AYURVEDIC METHOD OF ULVA (VERNIX CASEOSA) VISHODHANAM (MALAXATION AND CLEANING) –A CRITICAL APPRAISAL

“Kaumarbhritya” is one among the specialty of Ashtanga Ayurveda which deals with comprehensive care of mother and child. It takes care of different phases of women’s reproductive life and the child’s life right from conception to 16 years of age. Navajatashishuparicharya is the series of steps taken for wellbeing of a newborn which includes Prana pratyagamana (neonatal resuscitation), Ulvaparimarjana (cleaning of the vernix caseosa), Mukhavishodhana (cleaning of oral cavity), Pichudhrana (Application of tampon on head), Garbhodakavamana (clearing of neonate’s stomach), Nabhinalachedana (cutting of umbilical cord), Jata karma (birth rites), Lehana karma (licking of ghee, herbs, honey etc) Abhyanga (massage with oil), Snana (neonatal bath) and Raksha karma (protection of baby). Among above, Ulvaparimarjana is the initial step after the life is stabilized. There is a chance that new-borns lose body temperature because they are born naked and wet and are likely to develop hypothermia and its consequences particularly in winter. Taking care of a newborn is challenging especially in the first hour of life. Warm delivery room, immediate drying, appropriate clothing etc are helpful in preventing hypothermia. But malaxation and cleaning of vernix caseosa with Saindava sarpi mixture (SS mixture)  effectively helps in maintaining the thermos neutral environment of the baby. Uniqueness of this procedure, methodological and practical application, classical benefits with support of available evidences are essential to be reviewed in contemporary times to appraise their utility in current times and to revive the ancient practices

GERIAYUTRICS – AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE OF SENESCENCE AND REJUVENESCENCE

Ayurveda itself is seen to have been evolved to ease human beings from Jara. Inclusion of Jara chikitsa (Geriayutrics) as one among the Ashtanga Ayurveda during those good olden days implies the foresight of Acharyas on its importance. World Health Organisation declared the calendar year 1999 as the International Year of Older People (IYOP), since then the problems of aging people got the worldwide focus and health wise momentum. Now at this time, the whole world is showing renewed interest in the aging process and aged people. In first 50 yrs of 21st century old age dependency ratio is expected to double in more developed region and triple in less developed region, thus the aged people are going to be a big problem for the society.It is the best time to explore the possibilities from Ayurveda, which can raise the hope of the silver population and improve their lifespan. The cognate of the Greek “Geras” is the Sanskrit “Jara” both of which means old age. According to Ayurveda, the Jara (aging) is a natural phenomenon like hunger, thirst and sleep. Sushruta mentioned a group of naturally occurring diseases named Svabhavabala roga, which includes Kshut (hunger), Pipasa (thirst), Nidra (sleep), Jara (old age) and Mrityu (death). The term ‘Geriayutrics’ is introduced by the authors to emphasize that Ayurveda is the science recognised importance of Jara Chikitsa as separate clinical speciality. This review focuses on the understanding of Ayurvedic biology of aging with respect to physiological components such as Dosha, Dhatu, Mala, Srotas, Indriyas, Ojas, Manas and so on and their correction through the application of Rasayana (rejuvenescence)

MULTIDIMENSIONAL EFFECTS OF SHIRODHARA ON PSYCHO-SOMATIC AXIS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS

Now-a-days many clinical conditions of different physiological systems becoming psychosomatic in nature, may be because of modern day living. Psychosomatic disorders represent a therapeutic enigma. Despite compelling evidence to suggest the integrity of mind and body, humans are famously prone to experiencing them as separate. Ayurveda essentially sees every disease as a psychosomatic manifestation and views the mind and body as two aspects of one unity. Considering the involvement of Hypothalamico-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA Axis) in most of the psychosomatic disorders; an attempt is made to use the word Psychosomatic axis in synonymous with HPA axis/Shatchakras. Shirodhara, an icon of Ayurveda in global scenario, is the pouring of warm herbal oil over the forehead in a pendulous manner. This treatment rejuvenates the nervous system, releases emotions, opens the subtle channels and unfolds bliss throughout the mind and body. This paper explores the advanced understanding of Shirodhara and its role in prevention and treatment of psychosomatic disorders and promotion of mental health & in turn to emphasize its importance in current day practice

