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The paper analyses the experiences with government sanctioned Ayurvedic college education of 14 young Ayurvedic doctors working at the Integrative Health Centre in Bangalore, India. Unfamiliarity with Ayurvedic logic and Indian natural philosophies, lack of clinical training and the mixing-up of Ayurvedic and biomedical notions are their main complaints. The 14 young Ayurvedic doctors also missed a convincing perspective on how to integrate Ayurvedic logic, modern scientific knowledge and biomedical diagnostics. Ayurvedic state sanctioned education seems to be caught between Ayurveda's natural philosophy of health and the techno-science of biomedicine. The Ayurvedic doctors under scrutiny face the danger of becoming ‘half-baked products’ when they do not learn to reflect on the tension between Indian traditional knowledge and biomedical learning. The paper argues that the logic of modern science and biomedicine's claim to value-free knowledge captivates Ayurvedic education and research. This hinders Ayurveda's development as a vibrant alterity to biomedicine. What is needed is a critical social science perspective on the construction of medical knowledge and India's hierarchical medical landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although for over a century Ayurvedic and Unani manufacturers have played a crucial role in the modernization of Indian medicine and influenced the way Indians look upon their medical traditions, this fact has been largely ignored by social scientists and historians working on Indian medicine. By looking through the lens of the industry and focusing on medicines, this study questions the notion that traditional medicine is largely beyond commerce and is highly sensitive to patients as individual subjects. The paper asks how the logic of the market has shaped, constrained and transformed two Indian medical traditions: Ayurvedic and Unani Tibb. What kind of indigenous medicines dominate the Indian market? To whom are these marketed and what are the images used by the industry to promote their products? How do large manufacturers construct the 'Indianness' of their commodities? Based on ethnographic research among large Ayurvedic and Unani manufacturers in India during the period 1996-2002, data for this paper was generated from open-ended interviews, conversations, observations, and company publications such as popular and semi-popular periodicals. Promotional materials and research reports were also used, as well as popular writings on Indian medicine such as articles in general newspapers and magazines. The paper concludes with a discussion of the effects of commoditization of Ayurvedic and Unani medicines for clinical practice and the consequences of this development for the poorer sections of Indian society. The paper highlights Indian medicine as a commercial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional medicine (TM) interventions are plausible therapeutic alternatives to conventional medical interventions against emerging and endemic zoonotic diseases, particularly in low-and middle-income countries that may lack resources and infrastructure. Despite the growing popularity in the usage of TM interventions, their clinical safety and effectiveness are still contested within conventional healthcare in many countries. Methods: We conducted a scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature that synthesises and maps the evidence on TM interventions for the treatment and prevention of zoonoses on the Indian subcontinent. The region, a global hotspot of biodiversity and emerging infections, is characterised by high prevalence of TM use. Based on the scientific literature (mostly case study research, n=l06 studies), our review (1) maps the scope of the literature, (2) synthesises the evidence on the application of TM interventions for zoonoses, and (3) critically reflects on the state of TM and identifies areas for future research focus. Results: The evidence synthesis confirmed widespread usage of TM interventions for zoonoses on the subcontinent, with the majority of research reported from India (n=99 studies, 93.4%), followed by Pakistan (n=3 studies, 2.8%), Bangladesh (n=2 studies, 1.9%), and Sri Lanka (n=1, 0.9%). Most of the reviewed studies reported on ethno-medicinal uses of plant species, primarily for treating dengue (n=20 studies), tuberculosis (n=18 studies), Escherichia coli infection (n=16 studies), lymphatic filariasis and cholera (n=9 apiece). However, the evidence on the safety and effectiveness of these reported TM interventions is limited, indicating that these data are rarely collected and/or shared within the peer-reviewed literature. Conclusion: This review thus highlights that, whilst TMs are already being used and could offer more widely accessible interventions against emerging and endemic zoonoses and ectoparasites, there is an urgent need for rigorous clinical testing and validation of the safety and effectiveness of these interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the highlights of the 2nd World Ayurved Congress held in Pune, India on November 9, 2006. It mentions that the workshop was aimed to emphasize the importance of paradigm shift among Ayurvedic scholars. Doctor E. L. Cooper gave a presentation on the global scenario and position of Ayurveda and alternative medicine and the importance of scientific literature. Another session, headed by doctors Cooper and Alexander M. Hankey, involved consultations with researchers concerning their research papers.

Traditional healing systems are indigenously rooted arrangements of social relationships, cultural patterns and therapeutic activities involving use of locally available or adopted resources which are used in the management of illness. All of the 705 scheduled tribes of India have their own distinct healing systems catering to natural and supernatural caused illnesses. The paper tries to look at and understand the ethnomedical systems of the Indian scheduled tribes by identifying common characteristics, healers and efficacy. Such healing systems needed to be seen as alternative forms of knowledge and medicinal practices having strong bearing for amelioration of the health care needs of the scheduled tribe communities as well as the larger humanity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Training young doctors is essential for carrying out need-based research. The field of Traditional Medicine (TM) has made significant contributions to modern medicine, and there is unlimited scope for exploring it further in search of improved treatment options. However, there is a lack of systematic research studies on traditional medicines. It was, therefore, considered necessary to assess the interest and awareness among modern medicine practitioners regarding Traditional Medicine Research (TMR). Aim: To assess the need for training in TMR among modern medicine practitioners. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, from March 2020 to September 2020 among modern medicine practitioners from the Western region of India. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the level of training in research methodology, research experience including TMR, areas for training, attitude towards training in TMR, challenges in TMR, and therapeutic areas to focus TMR efforts. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Out of 109 participants, 96 (88.1%) were trained in research methodology. At least one research project was undertaken by 91 (83.5%) participants. Ninety-seven percent of participants felt that TMR was necessary. TMR was conducted by 19 (17.4%) participants. Approximately 65 (59.6%) participants felt that conducting TMR poses challenges such as lack of funds, infrastructure, lack of belief in TM, unavailability of literature pertaining to TM, lack of expertise, and lack of corporate attention and marketing. Therapeutic areas identified to focus research efforts included lifestyle-related disorders, diabetes mellitus, cancer, ageing, allergic disorders, osteoarthritis, and obesity. Conclusion: All the participants expressed the need to undergo training in TMR. However, the experience of conducting TMR was limited. Lack of funds, infrastructure, and expertise were mentioned as the main hurdles in undertaking TMR. It is essential to conduct systematic and need-based training programs for modern medicine practitioners in basic research methodology and TMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychotherapeutic practices in India observes a paradigm shift with the current focus on the indigenous movement which has hit the discipline of Psychology like any other stream in Social Sciences and Humanities. The professional challenges and issues faced by the mental health professionals in this country has always revolved around on the 'uncanny' realm of myths, beliefs and religions as far as mental illness is concerned (Prasadarao & Sudhir, 2001). Efforts have been initiated in exploring the cultural and social roots of the health-illness constructs as well as debating on the possibility of 'integration' of these different philosophies. This paper is designed to understand the various therapeutic forms and processes in indigenous healing practices and to analyse the negotiation between indigenous healing practices and psychotherapy with special reference to Karnataka, one of the States situated in the Southern part of India. The study approaches the cultural landscape of Karnataka state based on a qualitative research design wherein in-depth unstructured interview of healers and mental health practitioners and systematic observation of some indigenous healing forms are adopted as methods of data collection. The paper concludes by looking at the challenges of constructing ethnospecific