Latest News

  Demand for the natural products has increased substantially because of Covid-19: Girish Soman, Nisarga Herb

Millets boost growth of adolescent children: Study.
Three-month-long study conducted in villages located around Bengaluru
Physical growth (height and weight) of adolescent children will be 50% more if they are given millet-based meals when

compared to the growth recorded in children fed with fortified rice, according to a study conducted by International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, and Akshaya Patra Foundation, Bengaluru.
The three-month-long study was conducted in villages located around Bengaluru, whose findings were released by Prof Ramesh Chand, member of NITI Aayog, and Dr Ashok Dalwai, Chair of Empowered Body, Doubling Farmers’ Income, government of India, in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The sample for the study includes 1,500 adolescents from two schools. They were served pearl millet (bajra), ragi (finger millet) or little millet (kutki), in the form of idli, khichdi, upma and bisibele bath. The study is titled ‘Acceptance and impact of millet based mid-day meal on nutritional status of adolescent school-going children in a peri-urban region of Karnataka State in India’.
Out of the 1,500 children, 136 were studied as the intervention group. Their growth was mapped before the study and three months after giving the millet meals. It was compared with growth of 107 children, from two other schools, who were served fortified rice. As per the results, the children who were consuming millet-based meals showed an average increase in height of 1.5% and average increase in weight of 5 % from the time of baseline (height and weight before study) measurement.
While on the other hand, rice-consuming control group showed an average increase in height of 1% and average increase in weight of 3% from baseline. When the percentage of growth of the two groups is considered, millet eating group recorded 50% higher growth relative to growth observed in rice eating group.
A nutritionist at ICRISAT, S Anitha said that the type of millet, its variety, how it is cooked and the foods it is combined with are some of the key elements that can make a difference in nutrition.
The study’s authors have called for policies that follow the lessons learnt on how to include millets into meals and to create a level playing field for the pricing and availability of millets.

The type of millet, its variety, how it is cooked and the foods it is combined with are some of the key elements that can make a difference in nutrition.

Shri Shripad Naik, Hon'ble MoS (IC) for AYUSH  inaugurated the newly acquired office annexe of the M/o AYUSH at East Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi today. (20-12-2019)

He released the Guidelines and Process Manual for promotion of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Producer Company (MAPPC) and launched the campaign on 20 species of Medicinal Plants for Home Remedies on this occasion. The Table Calendar 2020 of AIIA was also released.

Secretary (AYUSH) and senior officers and staff of the Ministry and AIIA were present.

Credit.

Ministry of AYUSH.

12 Types Of Pain That Are Directly Linked To Emotional States

  Let’s take a look at what pain in a particular area of your body indicates:

  Head
 Headaches can be caused by stress life. If someone has chronic headaches she/he   needs  to grab some time for  themselves on daily basis. Relaxing may help you to relieve   your body from the head pain.
  Neck
 Neck pain implies the need to forgive. It may be to forgive yourself or to forgive some other  person. It is very important to focus on things that you love about yourself or what others love in you.

Shoulders
Pain in the shoulders is sign that person carries a heavy emotional burden. Shoulders carry everything. To solve this problem share the load with friends or family.

Upper Back
Upper back pain manifests lack of emotional support. Probably the person is holding back feelings or doesn’t feel appreciated. Just talk about your feelings with your partner or close friend.

Lower Back
Pain in the lower back shows that person has financial worries. Sit down and focus on managing money.

Elbows
Elbow and arm pain signifies a lack of flexibility. Try not to resist the natural changes in your life.

Hands
Pain in the hands may be caused by a lack of friends. Try to meet new people.

Hips
Fear of change, moving or waiting on a big decision can cause the hip pain. Make the changes step by step.

Knees
Pain in the knee is a sign of high self-esteem. Maybe you should try to do some volunteering work and remember no one is perfect.

 Calves
 Calf pain is caused by stress, emotional tension or jealousy. Maybe it is time to let go the   jealousy or any big stressor in your life.
  Ankles
 Pain in the ankle means that you need more pleasure in your life. Try to enjoy the little t   hings and every moment in your life.

  Feet
  pain occurs if you fight with depression. Depression is a specific disease, but for a  start     Try to find a new hobby or just adopt a pet.

  Friends this concept is scientifically proven so before adopting medicine or concern for the  doctor, give some time and observe your thought ...it heals you automatically

Hyderabad: The government will set up Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) hospitals in all the districts of the country over the next three-four years, Union Minister Shripad Yesso Naik said on Sunday.
Over 100 such 50-bed AYUSH hospitals have been completed and proposals are coming from state governments and in the next three-four years AYUSH hospitals will come up in all the districts, he said.
"We have brought out a scheme wherein AYUSH hospitals be it Ayurveda...Unani will be set up in every district as per requirement," the Minister of State for AYUSH told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.
Earlier speaking after inaugurating the National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, which was upgraded from Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine here, Naik said it was heartening to note the institute has earned worldwide fame for the successful treatment of Vitiligo and other chronic and stubborn diseases. Govt to Create Digital Registry for Ayurveda Practitioners Researching Cow Urine, Says AYUSH Ministry
The AYUSH Ministry is going to create an IT based registry on which all ayurveda practitioners researching cow urine can register themselves and upload evidences of their research which will be validated by the ministry.
New Delhi: The government will create a digital platform on which ayurveda practitioners researching medicinal values of cow urine can register and upload their findings, an AYUSH Ministry official said on Tuesday.
'Panchgavya', a mixture of five ingredients, including a cow's urine, milk and dung, has not shown any definitive results in cancer cure as of now, AYUSH Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said.

