Thursday, March 27, 2014


5th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AYURVEDA - WHERE SCIENCE MEETS CONSCIOUSNESS: EXPLORING INTERCONNECTEDNESS WITH NATURE
December 11-18, 2015
Vaidyagrama Healing Village, Coimbatore, India

Exploring holism or interconnectedness in the context of the nine grahas (planets) and their influence on all aspects of life and living, as understood by Ayurveda and allied knowledge systems, will be the theme of the Fifth International Conference on “Ayurveda – Where Science Meets Consciousness.”

Ayurveda declares unambiguously that every cell in a living being is representative of the entire universe, and that every aspect of the external universe can be seen in each cell of the living being. When we increase our understanding of this relationship between the microcosm and the macrocosm, we can apply this knowledge to clinical and daily practice, and enhance positive results for our patients, for us, for the earth, and beyond.

During the seven days of this conference, scholars, physicians, astrologers, students and preceptors from around the globe, will deliberate and discuss the qualities and movements of the navagrahas (nine “planets”), the twelve constellations of the rashis (zodiac), and other celestial influences impact human physiology and experience, how we might detect those their influences, and how to improve our relationship with them.

Venue for the conference is at Vaidyagrama Ayurveda Healing Village in the outskirts (30 kilometers) of Coimbatore - a tranquil, pollution-free setting amongst small villages engaged in agriculture at the foothills of the Nilgiri mountain ranges.

Presenters include Mother Maya (Bri Maya Tiwari) , Dr. Vasanth Lad, dr. Robert Svoboda, Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan, Myra Lewin, Dr. Claudia Welch, Shri V. Vasudevan, Shakta Kaur, and Rose Baudin.

Further information is available online at www.AyurvedaConference.com

AYURVEDIC REJUVENATION WEEKEND: APRIL 3rd-5th in BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA
The Mountain Times
March 27, 2014

The Art of Living Retreat Center (otherwise known as the Art of Living’s International Center for Meditation & Well-Being) invites those looking for an informative and empowering total health experience to join the inaugural Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Weekend April 3 to 5.

“With the majestic backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the serene, self-rejuvenating haven offered by the Art of Living Retreat Center, the immersive weekend will guide attendees as they start their journey to wholeness and balance,” an Art of Living spokesperson said.Lectures, evaluations and treatments will all focus on the ancient Indian health practices of Ayurveda, healing and prolonging life through diet, exercise, meditation and spa bodywork.The weekend will be led by Dr. Thomas Mitchell, D.C., a Raleigh-based chiropractor who specializes in holistic and Ayurvedic treatments.

With nearly 20 years of experience practicing Ayurveda, Mitchell is also a trained instructor for Art of Living Foundation meditation courses and one of the leading experts in Ayurvedic pulse assessments in both the United States and India.

Pulse diagnosis, the cornerstone diagnostic tool for Ayurvedic practices, includes monitoring an individual’s pulse to notice imbalances and early stages of various diseases. Mitchell will conduct these assessments and provide each attendee with personalized recommendations to “eat well, feel well and be well,” based on their own unique needs.“Ayurveda is the oldest and most relevant system of natural medicine,” Mitchell said. “Pulse assessments provide incredible insight into the body and help identify the best treatments and lifestyle choices to directly improve and prolong life. Together, with the Art of Living Retreat Center and its Blue Heaven Spa, we will help Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Weekend guests achieve their best possible health.”Each retreat attendee will receive three transformative spa treatments during their stay courtesy of Blue Heaven Spa at the Art of Living Retreat Center, one of the only Ayurvedic spas in North Carolina.

Treatments involve massages customized for the individual based specifically on the findings from pulse diagnoses with Mitchell.The three-day event will also include morning, afternoon and evening meditation sessions, yoga, Ayurvedic health lectures and a take-home Ayurvedic self-care kit. The Art of Living Retreat Center will provide a two-night stay in its spa suites, as well as Ayurvedic meals, incorporating fresh seasonal taste and texture to satisfy the five senses and promote a calm body and mind. “Our vision is to become the North American spiritual epicenter for inner peace, personal transformation and service to humanity,” said Neil Srivastava, managing director of the Art of Living Retreat Center. “As part of that vision, we are thrilled to host the Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Weekend, the first of its kind at the Art of Living Retreat Center. Attendees with gain an incredible amount of self-awareness, empowering them to achieve balance and lead their best lives.”

The Art of Living Retreat Center opened in 2011, when the Art of Living Foundation purchased a 381-acre property in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The foundation, a global humanitarian organization founded by international spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, then restored the property and developed it into its first and only retreat center in the United States. Today, with its wide range of housing facilities, holistic spa, wholesome vegetarian cuisine, panoramic mountain views, serene meditation halls and retreat offerings, the Art of Living Retreat Center is considered a refuge of self-renewal for its many visitors from around the world.

For more information or to reserve a spot, call (828) 264-8382, email (info@blueheavenresortandspa.com) or visit www.meditationcenterusa.org.

AYURVEDIC MEDICAL COLLEGE LACKS BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE, STUDENTS COMPLAIN


The Himalayan (Himalayan News Service)
March 25, 2014 11:12 PM

Birgunj, Nepal: Students of Ayurveda Medical College in Birgunj have complained about lack of infrastructure at the college.

Affiliated to Tribhuvan University, the college had come into operation four years ago with the permission of Ayurveda Medical Council, in Shreepur Tole of Birgunj. A total of 51 students are pursuing Bachelor’s in Ayurveda Medical Science (BAMS) at the college.

According to students, the college does not have adequate teaching staff, classrooms, and other basic equipment for practical classes, among other things. The college does not even have its own building and a hospital.

