Thalassemia is the most common inherited single-gene (autosomal recessive) disorder in the world. Scientists worldwide predict that thalassemia will become a considerable health issue in the next century. It is a new disease entity for Ayurvedic medicine, and hence, it is called Anukta Vyadhi in Ayurveda; but we can understand it by careful scrutiny of the clinical presentation and the investigation results described in the available literature. Modern medical management is aimed at maintaining the hemoglobin level at 10 - 12 g/dl. A post-transfusion hemoglobin level of 9.5 g/dl is said to be sufficient to maintain active life. Thus, blood transfusion therapy is the only treatment, but it can result in hemosiderosis (iron overload), a complication with a fatal outcome. The transfusional iron overload is compounded by increased intestinal absorption of iron. The most important factors associated with survival, and also those deciding the outcome of bone marrow transplant (the only curative therapy) are, age at which chelation therapy is introduced and the success with which serum ferritin is maintained below 2500 ng/ml. Iron chelators used in modern medicine to achieve this goal are expensive and associated with side effects, and hence, associated with poor adherence to the treatment. The present study is an endeavor to explore the efficacy of Triphaladi Avaleha as an iron chelator in the management of thalassemia, in comparison to a control group managed by routine modern therapy.

Vatarakta is the major example of Vata vyadhi, caused due to avarana pathology. The scenario of Utthana Vatarakta occurred owing to the margavarana pathology, which can very well be correlated with atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease. The literature enlists a number of Guggulu prayogas in the management of Vatarakta. An additional cavernous revise was indispensable to bring out the precise outcome of these products. Keeping these visions in mind, the particular comparative study was performed with Kaishora guggulu and Amrita guggulu, which are explained in the same context. This is a single-blind comparative clinical study with a pre-test and post-test design, wherein a minimum of 30 patients of either sex, suffering from Utthana Vatarakta, in an age limit of 16 to 70 years, were selected and randomly categorized into two groups. The 15 patients of group A were treated with oral administration of Tab Kaishora guggulu 1 g thrice a day and the group B patients with Tab Amrita guggulu of the same dose pattern with anupana of lukewarm water. The therapeutic effect of the treatment was assessed in both the groups based on specific subjective and objective parameters. The results obtained were analyzed statistically in both the groups and the comparative effect was assessed using the unpaired "t" -test. In the present study, 80% of the patients from both the groups had madhumeha (Diabetes mellitus), shonita mada (Hypertension) or both. Fifty percent of the patients in group A and nearly 60% of the patients in group B, suffering from Utthana Vatarakta, had the habit of smoking. In both the groups, a statistically significant improvement was observed in all the criteria of assessment. The outcome of the study revealed an identical therapeutic efficacy of Kaishora guggulu and Amrita guggulu in Utthana Vatarakta. The use of Kaishora guggulu or Amrita guggulu as shamana Aushadhas was a perfect selection in the management of rakta margavaranajanya Utthana Vatarakta.

Cancer is the most dreadful disease affecting mankind. The available treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have cytotoxic effects, which are hazardous to the normal cells of the patient, causing many unnecessary effects. This further leads to complications of the therapy, impaired health, and deterioration of quality of life, resulting in mandatory stoppage of the treatment. In the present study, the efficacy of an Ayurvedic formulation, Rasayana Avaleha, has been evaluated as an adjuvant medication to modern radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A total of 36 cancer patients were registered in this trial and were divided into two groups, group A and group B. In group A, the patients were treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy along with adjuvant Rasayana Avaleha (RT + CT + RA), while in group B only radiotherapy and chemotherapy (RT + CT) were given, as the control group. After assessing the results, it was observed that Rasayana Avaleha gave better results in controlling the adverse effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in comparison with the control group. Therefore, Rasayana Avaleha has proved to be an effective adjuvant therapy in protecting patients from the adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the role of Uttar Basti in tubal blockage, in order to establish it as a safer and cost-effective Ayurvedic treatment modality. The criteria for selection of patients and assessment of results were unilateral or bilateral tubal blockage diagnosed in hysterosalpingography (HSG). A total of 16 patients in the reproductive age group were registered for the study, with 62.50% unilateral and 37.50% bilateral tubal blockage. Fifteen patients completed the course of treatment. The patients with an evidence of active infection or chronic diseases were excluded. Kumari Taila was selected for its Vata Kapha Shamaka and Lekhana properties. The dose of Uttar Basti was 5 ml with duration of two consecutive cycles (six days of Uttar Basti in each cycle with an interval of three days in between). Uttar Basti was administered, after cessation of menstruation, to the screened patients, through hematological, urinary, and serological (HIV, VDRL, HBsAg) investigations. The tubal blockage was removed in 80% of the patients, and 40% of the patients had conceived within the follow-up period of two months. The results suggest that Uttar Basti is a highly significant treatment modality for tubal blockage, with no apparent complications.

