and development across generations.

The increasing infertility rates worldwide, particularly in India, highlight the urgent need for effective solutions beyond expensive modern technologies. Traditional Ayurvedic practices offer valuable insights into enhancing fertility and promoting the health of progeny through techniques such as Garbha Samskar, Shodash Samskar, and Garbhini Paricharya. Ayurveda’s comprehensive approach to embryology, hereditary sciences, and fetal development under the broad concept of Garbhavakranti emphasizes the importance of maternal health in ensuring a healthy child. This review explores the Ayurvedic perspective on Garbha, Garbhadhana, and Garbhava Kranti, integrating classical knowledge with modern scientific understanding. By analyzing the principles outlined in Ayurvedic texts such as the Charaka Samhita and other foundational works, this meta-analysis aims to bridge traditional wisdom and contemporary practices to address infertility and promote reproductive health. Aims and objectives: Analytical Study of Infertility by using Garbhasamskar And Grabhavakranti and to get a healthy child maintaining the health of a mother should be the main objective. Methodology: This meta-analysis reviews classical Ayurvedic texts and modern scientific literature to assess traditional practices for improving fertility and maternal health. Data integration focuses on correlating insights from the Charaka Samhita with contemporary reproductive health findings. Observations and Results: Observations indicate that Ayurvedic practices, such as Garbha Samskar and Garbhini Paricharya, align with modern findings on fertility enhancement and maternal health. Results reveal that integrating these traditional methods with contemporary approaches can potentially improve reproductive outcomes and support healthier pregnancies Conclusion: The integration of Ayurvedic practices with modern reproductive health strategies offers a holistic approach to improving fertility and maternal health. By combining traditional wisdom with ontemporary science, there is potential for enhanced outcomes in reproductive care and overall progeny health.

Jalauka (leech) is a water-dwelling organism used in Jalaukavcharan, a traditional Ayurvedic bloodletting therapy, particularly effective in pitta dosha vitiated disorders. Ancient Ayurvedic texts classify Jalaukas into two types: Savish (toxic) and Nirvish (non-toxic). Nirvish Jalauka was traditionally employed for therapeutic Raktamokshana (bloodletting). However, classical texts provide only limited descriptions of their characteristics, habitats, and procedures, and there is no documented scientific identification of the Nirvish Jalauka to date. Aim: To identify the closest modern biological equivalent of Kapila Jalauka described in Ayurvedic classics by comparing the characteristics of leeches from the Hirudidae family found in India and surrounding regions. Material and Methods: A comparative analysis was done among various species of the Hirudidae family native to India by the available sources and materials. The characteristics mentioned in classical literature for Kapila Jalauka such as Manahshilaranjitambhya parshva, prushthe snigdham, and prusthe mudga varna were used to identify this Jalauka. Results: Among the Hirudidae family leeches studied, Hirudinarin (Poecilobdella) granulosa exhibited the maximum resemblance to the classical description of Kapila Jalauka. This species is currently also the most commonly used medical leech in bloodletting procedures. Conclusion: It was found that Hirudinarin (Poecilobdella) granulosa leech has maximum characteristics of Kapila Jalauka and it is found the closet match.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) form the crux of any healthcare system. They are constantly exposed to high-risk infections and have demanding work conditions, hence being subjected to constant physical and psychological stress. With the recent global situation where millions continued to be affected by the coronavirus, for which no potential cure has been identified, there is an urgent need to strengthen the immune system of HCWs naturally to handle future outbreaks and manage acute crises, avoiding possible “burnout”. Methods: This review gathered literature from PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, Cochrane Library and EMBASE by using keywords based on MeSH terms related to Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) and its comprehensive health & well-being benefits on various populations. Results: Mind-body therapy (MBT) methods like yoga and meditation techniques, are known to have beneficial effects in enhancing immunity and thus preventing various diseases. One of the most cost-effective and self-empowering methods is the Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY). SKY is a rhythmic breathing technique that is scientifically effective in managing depression, anxiety, and stress, improving sleep and overall well-being, reducing free radicals, boosting the immune system, improving lung capacity, enhancing brain wave activity and much more. A recent pilot study evaluated the impact of SKY on the well-being of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggested a positive effect on reducing stress and improving resilience. Conclusion: This review highlights the immense potential of SKYin generating a long-lasting impact to promote health, well-being and prevent diseases in populations. However, to strengthen the evidence, further large scale randomized controlled trials are warranted to establish its effectiveness in the preventionof a burnout among HCW’s in future challenging situations such as the pandemic.

A sebaceous cyst is a subcutaneous lesion that arises due to the obstruction of the pilosebaceous ductal entrance. In the absence of infection, the cyst presents as a soft, cystic, and fluctuant swelling, typically asymptomatic. The most commonly affected areas include the neck, face, and scalp. In Ayurvedic medicine, sebaceous cysts are often correlated with Medoja Granthi or Medoja Arbuda due to their similar characteristics. Ayurvedic texts recommend two primary treatment modalities: Chedhana (excision) and Bhedhana (incision). Conventional treatment approaches for these epidermal inclusion cysts typically involve techniques such as elliptical excision, minimal excision, and punch incision with drainage. This case report describes a 60-year-old female patient who presented to the Shalya Tantra OPD with complaints of a spherical swelling located in the left gluteal region. The lesion had been previously misdiagnosed as Lipoma. The patient was managed with conventional elliptical excision, which resulted in a minimally noticeable scar.