INTERNATIONAL AYURVEDA CONFERENCE in the NETHERLANDS, APRIL 10-14, 2015

The forthcoming International Ayurveda Conference will take place on April 10-14, 2015 in Holland, with extended days from April 14th – 18th 2015.

This conference will be a first of its kind: It will illuminate the time-tested knowledge of Ayurveda* with the most up-to-date insights of modern science. New research showing the intimate relationship between consciousness and physiology will be presented—locating the inner healing intelligence of the physiology.

Many of the world’s leading practitioners and scientists in the field of Ayurveda will come together to showcase scientific solutions to today’s problems in the field of individual and public health. Vaidyas and health professionals involved in Ayurvedic research are invited to present their findings.

All health professionals who wish to expand the scope and effectiveness of their medical practice are invited to attend. In addition, all health care providers, policymakers and administrators in the field of health are invited to take advantage of this conference to improve health care and reduce costs.

The event will be hosted by MERU: the Maharishi European Research University, in Vlodrop, Holland and is co-sponsored by the All-India Ayurvedic Congress and the International Academy of Ayurveda (Pune). Detailed information on registering for the conference is available online at http://www.meruevents.com/ayurvedaconference/

RETIRED RAILWAY ENGINEER SEEKS TO CREATE MUSEUM OF AYURVEDA

The Hindu
by Venkataramana Rao
Wednesday, June 25, 2014

The house of Pammi Satyanarayana Sastry is a veritable hub for the research and development of Ayurvedic medical sciences. It has over 3,000 books in six languages

Pammi Satyanarayana Sastry, 74, is known to all who care about Ayurveda. After retiring from the Indian Railways as an electrical engineer, Mr. Sastry has earned a name for himself in the field. Though he has no formal degrees, he earned the title Uttama Vaidya.

He is so passionate about the science that he has converted a large part his apartment house into a library which houses some of the most valued texts and books. His house is a veritable hub for the research and development of Ayurvedic medical sciences.

The origin for his strong passion for Ayurveda seems to be his maternal grandfather Chivukula Satyanaryana Sastry who was a legend in the art of Rasasastra, which is a study of medicine that “converts the mortal to the immortal.”

The Dr. Achanta Lakshmipathi Ayurveda Library has over 3,000 books in six languages. Most of the books are in Telugu, but there are also books in Sanskrit, English, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada. He has some Ayurvedic recipes written on palm leaf (Tala patram) and tree bark (Boorja patram).

Digitalising

Keeping in mind the need to preserve the knowledge for posterity, Mr. Sastry has started digitalising some of the valuable books. Using a digital camera, he has prepared soft copies of as many as 1,000 volumes so far all by himself.

His engineering background has come in handy to him. Currently, he is using DVDs to preserve the data and has plans to shift to BluRay in future. To facilitate future research in Ayurveda, Mr Sastry collected all the Ayurvedic journals he could lay his hands on and even indexed articles in them.

Showing a copy an old Ayurvedic Lexicon, Mr Sastry said the book was published 125 years ago in 1889. His library-cum-residence is full of several other articles, substances like “Garalam” snake venom in crystalline form and Ramasila, floating stone, that is used in the making of Ayurvedic preparations. “Ultimately I want to create a Museum of Ayurveda,” he says.

EFFORT TO PUT NEW REVISION OF THE CHARAKA SAMHITA ONLINE

The Charaka Samhita Online Project is seeking a few good editors of proper English, who have clinical experience, knowledge of Ayurveda, and a willingness to learn medical editing. The English editing team will be editing the 120 chapters of the revered classic text in the next 4 months.

The world has changed since the original publication of the Charaka Samhita. There is an urgent need for a new edition of this treasure of knowledge, incorporating new techniques for accessing the knowledge. A team of 70+ Ayurvedic scholars, biomedical researchers, modern medicine physicians, content managers, business consultants, language editors, illustrators, and audio-visual professionals have been assembled to collaborate on a new 2014 edition of Charaka Samhita. True to its tradition of dialogue between teacher and student, it will be a "living and interactive" text, planned and redacted online to allow maximal outreach to readers and to references online. The new Caraka Samhita has the same sequence of chapters as the original text, as clinical knowledge unfolds like petals of a lotus flower.

If you re interested or can lend your aid to this important effort, please visit the project's website b clicking here.

AYURVEDA POSSESSES ANCIENT, EFFECTIVE MEANS OF TREATING INFERTILITY

The Times of India
Debarati Sen, TNN
Saturday, September 6, 2014

The rate at which infertility is fast becoming a common phenomenon in today's hectic stressful lives, is rather alarming, all thanks to our current lifestyle taking a toll on our overall health.

Dr. Jaydeep Tank, who works on IVF fertility says, "Fertility problems are nobody's fault. Infertility is a medical condition affecting almost one in ten couples trying to conceive. Male fertility problems are the primary diagnosis in approximately 25 % of cases and contribute to a further 15-25% of the remaining cases."