Amavata is a disease caused due to the vitiation or aggravation of Vayu associated with Ama. Vitiated Vayu circulates the Ama all over the body through Dhamanies, takes shelter in the Shleshma Sthana (Amashaya, Sandhi, etc.), producing symptoms such as stiffness, swelling, and tenderness in small and big joints, making a person lame. The symptoms of Amavata are identical to rheumatism, which include rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic fever. It is observed that rheumatism is an autoimmune disorder, which is among the collagen disorders having strong and significant parlance with Amavata. Various drug trials were already carried out on Amavata, yet there is a lacuna in the management of Amavata. Hence, in the present clinical study, 28 patients were selected and kept on 'Amrita Ghrita'. All the patients were investigated for complete blood count (CBC), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) titer, Antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer, C-reactive protein (CRP) titer, platelet count, urine routine, and microscopic, before and after treatment. The collected data was distributed according to age, sex, and prakruti, and a t-test was applied for the clinical assessment of the subjective and objective parameters of 'Amrita Ghrita,' and it has shown significant reduction in the positivity of the RA titer (t > 5.09, at the 0.001% level), ASO titer (t > 4.08, at the 0.001% level), and CRP titer (t > 4.82, at the 0.001% level), and weight gain (t > 5.12, at the 0.001% level), as also an increase in Hb% (t >9.22, at the 0.001% level), and platelet count (t> 5.90, at the 0.001% level), and decrease in ESR (t > 9.70, at the 0.001% level).

This clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Shirodhara and that of Sarpagandha Vati in essential hypertension. A total 47 patients were selected for study, out of which 40 patients (20 in each group) completed the course of treatment. Study subjects were randomly allotted into two groups, with one group being treated with Shirodhara and the other with Sarpagandha Vati. Specialized Ayurvedic rating scales like Manasa Pariksha Bhava as well as the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were adopted to assess the effect of therapy. The effects of treatment on the chief complaints and the associated complaints were also evaluated. The results in the Shirodhara group were better than that in the Sarpagandha group. Although both Sarpagandha Vati and Shirodhara helped in reducing systolic and diastolic pressures, the effect of Shirodhara was more marked.

The classification of Dravya has been undertaken in many ways, but according to the medicinal value, they are mainly divided into two - Bheshaja and Abheshaja. No study has been documented on Abheshaja to date as per the scholar's knowledge. Therefore, the present study was carried out to understand the concept of Abheshaja by a practical study. The drug Pippali (Piper Longum Linn.) has been contraindicated to be used for a longer duration. A clinical study was carried out on patients with Kaphaja Kasa, to evolve and assess if the drug acts as Abheshaja or not, and if yes, then under what circumstances. The patients of Kaphaja Kasa had been selected by the random sampling method. They were randomly divided into two groups - Group A and Group B. In Group A, test drug Pippali Churna was administered. Group B was a standard control group and Vasa Churna was given to this group. The dose of both the drugs was 4 g B.I.D. The result was assessed after three weeks of drug administration with the help of a specially prepared proforma. All the important hematological, biochemical, urine, and stool investigations were carried out. There was no adverse drug reaction (ADR) observed after the administration of Pippali in this particular study.