Despite the requirement of at least 15 teachers for the course, the college is making do with only four teachers, including part-timers.

“The management only approaches us at the time of fee collection,” lamented a student. “College Principal Dr Krishna Mohan Jha is never around. The college infrastructure is no different than that of a village school. That should explain the dwindling number of students in recent years,” the student said.

A total of 17 and 22 students were enrolled in the first and second batches respectively, while the latest batch has only nine students.

Apart from these problems, there is an ongoing dispute between two groups of board members over whether or not to shift the college to the Capital city.

“Though the board committee Chairperson Pradip Shumsher JBR and his group want to move the college to Kathmandu, local investors are against it. “Students had also written to TU Institute of Medicine, Ayurveda Medical Council, and the district administration office informing them about the sorry state of the college, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, the academic director of the college Dr Devesh Chandra Pathak claimed the college had been maintaining good academic standards.

“We may lack good infrastructure due to fund crunch, but the academic part is going on well,” he argued, claiming the college is yet to collect about Rs 18.7 million in dues from students. Hospital Board Committee Chair Pradip Shumsher, however, said there was no point in further investing in the college unless it was shifted to Kathmandu. Pathak, however, said the college will soon construct its own building on a plot of land in Birgunj.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014


SAI AYURVEDIC COLLEGE IN MIAMI, USA OFFERS GLOBALLY ACCESSIBLE CERTIFICATE COURSE IN AYURVEDA: "FIRST OF A KIND"
Miami, Florida USA
March 12, 2014

Sai Ayurvedic College now offers an online program of courses via a one year program leading to the Certificate in Ayurvedic Studies. Registration is on a rolling basis and is open at all times for the course program.

From its founding in 2006 up to the present, the College has offered two options for enrollees in its one-year certificate and two-year degree programs: residential classroom attendance at its Miami, Florida facility or participation via web conferencing broadcast of live classes. Classes take place once monthly, on a Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

In its new online program, class recordings will be provided in a specially tailored format to individuals who wish to undertake Ayurvedic study on their own schedule, without the need to set aside an entire weekend monthly for web-facilitated attendance at lectures. The college’s online courses are designed to fit the needs of working professionals and others with family and work obligations and who require a maximum degree of flexibility in their study schedule. The program is also designed to fit the needs of international and other students residing at great distances from the school and in varying time zones, for whom classroom attendance would be unwieldy. With a rapidly growing global interest in Ayurveda, the provision of such training abroad is becoming of increasing significance. All courses are taught by experienced scholars and practitioners.

As participants frequently note in post-course comments and observations, Sai stresses academic quality, caring and a close and highly interactive teacher-student relationship as well as economic affordability in all of its educational options.

For detailed information, inquirers may contact Mrs. Cookie Tello, C.A.P., the College’s Director via e-mail at info@saiayurvediccollege.com or by telephone at (305) 380-0652.


SANTHIGRAM KERALA AYURVEDA LAUNCHES NEW E-COMMERCE PORTAL
New Jersey (PRWEB)
March 06, 2014

Santhigram Kerala Ayurveda Wellness Center, a leading alternative health-care facility in the US (based in Edison, New Jersey), has launched its new e-commerce portal, http://www.santhigramherbals.com. The website features authentic Ayurvedic herbal medicines and supplements providing a distinct online shopping experience for those who seek credible, natural remedies for various health conditions.

Dr. Gopinathan Nair, the President and CEO of Santhigram says, “We have launched a new ecommerce website to sell high-quality Kerala Ayurveda herbs, oils and formulations. With the increasing consumer focus on healthy living, popularity of TV shows and books on self-healing techniques in Ayurveda, there is an ever increasing demand for Ayurvedic products online. We are diversifying into e-commerce business with this launch. Our business is built on the trust of our customers, and we see this as an opportunity to engage with new customers and help them follow through with expert services at our wellness centers.”

"This a great opportunity for Santhigram to help consumers find safe Ayurvedic herbs and formulations online," comments Dr. Raj Guptan, senior holistic consultant and drug safety physician.

The company's existing website, http://www.santhigramusa.com, is an engaging informational portal on Ayurvedic wellness therapies. It is built on an e-commerce platform which allows clients to schedule appointment online for services at all Santhigram locations across the US. The new website, http://www.santhigramherbals.com, is fully integrated within the existing e-commerce platform, thus adding convenience and helping to build a direct to consumer relationship. Clients will have access to excellent customer service round the clock.

Ayurveda is an ancient medical system from India that encompasses a range of natural treatment procedures including medicinal herbs, nutritional supplements, Panchakarma rejuvenation/detox therapies, Marma energy healing, meditation and yoga to restore and maintain health and wellness. The word Ayurveda in Sanskrit, means “science (or knowledge) of life.” It is the oldest, continually practiced health-care system in the world. The tradition has been handed down from masters to pupils for more than 5,000 years.

The Ayurvedic therapies offered by Santhigram Wellness Centers help to rejuvenate body and mind by reducing stress and restoring wellness. "Chronic conditions are healed and signs of aging are reversed," said Dr. Ambika Nair, a highly reputed holistic practitioner and the Chief Consultant of Santhigram. With over 25 years of experience, she has been making a positive impact on the lives of thousands of people in India, US and many other countries. The centers are staffed by trained professionals with dedication and passion. Each client is treated like family. Ayurveda is rooted in the belief that health results from harmony between mind, body and spirit.

In the United States, Santhigram currently operates in six location: three in New Jersey, two in New York and one in Chicago. According to Dr. Gopinathan Nair, the company is launching two more locations, Houston and Wisconsin, in another two months and has immediate plans to expand operations to other cities in the US, as well as internationally through franchises.


