In the era of commercialization of Ayurvedic drug sector, various issues about safety and efficacy as well as quality standards of herbal and mineral drugs are being raised at global level. Therefore development of universal standards for identification, preparation and manufacturing is utmost important. The Department of AYUSH, Government of India and its various research institutes in India have published standard formularies and pharmacopoeia for Ayurvedic single as well as compound drugs. The present article reviews these publications at a glance and also directs to standardize Ayurvedic preparations to make them accepted universally.

Shvitra is a disease described in Ayurveda; which is produced by vitiation of Vata, Pitta and Kapha Doshas. The signs and symptoms of Shvitra are; non exudative white, red or coppery-red coloured patches on the skin, destruction of the skin, loss and discolouration of the hair, roughness, dryness, itching and burning sensation of the patches. It can be correlated with Vitiligo which is progressive whitening of the skin and hair characterized by the total absence of melanocytes in affected areas of the skin. This clinical study was carried out to scientifically evaluate the efficacy of the traditional Sri Lankan oil, 'Kakodumbaradi Thaila' which was used by Rev. Kirielle Gnanavimala, supplemented with selected additional Ayurvedic preparations namely; Thriphala Kwata, Shwetari Rasa, Kaishor Guggulu, Manibhadra Choorna and Ithriphal-E-Shahthira on Shvitra. These supplementary preparations were in-cooperated through experience, by Dr. Karunarathna. Thirty five Shvitra patients were selected and divided into two groups randomly. First group, which consists of twenty five patients, was treated with the aforesaid medicines and the second group, which consists of ten patients, was treated with the placebo. The duration of the treatment was 120 days. The response to the treatment was recorded and therapeutic effects were evaluated through symptomatic relief of the patients. Re-pigmentation of white patches was observed in the treated group and the other signs and symptoms of Shvitra (Vitiligo) were also reduced partially or completely during the treatment period. It was observed that Kakodumbaradi Thaila and aforementioned medicines are effective in treatment of Shvitra (Vitiligo).

Physical forms are the first impression by which the individuals are differentiated from each other in any organism and when it is applied with plants, phytomorphology comes to existence. Amid the various species of plants, somatic and sexual variations have been in core to make separate recognition. Sexual characters come to pompous position in case of diocious plants and Guduchi is one of them. They exhibit differences with physical forms in case of all parts as in aerial and underground viz., stem, leaf, aerial and underground roots etc. Veination is looped in leaves of male plants while it being incomplete in leaves of female plants, which becomes the characters to identify them separatly e. g. terminal marginal veination is looped in male plant unlike the female leaves where it is incomplete.

The word Rasayana means the way for attaining excellence of Rasadi dhatus. The attributes of Rasayana therapy as mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts are to bestow longevity, impart strength, Oja and Bala etc. Oja is the factor responsible for Vyadhikshamatva (immunity) of an individual. Rasayana therapy has been classified differently in Ayurveda viz. i) Kutipraveshika (Indoor) Rasayana vidhi and Vatatapika (Out door) Rasayana vidhi ii) Kamya, Naimittika and Ajasrika Rasayanas iii) Shodhana and Shamana types etc. Achara Rasayana is also a variety of Rasayana therapy, which is just like a code of good conduct and habit. This is a non-drug approach to Rasayana. By this without using a pharmacological recipe, one can gain all the benefits of Rasayana. Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a dreadful disease, constituting a great challenge to public health. The full consequence of this phenomenon may not be evident for several years because of the silent spread and slow evolution of this infection. The disease is as mentioned, produced due to the infection of HIV virus, which has the ability to destroy the T-helper cells that play an important role to maintain the immunity of the body. After the infection with HIV virus, the person gradually looses his immunity, as a result of which other opportunistic pathogenic organisms affect the person and gradually the health deteriorates and ultimately he dies with one of the manifestations. Therapeutics need to be found out to maintain the immune system of the body of the person suffering from HIV/AIDS. Rasayana drugs are considered to play a vital role in improving the immune system of the body, that way it may be helpful to promote the health of the person suffering from AIDS.

