Ayurvedic Medicine

What is Shilajit Gold?

by Andy Kahn

Shilajit Gold is a unique combination of Shilajeet and Gold ash. Gold is a powerful rejuvenator that helps increase stamina, vigour and vitality.Shilajit gold  mainly contains mono atomic gold or gold bhasma
and shilajeet. Swarna Bhasma rejuvenates the five basic elements of the body, nourishes the body and cures psychic disorders, epilepsy and impotency

Shilajit Gold is a unique combination of Shilajeet and Gold ash. Gold is a powerful rejuvenator that helps increase... more Shilajit Gold is a unique combination of Shilajeet and Gold ash. Gold is a powerful rejuvenator that helps increase stamina, vigour and vitality.Shilajit gold  mainly contains mono atomic gold or gold bhasma and shilajeet. Swarna Bhasma rejuvenates the five basic elements of the body, nourishes the body and cures psychic disorders, epilepsy and impotency

Four Major Ayurvedic Herbs

by Eric Yarnell

Medicine, India, in the New Dictionary of the History of Ideas

by Dominik Wujastyk

2005 Wujastyk, Dominik. "Medicine: India." New Dictionary of the History of Ideas. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (March 7, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3424300466.html

Arsenical Compounds in Ayurveda Medicine- A Prospective analysis

by Ashok Kumar Panda

Haritala (Orpiment), Manashila (Realgar)  and Gouripasana (White arsenic)  are the three commonly used... more Haritala (Orpiment), Manashila (Realgar)  and Gouripasana (White arsenic)  are the three commonly used Arsenicals in Ayurveda and other codified traditional medicine of India for  wide range diseases  after  Sodhana ( Purifiaction) and Marana( Calcification) . Gouripasana (White arsenic) is now accepted in western medicine as first chemotherapeutic agent against certain hamatopoitic cancer. Malla sindura and Rasa Manikya are two derivatives of White arsenic and Orpiment respectively used in certain cases of cancer and solid tumor by the contemporary Ayurveda Practitioners and traditional healers of North East India. A systematic study on arsenical compounds in Ayurveda is not found as like Chinese traditional  medicine , therefore  a prospective study to analyse the different arsenicals used in Ayurveda, their purification ,  Properties,  formulation, pharmacology and therapeutics , toxicology as described in Ayurveda with modern understanding of  biological responses, toxicology and detailed pharmacological studies  was undertaken. The Indications of Arsenicals in Ayurveda medicine are still remaining to be justified in the light of modern pharmacology. This study throws an idea where an Ayurveda clinician and patient  can presume the risk in light of benefit.

Medicinal Plants use and Primary Health Care in Sikkim

by Ashok Kumar Panda

More than 80% of the population of Asian and African countries depends on traditional medicine for primary health... more More than 80% of the population of Asian and African countries depends on traditional medicine for primary health care. Local knowledge is becoming increasingly importance in Primary health care system in Sikkim for its geographical habitat and medicinal plants potential.  The paper deals with 23 species of medicinal plants, which are arranged alphabetically. In enumeration, the details include correct botanical names with authority, family to which it belongs, local names, followed by parts used and names of diseases. The studied 23 medicinal plants have been used in 33 common diseases which require primary health care in Sikkim. This study also found the traditional healers are act as health care actors for treating arthritis, fracture, jaundice, diarrhea and respiratory diseases of children with other persistence, long lasting chronic health conditions.

Clinical evaluation of Swertia chirata for the treatment of P. vivax malaria

by Ashok Kumar Panda

Kiratatikta(Swertia chirata) has the proprtyof Jvaragna( Antipyretic) and indicated in the treatment of Sannipata... more Kiratatikta(Swertia chirata) has the proprtyof Jvaragna( Antipyretic) and indicated in the treatment of Sannipata Jvara( Complicated fever) in Ayurveda. A clinical study was conducted and reveals that Swertia chirata has antimalarial parasitic effect in Human..

This study was published in PHYTOMEDICA-2004, Volume-5

Consumer demand of Traditional Medicine in Chennai Rural

by Ashok Kumar Panda

Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Amchi are the front runner Traditional medicine in India. A survey was conducted in... more Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Amchi are the front runner Traditional medicine in India. A survey was conducted in Poonamallee area of Chennai to study the consumer demand of Ayurveda medicime in July2002 to August 2003. It was found that only 21% of studied population were interested for Traditional Medicine but morethan 70% people have been using Ayurveda product either as cosmetics or as health promotive agents by self or by advertisement. only 29% people in studied population knew about Ayurveda whereas no body knows about Amchi and Unani system of Medicine. 32% studied people knew about siddha system of Medicine. In this way this paper enumerated the acceptance and atitude of people in Chennai rural.