KERALA STATE TOURISM IN NEW PUSH TO EXPAND GLOBAL AYURVEDA CAMPAIGN
Arab News
Monday, March 10, 2014

In the monsoonal blast of June-July that washes Kerala off its heat and humidity in the Arabian Sea, the southern Indian state unleashed the curative power and grandeur of the millennia-old Ayurveda as a formidable tourism advertisement. While Kerala’s famed beaches and backwaters took a temporary backseat during the downpour, Ayurveda, the ancient healing and wellness system played the game-changer for the state’s tourism.

“Basically, it was a metro-centric media campaign where we highlighted rejuvenation as one of the key elements of Ayurveda to attract tourists. The Middle East has huge potential for Ayurveda tourism as the Arabs are now showing interest in Ayurveda as a cure for their lifestyle diseases. Suman Billa, secretary-tourism, said.

Kerala Tourism has already set the ball rolling by launching two e-books on Ayurveda to reach a global audience fascinated by alternative systems of medicine. The books, released by state Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar, are the first electronic publication of its kind by a tourism board in the country.

The e-books on Ayurveda are the award-winning coffee table books "Panchakarma: Ayurveda’s Mantra of Rejuvenation," explaining panchakarma as a holistic rejuvenation therapy to detoxify and revitalize the body system; and "Ayurveda: The Mantra of Niramaya," an introduction to the medicine system using texts from ancient scripts to modern research papers. These e-books, available at online stores for purchase for easy reading on e-book readers, mobile phones or computer screens, are part of Kerala Tourism’s continuing efforts to inform the global audience about Ayurveda, which is practiced in its purest form in the state.

“Ayurveda, especially its Panchakarma treatment, brings repeat tourists, which is vital to ensure operations for Ayurveda hospitals and resorts,” the tourism secretary said, adding that the state’s excellent institutions like Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, Vaidyaratnam, Nagarjuna, Somatheeram and Pankaj Kasturi College of Ayurveda are providing treatments of unmatched quality. Significantly, Ayurveda has made Kerala a long-haul destination with tourists’ stay going up to 18 days, the highest in the country — at least 14 days for rejuvenation and four days of sightseeing.

“The importance of Ayurveda stems from this fact. I don’t have to look for footfalls. People are now coming from the Gulf, Germany, Russia and Australia. There are strong and unbroken traditions of Ayurveda in Kerala. There are Ayurvedic hospitals, resorts and spas owned by locals. That is why there is a corpus of doctors and medicine-makers, a fact that sustains Ayurveda tourism in the state,” he said.

S. Harikishore, director-tourism, said Ayurveda’s potential in providing relaxation, rejuvenation and treatment is well-known. “We are hopeful that our efforts would give a fillip to monsoon tourism with Ayurveda as its key driver,” he added.

Friday, March 7, 2014


ARTICLE:
OPEN-SOURCE ONLINE AYURVEDIC PROFESSIONAL JOURNALS
by William A. Courson
Sai Ayurvedic College
March 8, 2014

Just four or five short years ago, there was not a single online ayurvedic journal much less peer-reviewed English language journals keeping practitioners, students and educators up-to-date on the latest developments in their discipline. Now one finds the internet populated with a growing number of just such periodicals. Whether your interest is in Ayurvedic research, education or clinical practice, the following are among a growing number of open source (i.e., free) information sources online that will be an immeasurable boon to everyone in the Ayurvedic profession and community.


THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AYURVEDIC RESEARCH
http://ijaronline.com/
The International Journal for Ayurveda Research is a completely free online publication of the Dept. of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani,Sidda Medicine & Homeopathy) , Ministry of Health of the Government of India, IJAR is a Quarterly peer-reviewed international journal in English. The journal’s full text is available online at www.ijaronline.com . The journal allows free access (Open Access) to its contents and permits authors to self-archive final accepted version of the articles on any OAI-compliant institutional / subject-based repository. The journal does not charge for submission, processing or publication of manuscripts and even for color reproduction of photographs. This is the first journal from India that can present to the world the wealth of science generated in in the ayurvedic medical schools and research organizations in the country. The journal’s purposes will be to provide a common platform for publication of research in Ayurveda, promote a research culture among students of Ayurveda, update research in Traditional medicine in India and abroad, describe various centers and academic institutes conducting research in Traditional Medicine in the world to enhance interaction, and to gve Ayurvedic students a direction for their future goals. Archives afford free access and include all back issues to volume 1, issue 1 (January 2010).


THE JOURNAL OF AYURVEDA & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
http://www.jaim.in/
The Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (J-AIM) [ISSN 0975-9476] is a peer reviewed, open access international circulating professional journal published by the Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (www.iaim-frlht.org). As a trans-disciplinary platform for integrative health sciences, J-AIM aims to explore the relationships between Ayurveda, biomedicine and other contemporary health sciences, encouraging meaningful collaboration to promote effective, safe and affordable global health. All manuscripts contributed to J-AIM are examined by the editorial staff and all original articles are evaluated by peer expert reviewers assigned by the editors with the understanding that they have not been published previously and are not under consideration for publication elsewhere. The Journal is published quarterly. Archives afford free access and include all back issues to volume 1, issue 1 (January 2010).


AYU: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AYURVEDA
http://www.ayujournal.org/
AYU: An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda, is published quarterly by Institute for Post Graduate Teaching & Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar. The full text of journal is accessible on the website at www.ayujournal.org. The journal allows free access(open access) to its contents and permits authors to self-archive final accepted version of the articles on any OAI-compliant institutional / subject-based repository. The journal does not charge for submission, processing or publication of manuscripts and for color reproduction of photographs. Started in 1964, the journal has continuously contributed for the research, education and propagation of Ayurveda on the national as well as international platform. Archives afford free access and include all back issues to volume 27, issue 1 (January 2005).