The response to the psychological conditions varies person to person because each has different bodily and psychic constitution. Moreover, stressors play certain role in the development, progression, prognosis and treatment of disease. Stressful life-style affects one's mind and homeostasis of body by several psychosomatic mechanisms. Many psychosomatic disorders are wing sprouted-up with genetic disposition. Type-2 diabetes is one of such diseases, which is adversely affected by disturbed psychological conditions. Survey of 279 type-2 diabetes mellitus patients revealed that majority of the patients were taking milk, followed by curd, cheese, butter etc. Moreover, majority of patients had improper sleep and more than 3/4th female patients had attained menopause with negative mental attitude. These diabetic subjects had worry, depressed mood, anger, fear, apprehension and anxiousness up to a great extent. On Brief Psychiatry Rating Scale, psychological factors affected at various levels include: somatic concern, anxiety, emotional withdrawal, conceptual disorganization, tension, unusual thought content, excitement, disorientation etc. The data reflects that defective diet and disturbed mental health play an important role in etiopathogenesis of diabetes mellitus.

High blood pressure, termed "hypertension" is a condition that afflicts almost one billion people worldwide and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. It has been called the "silent killer" for this reason. The majority of blood pressure readings are close to the mean value with fewer reading towards the limit of the range. As a result it is not possible to distinguish two separate groups of people as "hypertensive" and "normotensive". Therefore the threshold that defines hypertension is rather arbitrary. It would seem more appropriate to state that hypertension is a sustained level of BP above which treatment is more beneficial than harmful. In Ayurvedic classics no disease has been found which exactly simulates with essential hypertension. Previous researchers made their effort to simulate hypertension with the disease like Siragata Vata, Raktagata, and Avrita vataroga etc. The prime object of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of 'Chandramaradi Yoga' in the patients of Essential Hypertension. The results of treatment were assessed as excellent, good, fair & poor at the end of 28 days of drug therapy.

Psoriasis is a disease which affects the skin and joints It commonly causes red scaly patches to appear on the skin. Psoriasis is a papulo squamous disorder of the skin, characterized by sharply defined erythemato squamous lesions. They vary in size from pinpoint to large plaques.The scaly patches caused by Psoriasis are called Psoriatic plaque. Psoriasis is hypothesized to be immune-mediated and is not contagious. The disorder is a chronic recurring condition which varies in severity from minor localized patches to complete body coverage. The cause of Psoriasis is not known, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Several factors are thought to aggravate psoriasis. These include stress, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. Individuals with psoriasis may suffer from depression and loss of self-esteem. Due to chronic recurrent nature Psoriasis is a challenge to treat. Ekakushtha (Psoriasis) is a kshudra kushtha, Vata-Kapha predominant disease, Aswedanam, Mahavastum, Matsya shakalopamam, Krishna Aruna Varna are the typical sign & symptoms described under Kushtha Rogas. The study is carried out as a comparative study of Vamana & Virechana. The study was done on 35 patients of Ekakushtha (Psoriasis), where 30 patients were completed divided into two groups. In group-A Vamana was given to the patients and after Sansarjana karma, shamana yoga & Jivantyadi yamaka was given for 28 days. Total 18 patients were registered in Group A out of which 3 were dropped out. In group-B Virechana was given to the patients and after Sansarjana karma, Shamana yoga & Jivantyadi yamaka have given for 28 days. Total 17 patients were registered in Group B, out of which 2 were dropped out.

The question of standardization of quality control depends on the nature of saffron(king of spices; Family- Iridaceae) and compound drugs, on its source, which are the potent cause of variation in the properties and processes through which it is subjected to pass. With the globalization and urbanization, several lexicographers attempted for compendia of saffron in the medieval period, have given scope for substitution/ adulteration. Hence, the need of standardisation of traditional medicine (saffron) by applying scientific techniques is identified in the middle of the 20th century. For their requirement, quality grading was prepared by different countries and some of them applied. India and Spain have well prepared the standard values of saffron. Due to globalization, the quality grading is made according to specification in protocols proposed by International Standards Organisation (ISO). Different standards and objections in the official requirements/ standards of saffron have been reviewed.