interventions in psychotherapy and the need to develop more cultural-specific theories taking into account the cultural history of the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the significance of the positive and negative aesthetic qualities of different therapies--in other words, how "pleasant" (a term that is elaborated in the paper) it is to undergo various treatments. Interviews were conducted with patients undergoing three forms of healing for mental illness and related problems in the state of Kerala in southern India--ayurvedic (indigenous) psychiatry, allopathic (biomedical) psychiatry, and religious healing. Informants revealed concerns about the aesthetic process of therapy, reporting adverse reactions to allopathic treatments and in some cases asserting that they enjoyed ayurvedic procedures. Some informants with long-term illnesses had chosen to live in the process of therapy and reside indefinitely in the aesthetically engaging environment of a mosque, temple, or church after pursuing medical therapies for years. Thus considerations of the quality of the process of therapy also call for an examination of the limitations of the concept of "cure" for describing what is accomplished in healing in some therapeutic settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) is commonly used by those living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) but little is known about the use of TCIM such as yoga and Ayurveda in ethnic Indian women with PCOS living worldwide. This survey aimed to explore the prevalence and types of TCIM used and in particular the pattern of use of yoga and Ayurveda including reasons for not using and future interest in using them among non-users. Method: An online, international cross-sectional survey was conducted using a pre-designed survey tool. Participants were ethnic Indian women of reproductive age who reported that they were medically diagnosed with PCOS. Descriptive analysis was used to identify the proportion of TCIM users, while a multivariable binary logistic regression was used to analyze their characteristics. Results: Data from 3130 respondents were analysed. The prevalence of TCIM use was 80% (2515/3130). Yoga and Ayurveda were the most frequently practised TCIM modalities with a prevalence of 57% and 37% respectively. We found a high future interest in using yoga (81%) and Ayurveda (70%) among the non-users. The motivation for most Ayurveda use was a recommendation from family/friends (66%), rather than personal choice (38%) or the internet (19%). Most women used Ayurveda because it has natural ingredients (64%) and it is safe (60%) and cited its use to be safe and somewhat helpful. The majority of women were currently practising yoga (73%) up to four times a week (54%) at home (93%). Yoga was primarily used to improve overall health (67%), manage weight (64%), stress (54%) hormonal imbalance (49%) and emotional well-being (48%). Barriers to practising yoga were common among the current users and non-users and included lack of motivation (59% and 59%), time constraints (48% and 39%), and non-availability of yoga teachers specialised in PCOS (31% and 23%). Most women found yoga to be helpful and preferred individual one-on-one (52%) yoga sessions specifically tailored for PCOS (58%). Conclusion: This is the first international study that discovered the prevalence and pattern of TCIM use among ethnic Indian women with PCOS living worldwide. We support the urgent need for more research, education, and regulation of different TCIM modalities to promote safe and effective practices globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To briefly describe the postpartum practices among the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia and to identify commonalities in their traditional postpartum beliefs and practices. Methods: This narrative review collated information on traditional postpartum practices among Malaysian mothers through a literature search for published research papers on traditional postpartum practices in Malaysia. Results: This review shows that Malaysian mothers have certain postpartum practices that they considered to be important for preventing future ill health. Despite the perceived differences in intra-ethnic postpartum practices, most Malaysian mothers, although from different ethnicities, share similarities in their postpartum regimens and practices in terms of beliefs and adherence to food taboos, use of traditional postpartum massage and traditional herbs, and acknowledgment of the role of older female family members in postpartum care. Conclusions: Health care providers should be aware of multiethnic traditional postpartum practices and use the commonalities in these practices as part of their postpartum care regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bhaishajya Kaala (time of drug administration) is an important principle to be considered while treating a disease. Still hardly a handful of physicians are seen, who account for this. To highlight its imperial role in Chikitsa, there is an immense necessity to analyze this concept, which is the need of the hour. Bhaishajya Kaala is mainly explained in relation with Bala of Roga, Rogi, particular Dosha, Dooshya, and various other factors. The comprehensive understanding of this concept involves so many questions as, why there is a difference in the number of Aushdha Kaala? What is the logic behind their indications as well as contraindications? The present paper focuses on the above points to find out the convincing answers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Inspite of tremendous advances made in allopathic medical practices, herbs still play an important role in the management of various liver diseases. A large number of plants and formulations have been claimed to have hepatoprotective activity. Jaundice is a symptom, indicative of the malfunctioning of the liver. This paper provides ethnomedicinal information on the plants used to treat jaundice by three important indigenous communities, i.e., nomadic Gujjars, Tharu and Bhoxa of Sub-Himalayan region, Uttarakhand, India. Aims of the study: To record herbal preparations used by the studied indigenous communities in treatment of jaundice and discuss hepatoprotective properties of the recorded plants. Research strategy and methods: The traditional knowledge of the studied indigenous communities on herbal preparations used for treating jaundice was collected through structured questionnaire and personal interviews. The interviews were conducted with 91 traditional healers (29 Bhoxa, 35 Tharu and 27 nomadic Gujjars) in Sub-Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India. More than 250 research papers reporting ethnomedicinal information on the hepatoprotective plants used by various communities from different parts of India were extensively reviewed. Results: A total of 40 medicinal plants belonging to 31 families and 38 genera were recorded to be used by the studied communities in 45 formulations as a remedy of jaundice. Bhoxa, nomadic Gujjars and Tharu communities used 15, 23 and 9 plants, respectively. To our knowledge eight plants reported in the present survey viz., Amaranthus spinosus L., Cissampelos pareira L., Ehretia laevis Roxb., Holarrhena pubescens Wall., Ocimum americanum L., Physalis divaricata D. Don, Solanum incanum L. and Trichosanthes cucumerina L. have not been reported earlier as remedy of jaundice in India. Literature review revealed that a total of 214 (belonging to 181 genus and 78 families), 19 (belonging to 18 genus and 12 families) and 14 (belonging to 14 genus and 11 families) plant species are used as internal, external and magico-religious remedies for jaundice, respectively by various communities in different parts of India. Most widely used hepatoprotective plant species for treatment of jaundice in India is Boerhavia diffusa L. followed by Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers, Saccharum officinarum L., Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn., Ricinus communis L., Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees., Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz, Lawsonia inermis L. and Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. Conclusions: The plants recorded in the present survey have also been discussed in relation to pharmacological studies and hepatoprotective phytoconstituents present in them. Most of the recorded plants have shown hepatoprotective effects on experimental animals in earlier studies but more studies are needed to assess hepatoprotective properties of some recorded medicinal plants viz., Averrhoa carambola L., Ehretia laevis Roxb., Holarrhena pubescens Wall., Mangifera indica L., Ocimum americanum L., Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz, Physalis divaricata D. Don, Solanum incanum L., Sphaeranthus senegalensis DC. and Tribulus terrestris L.. The plants enumerated in this study with high number of citations and wider distributions have given some useful leads for further biomedical research. Nevertheless more phytochemical, pharmaceutical and clinical studies are needed to evaluate hepatoprotective properties, efficacy and safety of all the claimed medicinal plants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The co-existence of different types of medical systems (medical pluralism) is a typical feature of India's healthcare system. For conditions such as influenza-like illness (ILI), where non-specific disease signs/symptoms exist, clinical reasoning in the context of medical pluralism becomes crucial. Recognising this need, we undertook a qualitative study, which explored factors underpinning clinical decisions on diagnosis and management of ILI. The study involved semi-structured interviews including clinical vignettes with 20 healthcare