ANNALS OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINE
http://www.scopemed.org/?jid=70&sec=aimsscope
Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine is intended to function as a platform to enhance communications between practitioners , researchers, academicians and policy makers in the field of Ayurveda primarily focusing into its application based appreciation in India but with a constant watch for its benefits which can be offered to the mankind surpassing the geographical and cultural boundaries. To meet its objectives, AAM invites from researchers, philanthropists and practitioners, articles on Ayurveda and allied subjects. Articles can focus upon Ayurvedic fundamentals or their clinical applications. There can also be the articles on clinical, interventional or observational researches and reviews related to the field of Ayurveda. Case reports, series, hypothesis, book reviews, life profiles, short communications and letter to the editor are also welcome as a submission to AAM. ‘Annals of Ayurvedic medicine’ is currently indexed in Index Copernicus International. Archives afford free access and include all back issues to volume 1, issue 1-2 (January 2012).


INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED AYURVEDA, YOGA, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY
http://medical.cloud-journals.com/index.php/IJAAYUSH
International Journal of Advanced Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy is peer-reviewed, open access online journal which welcomes original research articles as well as review articles in all areas of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy. This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public a greater global exchange of knowledge. Archives afford free access and include all articles and other items dating back to 2013.


JOURNAL OF AYURVEDA & HOLISTIC MEDICINE
http://www.jahm.in/index.php/JAHM
JAHM encourages and publishes critical aspects of intellectual and scientific communication amongst contemporary health knowledge systems keeping Ayurveda at the center. It publishes articles explaining and exploring principles of Ayurveda, articles encouraging evidence based clinical practice of Ayurveda, articles promoting research culture amongst the Ayurveda fraternity and seeks to provide a common platform for publication of research in Ayurveda and to promote research culture among students of Ayurveda. JAHM also appreciates researches that strive to design new instruments to simplify the Ayurvedic pharmaceutics, quality control of Ayurvedic drugs and clinical practice of Ayurveda. The content of JAHM focuses on three broad themes: Theoretical Research (Epistemology, Fundamental Concepts, History, and Literary studies related to Ayurveda, Yoga, modern medicine and science); Experimental Research (Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutics, phytochemistry, Drug Discovery & Development), and Clinical Research (clinical trials, Case reports, case series, cohort and case control studies, epidemiological and public health studies). Archives afford free access and include all articles and other items dating back to volume 1, issue 1 of 2013.


THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINE
http://ijam/co.in
International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine (IJAM) is an international peer reviewed online open access journal. It is intended for the publication of original research articles in the field of Ayurveda and other allied systems of medicine. It invites articles in literary research in the basic concepts of Ayurveda and the principles of Ayurveda, pharmaceutical research in the pharmacognostical, phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation of the herbal, animal, mineral and metallic drugs and formulations and other drug materials, ethnobotanical, ethnomedicine and clinical research in all the subjects of Ayurveda like Kayachikitsa (General medicine), Shalya Tantra (Surgery), Shalakya Tantra (ENT and Ophthalmology), Stri Roga Prasuti Tantra (Gynecology and Obstetrics) and Kaumarabhritya (Pediatrics). It also covers subjects like pharmacovigilance, drug standardization etc. Review articles based on the Ayurvedic principles are also accepted for publication. Archives afford free access and include all articles and other items dating back to volume 4, issue 4 of September, 2013.


THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AYURVEDA & PHARMACY
http://www.ijrap.net/
International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy (IJRAP) is an online and print Journal. IJRAP endeavor is to promote Research and Development in Ayurveda and Pharmaceutical Sciences through its scientific and authentic research publication. Researchers may submit (1) Original Research Articles (2) Review articles (3) Short Notes (4) Abstracts and (5) Letter to the editor. Ayurvedic topics include Kayachikitsa, Rachana Sharira, Panchakarma, Dravyaguna, Rasashastra, Roganidana, Bhaishajya Kalpana, Shalyatantra, Prasooti & Striroga, Siddhanta, Shalakyatantra, Kaumarabhritya, Swasthavritta & Samitha. Archives afford free access and include all articles and other items dating back to volume 1, issue 1 of September, 2010.


THE JOURNAL OF HOMEOPATHY & AYURVEDIC MEDICINE
http://www.omicsgroup.org/journals/JHAMimages/JHAM_h.pdf
The Journal of Homeopathy and Ayurvedic Medicine is an Open Access, peer-reviewed journal which aims to provide the most rapid and reliable source of information on current developments in the field of Homeopathy and Ayurveda. The emphasis will be on publishing quality papers quickly and freely available to researchers worldwide. JHAM appears to be a new journal, and there are as yet no archives.


AYURVEDIC, UNANI & HOMEOPATHIC DOCTORS GO ON HUNGER STRIKE
The Times of India
Feb 20, 2014, 02.03 AM IST

Lucknow, UP: Scores of Ayurvedic, Unani and homeopathy doctors sat on a hunger strike here on Wednesday demanding permission to prescribe modern medicines in emergency cases.

The ministry of health and family welfare has already approved the amendment to promote alternative streams of medicines. The decision would benefit patients and over 1 lakh Ayush doctors in UP.

Ayush doctors are not entitled to prescribe medicines of other streams and violation of the rule is deemed malpractice and could mean losing their license to practice. Under the aegis of National Integrated Medical Association, the doctors have threatened to lodge a protest if their demand was not met. Giving more details, president of NIMA, Dr Moid Ahmed, said the Akhilesh-led Samajwadi Party government had promised to introduce an amendment in the UP Indian Medicine Act, 1939.