The present study has been undertaken to unfold the hidden facts about the concept of Varna, to apply this concept in practical field and to assess the efficacy of Kanakatailam Cream (Varnaprasadana drug) and Manjishthadi Ghanavati in Tvakvaivarnya. Patients from OPD of Basic Principles, Dept. of IPGT & RA were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The patients in Group A were given Kanakatailam Cream for 60 days. Patients in Group B were managed with Manjishthadi Ghanavati for the same duration. The Nidanas (causative factors), Lakshana (signs & symptoms) etc. of the disease were observed carefully on the basis of specially prepared research proforma to get idea about the Samprapti of the disease. Assessment of Varnaprasadana was done on the basis of relief in the scores given to sign and symptoms of the Tvakvaivarnya according to their severity. In Group - A (Kanakatailam Cream Group) 32.73% improvement was found, which was statistically highly significant (<0.001) and in Group - B (Manjishthadi Ghanavati Group) 38.01% improvement was obtained which was also statistically highly significant (<0.001). Both the drugs Manjishthadi Ghanavati and Kanakatailam cream have shown better results in improving the colour and decreasing the intensity of the darkness of patches.

Previously many indigenous herbal drugs mentioned in Ayurvedic literature were experimentally screened on the animals and were also studied clinically on the patients as pre-anesthetic medication drug such as Brahmi, Sankhapushpi, Mandukparni, Jatamansi etc. Modern research workers had also proved their usefulness in the treatment of nervous and mental diseases. In the same chain of research work, Vacha was selected for this study and was used in the form of Ghanasatva. The clinical trial was carried on 40 healthy patients. The patients were divided into two groups randomly. The control and trial groups included 20 patients each of narrow age and weight distribution. The patients of group I (Control) were premedicated with Inj. Glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg IM and Tab. Phenergan 50 mg orally with one ounce of plain water. The patients of group II (Trial) were premedicated with Inj. Glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg I.M. and Vacha (Ghansatva) orally in recommended doses with one ounce of plain water 90 minutes prior to induction of anaesthesia. A standard anesthetic technique with pre oxygenation for 3 minutes & Nitrous oxide with Ether inhalation by spontaneous ventilation with Maggill's open circuit (Boyle's apparatus) was used. The following parameters were used to see the efficacy of the drug : Psychophysical effect before induction of anaesthesia, Cardio-respiratory and other reflex response during the course of subsequent anaesthesia & Post operative sickness in immediate post operative period up to two hours. On the basis of observations, it was concluded that Vacha controls the raised body temperature, produces good sedation and it may be helpful in the patients with preexisting hyperthermia. It does not produce any C.V.S. & Respiratory depression.

Considering the high prevalence of the disease and the need to look for alternative medicine, Uchcha Raktachapa was screened in the light of Raktashrita Vyadhis mentioned in Vidhishonitiya Adhyaya of Charaka Samhita. Comparing the Hetu Skandha and Lakshana Skandha of Raktashrita Vyadhis with that of Uchcha Raktachapa (Hypertension), a striking similarity was revealed. To prove the practical approach of management revealed by the Aushadha Skandha of Raktashrita Vikara at Vidhishonitiya Adhyaya, a randomized open clinical trial on 30 uncomplicated subjects of Uchcha Raktachapa was allocated in 3 groups viz (A) Raktamokshana Group having 7 cases received blood letting therapy by Vene-Section, (B) Virechana Group having 12 cases were administered Anulomana with Haritakyadi Yoga and (C) Combined Group: 11 cases received Virechana (Anulomana), Rakta Mokshana along with Upavasa (Psychological Upavasa in terms of Meditation and Somatic Upavasa in terms of reduction in dietary intake). The overall effect of the therapies showed that Rakta Moshana proves more valuable in showing excellent response (28.5%) and combined therapy in marked response (81.81%). Both these therapies did not show any mild or no response. But in Virechana group, mild and no responses were also reported in few patients. The principle of line of management of Raktashrita Vikara applied to Uchcha Raktachapa produced the above results and thus Uchcha Raktachapa is proved as Raktashrita Vyadhi on parlance of Hetu, Lakshana and Aushadha Skandha. The response was encouraging and left the scope for further studies.