      DECEMBER 20 2019

2019 ayurveda latest news

NOVEMBER 2016

NEWS ON OCTOBER 2016

SEPTEMBER 2014 AYURVCEDA NEWS

JULY 2014 AYURVEDA NEWS

AYURVEDA NEWS IN THE MONTH OF MAY

 NEWS ON  MARCH 2014

3rd March 2014

Ayurveda makes transatlantic entry into Las Vegas

The recently held, ‘Second International Conference on Surgery and Anesthesia’ in Las Vegas had a unique and unlikely contributor Dr Ramesh Bhat presented a paper on a case study employing a 5000-years old Ayurvedic surgical technique called ‘Ksharasutra’ to treat anorectal disorders. It was the only presentation on Ayurvedic surgery among 48 renowned and experienced super-specialty surgeons who responded positively and are expecting many more such publications from Ayurveda surgeons.

Ksharasutra is being practiced in India with a high success rate to treat anal fistula. The incidence of recurrence is just 3.33 percent. It can very well be practiced even in other countries also. Dr. Bhat has, in 10 years, successfully treated approximately 2,500 patients.

BHU proposes informative leaflets with ayurvedic medicines

The faculty of ayurveda, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has proposed to introduce Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflets packed along with the packets of ayurvedic medicines to provide instructions and consumer guidelines on the line of other modern medicines. The CMI leaflet is a reference document which is given along with the medicines that consumers can take home and read to know necessary facts regarding the medicine.

25 Feb 2014,19:39

Results of the preliminary P G Ayurveda examination of Kerala University held in August 2013 have been published.

TOI 24 Feb 2014,17:32

Kerala has become fully covered by the Ayurveda system of treatment, with all panchayats in the state having Ayurveda dispensaries.

 TOI 21 Feb 2014,16:17

The Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU is going to hold an all India Ayurveda meet -Ayushpragya-2014 from February 28 to March 2.

Functional Enhancement of the Female Reproductive System Restoring Fertility through Ayurveda

 The health department has hiked the treatment charges in all the Ayurveda medical colleges of the state almost by double. Though the recommendations of this were lying pending since 2011, the government was yet to implement it.

 Vice-chancellor of Nashik-based Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) , Arun Jamkar said that centres dedicated to boost research in Ayurveda would be set up at Nashik and Nagpur. "A provision of Rs 2 crore has been made to carry out seminal research work in ayurveda. The emphasis will be on evidenced-based approach," Jamkar said.

Kerala Set to Become First Complete Ayurveda Accessible State: CM

by Anubha Sinha on  February 22, 2014 at 12:27 AM

With an eye on making affordable Ayurveda treatment accessible to more people in Kerala, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Thursday that the state will become the first complete Ayurveda accessible state in the next two weeks.

He made the announcement after inaugurating the second edition of Global Ayurveda Festival. The Cabinet has given a green signal to start 25 new Ayurveda clinics in government hospitals, he said at the function. 

He said, "Ayurveda will need a 'Kerala model' of development to reach greater heights." He added that the state would encourage more Ayurveda treatment centres, practitioners and production of medicinal plants.

Chief guest of the function Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag said that Ayurveda was also gaining popularity in his country.

State Health Minister V S Sivakumar said by 2020 Ayurveda would reach a new pinnacle by entering into genomics and nanotechnology. He said the government would support such efforts. He also inaugurated the Ayurveda Expo.

Mauritius Education Minister B K Benware said the government would introduce yoga in its curriculum soon.

Indian American Fulbright scholar to research ayurveda

Kolkata-born Indian American physician Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya, who practices holistic medicine in New York, has created history by being selected the first US scholar by the Fulbright Program to exclusively research medical ayurveda throughout India and teach at BanarasHinduUniversity in Varanasi as a Fulbright Scholar.

While there have been several Fulbright Fellows who have learned about ayurveda during their fellowships in India over the year, Bhattacharya is the first scholar and perhaps only physician selected to study and teach ayurveda as a Fulbright grantee.

Bhattacharya told  “There have been several people who have learned about ayurveda during their Fulbright years, and they have all been affiliated with either the Fulbright student grant -- called Fulbright Fellows -- or a foreign grant or they have studied ayurveda coincidentally.”

“And, it is great that they have contributed to the field, and they include Lokendra Singh, Celina de Leon, Sarah Anagnostou, Ram Karan Sharma, Mary M Cameron, Jonathan H Edwards, Wanda Dodson, and Shiva Ayyadurai.”

But she pointed out, “This is the first time a Fulbright Scholar has been selected not just to explore but to specifically research and teach ayurveda at the level of a professional.”

Bhattacharya also expressed elation over being “also the first MD to be selected to research in ayurveda,” and gushed, “This is so exciting because it has the potential to bring the ancient knowledge of ayurveda to a viable interface with modern medicine and biomedical science in a way that the skeptics can actually acknowledge it.”

“In modern terms, I am working on a technology transfer between the energy-based language of Sanskrit and the precision-based language of medicine,” she said.

Bhattacharya said she was thrilled that she had been invited to teach at BanarasUniversity and spend considerable time in Kashi, now known as Varanasi, “and home of the actual father of surgery, Sushruta. Kashi is a city full of contrasts, staunch intellectuals afraid of their emotions, and rigid priests filled with their ritualistic observances. In between are havens of understanding the Spirit.”

Bhattacharya said, “I will also be traveling throughout the country interviewing experts and elders, mostly in quiet locations. I hope to attend several conferences and find more resources for overcoming the obstacles to conveying authentic ayurvedic science to the naysayers, both westernised Indians in India and in the Western hemisphere.”