practitioners (working within allopathy, homeopathy and Ayurveda) working in the private healthcare sector in Solapur city, India. An inquiry was conducted into criteria influencing the diagnosis, treatment, referral to specialist care and role of treatment guidelines for ILI. Thematic analysis was used to identify aspects relating to ILI diagnosis, treatment and referral. The diagnosis of influenza was based largely on clinical symptoms suggestive of influenza in the absence of other diagnoses. Referral for laboratory tests was only initiated if illness did not resolve, generally after 2–3 consultations. Antibiotics were often prescribed for persistent illness, with antivirals rarely considered. Some differences between practitioners from different medical systems were observed in relation to treatment and referral in case of persistent illness. A combination of analytical and intuitive clinical reasoning was used by the participants and clinical decisions were based on both social and clinical factors. Clinical decision-making was rarely a linear process and respondents felt that broad guidelines on influenza that allowed doctors to account for the sociocultural context within which they practised medicine would be helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yoga (derived from‘yuj’which means to yoke together or unite) has been used for millennia as a tool for self-improvement, with the ultimate goal of uniting the individual consciousness with the universal. The physical elements of yoga, although seen as necessary in the path to achieve the goal, they were not considered as the endpoint for a practitioner. Sage Patanjali, who codified the practices into an eight-limbed model (Ashtanga yoga) in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras, makes it clear that the target of yoga is primarily the mind. However, in the modern world, yoga practices have become immensely popular as aids to improve health. Yoga-based practices are being extensively used as therapeutic ingredients, alone or as adjuncts to other therapies in a variety of disorders, both physical and mental. There is now strong evidence to suggest that yoga-based interventions are beneficial in several lifestyle disorders. Recent research has also shown significant benefits in mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis. This paper discusses the place of yoga as one of the therapeutic strategies in the holistic approach to mental disorders, and the challenges inherent to research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ayurveda is a comprehensive natural health care system that originated in India more than 5000 years ago. It is still widely used in India as a system of primary health care, and interest in it is growing worldwide as well. Ayurveda has unique concepts and methodologies to address health care throughout the course of life, from pregnancy and infant care to geriatric disorders. Common spices are utilized, as well as herbs, herbal mixtures, and special preparations known as Rasayanas. Purification procedures known as Panchakarma remove toxins from the physiology. Research has been conducted worldwide on Ayurveda. There are encouraging results for its effectiveness in treating various ailments, including chronic disorders associated with the aging process. Pilot studies presented in this paper were conducted on depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. These preliminary studies yielded positive results and provide a basis for conducting larger, more rigorous clinical trials. Conducting research that compares Ayurveda's comprehensive treatment approach, Western allopathic treatment, and an integrated approach combining the Ayurvedic and allopathic treatments would shed light on which treatment approach is the most effective for the benefit of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world, and one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites. Despite this importance, very little information exits on the cities flora in general, and medicinal species found within its limit in particular. Traditional medicine plays a large role in Indian society. The presented study attempted to investigate if traditional plant use and availability of important common medicinal plants are maintained in urban environments. The paper presents information on the traditional uses of seventy-two plant species collected form the campus of Banares Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and highlights the uses of these plants by the local inhabitants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the wealth of medicinal plants used by the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Apatani have traditionally settled in seven villages in the Ziro valley of Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalayan region of India. The present study has resulted in the documentation of 158 medicinal plant species used by the Apatani group of villages. These medicinal plant species were distributed across 73 families and 124 genera. Asteraceae was the most dominant family (19 species, 11 genera) of medicinal plants, followed by Zingiberaceae, Solanaceae, Lamiaceae and Araceae. For curing ailments, the use of aboveground plant parts was higher (80%) than the below ground plant parts in the Apatani group of villages. Of the aboveground plant parts, leaf was used in the majority of cases (56 species), followed by fruit. Different belowground plant forms such as root, tuber, rhizome, bulb and pseudo-bulb were used by Apatani as a medicine. About 52 types of ailments were cured by using these 158 medicinal plant species. The results of this study are further discussed in the changing socio-economic contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its large number of practitioners, medical anthropology has given little attention to Indian homeopathy. In historical accounts, homeopathy's popularity is explained by its position as a modern, yet non-colonial form of medicine, which became indigenized during the last ISO years. Other scholars argue that homeopathic concepts converge with Indian ideas on healing. However,few empirical data have been gathered on homeopathic practice in contemporary India. In this paper, we explore the perspectives of college-trained homeopaths in urban West Bengal. How strongly do they feel indebted to classical and canonical homeopathic writings? Can we observe attempts of indigenizing homeopathy by blending it with common ideas of Indian medical culture? While the homeopaths in our study report practising an orthodox version of homeopathy, we can also identify creative solutions when they are responding to their patients' expectations: conforming to the idea of single-remedy prescription by simultaneous use of placebos, short-cut homeopathic anamnesis, complementing homeopathic drugs with therapeutic nutritional advice, and developing a system of seasonal drugs are all evidence for silent hybridization of homeopathic and local ideas. In the homeopathic consultation, time pressure becomes a significant challenge and Bengali homeopaths grasp the most important homeopathic symptoms quickly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, musculoskeletal lumbopelvic pain (LPP) predominates among women. This high predominance of LPP is attributed to the complex interaction of biomechanical, psychological, and social factors among women. The deleterious effect of LPP has increased the likelihood of LPP-care seeking among women. The need for care seeking is influenced by a person's perception, beliefs, and attitude toward pain; which in turn, is framed by his/her culture and community. Thus, this qualitative research aimed to seek insights into LPP-care seeking behaviors among women from Indian cultural background. Semi-structured interviews were administered among 18 women living in urban as well as semi-urban areas of North India. Analysis of interview scripts lead to generation of three themes: LPP-care seeking behavior, non-adherence to LPP rehabilitation and barriers to LPP rehabilitation. LPP-care seeking behavior was influenced by unawareness about physiotherapy (PT), self-help practices and beliefs about LPP. We also found that lack or incomplete knowledge incite false assumptions, resulted in non-adherence in LPP rehabilitation. In addition, unsupportive family, lack of time, and difficulty in memorizing LPP exercises were the cultural, work, and old age-related barriers to LPP-care seeking, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lower back pain the most prevalent conditions that leads to a visit to a pain specialist. Individuals with lower back pain or traumatic back / spine injury compliant triage compliance will first discuss patient presentations and patient attributes. Methods/Deign: An comparative study was conducted in Cuttack from September 2020 to January 2022. The total sample size was 30 and we used convenient sampling in which 10 in each group were recruited. Then the patient was screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria with which informed consent was given if the patient agrees to give the consent. Then the patient was selected by convenient sampling based on eligibility criteria. Procedure of study was explained to all the patients and written consent was taken from them. Patients with low back pain were allocated for the study. Amongst this, group 1 was given conventional physical therapy, Group 2 was given osteopathy techniques and group 3 was given combined both physical therapy and osteopathy techniques for 6 days a week for 6 weeks. Results: Significant difference(p<0.001) were seen in group 3 in both outcome measures from 2nd week. Conclusion: The combination of both conventional physical therapy and osteopathy manipulative techniques will help in better way in patients with