Reproduction is an important part of the life of female. Some physiological, hormonal and metabolic changes occur in mother's body to accommodate and support the fetus throughout pregnancy. In response to these changes some ailments appear during pregnancy. Among the common ailments of pregnancy as recognized by various pioneers of Ayurveda, Kikkisa is a common disorder which appears on the abdomen during seventh month. If we look at the etiology of Kikkisa, it shows that various sages has compiled the same cause i.e. vitiation of tridosha due to the growing fetus which leads to burning sensation and itching as symptoms and stretch marks as a sign. Above said causative factors and symptomatology of Kikkisa has close resemblance with Striae Gravidarum (S.G.) as described in modern texts. In this study an attempt has been made to define Kikkisa, on scientific grounds vis-a-vis S.G. In present study, 30 clinically diagnosed Kikkisa patients were divided into two groups of 15 each and given Karaveer (Neriun indicum Mill.) taila for local application for 2 months trial period. Karaveer taila was prepared from leaves of Karaveer and Til oil as per the method of preparation of oil described in classics. Patients were assessed thoroughly for a total period of 3 months including 1 month follow up period. A statistically highly significant (p<0.001) decrease was observed in features of itching and colour of Kikkisa. No untoward reactions were observed in both the groups throughout the study period.

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) should to be designed, implemented and set for all Ayurvedic drugs one by one for globalization Ayurveda. In this study, an attempt has been made to introduce SOPs for preparation of Naga Bhasma. Naga Bhasma was prepared three times by adopting two different methods. In the first method Parada and Gandhaka were taken as media, while the second method consists of Ashwattha (Ficus religiosa) and Manahshila (Realgar) as media. The percentage increase in the Naga Bhasma prepared by first method was 5.03%, while in case of Naga Bhasma prepared by second method was 6.09%. Raw drugs, in process materials and the final products were analyzed physico-chemically and comparison was drawn to lay down pharmacopoeial standards. The average percentage purity of Naga decreased from 97.38% to 81.44% after Shodhana. The percentage of (Pb) ead in Naga Bhasma was 28.29% and 30.80% respectively in first and second methods. Both the Bhasmas were in PbS form chemically with other elements in traces.

Ayurveda- the science of life is oldest repository of medical sciences of ancient India. It has two basic objects i.e. maintenance of health and cure of disorders, for this purpose number of Kalpanas (Pharmaceutical forms) are described in accordance with disorders. There are five basic pharmaceutical forms (Panchavidha kashaya kalpana) found in Charaka Samhita. Sushruta has told six forms (Shadvidha kashaya kalpana) including Kshira Kalpana. Thus it is obvious that Kshira Kalpana is original Kalpana referred in Sushruta samhita. In Ashtang Samgraha, similar five Kalpana have been described as found in Charaka Samhita with different names- Niryasa, Kalka, Niryϊha, Shita and Phanta. In conclusion Arjuna Kshirapaka was first time prescribed by Acharya Vrinda in Hridroga, the bark of Arjuna was used to prepare Arjuna Kshirapaka. Kshirapaka is one of the unique preparations of Ayurveda. In fact through this preparation, potency of a drug is transferred into milk. It is worthy to mention here that water soluble as well as fat soluble fraction of a drug dissolve in the kshirapaka kalpana.

Postmenopausal period is a very vulnerable time for women, as she has to face inevitable scars of menopause amongst which the most disabling one is Osteoporosis. The present study was aimed to compare the effect of Shatavari and Kukkutanda twak bhasma in minimizing bone loss in menopausal and postmenopausal period. The duration of treatment was 10 weeks along with diet restrictions. The results of Shatavari were encouraging, as it has shown not only decrease in bone loss, but an significant increase in bone formation.