Effectiveness of Leech therapy in Gambhira Vata-rakta (Acute Gout): a pilot Study

by Ashok Kumar Panda

Bloodletting is a mainstay of Panchakarma therapy as per Susruta . Leech therapy has been indicated as means of... more Bloodletting is a mainstay of Panchakarma therapy as per Susruta . Leech therapy has been indicated as means of bloodletting for both types of Vata-rakta where pain, burning and    redness found as per Charaka chikitsa. Medical science has enormous leaps in terms of diagnosis and treatment yet there is renewed interest in leech therapy among modern as well as traditional medicine practitioners. Most of studies of leech therapy are found for plastic surgery and pain reduction in osteo- arthritis. US, FDA also approves leech therapy as tool of skin graft.  Therefore, we conducted a non randomized controlled pilot study in between June 2011 to Sep 2011 to assess the efficacy of leech therapy in Gambhira Vatarakta as diagnosed as acute Gout. Twelve patients (eight male and four female) with a mean age of 47(9) years were treated with two - four leeches for seven days with a follow up to four weeks. Another 10 patents those were not willing for leech therapy was treated with tropical Diclofenac sodium  gel for 7 days as control. The mean length of blood socking is 32(5) minute. The mean quantity of blood sucked by Individual leech per suck is 6(2) ml. In comparison with control, leech application led to rapid relief of pain and swelling immediate after the detachment of leech. Most significant clinical improvement was noted after 14 days and slightly reduction of serum uric acid were also noted after three weeks of treatment.  90% Patient described the initial leech therapy as a painless and two patients had mild to moderate itching but no local infection was noted in treated group. Our study was limited to small sample size but it had remarkable treatment effect. Larger randomized control trial should be undertaken to study the safety and efficacy of leech therapy in acute  gout.

An Ancient Medicine in a New World: A Tibetan Medicine Doctor’s Reflection from ‘Inside"

by Eliot Tokar

Tokar, Eliot 2008, "An Ancient Medicine in a New World: A Tibetan Medicine Doctor’s Reflection from ‘Inside’." Tibetan Medicine in the Contemporary World: Global Politics of Medical Knowledge and Practice, Ed. Pordié, Laurent. London: Routledge. 229-248

FROM: “Tibetan Medicine in the Contemporary World" (pub. Routledge)
Edited by Dr. Laurent Pordié.
Awarded the International Convention of Asia Scholars 2009 Book Prize Award

Based on his own Tibetan medicine practice, the author analyzes the rapprochement between Tibetan medicine and the... more Based on his own Tibetan medicine practice, the author analyzes the rapprochement between Tibetan medicine and the industry of complementary and alternative medicine/integrative medicine. Discussed in depth are the social, ethical and medical significance of the transformation of traditional Tibetan medicine in the context of Western (esp. American) normative public health policies. The author shows how in that context, a neo-traditional medical practice can be constructed, that advances the translation of traditional Asian medical concepts and terminology in a way that is intended to be both faithful to traditional theory, and that makes it accessible and useful to the wide spectrum of patients of diverse cultural, language and economic backgrounds found in New York City.

A Tibetan Medical Perspective on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

by Eliot Tokar

Tokar, Eliot 1998, A Tibetan medical perspective on irritable bowel syndrome: building a means of discourse for integrative medicine, Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 4(5): 343-349

This article will compare the diagnostic approaches of Western biomedicine and Tibetan medicine. The biomedical... more This article will compare the diagnostic approaches of Western biomedicine and Tibetan medicine. The biomedical disease irritable bowel syndrome will be used as a case study. It will be contrasted with the multiple nosological categories that could be used in TIbetan medicine to achieve a differential diagnosis for patients with symptoms that are typical of this biomedical disease.

As a result of the grassroots alternative medicine movement, for four decades Americans have increasingly used a wide diversity of natural medical approaches. Among these are ancient systems of traditional natural medicine such as Tibetan medicine. As the use of such medical alternatives expand it is important to consider how they can be best utilized within our society.

The integration of such systems into the existing medical industrial complex is an approach sponsored by powerful voices within the government, academia and the medical industry. Alternatively, many laypeople and health professionals advocate for medical pluralism in order to provide a means for promoting the greatest possible healthcare diversity and freedom. In analyzing the debate between integration and pluralism it is vital to consider how they will each effect the actual practice of traditional natural medical systems as well as the indigenous cultures from which such disciplines originate. This article will draw upon the history of Tibetan medicine to inform the debate between integration and pluralism. Finally, it will pose some critical questions regarding medical reform.

Seeing to the distant mountain: diagnosis in Tibetan medicine.

by Eliot Tokar

Tokar, Eliot, 1999, Seeing to the distant mountain: Diagnosis in Tibetan medicine, Alternative Therapies In Health And Medicine, 5(2): 50-58

To make use of an ancient traditional medical system we must first be able to comprehend the singular concepts and... more To make use of an ancient traditional medical system we must first be able to comprehend the singular concepts and language it utilizes to understand and describe health and illness. The diagnostic procedure is the method by which a person's medical condition is interpreted into the epistemological categories and language of medical science. This article provides a description of traditional Tibetan medical diagnosis, and explains how a Tibetan physician perceives and analyzes a presenting illness. It discusses the spiritual, psychological and physical aspects of the Tibetan medical approach to diagnosis. By addressing these issues we can understand what is unique about this system of alternative medicine and how it can inform other models of medical practice.