A clinical trial was carried out on 30 oligomenorrhoea [Artava Kshaya] patients aged between 15 and 35 years having complaints of irregular, scanty and painful menstruations. The patients were registered from OPD and IPD of Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya Puri. They were administrated Satapuspa churna for three months in a dose of 5 g twice daily with cow grita. The specific investigations were done in order to exclude TB endometritis, endocrine disorders, diabetes and heart disease. The clinical assessment was carried out in thirty days intervals. It is inferred that the study discloses the effect of satapuspa churna on irregularity of interval of menstruation [90.47%], duration of menstruation [79.37%], amount of blood flow [90.00%] and pain during menstruation [100.00%] which were highly significant in clinical study. No untoward side effect was noticed during clinical trial.

Grahani and Agni are having Adhara-Adheya-Sambandha. Grahani is described as an Agni Adhishthana by most of the acharyas. Mandagni is a root cause of Ama Dosha and it is the crucial factor for manifestation of most of the diseases. Among them, Grahani is the prime disease of gastro-intestinal tract and seen often in day-to-day practice. A total of 66 patients were randomly divided in three groups and treated with: A) Kalingadi Ghanavati, three vatis of 500 mg twice daily with takra, B) Tryushnadi Ghrita, 10 g twice daily before meal with lukewarm water and C) Combination of both the drugs for 14 days. An assessment was done on the basis of Rogabala, Dehabala, Agnibala, and Chetasabala. The study revealed that combination proved better results than those of individuals.

Gridhrasi can be equated with sciatica, where pain, weakness, numbness, and other discomforts along the path of the sciatic nerve often accompanies low back pain. It is a common affliction of adults, costing billions of dollars in healthcare and resulting in more lost days of work than any other illness but the common cold. A herniated disc, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, etc., can all cause sciatica. The treatment available for sciatica in modern medicine is not very satisfactory.The role of research in Ayurveda is to elucidate the underlying principles and to explain them in modern parameters. The present study was aimed at establishing clinically the effect of Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) Ghan Vati (dried water extract) alone as well as in combination with Matra Basti in the management of Gridhrasi. A total of 119 patients were registered for the study, out of which 102 patients completed the treatment: 52 patients in group A (Nirgundi Ghan Vati) and 50 in group B (Nirgundi Ghan Vati + Matra Basti). The results show that both treatments had an effect on Gridhrasi, but there was better relief of the signs and symptoms in group B. Matra Basti and Nirgundi Ghan Vati might both contribute to different extents in the recovery of the patient.

