A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW ON TREATMENT MODALITIES FOR RAKTAPRADAR W.S.R. TO DUB

Women are the pioneers and key to sustainable development and quality of life in the family. Hindu culture respects women as Goddess due to this power of creativity of life inside her womb. This energy of procreation starts with menarche and ends with menopause. Ayurveda focusses on preventive and curative measures of female health. Acharya Charak mentioned “Yonishu Shuddhasu Garbham Vindati Yoshitaha” i.e., normal healthy status of Yoni (vagina) is the key factor for achieving the conception. Various gynaecological disorders like Yoni Rogas, Artava Doshas and Raktapradar hampers the achievement of conception. Raktapradar i.e., excessive excretion of men- strual blood, either in quantity or in duration is explained in Ayurvedic Classics. It is the common cause of Iron deficiency anemia & general debility. Ayurvedic intervention mentioned can be recommended as safer, feasible and effective therapy for management of Raktapradar. Keywords: Shudha Yoni, Yoni Roga, Artava Dosha, Raktapradar.

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION OF SHATAVARI (ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS WILLD.) ROOT COLLECTED IN DIFFERENT SEASONS – A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Background: In the current scenario, plant-based traditional medicines are providing a base for treating various diseases. It has been reported that 80% of the population of the world depends upon traditional medicine. It has been also shown that many factors like habitat, climate, temperature, season etc can affect the quality of medicinal plants. The study was conducted to explore such Ayurvedic documented literature with pharmacognostical study. Aim: To study macroscopic and microscopic characters of the drug samples collected in four different seasons according to Ayurveda classics. Materials & Methods: In the present study, four samples of Asparagus race- mosus were collected in four different seasons- Grishma, Pravrut, Sharad and Shishira Ritu (May, June, October, and January) based on Ayurveda classics for comparing the pharmacognostic characters so that they can be dis- tinguished from each other. Results and Discussion: The influence of seasons on four different samples was observed in terms of the sizes of roots, xylem vessels, phloem, raphide bundles of calcium oxalate etc. Conclusion: The seasons on the roots of Shatavari exhibited an effect in macroscopical and microscopical characters. Thus, it can be said that the season for collection of the drug has an important role to validate the factors that influence the potency of the drug. Keywords: Ayurveda, Shatavari, Asparagus racemosus, Dravya Sangraha Kala, Pharmacognostical study

CLINICAL EVALUATION OF AGNIKUMARA RAS IN DUSHTA PRATISHYAYA

In Ayurveda, the disease sinusitis can be co-related with “Dushta Pratishyaya” which arises as a complication of the disease “Pratishyaya”. A detailed description of Pratishyaya has been mentioned in Sushruta Samhita (Su. Ut 24/4). While explaining the complication of Pratishyaya, Dushta Pratishyaya has been mentioned. The features of the disease Dushta Pratishyaya, in general, is similar to that of Chronic Sinusitis in modern science. In modern medicine, management of Sinusitis includes Antibiotics, analgesics, Nasal steroids, Nasal Irrigation, Surgery etc. Even then there is no complete cure for Chronic Sinusitis through modern management. Hence to find out a solution through Ayurveda, Agnikumara Ras has been selected for the present study. Agni kumara Ras has been selected from the text Basavarajeeyam. It consists of five ingredients- Shuddha Vatsanabha, Maricha, Kushta, Mustha and Vacha. Keywords: Dushta Pratishyaya, Agnikumara Ras, Clinical evaluation

A CASE OF CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA - MANAGEMENT THROUGH AYURVEDA