"The request for amendment is in the interest of patients. The state government representatives assured they had understood the seriousness of the matter and assured to introduce the needed amendment. Nothing has been done so far,"

said Ahmed. The association informed that other states have already introduced the amendment. Maharashtra is the most recent example, they said.

AYUSH PHYSICIANS IN LUCKNOW CLASH WITH POLICE
The Times of India
Feb 27, 2014, 03.17 AM IST

Lucknow: Striking ayurvedic, unani and homeopathy doctors clashed with police here on Wednesday. Trouble started when the police tried to stop the doctors from proceeding towards the chief minister's office.

Under the aegis of National Integrated Medical Association, the doctors are demanding permission for use of modern medicines in emergency situations

. The ministry of health and family welfare has also approved the amendment so as to promote alternative streams of medicines.

The move would positively affect patients and over 1 lakh ayush doctors in UP. So far, AYUSH doctors are not entitled to prescribe medicines of other streams and violation of the rule amounts to malpractice which could mean losing their licence to practice.

The protests started on February 19 with a couple of doctors proceeding on a hunger strike. President NIMA, Dr Moid Ahmed, claimed that more than 40 doctors were injured in the unprecedented cane charge while five doctors have survived a fracture.

Dr Moid informed that Akhilesh-led Samajwadi Party government had promised to introduce an amendment in the UP Indian Medicine Act, 1939. "The request for amendment is in interest of patients. Other states have already introduced the amendment. Maharashtra is the most recent example," they said.


AYUSH PHYSICIANS IN UTTAR PRADESH DEMAND BROADENED SCOPE OF PRACTICE
The Times of India
January 29, 2014, 03.23 AM IST

Lucknow, UP: Ayurvedic, Unani and Homeopathy doctors in Uttar Pradesh are demanding government approval for use of modern medicines in emergency situation.

So far, AYUSH doctors are not entitled to prescribe medicines of other streams and violation of the rule amounts to malpractice which could mean losing their license to practice. Under the aegis of the National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA), the doctors have threatened to lodge a protest if their demand was not met.

Giving more details, president of NIMA, Dr Moid Ahmed, said the Akhilesh-led Samajwadi Party government had promised to introduce an amendment in the UP Indian Medicine Act, 1939. "The request for amendment is in interest of patients. The state government representatives assured they had understood the seriousness of the matter and assured to introduce the needed amendment. Nothing has been done so far," said Ahmed.

The association informed that other states have already introduced the amendment. Maharashtra is the most recent example, they said. The ministry of health and family welfare has also approved the amendment so as to promote alternative streams of medicines.

EXPERT: QUALITY "A MUST" TO PROVE EFFICACY OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINES
The Times of India (by Navodita Mishra)
Jan 16, 2014, 11.34 AM IST

Varanasi: Proactive role by Ayurvedic medicine practitioners and a little caution by the consumers can play a vital role in putting an end to the prevailing suspicion in mind of scientists and western medicine practitioners about the quality, safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines. Good Manufacturing Procedure (GMP) certification and Quality Control of India (QCI) certified AYUSH premium and standard Ayurvedic medicines should be prescribed by the practitioners and consumers should also ensure that they get genuine medicines.

Regional coordinator, Pharmacovigilance of Ayurvedic medicines, northern, Anand Chaudhary

i>, who is also a professor of Rasa Shastra (Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics), faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), said that the issues regarding the safety of Ayurvedic medicines is addressed through the framework provided by the government in the form of GMP and QCI certifications.

"There are as many a 190 Ayurvedic medicines that are GMP certified and available in the market. It will be in the benefit of both the doctors and the patients to go for these medicines, instead of uncertified similar compositions. Recent researches in India and abroad are corroborating the genuineness of these medicines and age old fundamentals of Ayurvedic pharmaceutics," observed Chaudhary. If Ayurvedic medicines are prepared with authentic raw material, then the quality, safety and efficiency can be beyond question.

Chaudhary recently presented a paper on 'Safety Issues of Ayurvedic Medicine' during the International Conference on Multidisciplinary Healthcare, organized by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), New Delhi.

He said that it was agreed in principle by all the scientists and doctors present there that to serve the mankind in best possible way, the best medical practices pertaining to particular ailments should be adopted.

"For example, the trauma cases and surgical requirements should be dealt through allopathic practices. For lifestyle disorders, mental disorder, skin ailments and geriatric cases should be treated through Ayurvedic, Unani and homeopathic medicines," he said. During the conference, he also drew attention towards a case where a German scientist demanded patent in 2010 on the methods for converting mercury into mercury sulphide to reduce its toxicity. "These methods have been in use by Indian Ayurvedacharyas since eighth century AD and because of passive approach of the Indian practitioners and the government, people from other countries are trying to patent them. In fact, following the mention of this case at the conference, I have been asked by the government health officials to submit my inputs along with the report of department of AYUSH on this particular matter," he said.

The proposed ban on business of mercury was also discussed at the conference in the light of a paper published in a reputed journal of US in 2013 recognizing Indian technology of converting mercury to form a medicine. Following this and some other publications in India, the government had formed a working group in collaboration with the department of AYUSH and department of environment to look into the matter.


GUJARAT CHIEF MINISTER WANTS TO TAKE AYURVEDA TO A NEW, GLOBAL LEVEL OF INFLUENCE
The Times of India (by Kapil Dave)
Feb 26, 2014, 10.27 PM IST

Ahmedabad, Gujurat: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi speaking at the inaugural function of the National Ayurvedic Summit held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar called on Ayurvedic Acharyas (experts) and Ayurvedic Chikitsaks (doctors) to establish the prowess of the centuries-old medical system at the global level to set up a healthy society not just within India but a

t the global level.