She said, “One of my stated objectives in the research section of my proposal is to publish collaboratively about immunity and Ojas with ayurvedic scholars who have less fluent medical language and English skills. I feel very committed to helping elders communicate and share their knowledge in a respectful way, not exploiting them, and not exploiting the truth.”

Bhattacharya received her Baccalaureate from the University of Pennsylvania and studied in the PhD program of Pharmacology/Neuroscience and received a masters in pharmacology from ColumbiaUniversity after which she attended HarvardUniversity’s School of Public Health and the KennedySchool and received a masters in public health.

She was the first Indian woman to speak at the Commencement ceremonies at HarvardUniversity. 

From Harvard, Bhattacharya pursued her medical degree at RushMedicalCollege in Chicago and after completion of her MD, returned to ColumbiaUniversityCollege of Physicians & Surgeons for residency in family medicine to get a license to practice medicine.

She then completed a residency in preventive medicine to train in clinical research and was immediately hired into a publishing company for peer-reviewed journals in alternative medicine. After a year, “I joined a hospital for clinical experience, academic involvement and heavy student-loan repayment obligations.”

During this time Bhattacharya completed trainings in holistic medicines, including nutrition, homeopathy, and began her studies in ayurveda.

Bhattacharya has been featured in a documentary called Healers: Journey into Ayurveda, worldwide on The Discovery Channel since July 2003. Alongside her private holistic and ayurvedic medical practice in New York City, she said, “I am dedicated to teaching allopaths and scientists about authentic ayurveda through the DINacharya Foundation in Kolkata.”

Besides her medical degree in allopathy, her master of science degree in pharmacology and masters in public health, she is a holistic health coach, a certified ayurvedic practitioner, an ayurvedic wellness and health counselor, a diplomate of the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and a Fellow of the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

Asked how someone like her, educated and trained in western medicine at some of the most prestigious American colleges and universities, came to be so immersed in ayurveda and so passionate about it, Bhattacharya recalled that “soon after my finishing residency, I was contacted by Dr Ellen Tattelman, one of the faculty who supervised me during medical school and Dr Tattelman proposed that I get involved with a documentary film that was being made on ayurveda.”

“Being Indian, it was naturally assumed that I would be familiar with the ancient medicine of my native country. And, embarrassed to admit that I had learned nothing about ayurveda in medical school, public health school, or my PhD studies in pharmacology, I figured I could read a book and be able to help the filmmakers sufficiently.”

Bhattacharya said, “I found Robert Svoboda’s Ayurveda: Life, Health and Longevity and Deepak Chopra’s Perfect Health and interviewed successfully with the filmmakers.”

“For six weeks, I traveled through Kerala, documenting the before-after of cases of patients who were suffering from a variety of maladies -- nerve impingement, back pain, diabetes, cerebellar disease, cerebral palsy, stroke paralysis, arthritis. After 15 years of schooling, I had never seen the kinds of clinical results that I witnessed in those six weeks.”

Bhattacharya said, “This convinced me that I had to abandon the blind, dogmatic acceptance of a system of medicine that used artificially-controlled clinical trials and convincing doctors to have fear of believing in the placebo effect. The placebo effect is simply the body’s own ability to heal. The greatest evidence in the system of modern medicine is that it creates side effects and huge number of deaths from the complications of its medicines, apparently and obviously witnessed by millions of patients annually.”

“Specialists spent more time on individual organs and not on the whole individual. I began to study ayurveda as a system of medicine that unravels disease by looking at the whole body and how diseases simultaneously affect different parts of the body.”

Bhattacharya said, “Over the past ten years, I formally studied with ayurvedic physicians, known as vaidyas, here in the US, and since there are no university-based programs for ayurveda, I discovered a small network of schools that are privately maintained. I studied with the BAMS vaidyas teaching in these schools and continued to visit India to learn.”

“In 2007, I started the DINacharya Institute in New York, specialising in providing ayurvedic education to health professionals.”

Earlier, Bhattacharya was Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at Weill-CornellMedicalCollege, and as Director of Research at WyckoffHeightsMedicalCenter and the Director of the Department of Complementary & Alternative Medicines there.

She is the second of four daughters of Dr Bhairab and Manju Bhattacharya, ancestrally from Jessore, Bangladesh, who settled in Calcutta, then in Princeton, NJ in 1981, after years of living in India, Germany and England.

Bhattacharya said, “I have been back and forth between the US and Calcutta since childhood, and I have vivid memories of travelling a lot as a child. We lived between a house in Santoshpur, south Calcutta and Omaha, Nebraska. Later we went between Calcutta and Princeton, New Jersey, where my mother and one sister still live.”

“One of the greatest experiences of being ‘other’ was living as the only brown family in Ralston, Nebraska during junior high school. It etched in me a deep echo of being on the fringe, and seeing the frontier of the mainstream. Another was being so young. I started college at 15.”

An excerpt from Bhattacharya’s Fulbright application:

To promote better understanding of the clinical and biomedical aspects of ayurveda, I propose to use the Fulbright Scholar opportunity to unearth existing knowledge locked in academic silos in both the US and in India. Knowledge needed to dispel myths about ayurveda is currently scattered across several disciplines, including biochemistry, botany, neuroscience, nutrition, nanotechnology, agriculture, and gastroenterology.

Exploring the concept of Ojas, which roughly correlates with the current concept of immunity, I hope to relay its logic in modern scientific terms. Through interviews with scholarly elders, engaging educational discussions with young articulate physicians of ayurveda, and new clinical research protocols, I hope to create better understanding, publications, educational curricula, and open new avenues and resources for interdisciplinary collaboration between US-based researchers and India-based ayurveda scholars.

