A BOOK REVIEW ON SIRASEKKADI VIDHI: A GUIDE TO TRADITIONAL PRACTICES OF KERALA, INDIA

Sirasekkadi Vidhi is a handbook on principles and practice of Panchakarma procedure with Malayalam commentary Bhavaprobodhini by the author and English Annotations by the editor. This book does the basic treatment principles of Ayurveda, its explanation, and scientific analysis. To overcome the lack of proper guidelines (except some basic information) in classical texts about procedures, including Sirasseka, Kayaseka, Pinda Sveda, Annalepana, Shirolepana, Kalavidhi, Snehapana Vidhi are elaborated in this text.

COMPARISON OF HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF NISHA LAUHA (NL) AND NISHA LAUHA WITHOUT LAUHA BHASMA (NLWL) AGAINST CCL4 INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

Introduction: Many herbal drugs are used to treat liver diseases, but the dose of the herbal drug is high, and they have lesser palatability. An ideal medicine is a medicine that is effective, easy palatable and produces quick action in a low dose. It is possible by adding metals like Lauha (Iron) to the herbal drugs. Objective: To compare the hepatoprotective effect of Nisha Lauha (NL) and Nisha Lauha without Lauha Bhasma (NLWL) in experimental rats. Materials and methods: 40 rats were taken divided into five groups, and each group contained eight rats. Among these groups, four groups receive 0.2 ml of injection containing the 0.1 ml CCL4 plus 0.1 ml liquid paraffin given intraperitoneally for 28 days to induce Hepatotoxicity. Both Test groups received NL and NLWL at a dose of 45mg/kg bd. wt. and 450mg/kg bd. wt. respectively for 28 days. The standard group receives silymarin at a 100 mg/kg bd dose. wt. for 28 days by oral route. The hepatoprotective effect was analyzed using biochemical parameters and histopathological study of the liver. Results: Both the Test and standard groups do not show toxic effects against CCL4 induced hepatotoxicity and lower the dose of the herbal drug due to the addition of Lauha. Conclusion: The result suggests that both test group NL and NL without Lauha Bhasma shows the hepatoprotective activity as equivalent to standard drug silymarin. The addition of Lauha Bhasma to herbal drugs decreases the dose without affecting the drug’s efficacy against the hepatoprotective effect.

CLINICAL EFFICACY OF DASHMOOL KWATH NASYA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MANYASTAMBHA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CERVICAL SPONDYLITIS

Background: Nasya is an essential therapeutic procedure as many of the courses of Ayurvedic treatment. It comes under the Panchashodhana karmas. It is necessary in all Urdhwa jathru vikaras. Nasya is effective for inducing immediate results and serves as a permanent cure. Cervical spondylotic change is frequently found in many asymptomatic adults, with 25 the age of 40, 50% of adults over the age of 40 and 85% of adults over the age of 60 showing evidence of disc degeneration. Cervical spondylosis can be compared with Manyastambha based on signs & symptoms. Nasya is the simple techniques and ingredients are readily available & economical. Also, these are indicated in the management of Manyastambha and have no proven adverse effects. This study was intended to assess the efficacy of the Dashmool Kwath Nasya in the management of this disease. Method: Randomly, 30 patients of Manyastambha were selected and paired “t” test was used. Result: Statistically significant improvement was found in this study on post-follow-up. Conclusion: Dashmool Kwath Nasya is having a prolonged action as it is having highly significant results post follow up of treatment as compared to after treatment.

A CRITICAL REVIEW OF VATIKA HRIDROGA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE

Given increasing evidence, most deaths are due to non-communicable diseases; half of them are the cardiovascular disease. Hridaya is moolasthana of pranvavaha and rasavaha strotas. According to Acharya Sushruta, any condition that produces disturbance in the heart is Hridroga. It is classified into five types. Vataja Hridroga is characterized by Ruja in Urah Pradesha (Pain in the chest region). Vatika type seems to have conceived the disease entity correlated with ischemic heart disease. None of the other Cardiac afflictions appears to have been described under Hridroga. The prevalence rate in the younger age group is increasing day by day so, we need to know the detailed knowledge of vatika hridroga

REVIEW ON THE CONCEPT OF SHAT KRIYAKALA

Diagnosis in Ayurveda is not always in terms of the name of the disease but in terms of the nature or phenomenon. This phenomenon is described in terms of Samprapti of the disease in each patient, comprising Dosha, Dushya and Adhishtana components. The prime factors in the pathogenesis of the disease are Dosha and Dushya. Shat kriyakala refers to the stage of development of a pathological process in which a physician can intervene by the most accurate treatment modality and medicine, thereby halting the progression of the disease process. By intricate understanding of the process of Shat kriyakala, the disease process could be arrested, and further complications can be avoided. In the current scenario, the concept of prevention has become broad-based. The natural history of disease is one of the significant elements of epidemiology. The course of a disease takes in individual people from its pathological onset until its eventual resolution. Natural history of disease is possible to correlate pre-pathogenesis with Sanchaya, Prakopa, Prasara and pathogenesis with Sthanasamsraya, Vyakti and Bhedavastha of Shat kriyakala. Recent studies have shown that it is possible to identify certain pre-clinical stages for many diseases like Parkinson’s disease, which can help in the early successful treatment. Shat kriyakala helps to arrest the disease process at the very early stage itself. Along with current technology, the need for research for validating the Shat kriyakala will benefit humankind in the long run.