The tribal people of Sikkim prescribe the decoction of bark of Saptaparna for the symptomatic relief in Hypertension and other Cardiac disease. Hypertension is one of the racial health problems in present era. No system of the medicine has succeeded to give complete relief in Hypertension. Based upon the tribal claim, the present clinical study was carried out on 30 patients of Essential Hypertension (EHT) in the O.P.D. of I.P.G.T. & R.A, Jamnagar. They were equally divided in two groups. In group-1 decoction of bark of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. was administered to 15 patients of essential hypertension in a dose of 15gm. twice daily for 21 days; whereas in group-2, 15 patients were administered with 250mg of Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina) Ghanavati twice daily. The result shows Saptaparna is relieving elevated Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) & somatic symptoms, where as Sarpagandha is more beneficial in reducing elevated Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) & psychological symptoms.

Infantile colic is one, which exhibits a symptom complex of paroxysmal abdominal pain presumably of intestinal origin associated with severe crying. It usually occurs in infants younger than 3 months of age. The important reason of this symptom is aerophagia. Infantile colic is defined according to wessel's criteria, but symptoms are restricted to crying for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for more than three weeks. Ayurvedic classics describes the features of Udarashoola (colic) as the child rejects the breast, cries, sleeps in supine position, has stiffness of abdomen, feeling of cold and perspiration on face.

The diseases of the eye are much more important than any other physical disability since the loss of vision completely disables the patient. The most disastrous result of ocular disease is blindness. Of all the ocular diseases, Timira is considered to be the most important one, causing difficulty in vision. A good deal of care is required to be exercised in carrying out its proper diagnosis and treatment. It has been observed that the person who indulged in more near work e.g. working on computer monitor, tailoring work, embroidery work, working on microscope and other professionals requiring fine work develop Presbyopia at an early age. Due to all these factors Presbyopia is increasing day by day. The disease Timira - Presbyopia is Vata predominant Tridoshaja condition described under drishtigata rogas by various acharyas. The study was done on 37 patients of Timira- Presbyopia. Phalatrikadi ghrita was given in Group A Orally and Phalatrikadi ghrita was used in Group B as Tarpana & Orally. After enrollment of the patients in the study, cardinal symptoms of Timira - Presbyopia such as samipastha avyakta darshana, vihwala darshana, netrayasa and shirobhitapa etc. were studied before and after the treatment. Amongst the registered patients, 30 patients completed the course of the treatment. Comparatively more relief in signs and symptoms was found in combined group.

Present study deals with the effect of Ashwagandha Ghrita and Ashwagandha Granules on serum lipid profile and tissues in normal rats. Four groups of six animals each were made for experiment. Test drug and vehicles were administered for fifteen consecutive days. Serum lipid profile and tissue cytoarchitecture were analyzed as per standard protocol. Administration of both the test formulations did not influence serum lipid profile and also did not alter cytoarchitecture of liver, heart, aorta and kidneys. From data generated during study, it can be concluded that the Ashwagandha Ghrita and Ashwagandha Granules do not have the potential to alter serum lipid profile.

Two million people die per year due to pulmonary tuberculosis all over the world. The 15 million new cases are diagnosed every year in India, of which 90% have pulmonary tuberculosis. Chronic bronchitis is the second most common lung disorder after pulmonary tuberculosis equally prevalent in rural and urban areas. Similarly nearly 6% population suffers from Bronchial asthma in India. Respiratory system is one such in human body which gets affected from a variety of infections and condition may become worse when body lacks sufficient immunity. Though drugs like corticosteroids, bronchodilators, anti tubercular therapy offer relief but may have many side effects. In Ayurveda answer to these problems is Rasayana therapy. Role of Rasayana therapy with recent advancement can be adjusted in terms of immuno modulatory, cytoprotective, genoprotective, adaptogenic, stress reliever actions etc. In this study a textual formulation. 'Pippali Rasayana' was given for a period of 45 days after Koshtha shodhana to 15 patients diagnosed with common respiratory diseases. Control group of 12 patients was observed as such while taking their respective medications. A remarkable improvement was noted in clinical features as well as general conditions of these patients indicating the beneficial role of 'Pippali Rasayana' as adjuvant.