Traditional medicine looks at results, while modern medicine advances by understanding the mechanism of action, cause and effect

Traditional medicine and modern medicine differ in many ways. Traditional medicine (or TM) is largely empirical while modern medicine (MM) is largely reductionist in approach. TM is old, dating back to millennia while MM is at best 300 years in the making. TM looks at results, not how the treatment works while MM advances by understanding the mechanism of action, and cause and effect. TM has been used directly on people while MM proceeds by testing first on cells and organs of animals and then on humans. TM uses material from local flora and fauna; MM isolates molecules, synthesises them in the lab and makes them available. TM invariably uses formulations, extracts and combinations, MM works by and large with single molecules and compounds. TM has a lot of home remedies while MM insists on prescription drugs. TM comes with a cultural baggage while MM does not. TM is cheap and easy on the purse while MM can be expensive. And TM is far more prevalent in rural areas for a variety of reasons. MM is more easily available in urban areas. Many modern hospitals and specialists consider TM as inexact, unproven and even useless. This has relegated TM to the back burners, to be used only as a backup or add-on.

Can the twain meet? Can we understand how TM works using the knowledge we have gained using the tools of modern chemistry, molecular and cell biology, genetics and pharmacology? This has been the goal of Professor M.S. Valiathan of Manipal University. Both an eminent cardiac surgeon, and scholar in the history of medicine, he has initiated a programme to understand and rationalise some ayurvedic medications using the tools of modern biology. In this he has partnered with Professor Subhash Lakhotia of Banaras Hindu university, who is an eminent molecular geneticist and cell biologist, to study the mechanisms of action of two well-known ayurvedic formulations – Amalaki Rasayana (or AR) and Rasa Sindoor (or RS).

Chromatography
To do so, they collaborated with the famous Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala and had the formulations made as per recorded practices, determined the components using modern methods of chromatography, ensured no lot-to-lot variations, and thus made certain of the quality, purity and identity of the test material.

Next, they decided to work not directly on human subjects, but animal models. Here, Prof Lakhotia brought his knowledge and experience on working with the fruit-fly (Drosphila) as the experimental animal. Fruit-flies have short lives (a month or so), come in huge varieties with genetic differences, can be genetically modified at their larval stage so that one can determine the effect of the loss of, or addition of, genes on their physiology and pathology. And we know a great lot about its anatomy, physiology and cell biology. Thus, we can create disease models of the fly with ease, using such genetic and physiological manipulations. Plus, they can be studied in large numbers at a time so that results are statistically significant. Drosophila is thus an excellent model to study the effect of TM (AR and RS).

Fruit-fly study
In the first set of experiments, the team fed the flies known portions (0 to 2 per cent) in the food as supplement of AR or RS and studied how the formulation affects their life span, ability to withstand stress (upon changing the surrounding temperature) and tolerance to starvation, They found that the two formulations affect the biology of the flies significantly, but with some differences in specific situations. AR increases the life span if given as 0.5 per cent supplement. Higher doses do not, and are indeed harmful. RS had no effect on longevity, but was again harmful at high concentrations. Both AR and RS increase the fecundity, but with some difference. Interestingly RS, which contains mercury (a known poison) as a component, was not harmful or poisonous. It turns out that the ayurvedic procedure of preparing RS generates nanoparticles of HgS (25-35 nm) and at such sizes mercury is not harmful! (Those interested may read the entire paper by accessing <PLOS ONE 7(5): e37113. doi.10.1371/journal. pone.0037113>)

A step further
Prof Lakhotia went one step further, and attempted to see how AR and RS affect flies genetically modified to display neuro-degeneration, and thus modelling Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disorders. His team found that supplementation with AR or RS in the diet of the flies prevented the formation and accumulation of “inclusion bodies” and of amyloid plaques (associated with Alzheimer’s disease). These are insoluble particles that hinder the conduction of electrical signals in the nervous system. Supplementation was also seen to suppress cell death (apoptosis). AR and RS were seen to increase the levels of certain proteins known as hnRNPs, known to lead to more robust levels of gene expression. The Lakhotia group concludes in their latest paper (Current Science 105 (12), 1711, December 25, 2013) that AR and RS provide holistic relief from the increasingly common neurodegenerative disorders.

Ayurveda School in Grass Valley offering Yoga Nidra Training Course at California and Bahamas

February 2013

Yoga Nidra or Yogic sleep is an ancient art of healing that combined with the science of Ayurveda improves the potential for physical, mental and spiritual health. During the training program students will be taught Yoga nidra sessions. The program is offered by March 13-16, 2013 at the Sivananda Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island in the Bahamas and Sept. 25-29, 2013 in Sivananda Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California.

During the program, participants will learn techniques which will allow them to reach new states of conscious awareness with acute perception of both their physical and subtle body. During practicing these techniques, the students will feel the flow of prana move through physical, emotional, and energetic blockages. The end result is the healing of the body and mind and the expansion of consciousness. Students will learn both experiences during the program one is learning yoga nidra, and second to teach it to others. Upon completion, students will be prepared to offer this service to their community.