A CLINICAL STUDY FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF BALA MOOLA CHURNA IN ASRIGDARA

Menstruation is a physiological function that denotes a healthy reproductive system in a woman. A normal menstrual cycle is vital for every woman's physical and psychological well-being. Asrigdara is a condition where there is excessive or prolonged bleeding. Considering the symptoms, it can be related to Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding, a state of abnormal bleeding without any clinically detectable organic, systemic or iatrogenic causes. It is common in multiparous women than in nulliparous women. Bala Moola mentioned in Chakradutta is undertaken for the present study to evaluate its efficacy in Asrigdara. A randomized clinical study consisting of two groups, with 20 patients in each group were selected. Group A was given trial drug Bala Moola Churna with milk and honey in the dose of 6 gms twice daily after food for three consecutive cycles. Group B was given Tranexamic acid one tablet twice after food for three-cycle. Both the drugs were given till the bleeding stopped or a maximum of 15 days. The study showed that both the drugs, Bala Moola Churna and Tranexamic acid, were equally effective in reducing the symptoms of Asrigdara at the end of treatment.

DHATUROOPI SHUKRA AND BEEJAROOPI SHUKRA: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Shukra is studied in Ayurveda both as a dhatu and beeja. As a mammalian human body comprises both somatic and gonadal cells. Somatic cells help for growth and regeneration through mitosis. Meiotic cell division causes equal contribution for the inheritance from maternal and paternal sides. Beejartham (reproduction) is the supreme function attributed to Shukra. Reproduction refers to the formation of new cells for tissue growth, repair/replacement (sukshmavayavantarotpatti), or the production of a new individual (shareerantarotpatti). Regenerative capacity is distributed unequally among species, individuals, and tissues. The affliction of shukrastana by kusthadosha (skin disease) causes a failure in regeneration. The affliction of parents' shukra and artava (gametes) by kusthadosha (skin disease) inherits to the next generation. Vrushan (testis) and medru (penis) are the moola of the shukravahavaha srotus, which is meant to fertilise the ovum (beejarupishukra). Majja (bone marrow) and stana (breasts) are the moola of the shukravaha srotus of the one pervading the entire body (dhaturupishukra).

A REVIEW ON ANALYSIS OF THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURE OF SHIRODHARA AND ITS PROBABLE MODE OF ACTION

Shirodhara is one of the four types of Murdha Taila, which involves a continuous impact of medicated oil due to gravity flow from a dhara pot at the height of 4 angulas through a wick on the forehead of the subject at a controlled temperature for a prolonged duration (approx. 30-45 min.). In today’s era, unhealthy lifestyle, stress, and anxiety lead to many problems like insomnia, headache, facial paralysis, scalp psoriasis, hair fall etc. There is a need for time to find out the safe and effective treatment modalities to combat these challenges from the treasures of Ayurveda. In Ayurveda, many Samhitas have mentioned procedural outcomes, but their mode of action is not mentioned anywhere. So a review study was conducted, and various Samhitas, Nighantus, research papers, scientific journals, and modern books were considered.

CLINICAL EFFICACY OF ARDHAMATRIKA BASTI IN GRIDHRASI

Gridhrasi, one among the Nanatmaja Vikara, specific Nidana and Samprapti is not explained in classics so that the general Vata Vyadi Nidhana Samprapthi can be considered. The Chikitsa of Gridhrasi includes Sneha, Sweda, Bastikarma and Agni karma. Generally, Basti is the best line of treatment for Vata dosa. References from Acharya Charaka also explain Basti as one of the treatment modalities. With the support of Niruhadikara in Chakradhatta, we have the reference of Ardhamatrika Basti, which is one among Kashaya Basti, here he explains the practical utility along with many added benefits of Bala, Varna, Vrushatha and Pumsavanathva which gifted by Atreya Maharshi. Ardhamatrika Basti, one among Madhutailika Basti (having an equal quantity of Madhu and Taila), can be clinically explored where neither Parihara Kala nor Purva karma like Sneha, Sweda are necessary. The study design selected for the study was a comprehensive clinical trial. The sample size for the present study was 30 patients suffering from Gridrasi as per the selection criteria. Patients were randomly selected irrespective of sex and were treated with Ardhmatrika Basti as a yoga Basti for eight days. Among 30 patients taken for study, marked improvement in the symptomatology of the disease is obtained. 26.7% of patients got complete Shamana, 36.7% achieved Prayika shamana, 30% reported Amsika shamana, and 6.6% had Kinchit shamana. In the assessment criteria taken in patients, Ruja BT - 2.68 after follow up reduced to 1.8, Spandana BT - 2.38 after follow up reduced to 1.73, Sakthana Utksepa-nigraha BT - 2.82 after follow up reduced to 1.58, Gourava BT - 2.5 after follow up reduced to 1.7, Arochaka BT - 2.22 after follow up reduced to 1.87. This result shows that the present study of Ardhamatrika Basti has given a marked improvement in treating Gridhrasi.

CADAVERIC STUDY OF KATIKTARUN MARMA WITH DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ITS LOCATION AND AGHAT LAKSHANS

Marma Science is one of the most distinctive concepts of Ayurveda. There are 107 marma sites in the body, and they are the conglomeration of muscles, veins, ligaments, bones, and joints. This peculiarity makes Marmamarma a somewhat vulnerable point, and any injury can lead to disability, dysfunction and demise. The cause of the damage can either be traumatic or iatrogenic; therefore, it becomes a necessity to rule out the exact location of the marma and anatomical structure responsible for the traumatic effects. Katiktarun being a Prishthagata marma, is prone to get injured during significant surgeries of the gluteal region and spine. Its injury can lead to delayed death. The aim of this study revolves around the anatomical entity responsible for delayed death caused by katiktarun injury. By identifying the location and structure involved in the marma, it might be possible to repair the structure and deferment the delayed end. Based on Ayurvedic literature and cadaveric observations, the superior margin of the sciatic notch (suprapiriform foraman) is considered as the position of Katiktarun Marma, whereas the neurovasculature associated with suprapiriform foramen is the causative structure of marma trauma symptoms.