'Gridhrasi' is one among the ' Vataja Nanatmaja Vyadhi' described by Acharya Charaka. It is a painful neuro muscular disorder, posing serious threat to the quality of life of most productive group of population in today's India. It indicates typical gait that resembles with a 'Gridhra'. The cardinal signs and symptoms of Gridhrasi are Ruka (pain), Toda (pricking sensation), Stambha (stiffness) and Muhurspandan in the Sphika, Kati, Uru, Janu, Jangha and Pada in order and restricted lifting of the legs. In Kaphanubandha, Tandra, Gaurav, Arochaka are present. The signs and symptoms seen in 'Gridhrasi' have resemblence with that of disorder 'Sciatica' in modern science. It is a very painful condition in which pain begins in lumbar region and radiates along the posterio-lateral aspect of thigh and leg. In the present study, total 45 patients of Gridhrasi were registered and divided into two groups. Patients of Group A were given Parijata Vati orally and in Group B, Parijata Vati was administered with Local Abhyanga and Nadi Swedana. Out of 45 patients, 36 completed the total course of treatment. Most of the patients responded favourably to the treatment in both groups, but better relief was observed in group B.

Sandhigata Vata is a common Vata predominant disorder found in all races. Cervical spondylosis is described as a degenerative condition of the cervical spine. It leads to pain, stiffness in the joints, pain radiates into shoulders and fore arm, headache, vertigo, giddiness, paraesthesia at the base of the thumb etc. In modern medical science, the role of analgesics, corticosteroids, surgical decompression, traction has been credited and discredited mainly because of their draw backs and limited benefits. In this study panchadhatu shalaka was used for Agnikarma. Its Ushna, Sukshma, Ashukari guna probably pacifies the vitiated Vata Kapha Dosha and removes Srotoavarodha. To control the degenerative process Ajmodadi vati was selected for internal use. In this clinical research work, 27 patients of Cervical spondylosis (Sandhigata Vata) were randomly selected and divided into two groups i.e. group A and group B , treated with Agnikarma and Ajamodadi vati orally respectively. Comparatively more relief was found in group - A.

Ayurveda is eternal. The time, when all other civilization of the world was passing their childhood, the Indian civilization was attaining its highest altitude of knowledge. The Vedas are direct evidence of this, as there is no other literature in this world, that is more ancient than Vedas. Ayurveda is the integral part of Atharva Veda. Ayurveda is a treasure philosophical aspect. In every Ayurvedic Samhita there is parallel description of philosophical aspects with medical discussion. Therefore the question arises in mind that, is there any importance of these philosophical aspects in the field of treatment of diseases? If there is some importance then what is that? And, how it can be proved according to the present era? The Charaka Samhita is mainly a Medical text. The presence of Philosophy in this text, itself proves the importance of philosophy in the field of medicine, but there is need, to be explained, according to the present era. The widely accepted commentary on Charaka Samhita in the present time is, 'Ayurveda Dipika' written by 'Chakrapani'. Its time goes back to app. 1075 AD and there is an approximate time difference of 1000 years between Charaka and Chakrapani. After that, since twelve to nineteenth century, no authentic sanskrit commentary on Charaka Samhita is available. Again, in 19th century, the 'Jalpakalpataru Teeka' written by Kaviraj Gangadhar Rai, comes, which is the last Sanskrit commentary on Charaka Samhita at present. In this commentary, there is a deep discussion of Philosophical Subjects. There is a time difference of approximate 800 years between Chakrapani and Gangadhar Rai. The aim of this literary research is to find out the differences or specialities created or transferred, according to the era, especially in the Philosophical aspects, because of such a long time interval between Charaka and Chakrapani, and again between Chakrapani and Gangadhar Rai, and also, to discuss their importance in the field of medicine. The present study emphasize on the specialities of the 'Jalpakalpataru Teeka' in comparison with the 'Ayurveda-Deepika Teeka' on 'Samanya-vishesh Vad'.