The program is offered by Dr. Marc Halpern, director of the California college of Ayurveda D.C., C.A.S., P.K.S., Sivananda yoga teacher, is one of the most respected teachers of Ayurvedic Medicine in the United States. Founder and President of the California College of Ayurveda and co-founder of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and the California Association of Ayurvedic medicine, Dr. Halpern has been instrumental in bringing Ayurvedic medicine to the West. He is the author of two textbooks, and the recent book, Healing Your Life: Lessons on the Path of Ayurveda, an advisor to Ayurvedic journals in India and the United States and a recipient of the Best Ayurvedic Physician award. Established in 1995, the California College of Ayurveda is the longest running, State-approved collegei offering professional training programs for the study of Ayurvedic Medicine in the West. CCA offers a comprehensive curriculum, with three levels of programs leading to certification as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist

Modi Shows His Devotion to With Ayurveda At SRCC

New Delhi

During his addressing at Sri Ram College of Commerce, SRCC in the capital, Modi touched all the issues, which were related to his good governance to Gujarat and future of the country relating to youth. However he also discussed about the future of Ayurveda in brief during his speech.

According to sources, Modi compared the flourishment of Ayurveda in India and China in many aspects. He said that China exports most of the herbal medicines but India is unable to do so only due to lack of expertise and development.
He also explained that India has the ancient history of Ayurveda but still due to lack of research and ignorance of packaging and branding our people are far behind. He said that the improved way of presenting medicines, researching scientifically and educating people can only enhance the Ayurveda in the country.

For the First Time Organic India Brings Single Ingredient Products to US Retailers – The 'Moringa'

February 2013

ORGANIC INDIA, leading manufacturers of herb-based wellness teas and functional supplements, announced today the availability of organic single ingredient Moringa—in both powder and capsule formulations—to the U.S. natural marketplace.

Considered one of the most complete, nutrient rich plants on earth, Moringa leaves are abundant in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, B1, B3, B12, iron, magnesium, potassium, amino acids, and polyphenols. Used for thousands of years as a super food nutritional supplement and containing more than 90 nutrients and 46 antioxidants, the tiny leaves of this plant can help restore internal imbalances through daily use.

"We are thrilled to introduce the first organic single ingredient Moringa product to US retailers," said Heather Henning, National Sales Manager, ORGANIC INDIA. "This ancient, therapeutic plant has been used for thousands of years and has seen increasing popularity amongst mainstream consumers worldwide. Millions of people globally use Moringa for essential nutrition—now, the US distribution channel will have access to this extraordinary plant with USDA organic certification."

India has a pluralistic health care delivery system to provide integrated and holistic health care services in the country – Azad

India has a pluralistic health care delivery system where the Government provides opportunities to every recognized medical system to develop and practice with a view to provide integrated and holistic healthcare services. It is open to patronizing best practices and proven standards for the benefit of the people. There is a peaceful co-existence of Allopathy with Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Unani and Homoeopathy in our country. Shri GhulamNabi Azad, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare said this in New Delhi today. Addressing the Inaugural Programme of the International Conference on Traditional Medicine for South East Asian Countries, Shri Azad said all these medical systems are being utilized in the national health care delivery system, each to its potential and availability in different parts of the country.The aim is to provide accessible, affordable, safe and quality healthcare to the people. There is a separate Department of AYUSH of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy in the Health Ministry to look after traditional medicine. Traditional medicine services have been incorporated in the public health delivery system since 1960s when AYUSH facilities were set up under one roof in the Central Government Health Scheme dispensaries for the benefit of central government employees.The process of mainstreaming has beenfurther augmented under the National Rural Health Mission, with co-location of traditional medicine and homeopathy facilities in the primary health network and capacity building of AYUSH practitioners in the national programmes of Reproductive & Child Health, Safe Child Birth, School Health, Anemia control and Malaria eradication.

In order to strengthen the AYUSH systems and their revalidation, various initiatives have been taken by the Health Ministry. These include infrastructure development by establishing five Research Councils dedicated for research in each of the AYUSH systems; establishment of Pharmacopoiea Commission of Indian Medicine for developing standards of Ayurveda, Siddha andUnani drugs; promoting collaboration among various research councils under different ministries as well universities and organizations. The interdisciplinary research involving scientists of basic sciences, chemists, pharmacologists, biologists as well as engineers has also been encouraged in core areas of research in AYUSH systems. These include Fundamental Research comprising of interpretation and revalidation of basic principles of AYUSH systems;Literature Research covering revival, preservation, translation, critical analysis, systematization and publication of manuscripts; Drug Research including Medical, Ethnic and Botanical Surveys, Cultivation of Medicinal Plants, Standardization and quality control, Preclinical safety, toxicity and biological activity screening and Clinical Research encompassing observation studies and phased clinical trials. Modern advanced technologies like Genomics are also being used to study the fundamental concepts ofPrakriti; i.e. Body constitution described in Ayurveda. AYUSH drugs are being studied with advanced techniques for their activity on immune systems in disease like HIV-AIDS, for anticancer activity and Anti-diabetic activity. In order to make research findings in AYUSH systems and allied faculties accessible through the web, the Department of AYUSH has developed an ‘AYUSH research portal’ which can be accessed by everyone.

Shri Azad said the South-East Asian (SEA) countries have a rich heritage of several systems of Traditional Medicine. They have vast resources of medicinal plants and huge repositories of knowledge. Different systems of traditional medicine have been used in the South-East Asia Region (SEAR) countries for centuries. Due to this long history, the role of Traditional Medicine and its practitioners have been recognized by the governments in this region.WHO Regional Office has also been assisting South East Asia Region countries to promote the use of Traditional Medicine so that this valuable resource is utilized safely and effectively. Harmonized approaches based on best acceptable models existing in the region or other parts of the world could be instrumental in steering unified development of traditional medical education, practice, regulation and progress toward mutual recognition of systems, qualifications, pharmacopoeias and other related aspects. The time has come to take up a common regional agenda for traditional medicine. He hoped the discussions and outcomes of the conference would be a vision for action and strategic implementation in the South East Asia Region countries in traditional medicines.