lower back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) is a unique book of standards describing the quality, purity and strength of selected drugs that are manufactured, distributed, and sold by the licensed manufacturers in pan India. It is developed in two parts; the part one comprises of mono-monographs of medicinal substances of natural origin and part two includes selected compound formulations sourced from the schedule – I books under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 comprising of popular Ayurvedic classics of different period of times. The first part of the Ayurvedic Formulary of India was published in 1978 and thereafter, the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (mono-monograph) Part-I, Vol. I was published in the year 1989 and subsequently, the other volumes were published with their legalized status under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Aim of the study The study was aimed to bring out the existing knowledge on the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia with its chronological development reviewed from the ancient Vedic Compendia with its continuum in Ayurvedic classics of different period of time till recent past. Materials and methods A literary search based on the ancient origin of Ayurveda was carried out. The drug making from the natural resources and utility of the knowledge exist in classical Ayurvedic works of different period of time till composition of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and its importance as official documents of Govt. of India for Standards of Ayurvedic Drugs and its perspectives have been discussed. Results The present paper reviews on the systemic development and different aspects of drug-making (Pharmacopoeia) with evidence lying in the 5000 years old work of India. During the systematic review of the various works of different period of times (ancient, medieval and modern), it was found that the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India has its development during 20th Century as an official document of Govt. of India comprising of single drugs monograph and compound formulations. Conclusion In India, the development of the Indian Pharmacopoeia started in 20th Century on the recommendation of the Col. R.N. Chopra Committee and in 1978 the first part of the Ayurvedic formulary of India was published. Subsequently, the amendment in the drugs and cosmetics Act 1940 was brought in 1964 for regulation of the drugs in Indian Systems of Medicine (Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha). Later on the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (Mono-Monograph) Part-I, Volume I, was published in the year 1989 and the other volumes were published subsequently in different years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India ranks first in milk production in the world. Government of India plans to increase the milk production at the rate of 23% per year. The various cost effective and practically feasible strategies which can be implemented for increasing milk production in India especially Kerala, are reviewed in this paper with emphasis on technologies such as unconventional and complete feed. The problems and solutions in Iced and fodder sector in India are reviewed separately. Several general recommendations, which can be practically implemented in the field for the betterment of the sector in India especially Kerala, arc also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult. (Apocynaceae) is widely used in traditional medicine in the different parts of the Indian subcontinent due to the various biological activities attributed to its different parts, especially the roots. It has traditionally been used for treating snakebites, scorpion stings, diabetes, urinary diseases, dyspnea, menorrhagia, oligospermia, anorexia, fever, abdominal colic and pain, dysentery, diarrhea, cough, rheumatism, headache, inflammation, pyrosis, skin diseases, leprosy, sexually transmitted diseases and cancer. In Ayurveda, the plant is used in the treatment of bone-loss, low body weight, fever, stress, topical wound and psoriasis. Besides, Ayurvedic literature also depicts its use as anti-atherogenic, anti-spasmodic, memory enhancing, immunopotentiating and anti-inflammatory agents. In this review, we aim to present a comprehensive update on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, specific pharmacology, and toxicology of H. indicus and its bioactive metabolites. Possible directions for future research are also outlined in brief. Popular and widely used international databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar and JSTOR were searched and traditional literature were consulted using the various search strings to retrieve a number of citations related to the ethnopharmacology, biological activity, toxicology, quality control and phytochemistry of H. indicus. All studies on the ethnobotany, phtochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the plant up to 2019 were included in this review. H. indicus has played an important role in traditional Indian medicine (including Ayurveda) and also in European medicine. The main pharmacological properties of H. indicus include hepatoprotective, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-ophidian, cardioprotective, nephroprotective, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Phytochemical evaluations of the root have revealed the presence of aromatic aldehydes and their derivatives, phenolics, triterpenoids and many other compounds, some of which were attributed to its bioactivity. This review also compiles a list of Ayurvedic formulations and commercial preparations where H. indicus has been used as an active ingredient. We have included the critical assessment of all the papers cited in this manuscript based on experimental observation and other important points which reflect the loop-holes of research strategy and ambiguity in the papers reviewed in this manuscript. The study presents an exhaustive and updated review on the traditional, pharmacological and phytochemical aspects of H. indicus with notes on its quality control and toxicological information. Although the crude extracts of H. indicus exhibit an array of pharmacological activities, it is high time to identify more active phyto-constituents by bioactivity-guided isolation besides elucidating their structure-activity relationship. More designed investigations are needed to comprehend the multi-target network pharmacology, to clarify the molecular mode of action and to ascertain the efficacious doses of H. indicus. Moreover, H. indicus is not fully assessed on the basis of its safety and efficacy on human. We hope this review will compile and improve the existing knowledge on the potential utilization of H. indicus in complementary and alternative medicine. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study explored the subjective accounts of the main barriers to self-monitoring of blood-glucose (SMBG) and medication-management among Indian patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), their primary family-members (PFMs) and physicians. Methods: Using convenience sampling, patients with T2DM, their PFMs, and physicians, residing in a South Indian capital city, were recruited for semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Fifty patients (female = 14; mean age = 42.5 years) and their PFMs (female = 38; mean age = 39 years), and 25 physicians (female = 4; mean age = 49.8 years) were recruited. Three superordinate themes were identified: (i) complex medication-regimen: confusion, forgetting and reduced motivation, (ii) family recommendations of alternative therapies due to the social pressures of avoiding stigma, intrusiveness and being misrepresented for injecting insulin, and (iii) an expensive illness: choosing to spend money on only medication. Discussion: Implications of the findings highlight the need to (i) train physicians in communication and empathy skills, (ii) empower patients to communicate their barriers to physicians through triadic communication models and question-prompt lists, (iii) educate communities on the benefits of insulin for managing T2DM to reduce stigma, and (iv) equip communities with information about health insurance to address the financial toll of T2DM management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Being one of the most common types of life threatening diseases in Southern Assam, India, the digestive system disorders (DSD) have gained much attention in recent decades. Traditional beliefs and inadequate income of mass population result in the use of alternative phytotherapies to treat the diseases. Aim of the study The present paper documents the medicinal knowledge and utilization of plants for treatment of digestive system disorders in Southern Assam, India by Disease Consensus Index (DCI). It also determines the most suitable plant species used to treat digestive system disorders in the study area. Materials and methods The study was based on ethnomedicinal field survey covering a period of 1 year from 2014–2015. The ethnomedicinal information was collected by using semi-structured questionnaires from different traditional Bengali people having knowledge on medicinal plants. Collected data were analyzed by calculating DCI. Results During the survey, 29 informants were interviewed and a total of 49 plants under 46 genera belonging to 33 families were listed. Data analysis revealed that Litsea glutinosa , Momordica charantia , Andrographis paniculata , Lawsonia inermis , Cleome viscosa , Psidium guajava , Ageratum conyzoides , Cuscuta reflexa , Cynodon dactylon and Carica papaya are the most prominent plants among the people of Southern Assam for treating DSD. Conclusion This explorative survey emphasizes the need to