Kachchu is a simple localized dermatological infection of the genitoinguinal region, which occurs because of unhygienic observance, and manifests in the form of inflammation followed by secondary bacterial or fungal infections that can be best correlated to genitoinguinal intertrigo. Even though it rarely causes systemic manifestations, its mere presence itself is disturbing because of intractable itching and pain. It may delay the proper healing of the episiotomy wound and may cause difficulty in walking because of severe pain. Candida powder is the highest selling medicine for the intertrigo, as the incidence of intertrigo is as high as 40% in some particular seasons. In the Ayurveda fraternity, there is no established preparation that can be preserved safely in all the epochs of life in females and which is easy to apply. After understanding the disease in the perspective of the ayurvedic and modern medicinal systems, Khadiradi yoga choorna - a new ayurvedic formulation - was prepared on the basis of stringent ayurvedic principles. Hence, an attempt has been made to study the efficacy of the khadiradi yoga avachurnana ¹ in Kachchu, with special reference to genitoinguinal intertrigo in females.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis / spring catarrh is a variety of exogenous allergic conjunctivitis, which is a very troublesome ocular disease of childhood and in the adolescent age group. The child suffers from intense itching, grittiness, discharge, redness, lacrimation, photophobia, and so on, thereby, decreasing his learning hours. The troublesome features are aggravated in the spring season / hot climate that lasts for years together and rarely persists after adolescence. Mast cell stabilizers, topical Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and steroids are the available treatment options that too with symptomatic relief and potential side effects, which limits the long-term use of these medicines. The clinical picture of vernal keratoconjunctivitis / spring catarrh is very similar to Kaphaja Abhishyanda, and Triyushnadi Anjana Bhaishajya Ratnavali (B.R.), and its treatment was clinically tried on the patients attending the Netra Roga OPD of the R.G. Government P.G. Ayurveda College Hospital at Paprola (H.P.). A proper protocol and performa was adopted with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. In the first phase, a pilot study was conducted on 38 clinically diagnosed patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and it gave 100% relief in photophobia, foreign body (FB) sensation, and lacrimation, with marked relief in other features. Encouraged by this pilot work, Triyushnadi Anjana (TA) and 2% sodium cromoglycate (mast cell stabilizer) eye drops in the second-phase clinical trial on 32 patients were tried clinically to evaluate the comparative efficacy. In the second clinical trial, the patients were randomly divided into two groups and Group I was given sodium cromoglycate 2% eye drops and Group II was given TA. The outcome of this study verified the results of the first phase pilot study, and on comparison of the results of the two groups in the second clinical study it was observed that the TA-treated group showed better results. Transient irritation in the eyes was reported by all patients after application of TA, which was relieved by keeping the eyes closed for a few minutes. None of the patients reported any adverse action of the trial drug. Thus, it can be concluded that TA is a safe, cost-effective, and potent Ayurvedic alternative in the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis / spring catarrh.

Myopia, commonly referred to as shortsightedness, is the most common eye disease in the world with substantial social, educational, and economic impact. Some of the clinical features of Timira can be correlated with myopia. An open randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the role of Tarpana with and without Nasya in patients suffering from myopia. In total, 41 patients were registered in two groups, out of which 30 patients completed the treatment. In Group A, Tarpana with Mahatriphaladya Ghrita and in Group B, Nasya with Abhijita taila followed by Tarpana with Mahatriphaladya Ghrita was administered. After enrollment of the patients in the study, the cardinal signs and symptoms of Timira - myopia, that is, visual acuity, clinical refraction, were evaluated before and after the treatment. Comparatively, more relief in the signs and symptoms were found in the Nasya group followed by the Tarpana group.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease with a relapsing nature. It is a very challenging disease affecting a patient during the most active period of his life i.e. 20 to 40 years of age. The main features are ano-rectal bleeding with increased frequency of bowel evacuation, general debility and with abnormal structural pathology in the descending colon, particularly sigmoid colon. In modern medical science, there is no permanent curative and safe treatment for this disease. This study can be helpful for reducing the need of steroids and surgical processes in the patients of ulcerative colitis. A clinical study of 43 patients of ulcerative colitis has been conducted at the O.P.D. (outdoor patient department) and I.P.D. (indoor patient department) of the P D Patel Ayurveda Hospital, Nadiad. They were given Udumbara kvatha basti with oral Ayurveda medicaments including Kutaj ghan vati, Udumbara kvatha, and combination of Musta, Nagakesara, Lodhra, Mukta panchamrut rasa for a one-month period. Results were analyzed statistically by using the 't' test. In this study, it was observed that the symptoms and signs, daily dose of steroids and other anti-inflammatory drugs were reduced by more than 75% with a highly significant result. The hemoglobin level was also increased.