Addressing the inaugural programme, Dr. SamleePlianbangchang, Regional Director General of WHOoutlined the steps to be taken for promoting the team in SEARO countries.

Dr. Margaret Chan, Director General of WHO, in her recorded message, highlighted the challenges of integrating the Traditional Medicine in Health Care. Earlier ShriAnil Kumar, Secretary, Department of AYUSH narrated the huge infrastructure of AYUSH developed by Govt. of India in the country and initiatives taken by the Department in quality of AYUSH drugs and practices. He appreciated the strengths of TM in the prevention and control of Non Communicable Diseases and recommended for strengthening these systems by solid research.

The Demand of Cow Urine on Rise

MANGALORE

The Demand for 'Gomutra Arka', a medicine distilled out of cow urine, is on the rise in Manglore, India. This special ark is manufactured on the outskirts of the city and around 10 litres is supplied daily. Even educated people are using this Ayurvedic preparation regularly to prevent diseases.

Govanithashraya Trust manufactures prepare this geometries Arka at the goshala (cow shelter) in Beejaguri at Pajeer, 26 km from the city. Santhosh Kumar, the Goshala incharge, told TOI that they have plans to expand the manufacturing unit as the demand for gomutra arka is increasing rapidly.

More than 300 breeds of cows are present in the goshala. If consumed regularly as per the prescribed dosage gomutra arka is effective in treating 109 types of diseases. It increases immunity, life span and purifies the blood, lowers the cholesterol and checks obesity. It is also effective in skin ailments, acidity, renal disorders and other diseases. Cow urine collected from local breeds like malenadu gidda, hallikaru and kankrej are used to make arka. "An average of 10 litres of Arka is sold at our outlet in the city. There are other manufacturers, who also market Arka in the city,"Santosh Kumar said.

Santhosh underwent training in making organic products from panchgavyas

5 Ayurvedic Hospitals and 30 Dispensaries Coming Up In Kashmir

February 14, 2013

Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan today said that the government is making enough efforts to promote the Indian system of Medicine in the state and with this objective in mind five Indian System Medicine hospitals, 30 dispensaries involving Rs. 101 crore are being established across the state.

The Minister announced this at an officers meeting of ISM Department, held to review the physical and financial status of ongoing projects taken up under the flagship health scheme NRHM and State plan for up-gradation of ISM related infrastructure in the State here today. The Health Minister asked the department to encourage the people to avail this line of treatment, as the government has already setup ISM health centers at all State and District level hospitals, besides Primary Health Centers, where free medicines as well as other related facilities have been available free of cost for needy patients. Director ISM, Dr. Abdul Kabir, Mission Director, NRHM, Dr. Yashpaul Sharma and other senior officers of concerned Departments attended the meeting. The Health Minister also emphasized upon the concerned authorities to ensure proper treatment facilities at these hospitals adding that it should be strictly ensured that patients will get free medicines and other health care facilities which will be available by the government.

The Minister directed for time bound completion of hospital buildings and asked the Director ISM to sort out the issues with the concerned departments so that the work do not hamper.He said that about 40 lakh people have been treated in ISM health centers and hospitals during last 10 months of. He said 2 AYUSH unit have been set up at 396 PHCs providing the choices of treatment under one roof, besides treatment facilities like panchkarma, kasharsutra and regimental therapies have been made available for the patients in 2 Community Health Centers in Kupwara and Sarwal, Jammu . He said to provide Sowa Rigpa treatment facility to the people of ladakh, 20 AMCHI practitioners have been engaged under NRHM there.

Giving financial status of some major under construction projects, Dr. Kabir informed that construction work on government Medical College (AYd), Akhnoor, Unani College Nawabagh, Ganderbal, 50 bedded integrated AYUSH hospital Harwan, Srinagar, 50 bedded Ayurveda hospital Jammu, besides the construction work on 30 ISM Dispensaries at the cumulative cost of Rs 101.36 crore are apace against which Rs.34.70 crore have been released under NRHM and State plan. He also informed that out of the released funds Rs. 33.33 crore have been expended on these projects till December last.

The Kerala cabinet approved a proposal for starting 25 new Ayurveda dispensaries

FEB 2013

The Kerala Cabinet recently approved the annual Plan for the coming year, pegged at Rs.17, 000 crore. The Plan lays emphasis on higher education, healthcare, and social welfare. Creative initiatives are proposed to achieve self-sufficiency in milk and vegetable production. Along with this the government will start 25 new ayurvedic dispensaries to promote ayurved to its extent. Kerela is a hub of ayurvedic therapies.

More than 60 percent people in Kerela are incorporating only ayurvedic drugs. The opening of these new dispensaries will help the people in rural areas to get ayurvedic medicine free of cost. The scheme is expected to complete at the end of this year.

Scientific Evidence of Ayurveda Must Be Documented to Compete With Modern Medicines: MVS Valiathan

FEB 2013

Famous Indian cardiac surgeon Marthanda Varma Sankaran Valiathan told that the scientific evidence of the Ayurvedic treatment is a must to compete with modern medicines and acceptance of Ayurveda. As ayurvedic treatment is getting popular day by day because of its healing powers across the globe, scientific documented proofs are a must for it to sustain and compete with modern medicines. In many cases, ayurvedic treatment has shown marvellous results in deadly diseases like cancers and other ailments with least side effects. But the lack of scientific evidence with documented data is blocking it to get the position it deserves. To uncover the hidden secrets of ayurvedic treatment and its healing powers, doctors and researchers must work together and document all scientific evidences.