preserve and document the traditional healing practices for managing DSD inviting for more imminent scientific research on the plants to determine their efficacy as well as safety. With the help of statistical analysis (DCI), we propose 10 priority plants for DSD in present work. Systematic pharmacological study with these plants may contribute significant result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance During the last few decades there has been an increasing interest in the study of medicinal plants with their traditional use and related pharmacological research all over the World. This paper enumerated folk medicinal plants used by Malayali tribal people in an unexplored and biodiversity rich region of Eastern Ghats in southern India. Aim of study The aim of this study is to collect and identify the plants used in medicinal therapy by the local people and professional traditional healers with quantitative analysis. Materials and methods An ethnobotanical survey was carried out during January to December 2014 among the Malayali tribal people in four villages of Palamalai region in Eastern Ghats, India. The information was obtained through open and semi-structured face-to-face interviews with the local knowledgeable people and professional traditional healers. The statistical analysis, use value, family use value, informants’ consensus factor, fidelity level, frequency of citation, relative frequency citation and informants’ agreements ratio were calculated for the quantitative study of ethnomedicinal data. Results A total of 118 plant species belonging to 95 genera and 55 families dominated by the families like Leguminosae, Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were enumerated with detailed information on parts used, method of preparation, mode of administration and ailments treated. Leaves were mostly used plant part and predominantly used herbal preparations were decoction and paste. Moringa oleifera Lam. was reported by all the interviewed informants and gives the highest UV of 3.9 with 78 use reports due to its diverse medicinal uses. Conclusion The present study demonstrated the need for importance of documenting the traditional knowledge of forest dwelling people. As a result of the study, Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet., Andrographis echioides (L.f.) Nees., Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., Canarium strictum Roxb., Centella asiatica (L.) Urban., Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb. and Tribulus terrestris (L.) were recommended for further ethnopharmacological studies since these plants were recorded with high UV, IAR, RFC and FL values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persons with mental illnesses in India and rest of developing world continue to consult religious/spiritual (R/S) healers or traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) professionals prior to seeking psychiatric services that are devoid of spiritual components of care. We aim to understand TCAM and allopathic professionals' perspectives on patients' R/S needs within mental health services, cross-sectional study was conducted at five TCAM and two allopathic tertiary care hospitals in three different Indian states; 393 participants completed RSMPP, a self-administered, semi-structured survey questionnaire. Perspectives of TCAM and allopathic health professionals on role of spirituality in mental health care were compared. Substantial percentage, 43.7 % TCAM and 41.3 % allopathic, of participants believe that their patients approach R/S or TCAM practitioners for severe mental illness; 91.2 % of TCAM and 69.7 % of allopaths were satisfied with R/S healers ( p = 0.0019). Furthermore, 91.1 % TCAM and 73.1 % allopaths ( p = 0.000) believe that mental health stigma can be minimized by integrating with spiritual care services. Overall, 87 % of TCAM and 73 % of allopaths agreed to primary criterion variable: 'spiritual healing is beneficial and complementary to psychiatric care.' A quarter of allopaths (24.4 %) and 38 % of TCAM physicians reportedly cross-refer their grieving patients to religious/TCAM healer and psychiatrist/psychologist, respectively; on logistic regression, significant ( p < 0.05) predictors were clinical interactions/references to r/s healers. Providing spiritual care within the setup of psychiatric institution will not only complement psychiatric care but also alleviate stigma against mental health services. Implications on developing spiritual care services like clinical chaplaincy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of health care responsiveness by conventional, traditional and complementary medicine providers in middle-aged and older community-dwelling adults from the India Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1 in 2017– 2018. Methods: The cross-sectional sample included 37,852 participants who received outpatient health care in the past 12 months, of which 33,615 had visited a conventional health facility, 2120 an AYUSH facility, and 2117 a traditional health practitioner (THP). Results: The prevalence of poor health care responsiveness was 10.1% overall, and 10.7% for the conventional health facility, 8.3% for AYUSH, and 5.7% for the THP. In adjusted logistic regression analysis using the whole sample, the prevalence of poor health care responsiveness was significantly lower among AYUSH and THP clients than among conventional health care clients. Having higher education, higher socioeconomic status and being a Sikh decreased the odds of poor health care responsiveness, while being a member of a caste, having two or more chronic diseases, functional disability, and visiting the health facility for immunisation increased the odds of poor health care responsiveness. In regard to the AYUSH provider, older age decreased the odds and member of a caste, being a Christian and functional disability increased the odds of poor health care responsiveness, and in terms of the THP, being a Sikh decreased the odds and older age, functional disability and visiting the THP for immunisation and for treatment for injury/accident increased the odds of poor health care responsiveness. Discussion: One in ten middle-aged or older adults in India reported poor health care responsiveness, and several sociodemographic and health factors were identified associated with poor health care responsiveness by different service providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Dysentery and diarrhoea are major causes of morbidity and mortality in rural communities of developing world. The Bhoxa community is an important primitive indigenous community of Uttarakhand, India. In this paper we have tried to scientifically enumerate ethnomedicinal plants and herbal preparations used by Bhoxa community to treat dysentery and diarrhoea, and discuss their antidiarrhoeal properties in the light of previous ethnomedicinal, pharmacological, microbiological and phytochemical studies. To record plants and herbal preparations used by Bhoxa community of district Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India in treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea, and to discuss antidiarrhoeal and antimicrobial properties of the recorded plants. Materials and methods: Ethnomedicinal survey was conducted in different villages of Bhoxa community located in district Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. Thirty Bhoxa traditional healers were interviewed to collect information on plants used by them for treating dysentery and diarrhoea. For each of the recorded plant species the use value (UV) and fidelity level (FL) was calculated. Detailed literature survey was conducted to summarize ethnomedicinal, pharmacological, microbiological and phytochemical information on the medicinal plants listed in the present study. Results: Fifty medicinal plants (45 genera and 30 families) were used by Bhoxa community to treat dysentery and diarrhoea, among which 27 species were used for dysentery, 41 for diarrhoea and 18 for both dysentery and diarrhoea. Three plants viz., Dioscorea bulbifera L., Euphorbia thymifolia L. and Prunus persica (L.) Stokes, recorded in the present survey have been reported for the first time in treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea by any indigenous communities in India. FL and UV values revealed that most preferred species for the treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea by Bhoxa community are Euphorbia hirta L. followed by Holarrhena pubescens Wall., Helicteres isora L. and Cassia fistula L. Earlier pharmacological studies confirmed that 27 of the recorded plants have some proven antidiarrhoeal properties and remaining 23 plants have to be pharmacologically evaluated for their antidiarrhoeal properties. Except 6 plants all the other recorded plants have shown antimicrobial properties in previous microbiological studies. Previous studies have corroborated the ethnomedicinal claims made by the traditional healers of the Bhoxa community. Conclusions: Present study has provided new information on many medicinal plants and their uses. All the three newly reported plants for treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea have not been pharmacologically evaluated yet for their possible antidiarrhoeal properties. Twenty-three and six plants have not been evaluated pharmacologically and microbiologically, respectively. The present information may serve as a baseline data to initiate further research for discovery of new compounds and biological activities of these potential plants. Further research on these plants may provide some important clues for development of new drugs for dysentery and diarrhoea or other related diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: There is no definitive proven treatment for COVID -19. For