He cited the example of Mahatma Gandhi who despite being clad in a single cloth (dhoti), had impressed the world's stalwarts with his mighty personality.

Modi said, "Just like him (Gandhi), we have to present the Indian Ayurveda system with a great confidence before the world to establish its strengths and mightiness."

The summit was jointly organized by health department and Gujarat Ayurveda University. It was attended by experts from across the country.


AYURVEDA & WOMENS HEALTH: March 8 is International Women’s Day
by Suchetha CP - CompleteWellbeing.com
March 7, 2014

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian herbal system of medicine has many important and useful herbs for women. Nature cure or ayurveda helps women find their body rhythm, which is closely linked to nature. Hence, women respond better to ayurveda treatment. The age old texts describe these unique herbs and medicinal plants and their compound formulations that can enhance the health of women. The Charaka Samhita is the most comprehensive resource of Ayurveda. This samhita presents various categories of herbs and remedies for improving feminine health. The text groups a set of herbs under a specific title which explains the herbs and their properties, individually or in combination.

Amalaki

Botanical name: emblica officinalis, family: euphorbiaceae Amalaki commonly known as gooseberry is a small to medium-sized tree with a crooked trunk and spreading branches. The fruit is extensively used for medicinal purpose. Amalaki is native to tropical Southeast Asia, found particularly in central and southern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, southern China and the Mascarene Islands. It is commonly cultivated in gardens throughout India and grown commercially as a medicinal fruit.

Chemically, the amalaki fruit contains a series of diterpenes referred to as the gibberellins, as well as the triterpene lupeol, flavonoids [e.g. kaempherol-3-O-fl-Dglucoside, quercetin-3-O-fl-Dglucoside], and polyphenols. It is used in dyspepsia, gastritis, hyperacidity, hepatitis, constipation, flatulent colic, colitis, haemorrhoids, convalescence from fever, cough, asthma, skin diseases, bleeding disorders, menorrhagia [abnormally heavy and prolonged periods at regular intervals], anaemia, diabetes, gout, osteoporosis, premature greying, alopecia, asthenia, mental disorders, vertigo, palpitations, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

The dried fruit prepared as a decoction and taken on a regular basis is useful in menorrhagia and leucorrhoea [a condition in which there is a white discharge from the vagina], and is an excellent post-partum restorative. Similarly the chakradatta recommends the fresh juice of amalaki with amalaki churna, taken with ghee and honey as a vajikarana rasayana— aphrodisiac. Here are some herbs that will charge up your sex life.

Ashoka

Botanical name: saraca indica, family: ceasalpinoidae. It’s a small ever green tree that grows to a height of 6-8ms. The bark has a warty surface which is brownish grey or sometimes black in colour. Flowers are fragrant, orange red coloured arranged in corymbs. Fruits are flat pods with ellipsoid shaped seeds. This tree is found on eastern side of Himalayas and shady evergreen forests of south India.

Major chemical contents of Ashoka are alkenes [C20 – C35] esters tannin catachin [+] catechole [-] epicatechin. Ashoka stimulates the uterus making the contractions frequent and prolonged without producing tonic contractions [during the monthly cycle and childbirth]. Due to this it has been helpful in uterine hemorrhagic conditions like menorrhagia, and metrorrahagia [irregular bleeding during and after menstrual cycle].

The classical preparation— Ashokarista the alcoholic extract of Ashoka along with the combination of other herbs available in market is useful in conditions like dysmenorrhoeal, bleeding due to dysfunction of uterus. But it should be taken under guidance of a capable ayurvedic physician. Decoction of the bark of Ashoka mixed with cold milk is an excellent remedy for irregular menstrual cycles and other bleeding disorders. Here are 10 food items for women’s health problems.

Shatavari

Botanical name: asparagus racemosus, family: liliacea This is a creeper, which grows in low forest areas throughout India. A much-branched spinus under-shrub with tuberous, short rootstock bearing numerous fusiform and succulent roots. It grows wild in southern Europe, south west England, and southern Ireland. Most of the greenhouse varieties come from South Africa

Shatavari contains triterpene saponnins shatavarin I-IV, which are phytoestrogen compounds. These help in balancing the hormone levels in female body. This oestrogen is of plant origin and has strong stabilising and rejuvenating effect on both body and mind. Due to this unique property, it is useful in pre menstrual symptoms [PMS], infertility, dysmenorrhoeal, irregular menstrual cycle, menopause and lactation.

The greatest use of shatavari is for menopausal women with low oestrogen levels. The symptoms which include hot flushes, insomnia, night sweats, vaginal dryness that can be effectively managed by phytoestrogens present in shatavari.

Granules prepared out of purified root powder of shatavari taken one teaspoon with hot milk increases secretion of milk in lactating mothers. Shatavari powder taken along with gokshura [tribulus terestris] and amalaki [emblica officinale] reduces edema during pregnancy and gives rich nourishment to both mother and foetus. This also corrects the urinary tract infection [UTI] which pregnant women are often prone to.

Shatavari in combination with shankhapuspi [conch flower plant] is very helpful in reducing stress, hot flushes, insomnia, pain and irritability associated with PMS. Milk extract of shatavari and liquorices is the best medicine to reduce symptoms of menopause as both contain good amount of phytoestrogens. Shatavari taken with candy sugar cures gastritis.


INDIAN LEGISLATION AMENDED TO ALLOW AYURVEDIC DOCTORS TO PRACTICE ALLOPATHY
The Times of India (Chittaranjan Tembhekar)
Feb 27, 2014, 05.29 AM IST

Mumbai: The state of Maharashtra has secured the rights of over 80,000 ayurveda and unani doctors to practise allopathy. The state had earlier issued a notification as these doctors have been practising allopathy since past few years. But as the notification could be challenged in court, the state cabinet, on Wednesday night, decided to amend the bill and will pass it in the ongoing session.