Many scientists in America and Europe have already shown keen interest to work in collaboration with doctors practising Ayurveda but their Indian counterparts have not shown any interest.

With cancer turning into a major killer, there is a strong need for research on the age-old medicine and find cures which would save thousands of people from severe radiation, he said.
In an interview Prof. Valiathan, had said Ayurveda is not only the mother of medicine but also of all life sciences in India. In spite of it, the science has been completely divorced from Ayurveda. But these are the interdisciplinary areas where advances will take place.

"We require Ayurveda professionals to give up age-old norms and accept the treatment that is scientifically documented, researched and accepted. Only then will it become a model treatment," he said. Professor MVS Valiathan is an Indian cardiac surgeon. He grew his interest in Ayurveda as its healing powers had no side effects. He has been awarded Padma Vibhushan in the year 2005 for his exemplary contributions in the field of Medicine. He is a former president of the Indian National Science Academy and contributed to the development of medical technology in India. Currently he is a National Research Professor for the Government of India who is pioneering scientific studies in "Ayurveda" and has authored several books on the subject.

A Key to Control Hypertension – Low Salt intake and Potassium-Rich Diet

The World Health Organisation's (WHO) has first ever recommended how to combat the global threat of hypertension (BP), that causes more than 7 million deaths every year globally. The new recommendations say adults should consume less than 2,000mg of sodium, or 5gm of salt, and at least 3,510mg of potassium per day.

The latest recommendations are very important for Indians who on average consume 9gm of salt per day. WHO says a person with either elevated sodium level and low potassium levels could be at risk of high BP which further increases the risk of heart diseases and stroke. At present, nearly 139 million Indians suffer from hypertension with a 14% of the total global burden . From 1980-2008, the number of Indians suffering from high BP rose by 87 million. Sodium is found naturally in a variety of foods, including milk and cream (50 mg of sodium per 100 g) and eggs (approximately 80 mg/100 g).
In processed foods it is found, in much higher amounts, such as bread (250 mg/100 g), processed meats like bacon (1,500 mg/100 g), snack foods such as cheese puffs and popcorn (1,500 mg/100 g), as well as in condiments such as soy sauce (7,000 mg/100 g). Potassium-rich foods include: beans and peas (approximately 1,300 mg of potassium per 100 g), nuts (600 mg/100 g), vegetables such as spinach, cabbage and parsley (550 mg/100 g) and fruits such as bananas, papayas and dates (300 mg/100 g). WHO's Dr Francesco Branca said "Currently, most people consume too much sodium and not enough potassium."

This guideline provides the first global, evidence-informed recommendation on the daily consumption of potassium to reduce non-communicable diseases.

Scholarships for Malaysian students for alternate medicine studies

After the teaming up of India and Malaysia in the development of Ayurveda and other alternate medicine studies, the Indian Government has now offered 20 scholarships for students of Malaysia to pursue their studies in the alternate medicine branches including Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy.

Eleven scholarships will be offered to students for the Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) and 5 scholarships for the Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Science (BSMS). For Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) AND Bachelor of Homeopathy Medicine and Surgery (BHMS), 2 scholarships will be provided each.

The scholarships will include tuition fees, living expenses, contingent grant, house allowances and medical benefits. This will not include air fares.

Recycle Urine- Consume it to stay healthy!

Urine Therapy is one of the most popular techniques mentioned in the scripts of Ayurveda. It is not surprising that people might be repulsive towards the idea of consuming ones urine since it is considered a waste that is thrown out of the body. This notion of urine being a toxic waste is a misconception and it has been seen to be helpful in curing many diseases. Some of the serious diseases like tuberculosis, asthama, cancer, osteoporosis, gout, impotence, diabetes, gangrene, hyperacidity, heart disease, stomach related problems, intestinal problems, psoriasis, piles, etc are seen to be cured with urine therapy.

A person’s own urine has antibodies that are perfectly suited to cure the particular disorder in the body which makes it important to consume ones own urine. People’s misunderstanding of urine such as it being a waste and that the body doesn’t need it and hence has thrown it out of the system should be gotten rid of .It should be understood that urine is a derivative of the blood and contains elements differing in compositions which are filtered and collected in the kidneys when in excess. This is sterile and is free of almost all bacteria.

Urine is available in synthetic form for making consumption less a hassle. But urine in its natural form is best for consumption since it has no side effects. This is die to the presence of natural enzymes and antibodies in urine which is not present in synthetic urine.

Urine therapy is now rediscovered and is widely used and accepted in curing various diseases.

California College of Ayurveda announces Cancer Management Program for 2010

The California College of Ayurveda announces a complete program in Ayurvedic medicine and the management of cancer for December 2010 in its primary location in northern California. Ayurveda is a traditional medicine from India that focuses on a variety of healing modalities including nutrition, herbs, sensory and body therapies and Ayurvedic Yoga therapy.

By far, cancer is the most feared of all disease. Taunting humanity with the threat of a slow, painful death it is often the first disease people think they have when they experience pain or feel a lump in their bodies. Ayurvedic medicine offers and effective an holistic treatment option to cancer that focuses in healing the body, but also the mind and the spirit.