prevention of COVID-19, some vaccines have recently been developed and being administered to people in phases. Yoga Prana Vidya (YPV) system of healing, a non-touch non-drug healing treatment, known to be complementary and alternative medicine was administered to over 1600 COVID-19 patients between April 2020 and March 2021 in India and few abroad, The large number of frontline workers and others from many institutions and organizations were healed and supported as a preventive measure. Material and Methods: The retrospective chart review (RCR) used in this inquiry to reveal the patterns of recovery using documented data from 412 cases of COVID-19 positive or suspected positive who were given YPV healing between April 2020 and March 2021 as complementary treatment and also as alternative in some situations. The healing teams used distance healing modality for all patients. A group of 75 healers from different towns and cities formed 6 groups and conducted healing sessions to the patients distantly 3-4 times per day for 20-25 minutes for each patient. In each healing session all the required protocols were followed. Results: It shows that most hospitalised patients recovered within 15 to 17 days. About 18% of them recovered within 3 to 7 days. In case of quarantined patients, most recovered within 7 to 10 days. Few patients with comorbidities took 3 to 4 weeks to recover. Qualitative analysis shows that all patients at start of YPV healing were found severely worried, stressed and with depression. After healing started, they experienced miraculous changes and improvements day after day, and experienced rapid recovery and relief and many could get on to work immediately. Further, self-help practices by using YPV Sadhana app helped them improve and sustain their condition. Conclusions: Yoga Prana Vidya (YPV) system of healing has worked well as complementary medicine to hospitalised patients and alternative medicine to quarantined patients in treating and saving the lives of COVID affected people. YPV healing practice is helpful to boost immunity at low cost and ease of access without barriers. Targeted scientific research on the application of YPV system with large sample of COVID/other infected patients is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Vapour-based medicines are an aspect of traditional medicine in North East India. However, no collective studies on this therapy in the region have been attempted. With the changing perception of traditional knowledge, documenting these herbal preparations and the subsequent development of baseline data for applications in further ethnopharmacological research are needed. Aims of the study: To survey and document the plant species associated with vapour therapy in Manipur, North East India, and to evaluate these traditional practices. Materials and methods: Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect information from the Meitei community in the Imphal valley and the Jiribam area in Manipur. Traditional disease concepts were studied along with their corresponding medical terminologies. Plant samples collected from fields, healers' private collections and home gardens were identified. Evaluation of the ethnobotanical data was performed with a modified fidelity level index. Results: In the study, 41 traditional disease complexes were treated by 13 different routes of administration using 48 mono-ingredient and 17 multi-ingredient compositions. Preparation methods included boiling in water (28%), burning the materials (48%), crushing the materials to release the aroma (21%) and slight heating of the materials (3%). Some of the mono-ingredient recipes reported in the study were observed to have similar uses in other parts of the world, whereas polyherbal remedies were found to be unique without any similar report. Conclusion: Many compositions mentioned in the paper are still used by the Meitei community. Traditional healers follow their own criteria for selecting medicinal plants. Plants recorded in this ethnobotanical study can suggest methods for selecting and identifying potentially effective plants for future drug candidates. Scientific characterisation of the herbal remedies can contribute to the endorsement of traditional vapour-based therapies in the modern health care systems. Findings from these “new usage” reports of plants and unique combinations of polyherbal compositions indicate the importance of such documentation efforts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The paper enumerates the traditional uses of 48 plant species belonging to 45 genera and 37 families, used by the Baiga tribal communities of Achanakmar- Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, Central India for the treatment of various diseases. The plants are used to cure various health problems. Stomach disorders (18%) problem is highest in study area. In most of the cases bark (31%) is used for curing ailments, followed by root parts (25%), leaves (22%), tubers (12%), whole plants (10%), seeds (6%), fruits (4%), flowers and other parts (2%). The treatment mode is usually oral. Some ingredients such as honey, common salt and milk are also used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tribal people of Andhra Pradesh are endowed with vast knowledge of medicinal plants and use them in curing various ailments. 22 plant species belonging to 20 genera under 16 families used as abortifacients are discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ayurveda, derives from the Sanskrit words Ayus (life) and Veda (knowledge) is the most ancient system of traditional medicine of the world. It has been practiced in Indian peninsula since 5000 BC to offer natural ways to treat diseases and to promote healthcare. Methodology: We reviewed the literature on the history, principles and current status of Ayurveda. The data have been presented systematically including the initiatives from Government of India. Several aspects of administrative management, education, teaching and related aspects for promotion and development of Ayurveda and other Indian systems of traditional medicine have been discussed. Results: This paper reviews on different aspects of development of Ayurveda. Presently, there are 2420 hospitals with about 42271 beds, 15017 dispensaries, 429246 registered practitioners, more than 320 educational institutions, 7699 drug-manufacturing units to promote Ayurveda into the health care delivery system in the country. Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is the official document for single Ayurvedic drugs (540 monographs) and different formulations (152 monographs). Several aspects in this regard for development of Ayurveda have been discussed. Conclusion: Considering the widespread use and popularity of Ayurveda worldwide, administrative management and infrastructure facilities, indigenous practices and standards for quality control and it’s evaluation have been highlighted. In India, all such efforts for integration of Ayurveda provide potential role in the health care benefits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ethnobotanical field survey was conducted in the primitive tribal groups of Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. During the survey first hand information on medicinal plants was collected from the informants of Gadaba, Khond, Porja and Savaras groups. In this paper medicinal uses of 26 taxa of Fabaceae are reported along with their formulations for the treatment of various human ailments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homeopathy is one among the popular medical systems in India. Over the years, the government has been attempting to mainstream homeopathy in the public health system, nevertheless, most service providers are in the private sector. Therefore, increase of quality and availability to all population classes by means of public-private partnerships is seen as a viable policy option. In Delhi, 90% of homeopathic services providers belong to the private sector, including charity trusts. Most of them provide services to the low-income population in urban slams. In 2003, Delhi government launched a program involving the private sector to provide homeopathic services in underserved city areas. This project funded private agencies to run homeopathic clinics. This paper provides an overview on this program, addressing in particular the lessons taught by six case studies represented by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It also discusses expectations of private providers and concludes with specific recommendations for wider participation of the private sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: India has a population with high degree of medical pluralism. Siddha system of Indian traditional medicine is practiced dominantly by the people in Tamil Nadu. The traditionally trained Siddha healers still play an important role in the rural health care. Their knowledge is comparatively more vulnerable than the documented traditional knowledge. Thus, the present study was aimed to document and quantitatively analyze the local knowledge of the traditional Siddha healers in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and methods: The results presented in this paper are the outcome of series of interviews conducted between January and August, 2010 consisting of 196 field days. After getting prior informed consent, interviews were conducted and successive free-listing was used in the interviews in order to make informants cite the medicinal plants that they have used. By this way 96 healers were interviewed and their data were quantitatively analyzed using various indices such as Informant Consensus Factor (F ic), Fidelity Level (FL), Informant Agreement on Remedies (IAR) and Cultural Importance Index (CII). Results: This study recorded the ethno-medicinal usage of 227 species which were used to prepare 611 formulations for the treatment of 36 illness categories. The knowledge holders had the experience of minimum 20 years. There was unevenness in male–female ratio. Regarding the medicinal plants, easily available plants were holding significantly high number of citations, IAR and CII values. Nine illness categories had a high F ic value, compared to others. Species with high citations in these groups were Moringa oleifera (aphrodisiacs), Acalypha indica (dermatological ailments), Dodonaea viscosa (musculo-skeletal disorders), Solanum trilobatum (pulmonary ailments), Phyllanthus amarus (jaundice), Piper nigrum (adjuvant) Allium cepa (hemorrhoids), Azadirachta indica (antiseptic) and Tribulus terrestris (urinary ailments). Conclusion: Quantitative analysis of the data had revealed that the easily available species hold a high consensus and cultural importance. Future biomedical studies using the medicinal plants enumerated in this study, particularly those with high number of citations and high F ic values might yield some novel prototypes. Such studies will also be useful to assess the efficacy and safety of these herbal treatments to take decisions on the health care of rural India. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: One of the major concerns of governments of developing and developed countries is to have a check on their population increase. Realising the importance of avoiding the harmful effects of synthetic compounds, scientists and researchers throughout the world are cooperating in efforts to design new and effective contraceptives from compounds of plant origin. Methods: In this paper, we compared 11 plant species by analysing compounds showing antifertility properties with respect to the metabolic pathways involved. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome pathway database was the source of metabolic pathway information. Protein sequences and classification numbers of unique enzymes exclusively present in certain species were identified using the Expert Protein Analysis System. Results: Two enzymes, namely, L-aspartate dehydrogenase (EC no. 1.4.1.21) and transhexaprenyltranstransferase (EC no. 2.5.1.30), were identified as novel drug targets from the metabolic pathway analysis. Validation of the essential proteins identified through metabolic pathway comparison was done based on the literature information. Conclusion: The in silico analysis resulted in identification of 2 enzymes that are predicted to be the targets for putative antifertility drug. These enzymes can further be modelled to obtain their 3-dimensional structures with the help of various protein structure modelling softwares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Shilajit is a multi-component natural occurring mineral substance used in Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine which originated in India. Its source can be traced to the mountainous regions, where the hilly tribes first identified its beneficial use. Shilajit is aptly referred to as ‘rasayana’/‘rasayanam’ in Ayurveda and Siddha literature which means rejuvenator because it prevents ailment and enhances the quality of life. Materials and Methods: An attempt has been put forth to review shilajit pertaining to its origin, synonyms, varieties, physical properties, chemical constituents, therapeutic properties and important biological properties to affirm its rasayana property. All relevant information on shilajit was collected from classical texts including pharmacopoeias, formularies, etc. Moreover, select doctoral thesis from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi and Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar were also scanned. Published papers on shilajit were collected from important databases for biomedical sciences. Amongst, the various biological properties of shilajit, antioxidant activity and immuno-modulatory activity were focused as it is closely related to its rasayana potential. Results: This review finds that shilajit is used in twenty Sastric formulations and twenty-four proprietary drugs for extraneous indications. Even-though, there is a long history of use of shilajit in traditional Indian materia medica, shilajit unfortunately lacks scientific evaluation and systematic documentation. In vivo antioxidant activity of shilajit has been studied at an irrelevant dose and without using a positive control. The immuno-modulatory activity does not stand the test of critical assessment and currently may be considered as unproven. Conclusion: Based on the earlier studies, the bioactivity of shilajit lacks substantial evidence. Nevertheless, further studies are imperative to overcome the lacuna in establishing the antioxidant property of shilajit and more specific assays are needed to vouch shilajit as an immuno-modulator which may be of use to establish its rasayana potential. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hierarchies of power among healthcare professionals are well documented, nonetheless, power remains neglected, understudied and under-theorised in health systems analysis and policy discussions, especially in the domain of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM). Sociological and public health scholarship has documented the persistence of medical dominance in the health system, theorised as the limitation, subordination, exclusion and incorporation of other professions. This paper explores how interprofessional power dynamics shape the integration of TCAM into Indian primary healthcare centres, as part of a nationwide policy of TCAM integration and medical pluralism implemented since 2005. We conducted interviews (n = 37) with health system administrators, nurses, pharmacists, TCAM and biomedicine doctors, and observed day-to-day activities of primary healthcare centres for six months in Odisha state, India. Thematic analysis enabled the identification of themes and exploration of sub-themes. The analysis revealed multilayered forms of medical dominance within the primary healthcare system and identified multiple sites where everyday power is mobilised. Biomedicine practitioners exercised authoritative power and restricted TCAM doctors' access to facility-level resources, i.e. financial and workforce support, which inhibited the integration policy implementation. Significantly, TCAM doctors were 'ordered' to practice biomedicine at primary healthcare centres, which was beyond the scope of the integration policy. However, TCAM doctors were also able to exercise countervailing power in their day-to-day activities in the primary healthcare centres and sought to assist patients' health behaviour change through their authoritative knowledge about 'how to live a healthy life'. The health system actors involved in policy implementation hold a range of forms of power specific to the circumstances, influencing the integration processes. We explain these dynamics in relation to existing theories of medical dominance and countervailing power, while introducing a previously unreported dimension of dominance: 'co-optation', which enrols TCAM practitioners in the practice of biomedicine. • Medical dominance in Indian primary health care centres (PHCs) is multi-layered. • AYUSH doctors working in PHCs experience subordination, exclusion and limitation. • A new form of medical dominance – co-optation – was also uncovered in this setting. • Co-optation here involved AYUSH doctors being ordered to undertake biomedical tasks. • Via countervailing power, AYUSH doctors retained autonomy in community-based work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ayurveda is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in India. In Ayurveda, any disease is considered to be caused by the imbalance of various Doshas (Vata, Pitta & Kapha) in human body. In order to diagnose this imbalance of doshas, there are several methods, out of which one is to observe visually the different features of the human body. Body type, skin type, hair type, eyes type, face type, etc possess different characteristics under the influence of various doshas. Hence the idea is to automate this process where we scan a body image using machine learning and deep learning algorithms and classify the different features into different doshas to finally conclude the dominant dosha as result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ethnic communities in Nagaland have kept a close relationship with nature since time immemorial and have traditionally used different kinds of insects and their products as folk medicine to treat a variety of human ills and diseases. The present study was conducted to record the entomotherapeutic practices of seven different ethnic groups of Nagaland. Method: Documentation is based on semi-structured questionnaires and group discussions with a total of 370 informants. The data collected were analysed using fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (ICF). Results: Fifty species of medicinal insects belonging to 28 families and 11 orders were identified in connection with treatments of at least 50 human ailments, of which the most frequently cited were coughs, gastritis, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach ache and wound healing. Mylabris sp. showed the highest fidelity level (FL) of 100% for its therapeutic property as a dermatologic agent, while the informant consensus factor (ICF) ranged from 0.66 to 1.00. The use of medicinal insects varies amongst the seven ethnic groups, suggesting that differences in cultures and geographic location can lead to the selection of specific insect species for specific medicinal purposes. The largest number of insect species appear to be used for treating gastrointestinal, dermatological and respiratory diseases. Conclusion: The