AYURVEDIC PHARMACO-THERAPEUTIC ADOPTION OF CESTRUM DIURNUM L.

Cestrum diurnum L. known as Day jasmine, day cestrum, wild jasmine, a Solanaceae member is a native of West indies and introduced to India as an ornamental plant. The berries of the plant contain solanine, tropane-alkaloids and generally lead to acute toxicity, whereas the leaves have calcitriol (1,25- dihydroxycholecalciferol) which causes chronic toxicity in animals like cattle, horses with characteristic symptoms of vitamin D3 poisoning. However, external application of calcitriol has been approved for use in Psoriasis, and being the natural source of calcitriol C. diurnum L. becomes a potential candidate for the treatment of psoriasis. Based on the review of the literature and the field data available so far, it can be stated that, C. diurnum L. is being enthusiastically adopted by Ayurvedic physicians for the treatment of Kitibhakushta (psoriasis). An analysis of the medicine based on Ayurvedic rasapancaka (Rasa-taste, Guna-quality, Virya-potency, Vipaka-post-assimilation change, Prabhava-exclusive activity) parameters further confirms its utility as per Ayurvedic etymology. Based on the supporting evidence of C. diurnum L. extracts efficacy in psoriasis treatment its sure to take the center stage in the treatment of Psoriasis and related conditions hereafter.

PRAGMATIC USAGE OF HARITAKI (TERMINALIA CHEBULA RETZ): AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE VIS-A-VIS CURRENT PRACTICE

Haritaki (Chebulic myrobalan-Terminalia chebula Retz (Combretaceae Family) denotes a fruit having dark greenish yellow colour, which drives away diseases. The widely acclaimed Ayurvedic drug is the best wholesome substance and safe for bodily passages (haritaki pathyanam). Haritaki enjoys wide patronage in Tibetan medicine also which is known as A-ru-ra and praised with the adjective Sman-mchog-rgyal-pa (the king of best medicines). Haritaki in day to day life by judicious combinations of different adjuvants will be a boon for the person who consumes it. Though the Ayurvedic texts provide decent options such as Rituharitaki (Seasonal use of Haritaki with selective adjuvant), specific indications and contra indications, may practitioners as well as others do not pay much attention to them. This has lead to the underutilization of this wonderful fruit drug. It is the time to take fresh look at the Ayurvedic perspective of pragmatic usage of Haritaki in the light of current therapeutic evidence, pharmaceutical practices

INTEGRATION OF AYURVEDA WITH BIOMEDICINE: A RESPONSE IDENTIFICATION CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY

Background: There is re-emergence of the integrative approach to facilitate affordable, safe and equitable health to all. Due to the active initiatives taken up by the Government of India and other stake holders the reach of Ayurveda has expanded along with wide spread consumer acceptance. The efforts to co-locate Ayurveda centers along with bio-medical facilities across India through programs like National Rural Health Mission (NRHM are limited to the extent of only physical proximity between biomedicine and Ayurveda and far away from the possibility of functional integration granulated to the level of clinical service delivery together. Objective: To document the perceptions of biomedical practitioners about Ayurveda and possible integration with the biomedicine.Methods: Survey through self administered questionnaire carried out at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi involving 300 doctors from various biomedical medical specialties. Out of them, 98 doctors did not respond where as 202 responses were received in the stipulated format, which were analyzed, and interpreted based on standard statistical methods.Results: From the analysis of 202 responses, it is evident that all the respondents were aware of basic principles and strengths of Ayurveda. They also opined that, integration is useful to strengthen the overall health care delivery in India. Further, they expressed that the communication barrier between practitioners of Ayurveda and Biomedicine, meagre research work with respect to safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines and therapies, inadequate policy initiatives are the important obstacles in realizing functional integration between Ayurveda and Biomedicine.Conclusion: The survey reported good level of awareness of biomedical practitioners and their supportive attitude about the integration. Need for upgrading the skills of Ayurveda practitioners, safety and efficacy of the medicines, interdisciplinary research, information sharing and coordination between practitioners of Ayurveda and Biomedicine are identified as essential elements for successful integration