In men, the most common fertility issue is the inadequate production of sufficient normal, motile (moving) sperm. Although there are several factors leading to male infertility, a precise diagnosis, however, in most cases is elusive. This lack of clarity in diagnosis, treatment of male infertility in the large majority of cases remains empirical. It is therefore no wonder that the mainstay of treating severe male infertility still remains assisted reproduction and specifically Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Dr. Urmila Sureka, who specialises in infertility and is an IVF consultant, states, "Approximately 15% of couples are unable to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse. A male factor is solely responsible in about 20% of infertile couples and contributory in another 30-40%." She adds, "Availability of infertility treatment has improved the probability of pregnancy."

Dr. Anil Patil, a yoga guru who also works on integrated medicines, states that ayurvedic remedies have long been used to address the problems of fertility. He states, "Evidence of the use of herbal remedies for male infertility dates all the way back to 5000 BC. Here (see box below) are some beneficial ayurvedic plants and remedies."

Ayurvedic treatments for male infertility

Mucuna Pruriens (Kawach): A medicinal plant, which has been mentioned in the treatises of ancient Indian texts such as the 'Charaka Samhita' and the 'Susrutha Samhita'. In Hindi, it is called 'Kawach'. The plant is a vigorous climber, bears purple or white flowers and has turgid S-shaped pods. The medicinally valuable parts are the seeds, though studies have revealed the presence of active components in stems and leaves too.

Shilajit: An excellent restorative and rejuvenating tonic, it ensures good physical performance for the individual and leads to balanced and harmonious health. Shilajit is also known as sex tonic in India as it increases the core energy responsible for sexual drive or libido. It balances debility, general fatigue and provides strength to muscles and bones.

Safed Musli: The dried roots of Safed Musli (also known as asparagus adscendens) are used in Ayurveda as an aphrodisiac. Its tubers are used in Ayurvedic medicine preparations. It contains about 30% alkaloids, natural steroid saponin (10-20%), polysaccaroids (40 to 45%), carbohydrates and proteins (5% to7%). White Musli or Safed Musli is primarily used as a tonic to rejuvenate the reproductive system. The regular use of this herb is valuable in impotency, premature ejaculation and low sperm count in men. As it is very rich in glycosides, it works very well in curing impotency and low sperm count

Ashwagandha: This is a very effective medicine for male infertility. As a digestive, it corrects metabolism and helps to provide proper nutrition. It is effective in mental disorders. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. It is a tonic for the nerves and helps in neuritis. It is helpful in sexual disorders like erectile dysfunction and Oligospermia.

Other treatments available include:

- With Azoospermia (no sperms in semen) testicular biopsy is used to define the histological diagnosis and possibility of finding sperm. Spermatozoa should be cryopreserved for use in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Even if sperms available are few, fertilisation can be achieved with ICSI.
- Where sperm cannot be retrieved, donor semen can be used for insemination.
- In cases of obstructive Azoospermia obstruction can be bypassed by surgical procedures like Vasovasostomy Tubulovasostomy
- Drug therapy may be used to improve semen parameters in certain cases.
- Ejaculation disorders can be treated using a wide range of drugs and physical stimulation, with a high level of efficacy.
- With availability of genetic studies, genetic disorders contributing to infertility can be identified.
- Counseling can be done regarding the transmission of the defect and its implication depending on the type of defect.

KARNATAKA STATE HEALTH MINISTER TO LOOK FOR AYURVEDA EBOLA CURE

The Times of India
Stanley Pinto,TNN
Thursday, September 18, 2014

Mangalore: Does ayurveda have a cure for Ebola? Karnataka health minister UT Khader was skeptical when some doctors approached him some time ago claiming there is an Ebola cure in ayurveda.

But what caught his interest in the supposed cure was a call from Liberian senator John A Ballout Jr through a common friend Wilfred D'Souza, who returned from Liberia a month ago. Ballout Jr asked Khader whether he could help him by providing a cure for Ebola through the age-old system of medicine.

Khader told TOI: "I was approached by some people about ayurveda having a cure for Ebola. I was more interested in a cure for malaria and dengue. Hence, the issue slipped out of my mind. Now that the Liberian senator has called me, I have decided to call the people who claimed to have a cure and send the medicine through the Liberian consulate in India.''

What is the guarantee the ayurvedic medicine will be effective? Khader said he doesn't know. "It's their claim. If it clicks, well and good. It will help a country that is finding it hard to cope with the crisis. If indeed ayurveda has a cure, it will be a cheap cure for the Ebola virus.''

The letter from Ballout Jr, who represents Maryland County, explains the seriousness of the problem. It says there have been 2,097 deaths from Ebola in five countries - half of them in Liberia. It quotes the WHO warning that it will take six months to control the situation.