list of medicinal insect species, many of which are reported for the first time in the present study, suggests the presence of a considerable diversity of therapeutically important insect species in the region and elaborate folk medicinal knowledge of the local ethnic groups. This knowledge of insects not just as a food, but also as therapy is passed down verbally from generation to generation, but is in danger of being lost if not documented in a systematic way. Having stood the test of time, traditional folk medicinal knowledge and its contribution through entomotherapy should not be regarded as useless as it has the potential to lead to the development of novel drugs and treatment methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive literature review revealed cultural beliefs, societal obligations, and gender roles within the South Asian community to be indirect contributors to the health of South Asian immigrants (SAIs). Health professionals need to increase their work with SAI communities to change less beneficial cultural elements such as misconceptions about health and exercise, and lack of communication when using alternative medicines. Community engaged efforts and continuing medical education are both needed to improve the health of the South Asian immigrant population in a culturally appropriate manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) monitoring in cancer patients is important to ensure early detection, effective management and possible prevention subsequently. Objectives This study was conducted to detect and monitor ADRs to anti-cancer agents, and to assess impact of clinical pharmacists (CPs)' interventions in minimizing ADRs to anti-cancer agents. Setting Private, specialty oncology care hospital in South India. Methods CPs prospectively followed cancer patients admitted to inpatient wards and treated at ambulatory care in order to identify ADRs, for a period of 3 years. Identified/reported ADRs were discussed with concerned oncologists and/or nurses, documented electronically and assessed further for their causality, severity, preventability and grading. Based on study findings during year 1, interventions (educational, therapeutic and system based) were developed by CPs and implemented in order to minimize preventable ADRs. Impact of CPs' interventions was studied during year 2 and year 3. Main outcome measure(s) Preventable factors contributing to ADRs and percentage of preventable ADRs before and after CPs' interventions. Results A total of 1279 ADRs were reported in 1133 patients from a cohort of 1328 patients. Vomiting (23.22%), alopecia (9.53%), diarrhoea (8.67%) and myelosuppression (7.42%) were the common ADRs reported. Inappropriate administration frequency and regimen of anti-emetics (22%), lack of/suboptimal supportive care (18%) and administration errors (16%) were identified as common contributing (preventable) factors for ADRs in year 1. Percentage of preventable ADRs was 81% during year 1 (pre-intervention), and 45% and 34% in year 2 and year 3 respectively (post-interventions). Conclusion Interventions by CPs helped to minimize preventable ADRs to anti-cancer agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: De Quervain's tenosynovitis is the most common overuse injury, involving the wrist, and often occurs in individuals who regularly use a forceful grasp coupled with ulnar deviation of the wrist. There is no consensus in the treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis; both surgical and conservative medical management has adverse effects. Myofascial release (MFR) and myofascial taping (MFT) are newer techniques which have been proven effective for other inflammatory and noninflammatory musculoskeletal conditions. Hence, the study was planned to determine and compare the effectiveness of both the above-mentioned adjunct method along with conventional occupational therapy in the treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Objective: To compare and study the effectiveness of MFT and MFR as an adjunct to conventional occupational therapy treatment on patients with De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Study Design: A prospective, comparative randomized control trial was conducted for 18 months in the Department of Occupational Therapy (OT) of the O.T. Training School and Centre, Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital. Methods: Thirty-one patients (both males and females aged 20-50 years) diagnosed as De Quervain's tenosynovitis, referred to the OT outpatient department, were randomized into two groups after screening by simple random sampling using a computerized generated table. Patients in Group A (N = 16, 11 females and 5 males) received MFT along with conventional treatment, and patients in Group B (N = 15, 9 females and 6 males) received MFR along with conventional treatment; they followed up for the treatment for 5 weeks, 2 times a week with each session lasting for 30-40 min. Pain level and functional improvement were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) score and patient-specific functional scale (PSFS) score, respectively, at the end of the 3rd and 5th week of the 5-week therapy program. Results: Both the groups showed significant improvement in pain scores on VAS at the 3rd and 5th week. There was no significant difference in the values between the two groups at the3rd week; however, at the end of the 5th week, Group A showed significant improvement in pain than Group B. Both the groups showed significant improvement in functional scores on PSFS at the 3rd and 5th week. Conclusion: Although both MFT and MFR showed improvement in function and decrease in pain, when compared we could conclude that MFT along with conventional OT yields better outcome measures in terms of decreasing pain and improving function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With an estimated 65 million Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients, India ranks second in the world in terms of DM burden. The emphasis of current medical practice has been on pharmacotherapy but, despite the best combination therapies, acheiving glycaemic control (reduction of blood sugar to desirable levels) is a challenge. 'Integrated Naturopathy and Yoga'(INY) is an alternative system of medicine that lays emphasis on the role of diet and physical exercise. We assessed the short term effect of INY as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy on glycaemic control among type 2 DM patients. Methods: In this prospective cohort study with a 3 month follow-up, DM patients consecutively admitted to a hospital in India from May-October 2014 for either 15 or 30 days were offered INY - a package of vegetarian diet with no added oil, sugar and salt, yoga-based exercise, patient counselling and rest. A 'favourable outcome' was defined as glycaemic control (glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) < 7 % or absolute reduction by 1 %) along with at least 50 % reduction in antidiabetes medication at 3 months relative to baseline. Compliance to diet was scored by self-report on a scale of 0-10 and categorized into poor (0-5), moderate (6-8) and excellent (9-10). Results: Of 101 patients with 3-month follow-up data, 65(65 %) achieved a favourable outcome - with 19(19 %) stopping medication while sustaining glycemic control. Factors associated with favourable outcome were baseline HbA1c and compliance to diet, which showed a significant linear relationship with mean HbA1c reductions of 0.4 %, 1.1 % and 1.7 % in relation to poor, moderate and excellent dietary compliance respectively. Conclusion: INY, adjunctive to pharmacotherapy, was associated with a significant beneficial effect on glycaemic control and reduced the overall need for antidiabetes medications. These early results are promising. Further studies with long-term follow-up and using more rigorous randomized controlled trial designs are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information related to dosha theory, a rough-and-ready model that the Ayurvedic sage-physicians devised to systematise their medical observations and experience. It discusses new age popularizes of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), Ayurveda's dosha theory has aroused considerable interest among lay readers of science.

The author reflects on six decades of research and education of Ayurveda medicine in India as of 2013. The author discusses topics on the establishment of an exclusive research center and the first research center in Ayurveda in the country in 1953, research on Ayurvedic hematinic formulations, and other notable achievements in the field from 1953-2013. Also mentioned is the struggle of research in Ayurveda to produce scientific validation with evidence based documentation.

Integrative medicine has emerged as a potential solution to the Indian health care crisis. It provides care that is patient-centered; healing orientedand uses approaches originating from conventional and alternative medicine. Initially driven by consumer demand, the attention to integrative medicine places an understanding to whole persons and assisting with lifestyle change is now being recognized as a strategy to address the epidemic of chronic diseases bankrupting our economy. This paper defines integrative medicine and its principles, describes the history of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in health care, and discusses the current state and desired future of integrative medical practice. The importance of patient-centered care, patient empowerment, behavior change, continuity of care, outcomes research, and the challenges to successful integration are discussed. The authors suggest a model for an integrative health care system grounded in team-based care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]