Amlapitta is a disease caused by increase of Amla Guna of Pitta. Starch obtained from the rhizomes of two plants viz., Curcuma angustifolia Roxb. (Fam. Zingiberaceae) and Maranta arundinacea Linn. (Fam. Marantaceae) are used as Tugaksheeree. In the present clinical study, the efficacy of Tugaksheeree was studied on 67 patients of Amlapitta. A 0 total of 84 patients suffering from Amlapitta were selected from the O.P.D. and I.P.D. sections in the department of Dravyaguna, I.P.G.T. and R.A., Hospital, Jamnagar, and were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty four patients completed the treatment course in Group I, and 33 patients completed the treatment course in Group II. The efficacy of drug Tugaksheeree was studied through internal administration of the starches of C. angustifolia Roxb. (Fam. Zingiberaceae) in Group I and M. arundinacea Linn. (Fam. Marantaceae) in Group II with the dose of 4 g TID with water for 30 days. Both the drugs were found highly effective in treating Amlapitta. They significantly relieved the cardinal symptoms viz., Avipaka, Tikta-amlodgara, Daha, Shoola, Chhardi and the associated symptoms viz., Aruchi, Gaurava, Udaradhmana, Antrakujana, Vit bheda, Shiroruja, Angasada, and Trit. Statistically significant increase in body weight was noticed in both the groups. This may be because the drugs corrected the Agni and acted as Brihmana and Dhatupushtikara. Both the drugs did not produce any side effects. Therefore, both these drugs (C. angustifolia Roxb. and M. arundinacea Linn.) can be used as substitutes for each other.

Apabahuka is a disease that usually affects the Amsa sandhi (shoulder joint).It is produced by the Vata dosha. Even though the term Apabahuka is not mentioned in the nanatmaja Vata vyadhi, Acharya Sushruta and others have considered Apabahuka as a Vataja vikara. Amsa shosha (wasting of the shoulder) can be considered as the preliminary stage of the disease, where loss or dryness of sleshaka kapha from amsa sandhi occurs. For the present study, Marsha nasya with Laghumasa Taila was administered to 15 patients for seven days, and the following results were obtained. After treatment, 53.33% relief was found on Bahupraspandita hara, 26.66% on Shoola, 30.00% on Stambha, 60.00% on Atopa, and 37.50% on wasting of muscles. On the overall effect of therapy alone, one (6.60%) patient got marked improvement, eight (53.33%) got moderate improvement, four (26.66%) were improved, and two (13.33%) patients remained unchanged.

Immunity plays a key role in maintaining the health of an individual. Therefore, the rational modulation of the immunity through psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune (PNI) axis is useful for the prevention as well as for the curing of the diseases. As immunomodulation is a parameter for evaluation of the rasayana effect of a drug, the same has been studied to assess the rasayana effect of Ranahamsa Rasayanaya (RR). Experimental models such as antibody formation against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and cell mediated immunity (CMI) have been carried out befitting on Wistar strain albino rats to determine the immunomodulatory effect plus rasayana effect of RR. Statistically significant increase in body weight, nonsignificant increase in antibody formation against SRBC, highly significant decrease in CMI were observed in the treatment groups, when compared to the standard control group. These results show the probable immunomodulatory and anabolic activities of the test drug. Outcome of these studies validate the strong rasayana effect of the test drug claimed by the traditional practitioners of Sri Lanka.

Incidence of epilepsy is 0.3 to 0.5% in different populations throughout the world, and the prevalence of epilepsy has been estimated at 5 to 10 persons per 1000. Scanning of the Ayurvedic classics reveals that 90% of the formulations mentioned to have action on sajnavaha srotas are ghrita-based formulations. Ghrita because of its yogavahi guna, incorporates the qualities of the drugs added to it without losing its own qualities. In the present study Hingusauvarchaladi ghrita and saptavartita Hingusauvarchaladi ghrita have been selected, to prove their anticonvulsant activity experimentally on albino mice, by the chemoshock method. The observations recorded have been analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Scheffe's test, statistically. Saptavartita Hingusauvarchaladi ghrita has shown better anticonvulsant activity in comparison to Hingusauvarchaladi ghrita.