Dr. Marc Halpern, founder and president of the California College of Ayurveda, will be presenting a two-day program in December on the 11th and 12th about Ayurveda and Cancer in Nevada City, CA. During this two-day program participants will have the opportunity to immerse in the Ayurvedic treatment of Cancer and will understand how to support the healing process of those who are confronting these conditions. Participants will learn about the role of diet and lifestyle, yoga and meditation, and of course herbs in the management and treatment of cancer. While everyone is looking for the definitive cure for cancer in an herb, Ayurvedic practitioners know that healing is more than taking a pill. Herbs offer great potential to stimulate the healing process and can even destroy cancer cells. Ayurveda uses a multitude of additional healing modalities including diet, colors, aromas, sound, lifestyle recommendations, pancha karma, meditation, and yoga in order to support maximize the body’s potential for healing.

Dr. Halpern is an internationally respected expert in the fields of Ayurveda and Yoga, and is the only individual who has received the award for Best Ayurvedic Physician outside of India. He is a co-founder of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and publishes recognized journals in the fields. For more details about this program or the Ayurvedic education programs offered by the school, please call (530) 478 9100 or visit www.AyurvedaCollege.com

Ayurvedic Training Programme in Netherlands

The Academy of Ayurveda Studies located in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is organizing an Ayurvedic Teacher Training programme starting from the 8th of this month till the 7th of August 2013.

This training will provide the opportunity to combine Ayurveda and Yoga in one complete training lasting 3 to 4 years. This not only allows the trained individual to teach Yoga in a class setting but also give advice on Ayurvedic lifestyle, Yogasanas, Pranayama and so on and also food guidance to maintain bodily balance which leads to a healthy lifestyle.

This course being introduced in Netherlands is an honour to our country since it is obvious that our ancient medical knowledge is traveling across the globe and also instilling interest in the minds of them. Ayurveda is not only a secret Indian knowledge but a gift to a better living to the world.

The course is carried out in 200 contact hours over 30 Friday evenings and 6 study weekends. The course costs €2625.

For further information about the course visit www.ayurvedicstudies.nl

Dandelion can curb digestive problems

A busy day will mean no time to have a healthy full meal. Every day we wake up and rush off to our daily routines not paying enough attention to our nutrition. This might make us eat at fast food joints or off the streets which will eventually take its toll on our digestive systems. If you want to take care of these little problems that may have grater effects on your activities, a natural technique that you can follow daily in your diet at the comfort of your homes would be a good solution.

Dandelion is a natural product that might be the answer to your digestive problems. It helps in promoting the excretion of body wastes, salts and water from the kidneys. It helps in healthy and effective digestion of food. It is also used as an appetite stimulant and helps in reducing the feeling of being full, acidic or gaseousness and also help in bringing down the constipated feeling.

Dandelion roots and leaves can be used directly in your tea or even coffee. It adds a bitter sweet flavour which not only makes the beverage tastier but also healthier. Dandelion herbs and roots are available fresh or dried in a variety of forms, including tinctures, liquid extract, teas, tablets, and capsules. Dandelion can be found alone or in combination dietary supplements.

So bid goodbye to your stomach blues with dandelion and eat healthy!

Doodh hai wonderful!

Doodh doodh doodh doodh doodh hai wonderful, pee sakte hai roz glassfull, doodh doodh doodh doodh… goes the ad jingle which sings about the benefits of drinking milk everyday. It is a song that we will sing along but it should become a habit that we consume cow’s milk everyday.

Ayurveda doesn’t just place the cow in the place of a Goddess but gives the cow’s milk utmost importance for the overall well being of humans and helps in healthy growth. Boiled or pasteurised cow milk is more digestible since the proteins would already be converted to amino acids. Cold milk consumption is not adviced as it is knows to reduce the effect of the digestive enzymes which in turn causes the formation of mucus.

Milk is a rich source of Vitamins A, B2 and B3, calcium and proteins. It is very beneficial for pregnant and nursing mothers and children. Expectant mothers can also consume yoghurt, a product of milk to prevent miscarriage, premature delivery or any other birth related complication. It is also known to reduce and even prevent acidity. Boiled milk with a pinch of turmeric, black pepper. ginger and cinnamon is an easy to prepare medicine to reduces the heaviness of the stomach by hindering the production of mucus.

An exhausting day can be ended with a glass of milk as it not only helps in digestion of food but also helps in getting a sound sleep.

So the next time your mother asks you to drink that glass of milk before you run off into your routine, listen to her for your own good!

An onion a day keeps the doctor at bay!

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. So do onions. Onions are one of the most widely used medicinal vegetable and it dates back to the Mughal Empire in India and the Puranas. The pungent smell of onions are because of all the medicinal contents that it has.

Onions help in keeping the body tones when used with various spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon etc. the oil extracted from onions is very strong and volatile and serves as a medicine for a variety of illnesses. Onions are especially helpful in terrible cold and winters where cold and cough is a common occurrence. Onion oil can help remove the phlegm. The juice extracted from onion can also be rubbed over various body parts or simply the entire body when the temperature gets too cold and the feet and hands get very cold. This juice can also be orally consumed. Ear aches due to extreme cold and exposure to chilly winds can also be healed by putting a couple of drops of onion juice into the ears. On the other hand, in extreme heat during summers where sun strokes are a common occurrence, onions reduces thirst and reduces the harsh effects of the sun on the individual.

The pungent odor of onions also helps in getting an unconscious person back to consciousness when the person is exposed to the fumes. Onion and jaggery with water will help increase the stamina and reduce fatigue due to overworking. It also helps women with painful menstrual cycles by mitigating the pain caused due to the cramps.

Onions thus seem like an all rounder when it comes to treating various ailments. It is a pity that the prices have drastically shot up these days for the vegetable. But the price you pay for this might just save you the price you may have to pay for your medicines!