Preservation and Progress: Using Tibetan Medicine as a Model to Define a Progressive Role for Traditional Asian Medicine in Modern Healthcare

by Eliot Tokar

Tokar, Eliot. 2007, Preservation And Progress: Using Tibetan Medicine As A Model To Define A Progressive Role For Traditional Asian Medicine In Modern Healthcare, Asian Medicine: Tradition and Modernity, 2(2): 303-314.

The history of Tibetan medicine's development provides an excellent model for planning the appropriate utilization of... more The history of Tibetan medicine's development provides an excellent model for planning the appropriate utilization of 'foreign' medical systems and traditions within a new culture that incorporates progressive approaches for the use of both medical pluralism and integration. This history takes on increasing relevance in the modern world as the practice of Tibetan medicine and other forms of traditional Asian medicine have been spreading in the West where they have been faced with commoditization and the hegemony of biomedicine. In the face of modern globalization, certain key questions have yet to be sufficiently addressed. How can systems of traditional Asian medicine be incorporated into western cultures in a manner that permits them to contribute to our understanding of health and disease while allowing them to retain their own integrity? How can they be utilized to aid in the solution of public health problems that exist in the West? What should be the proper interaction between traditional Asian medical systems (e.g., Tibetan medicine) and biomedicine? To determine the answer to these and other vital questions, we must take into account the many cultural, political, economic and scientific issues that affect the state of both public health and individual healthcare.

A Tibetan medicine doctor's view: Interview with Eliot Tokar

by Eliot Tokar

Laughlin, Matt 2006, Transformation and balance: The principles of Tibetan medicine in the context of American healthcare, Unified Energetics; 1:2, 19-25

This interview explores the nature of the study and the clinical practice of Tibetan medicine. Also included are... more This interview explores the nature of the study and the clinical practice of Tibetan medicine. Also included are topics such as the issues involved in the preservation of ancient forms of medicine in the modern world, medical integration, biopiracy, and the application of intellectual property rights to traditional culture. Eliot Tokar is a traditional Tibetan medicine doctor and internationally experienced writer and lecturer. He practices Tibetan medicine in NYC and is one of the first Westerners to have received extensive textual and clinical training in this field.

Exploration of Medicinal Properties of Fruits for Health and Nutritional Security

by Dr. Vijai K. Umrao

DR. Vijai Kumar, Publd in " Souvenir- International Conference on Issues for Climate Change, Land Use Diversification and Biotechnological Tools for Livelihood Security( ICLDBT-October 8-10,2011)": pp-225-233.

Care, Cure and Control: a Politics of Dietetics

by Rick Dolphijn

Secret Healing, Rejuvenation, and Longevity Techniques of Ancient India: The Techniques of Somakaya, Sanjivani, Kayakalpa, Navakhandasiddhi, Rasayana, and Pranarasayana by David L. Spess

by David L. Spess

The Techniques of Somakaya, Sanjivani, Kayakalpa, Navakhandasiddhi, Rasayana, and Pranarasayana by David L. Spess

The human body innately and instinctually has basic rhythms that control its autonomic functions. These functions... more The human body innately and instinctually has basic rhythms that control its autonomic functions. These functions purposely are not accessible to the conscious mind. Yet, it is precisely these inaccessible functions that control aging, healing, and rejuvenation of the physical body. It is not impossible that the expression of DNA within single or groups of cells can be consciously controlled along with the manipulation of hormones, specific enzymes, and protein synthesis, mitochondrial enhancement, as well as energy exchange to promote healing, rejuvenation and increased longevity. In this paper we will discuss the secret techniques of Somakaya, Sanjivani, Kayakalpa, Navakhandasiddhi, Rasayana, and Pranarasayana.

Traditional Indian Systems of Healing and Medicine: Ayurveda

by Dagmar Wujastyk

This is a pre-publication version of the article ''Healing and
Medicine in Ayurveda and South Asia." In: Jones, Lindsay (ed.),
Encyclopedia of Religion, 2nd Ed., MacMillan, New York,
2005: 3852-3858.

Medicinal and Healing Properties of Lotus and Water Lily Plants

by David L. Spess

Medicinal and Healing Properties of Lotus and Water Lily Plants by David L. Spess

This article is to be published soon. I will give the link to the journal as soon as it is published.

Nelumbo and Nymphaea species of plants have long been known in folk medicine for their important longevity promoting... more Nelumbo and Nymphaea species of plants have long been known in folk medicine for their important longevity promoting powers, their ability to increase mental faculties, their stimulating effects, as well as their strength promoting and rejuvenative effects for the weak and ill. They are also known for their tonic effects in producing an elevated state of well being. They are credited with the healing and cure of numerous specific diseases. In addition, these plants are known in traditional folk medicine for important mental health effects through various psychoactive alkaloids they contain. These mental effects also include the experience of divine ecstatic states upon the consumer. In this paper I will be discussing the use of Nelumbo and Nymphaea species found in East Indian and Egyptian medicine.

Indian medical thought on the eve of colonialism

by Dominik Wujastyk

The science of medicine

by Dominik Wujastyk

2003. Chapter that appeared in Gavin Flood (ed.), The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism (Oxford, 2003)