Introduction – Cervical cancer is the 2nd most leading prevalent cancer in India. There are an estimated 123,000 new cases of cervical cancer in India every year with 67,000 deaths in women alone. Cervical cancer in Recent studies shows that screening of cervical cancer reduces the disease incidence and disease mortality by 50%. Low- grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) is a common abnormal result on a Pap smear cervical test. It’s also known as mild dysplasia. Methodology – Here is a case report of a patient aged 26yrs with complaints of white discharge per vagina with severe itching, on routine cervical screening investigations found to have Low grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasms. She was treated with Ayurvedic sthanika chikitsa (Local therapies) such as Yoni prakshalana (Vaginal douching), and Yoni pichu (Vaginal tamponing) for 7 days along with shaman chikitsa. Later PAP smear was repeated after 1 month of follow up and found to have negative for intraepithelial neoplasia. And there was relief in the symptoms following treatment. Results- In this case, there was a relief of symptoms and on follow up when Pap smear was repeated, there was negative for intraepithelial neoplasia. Ayurvedic treatment modalities such as Sthanika chikitsa which includes yoni prakshalana and Yoni Pichu are the line of treatment for various gynecological problems and help in reducing mortality and morbidity caused due to cervical cancer in India. Discussion- Here Low-grade squamous Intraepithelial neoplasia can be considered as the Sanchaya avastha and hence diagnosing the disease in its Sanchaya avastha i.e mild dysplasia, is important. During Sanchaya avastha there is localized neoplastic changes of cervical cells and there is Manifestation of Low-grade Intraepithelial Neo- plasia. In the later stages of Kriyakala (Stages of disease manifestation) the neoplasia turns into metastasis and further differentiation occurs which Manifests all the symptoms of Cervical Cancer. Hence treatment modalities such as Yoni prakshalana and yoni pichu helps in preventing later conditions such as cervical cancer. Keywords: Cervical Cancer, LSIL, Ayurveda, Sanchaya

DIGESTIVE DISORDERS (ANNAVAHA SROTAS VYADHI) IN OLD AGE – ISSUES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Old age is the result of the natural process of ageing and the time to enjoy life. As at this time, we are almost free from all responsibilities. But it can be enjoyed only when one is free from major ailments otherwise it becomes a great burden on ourselves as well as on others too. Due to increased health awareness, the average age of people is increasing day by day and the advancement in medical science provides great help in this regard. Therefore, peo- ple live longer but the natural process of ageing and exposure to unfavourable things causes a lot of derangements and weakening of bodily systems and organs in old age. So, there is a great need for geriatric health care in day- to-day practice so that we can improve the quality of life of old age. Besides a lot of major health problems of old age like Heart Disease, Hypertension, Diabetics, Joint disorders, Dementia, Strokes, etc; some minor ailments are equally important as they are often the cause of many major ailments e.g., Gastric Upsets, Insomnia, Anxiety, etc. Keywords: Digestive Disorders, Old age, Vriddhaavastha, Annavahasrotasvyadhi, Issues, Solutions, Agni

AMA FROM AYURVEDIC AND MODERN PERSPECTIVE

Agni is one of most powerful transformative principles of Ayurveda. Deranged Agni leads to the formation of Ama. Ama is responsible for causing most of the diseases in human beings. The disease produced, clinically mani- fests itself in form of various signs and symptoms. These signs and symptoms are the principal tools for a physi- cian to diagnose the disease and treat it promptly. On the basis of these symptoms, all diseases can be classified in Samavastha and Niramavastha. If an objective Parameter that could measure the severity of Ama is searched, it will prove to be an advantage for the physician, who could then catch the cause (Ama) and save patients from this harmful disease entity. A definite line of treatment of Ama can be planned after considering the symptoms and severity of the condition. Keeping this approach, the review is carried out to understand Ama from Ayurvedic and Modern perspectives. After reviewing it can be concluded that Ama has no direct correlation in modern science but can best be equated to 'toxins'. They may be endotoxins like enzymes, hormones, catalysts, etc. when these are unable to function properly or entirely, different metabolites are formed which are not acquired by the body. On further process these go on accumulating in different systems, affecting the normal mechanism of that respective system or exotoxins produced by some bacteria or micro-organism when they enter into the body. Keyword: Agni, Ama, Toxin

A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF DIET & LIFESTYLE IN PREVALENCE OF HYPOTHYROIDISM IN FEMALES - AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE

Background: In India, 42 million people are suffering from thyroid disorders, out of which hypothyroidism is most common with a prevalence of 5.4%. It is more prevalent among females with the male-female ratio being 1:6. Hypothyroidism is a clinical syndrome resulting from a deficiency of thyroid hormones, which in turn results in a generalized slowing down of metabolic processes. Impaired metabolism can be compared with vitiation of Agni causing Agnimandhya according to Ayurveda. Agnimandhya further hampers the formations of Ahara Rasa and consecutive Dhatus Nirmana, diminishing the metabolism, thereby causing features similar to hypothyroidism. The objective of the Study: To assess the impact of diet & lifestyle on the prevalence of Hypothyroidism in Females. Materials and Methods: It is a cross-sectional survey study. A total of 150 female subjects were selected for the study. With the help of a validated pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire, the interview was conducted on female subjects diagnosed with Hypothyroidism to assess the impact of diet and lifestyle on the prevalence of Hypothy- roidism in and around Mysuru city. Result: In the survey study, the majority of the hypothyroidism diagnosed subjects followed unhealthy daily regimes and the majority percentage of them practised unwholesome diet, food habits and lifestyle. Diet and lifestyle have a direct influence on the occurrence of hypothyroidism. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is a metabolic disorder is mainly caused by Agni Mandhya and Rasa Pradoshaja as a result of faulty diet and lifestyle. One should follow Dincharya, Rutucharya and other Ayurveda principles to protect the Agni and thereby prevent Hypothyroidism. The practice of Ahita Ahara Vidhi and Ahita Vihara in the manifestation of Agnimandhya, followed by the development of features of hypothyroidism was substantiated by the result of the survey. Keywords: Hypothyroidism; Diet; Lifestyle; Agnimandhya; Rasa Pradoshaja Vikara.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECT OF UPADHATU AND ITS CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS W. S. R. TO SNAYU

Updhatus are important physiological units and are derived from Dhatus and resemble Dhatus in terms of structure, function and nature. Dhatus are the seven basic fundamental principles that support the basic structure which hold the bodily elements together and the functioning of the body. Meda dhatu is fourth among seven dhatus. During the process of metabolism and formation of Meda Dhatu, ligaments (snayu) are formed as metabolic byproducts (upadhatu). Snayu is the most important structure of the human body which helps to maintain the weight carrying capacity of the joint and plays a crucial role during the movement of the joint. The Snayu is much similar to the ligament. Any injury to the ligament is known as a sprain. Sprain is most common in sportsmen and hard workers. Common ligamental injuries are to the knee, ankle, wrist, thumb, neck or back ligament with ankle injury being the most commonly occurring injury. So, the complete knowledge of snayu very essential to prevent such injuries and certain disease conditions. Keywords: Updhatu, Meda Dhatu, Snayu

INSIGHTS INTO THE CONCEPT OF TRIVIDHA BODHYA SANGRAHA: A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW

Ayurveda being the Shashwatha Vijnana deals with many concepts which are applicable at all times. As the Pray- ojana of the Science is maintaining the health of healthy and curing the diseases of diseased person; in order to understand the disease, many concepts have been described among which Trividha Bodhya Sangraha is the prime one. This particular concept has been dealt under Rogachatushka of Charaka Samhita while explaining about Asan- khyeyatva of Vyadhi. It includes Vikara Prakruthi, Adhishtana and Samutthana Vishesha. In classical texts there is an elaborative description of many diseases; but as time passes a new variety of pathological presentations are manifesting which are not exactly similar to those mentioned in classics. There might be different Nidanas, different dosha involvement, different Adhisthana in the body and different Lakshanas. In such cases, a proper understanding of the entire condition is necessary to plan management protocol. Prior to that, there is the necessity of complete knowledge about Trividha Bodhya Sangraha i.e. their scope, application and limitations. Therefore, the present work is attempting for the same which will be helpful in understanding the concept and application of the same in practice. Keywords: Trividha Bodhya Sangraha, Vikara Prakruthi, Adhishtana, Samutthana Vishesha, Anukta Vyadhi, Aparisankhya Vyadhi.