NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Collection: IJTK Vol.08(3) [July 2009]

Use of as a substitute for as per Ayurvedic descriptions

Title: Use of as a substitute for as per Ayurvedic descriptions

Authors: Venkatasubramanian, Padma; Kumar K, Subrahmanya; Venugopal, SN

Abstract: The classical texts of Ayurveda incorporate multiple names for most of the plant drugs described for their medicinal use. As a result, the correct identification of related botanical source, many a times, becomes ambiguous. Extensive background work on nomenclature correlation can be assumed in the scholarly works of several authors of twentieth century including those of the official formularies and pharmacopoeias of Ayurveda of India. However, the works do not describe the research methodology and findings that led to the correlations. There is an urgent need to revisit this issue systematically and to publish the same through books and articles in peer-reviewed journals. Owing to several reasons, including availability of the required plant raw drugs, there are controversies relating to use of more than one botanical entity by the Ayurvedic manufacturing units. () is one such example where at least four different botanical entities have been recorded in use by the industry. Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. is the only accepted candidate for as per official pharmacopoeias. (), a well documented type of as per the classical Ayurveda texts, finds no mention as in these pharmacopoeias. The study, through etymological analysis of Sanskrit synonyms, formulations and verses, indicates that two distinct botanical entities were used as , even during the period of Caraka. Both these entities have been described as having similar properties and actions, thus making them eligible to be used as substitutes of one another. The two botanical entities that merit acceptance as sources of the classical Ayurvedic plant drug are Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. and Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq., though the later is better known as .

Page(s): 310-318

Standardization and simplification of physico-therapeutic procedures in Ayurveda and naturopathy — A preliminary study with Jala Neti

Title: Standardization and simplification of physico-therapeutic procedures in Ayurveda and naturopathy — A preliminary study with Jala Neti

Authors: Rastogi, Sanjeev; Rastogi, Rajiv; Rastogi, Ranjana

Abstract: Ayurveda and naturopathy describes many physico-therapeutic procedures, which are useful as sole therapy, initial therapy or as adjuvant therapy in many clinical conditions. Panchakarma therapy in Ayurveda and various application of water in naturopathy are commonly used procedures at Ayurveda or nature cure settings. These procedures, though found effective on anecdotal and clinical experience grounds, have not been able to gain enough support to be used as primary therapies. The limiting factors identified so far could be listed as the intricacies associated to their use, requirement of close supervision, requirement of indoor treatment, and lack of standardized protocols, which may be useful for the practical purposes. This was hypothesized that a simplified version of these procedures, which may deal precisely with the limiting factors and essentially without cutting into the effectiveness of the therapy, would be able to draw a quick attention of its presumptive beneficiaries. A simplified version for Jala Neti (saline nasal lavage) was conceived and tried in few patients for its comparative ease of operation and benefits. This preliminary study was able to show an improved applicability of alternative method to the conventional method of Jala Neti.

Page(s): 464-470

Study on the effect of Pranakarshan pranayama and Yoga nidra on alpha EEG & GSR

Title: Study on the effect of Pranakarshan pranayama and Yoga nidra on alpha EEG & GSR

Authors: Kumar, Kamakhya; Joshi, Bhanu

Abstract: The study was aimed to find out the effect of yogic practices on student’s physiology. Forty students of 18-25 yrs age groups were selected from MBPG College Haldwani, Nainital, Uttarakhand. A package of Yoga nidra practice and Pranakarshan pranayama was given for 40 days. The effects studied on the alpha EEG and GSR level showed a significant change. On the basis of that it is concluded that practice of yoga helps to improve the immunity of the students.

Page(s): 453-454

Standardization of a polyherbal Siddha formulation, Amukkara Choornam

Title: Standardization of a polyherbal Siddha formulation, Amukkara Choornam

Authors: Patra, Kartik Ch; Kumar, K Jayaram; Suresh, P

Abstract: Most of the traditional systems of medicine are effective but they lack of standardization. So, there is a need to develop a standardization technique. Central Council of research in Ayurveda and Siddha has given preliminary guidelines for standardizing these conventional formulations. For the uniformity of batches in production of herbal formulations it is necessary to develop methods for evaluation. In the paper, attempt has been made to evaluate Amukkara choornam, a Siddha formulation. Four samples were procured from different manufacturers and were subjected to physiochemical screening, High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) finger printing, microscopic characterization was compared using authentic ingredients as reference. It was observed that all commercial samples matched exactly with that of authentic standards after performing the standardization.

Page(s): 449-452