SCIENTIFIC VALIDATION OF AYURVEDIC CONCEPT OF PRAKRITI (PSYCHO-SOMATIC CONSTITUTION) - CURRENT EVIDENCES

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian healing system with personalized approach documented and practiced since ages. Ayurveda is not merely a system of medicine, in a broader sense it is the “Science of Holistic Living and Art of Natural Healing”. Ayurveda has a unique way of classifying human population based on individual constitution or Prakriti. Ayurveda's Tridosha theory identifies principles of movement (Vata), metabolism (Pitta), and structure (Kapha) as discrete phenotypic groupings. As per this system, every individual is born with his or her own basic constitution, which to a great extent regulates inter-individual variability in susceptibility to diseases and response to external environment, diet and drugs. In the realm of modern predictive medicine, efforts are being directed towards capturing disease phenotypes with greater precision for successful identification of markers for prospective disease conditions. Due to contemporary technological advancements, newer approaches are emerging in different sciences which are beyond their frontiers, of which Precision medicine is newer one. It is an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person. It seems to be the continuation or advancement of personalized predictive medicine. In this context different study discussed in the article provides the identification of a genomic link to the theory of Prakriti led to a search for possible classification of people on their Prakriti based on their genetic makeup. These studies could eventually lead to a personalization of medical practice on the basis of Prakriti as is conceived in Ayurveda. This reappraisal of Ayurveda in light of fundamental science and its advances would be immensely helpful to perceive Ayurveda in true scientific fervor

RELEVANCE OF “PADA CHATUSHTAYA” (MEDICAL QUARTET) WITH RESPECT TO STATUS OF AYURVEDA EDUCATION IN INDIA

India’s gurukula tradition of learning and teaching was in practice for many centuries. Gurukula system of one-to-one knowledge imparting education and learning transformed as Kulaguru system i.e., University based education. Education, research and practice are the essential components of the modern education and the same applies to field of Ayurveda. Ayurveda education in India is being regulated by a statutory professional body, Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) established under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 of Government of India. Padachatushtaya, one among the fundamental components of Ayurveda education, practice and research is analyzed with respect to existing status of Ayurveda education. Ayurveda, being the Science of Holistic Living and Art of Natural Healing, mainly detailed on the main objective i.e., Wellness to Illness approach. So accordingly any step or action or planning in the field of Ayurveda with respect to education, research and practice should focus on its basic approach. Graduates should be exposed to skill based knowledge so as become the part of the national health force keeping in view of the health policy of the country. In the contemporary times, Integration is much needed. Integration is to understand the traditional knowledge from diversified fields of science for effective utilization and its application.

LIPOMA DISSEMINATUM

A 46-year-old man of medium built was presented with a history of multiple subcutaneous nodules of varying sizes mainly on the back that began to appear since 5 years. It was also found that he is suffering from asymptomatic Hepatitis B since 3 years and was advised to take Liv.52 HB by a local physician. There is no familial history of similar condition. Physical examination revealed that nodules are painless, mobile, soft to touch, with a maximum diameter of 30 cm, most of which were located on the back and an uncommon distribution of lipomas all over the body. Patient’s lipid profile was normal. The case was diagnosed by the modern physicians and advised surgical excision of the lipoma. But the patient was uninterested to undergo the surgical excision. He reported at the OPD of Swami Vivekanand Ayurvedic Panchakarma hospital, Dilshad Garden, New Delhi in the month of Sept 2014.

COVID conundrum: Possible solutions in Ayurveda

In spite of several advances in healthcare, viruses are emerging and re-emerging as one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. Currently, COVID-19 has emerged as the most intense and petrifying viral infection to be handled by the human race, due to its nature of fast acceleration and slow deceleration. Neither vaccines nor drugs are currently available for prevention, prophylaxis and treatment of SARS-CoV 2 infection in humans. Ayurveda, being one of the oldest systems of healthcare, could offer potential solutions for the prevention and management of COVID-19 infection.  In this article an attempt to find possible solutions by analysing the disease profile of COVID using ayurvedic framework is made. Trividha bodhya sangraham is the guiding tool to analyse anukta vyadhi (novel or unsaid diseases).  Different levels of care i.e. Preservation, promotion, protection, Adjuvant/add-on and supportive recipes may be applied on case to case basis. Ayurveda based broad-spectrum antiviral agents could provide additional protection of the general population from  novel viral diseases, reinforcing to leverage the potentials of Ayurveda. ‘NAMASTE’ is an acronym introduced to signify the protective measures of corona infection