But ayurveda doctors don't have to take a pharmacology course to prescribe allopathy medicines as it is part of their curriculum. The decision to allow homoeopaths has not gone down well with the allopathy doctors and their banner-The Indian Medical Association's Maharashtra chapter.

Both the decisions were prompted by shortage of doctors in rural areas. Sources in the government said that allopathy doctors often abstained from mandatory rural service.


INTERNATIONAL CHARTER PROPOSED TO REINVIGRATE AYURVDEDA GLOBALLY
Express News Service - KOCHI
February 25, 2014-07:55 AM

The five-day Global Ayurveda Festival 2014 (GAF 2014) that came to a close on Monday called for the need to build an ayurveda brand, globally and nationally. It mooted an eight-point charter in its bid to provide a facelift to this traditional stream of medicine on a global level which includes a call for defining a clear framework that is acceptable to key stakeholders on the healthcare sector for appropriate integration of ayurveda with modern medicine.

Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution K V Thomas, who inaugurated the valedictory function, termed ayurveda as a way of life, but expressed concern over the fact that commercialisation of the traditional system of medicine is on the rise. Niranjan Sanyal, Secretary, Department of Ayush, of India was the chief guest at the function. Hibi Eden MLA presided over the function. The global ayurveda conclave urged to flex the government regulations and schemes, and exhorted support from both Centre and state governments for the rapid growth of ayurveda in India and abroad. It voiced the need to elevate ayurveda from a mere “massage” business to an authentic wellness service business model. The government should set up a payment mechanism for ayurveda, identical to that available for allopathy.

The need for human resource development to enable a sustained growth of the ayurveda sector was also raised. It further pointed out that it has become imperative that the best-in-class need to be lured to specialise in ayurveda.

The meet also stressed the need to put in place a continuous learning framework for ayurveda professionals. The festival also called for ensuring adequate supply of qualified and trained paramedical, technical and non-technical staff for its growth and efforts should be taken to ensure quality ayurvedic products and services. The event also played host to a KSIDC-backed International Business Meet which resulted in as many as 15 MoUs being finalised, and out of them, six were inked at the venue.

Around 350 stalls and the free ayurveda multi-specialty medical camp attracted more than 8000 people to the ayurveda expo. As many as 4000 delegates from as many as 35 nations participated in the five-day conference.


AYURVEDA OUT OF BALANCE: 93 % of medicinal plants threatened with extinction
by John Platt (http://ayurvedanews.in/)
March 5, 2014

Ayurvedic medicine could face an uncertain future as 93 percent of the wild plants used in the practice are threatened w...See

Ayurvedic medicine could face an uncertain future as 93 percent of the wild plants used in the practice are threatened with extinction due to overexploitation, the Times of India reports. The Botanical Survey of India recently prioritized 359 wild medicinal plant species and conducted an assessment throughout the country to determine their health. The news wasn't good. Of the 359 species, 335 were categorized as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or near-threatened.

The survey used criteria and categories established by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for its Red List of Threatened Species. According to India's Ministry of Environment and Forests, 95 percent of plants used in Ayurvedic medicine are collected from the wild, and about two-thirds of that harvest uses "destructive means" that can damage or kill the plants. To help keep these plant species from going extinct, the Indian government in 2008 initiated a program to relocate species from the wild, study how to domesticate them, and promote sustainable harvest protocols. This survey is the latest step in that program.

Aside from its historical and cultural significance, Ayurvedic medicines could bring profits to India's coffers. The Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) is currently exploring export opportunities for Ayurvedic medicine through Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited, a company owned by the Indian government.

Already, Ayurvedic treatments, vacations and consultants are popular among some alternative health consumers in the U.S. Of course, other traditional Asian medicines have been attacked for their use of parts from endangered animals, such as tiger bones and rhino horns, but Ayurveda has so far avoided such criticisms.

PRESIDENT OF MAURITIUS HAIL AYURVEDA AS EMERGING INTERNATIONAL ALTERNATIVE
Press Trust of India
Thursday, February 20, 2014, 19:56

Kochi: Ayurveda, which originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, is emerging as an alternative medical treatment and will co-exist with modern medicine, Mauritius President Rajkeswar Purryag said here on Thursday.

"There is no doubt that Ayurveda, which originated in India over 5000 years ago, is emerging as an alternative medical treatment and will exist side by side with modern medicine", said the President, who was the chief guest at the Global Ayurveda Festival which began here on Thursday. Describing Kerala as the "cradle" of Ayurveda, he said "if Kerala has achieved developmental health indices that are by far comparable to the advanced economies of the world, it is because Ayurveda has played a significant part in delivering such health benefits".

"Ayurveda is deeply rooted in the social and cultural milieu of the people of Kerala. There are reasons to believe that some indigenous system of healing prevailed in Kerala even before the advent of Ayurvedic systems," he said.

Ayurveda in India is almost worth Rs 3,500 crore with over 8,500 licenced pharmacies and approximately 7,000 manufacturers. The total number of registered Ayurveda practitioners comes to around 4,28,000. Thi

s shows the importance of Ayurveda and its predominance in the overall health care system in India, he said.

The western countries have started embracing the virtues of Ayurveda, which is already being taught and practiced in many countries across the globe, he said. Western integrated courses of medicine with elements of Ayurveda have also started.

In India, over 90 per cent of the population use some form of Ayurvedic medicine, while in Mauritius it has been practiced and used as far back as the latter half of the 19th century with the arrival of migrants from India. Because of the socio-economic conditions in the country, people had no access to modern medicine and had to rely essentially on homemade herbal traditional medicine, he said.