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia wild miers) is a well-known medicinal plant, which is abundantly used in different ayurvedic formulations utilizing varieties of media. The drug has properties like Rasayana (rejuvenating property), Krimighna (anthelmintics), and Kushtghna (used in skin disorders), as described in ayurvedic literature. Taila (oil) and Ghrita (ghee) are used as media in Ayurvedic Sneha (oleaginous) formulations. Both the test drugs, Guduchi Taila and Ghrita, are prescribed in Vatrakta (gout) and also indicated for Kushtha (skin disorder). With all these details, the Guduchi Taila and Guduchi Ghrita samples, prepared by using Taila and Ghrita as media, have been subjected to comparative pharmacological investigations, to assess the impact of the media on the expression of pharmacological activity. The formulations have been evaluated for immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-stress activities. Both the formulations have been found to be active in most of the experiments, however, with the change of media, their results vary at different levels. Taila prepared from Guduchi was found to have an immunostimulating activity. The formulation prepared with Ghrita exhibited an anti-stress effect with an immunosuppressing activity.

Rasaka , which is one among the Maharasas, is an ore of zinc and has been used to extract Yashada in ancient times. It has a wide range of therapeutic applications, including in diseases like Prameha, Streeroga, and so on. The practice of Rasaka Bhasma preparation has declined with time due to various reasons. The present study aims to identify the genuine samples of Rasaka, prepare Rasaka Bhasma by subjecting it to Shodhana and Marana, and undertake a physiochemical analysis of the prepared Bhasma with an eye toward the standardization of Rasaka Bhasma.

The Vanga Bhasma is an important one amongst the metallic Bhasmas. Mainly Gaja Puta, Ardhagaja Puta and Laghu Puta have been described for Marana of Vanga. The medicines, which are prepared from Gaja Puta, are said to be the best ones (Mahagunavidhayaka). Gaja Puta is commonly used in the preparation of almost all the Bhasmas. There are a few references found in classics regarding Ardhagaja Puta, but not any reference regarding its detail description, therefore, the effort was made to standardize both the Putas with regard to Vanga Bhasma. In the present study, Vanga Bhasma was prepared by Gaja Puta and Ardhagaja Puta. For Marana of Vanga, it was found that the Ardhagaja Puta is more convenient than Gaja Puta with respect to color and particle size analysis of Bhasma after Jarana procedure of Vanga.

Ayurveda has a holistic approach toward all the miseries of man and aging is one of these. It is classified as one of the natural and Yapya (palliative) diseases. It is the process of becoming old and decaying. As age advances, several changes take place in the body, in the external appearance, in the condition of Dosha, Dhatu, Mala, Agni, Oja, and so on, as well as in the mental and cognitive functions. Elderly people are susceptible to several chronic diseases also. The problems of the elderly are becoming a matter of great concern as increased life expectancy due to better medical services and improved technology is resulting in an increasing population of the aged. By the year 2020, the World will have more than one billion people aged 60 and over, and more than two-thirds of them will be living in the developing countries. A major concern related to the rapid increase in the population of the aged is that there will be an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities, both being conditions that tend to accompany the aging process. This burden is increasing day by day. In the Ayurvedic texts, a comprehensive description has been given of aging. The aim of this conceptual article is to compile and re-evaluate the various principles related to different aspects of aging.

Vasa (Adhatoda vasica Linn.) is a well known and easily available drug in almost all the seasons. Easy availability of any drug gains popularity among physicians as well as pharmaceuticals and this is the reason why almost every Kalpana of Vasa is found described in the Ayurvedika text. The different dosage forms of Vasa like Kvatha, Avaleha, Sneha, and Sandhana have been used for the treatment of Shwasa Roga. A number of research studies have been performed on different formulations of Vasa and its effect on Shwasa Roga. Therefore, a review study has been carried out on the Vasa extract, Vasa Avaleha (prepared from Svarasa and Kvatha), Vasa Ghrita, Vasarishta, and Vasakasava on Shwasa Roga, to know which formulation is better. It was found in the review that Vasa Ghana, Vasa Ghrita (1), and Vasa Avaleha have shown good results on Tamaka Shwasa.