Dr B K Benware, Education Minister of Mauritius, was also present there.

PRESIDENT OF MAURITIUS HAIL AYURVEDA AS EMERGING INTERNATIONAL ALTERNATIVE
Press Trust of India
Thursday, February 20, 2014, 19:56

Kochi: Ayurveda, which originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, is emerging as an alternative medical treatment and will co-exist with modern medicine, Mauritius President Rajkeswar Purryag said here on Thursday.

"There is no doubt that Ayurveda, which originated in India over 5000 years ago, is emerging as an alternative medical treatment and will exist side by side with modern medicine", said the President, who was the chief guest at the Global Ayurveda Festival which began here on Thursday. Describing Kerala as the "cradle" of Ayurveda, he said "if Kerala has achieved developmental health indices that are by far comparable to the advanced economies of the world, it is because Ayurveda has played a significant part in delivering such health benefits".

"Ayurveda is deeply rooted in the social and cultural milieu of the people of Kerala. There are reasons to believe that some indigenous system of healing prevailed in Kerala even before the advent of Ayurvedic systems," he said.

Ayurveda in India is almost worth Rs 3,500 crore with over 8,500 licenced pharmacies and approximately 7,000 manufacturers. The total number of registered Ayurveda practitioners comes to around 4,28,000. This shows the importance of Ayurveda and its predominance in the overall health care system in India, he said.

The western countries have started embracing the virtues of Ayurveda, which is already being taught and practiced in many countries across the globe, he said. Western integrated courses of medicine with elements of Ayurveda have also started.

In India, over 90 per cent of the population use some form of Ayurvedic medicine, while in Mauritius it has been practiced and used as far back as the latter half of the 19th century with the arrival of migrants from India. Because of the socio-economic conditions in the country, people had no access to modern medicine and had to rely essentially on homemade herbal traditional medicine, he said.

Dr B K Benware, Education Minister of Mauritius, was also present there.

PRESIDENT OF MAURITIUS HAIL AYURVEDA AS EMERGING INTERNATIONAL ALTERNATIVE
Press Trust of India
Thursday, February 20, 2014, 19:56

Kochi: Ayurveda, which originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, is emerging as an alternative medical treatment and will co-exist with modern medicine, Mauritius President Rajkeswar Purryag said here on Thursday.

"There is no doubt that Ayurveda, which originated in India over 5000 years ago, is emerging as an alternative medical treatment and will exist side by side with modern medicine", said the President, who was the chief guest at the Global Ayurveda Festival which began here on Thursday. Describing Kerala as the "cradle" of Ayurveda, he said "if Kerala has achieved developmental health indices that are by far comparable to the advanced economies of the world, it is because Ayurveda has played a significant part in delivering such health benefits".

"Ayurveda is deeply rooted in the social and cultural milieu of the people of Kerala. There are reasons to believe that some indigenous system of healing prevailed in Kerala even before the advent of Ayurvedic systems," he said.

Ayurveda in India is almost worth Rs 3,500 crore with over 8,500 licenced pharmacies and approximately 7,000 manufacturers. The total number of registered Ayurveda practitioners comes to around 4,28,000. This shows the importance of Ayurveda and its predominance in the overall health care system in India, he said.

The western countries have started embracing the virtues of Ayurveda, which is already being taught and practiced in many countries across the globe, he said. Western integrated courses of medicine with elements of Ayurveda have also started.

In India, over 90 per cent of the population use some form of Ayurvedic medicine, while in Mauritius it has been practiced and used as far back as the latter half of the 19th century with the arrival of migrants from India. Because of the socio-economic conditions in the country, people had no access to modern medicine and had to rely essentially on homemade herbal traditional medicine, he said.

Dr B K Benware, Education Minister of Mauritius, was also present there.

PRESIDENT OF MAURITIUS HAIL AYURVEDA AS EMERGING INTERNATIONAL ALTERNATIVE Press Trust of India: Thursday, February 20, 2014, 19:56 Kochi: Ayurveda, which originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, is emerging as an alternative medical treatment and will co-exist with modern medicine, Mauritius President Rajkeswar Purryag said here on Thursday. "There is no doubt that Ayurveda, which originated in India over 5000 years ago, is emerging as an alternative medical treatment and will exist side by side with modern medicine", said the President, who was the chief guest at the Global Ayurveda Festival which began here on Thursday. Describing Kerala as the "cradle" of Ayurveda, he said "if Kerala has achieved developmental health indices that are by far comparable to the advanced economies of the world, it is because Ayurveda has played a significant part in delivering such health benefits". "Ayurveda is deeply rooted in the social and cultural milieu of the people of Kerala. There are reasons to believe that some indigenous system of healing prevailed in Kerala even before the advent of Ayurvedic systems," he said. Ayurveda in India is almost worth Rs 3,500 crore with over 8,500 licenced pharmacies and approximately 7,000 manufacturers. The total number of registered Ayurveda practitioners comes to around 4,28,000. This shows the importance of Ayurveda and its predominance in the overall health care system in India, he said. The western countries have started embracing the virtues of Ayurveda, which is already being taught and practiced in many countries across the globe, he said. Western integrated courses of medicine with elements of Ayurveda have also started. In India, over 90 per cent of the population use some form of Ayurvedic medicine, while in Mauritius it has been practiced and used as far back as the latter half of the 19th century with the arrival of migrants from India. Because of the socio-economic conditions in the country, people had no access to modern medicine and had to rely essentially on homemade herbal traditional medicine, he said. Dr B K Benware, Education Minister of Mauritius, was also present there.