"I will call them and get the samples and send them to the consulate,'' Khader said.

Dr Muralidhar Sharma, medical superintendent, SDM College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Udupi, told TOI: "In ayurveda, we definitely have treatment for Ebola-like symptoms. It is mentioned in all ayurveda textbooks, including Charaka Samhita. We have not had a single case of Ebola in India. Hence, we cannot claim to have a cure for it. We cannot prepare a concoction and give it to the patient. We have to examine the patient and then decide on the mode of treatment."

This view was contested by Dr Srinivas Kakkilaya, a physician. "Ebola is viral hemorrhagic fever akin to dengue. But, unlike dengue, Ebola spreads from person to person. It has a high mortality rate. There's no drug to cure it as of now; there is only symptomatic treatment. Ayurveda developed in India and cannot have a treatment for a virus like Ebola, since the virus did not exist in India. In ayurveda, there is no concept of virus and infection."

AYURVEDA FINDS HUGE TRACTION WITH CHINESE

The Time of India
Saswati Mukherjee,TNN
Thursday, September 4, 2014

Bangalore: The popularity of the time-tested traditional healing system of ayurveda seems to have crossed the border and impressed the Chinese too. If the number of aspirants for courses run by Bangalore-based Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT) is any indication, the new adherents of ayurveda are people of Chinese origin from Southeast Asian nations.

FRLHT runs a foundation course on ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle thrice a year in Bangalore, and nearly 80% of students in each of the 10-member batches are from Southeast Asian countries. Buoyed by the response, FRLHT is conducting the course twice a year in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, among other countries. "Our Chinese-origin students come from diverse backgrounds.

While some are engineers, there are students and medical practitioners as well," says Girish Kumar V, training coordinator for international student programme at the Centre for Health Education, FRLHT. At least 10 Chinese, who do the foundation courses, enroll themselves for the two-year diploma in ayurvedic diet and lifestyle. Most of them have some knowledge about the 2,000-year-old traditional Chinese medicine, which includes various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, exercise and diet.

Toni Goh from Singapore came to FRLHT with a purpose: To know more about ayurvedic diet and lifestyle. "I want to introduce it to the Chinese community in Singapore and China," he says. His foundation course batchmate Pemla wants to learn more about ayurveda nutrition, and Chu Ning from Singapore is interested in the ayurvedic way of health maintenance. A delegation from Nanhua University in Taiwan will visit the FRLHT campus in Yelahanka on September 12 to explore the possibility of offering ayurveda as a course in their institution. "The time-tested principles of ayurveda are drawing Chinese students. The concept of diet, nutrition, etc, is more elaborate in ayurveda, which makes it popular with students across the globe," said Girish Kumar V, training coordinator for the international student programme, Centre for Health Education, FRLHT.

SAI AYURVEDIC COLLEGE - MIAMI TO BEGIN NEXT TERM JANUARY 10th, 2015

Sai Ayurvedic College will begin its first year Ayurvedic program's next class on Saturday, January 10th, 2015 at Sai Ayurvedic College in Miami, Florida. Classroom instruction as well as distance learning offered by live webcast for students residing outside the Miami area. Apply now and take advantage of discounted tuition rate ($500 tuition waiver if registered before November 30th). Call 305-380-0652 for additional information.

Sai Ayurvedic College is a private, post-secondary degree-granting institution recognized by the Florida Department of Education and Florida Commission on Independent Education as exempt from licensure under the authority of Florida State Statutes, Section 1005.06 and is an approved Continuing Education Provider.

The College is approved as a professional school of Ayurveda by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association with respect to its residential classroom and synchronous webcast programs. Not that that approval does not extend to its asynchronous online independent study option. Sai Ayurvedic College is also approved for the payment of Veterans Educational Benefits by the Florida State Department of Veterans Affairs and the federal Veterans Administration with respect to its residential classroom and synchronous webcast programs, and here also this approval does not extend to its asynchronous online independent study option.

Visit the College's website by clicking here.

HEALTH MINISTERS FROM 11 NATIONS DUE TO DISCUSS AYURVEDIC OUTREACH

The Deccan Herald
New Delhi,
Monday, September 1, 2014

Call it a coincidence but within months of the BJP coming to power at the Centre, Ayurveda is set to make a sound at high places as health ministers from the World Health Organisation’s South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) will discuss how traditional medicine can be used for healthcare.

India is the largest nation in this block. The ministers from the WHO’s SEARO region for the first time will deliberate on traditional medicine in a ministerial conference in Dhaka between September 9 and 12. The ministerial consultation will be followed by a global guideline to ensure quality, safety and efficacy.

“Traditional medicine is an important part of health care and most countries in the region have their own form of traditional medicines,” said a WHO official.

WHO SEARO comprises 11 nations — Bangladesh, Bhutan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste. India, being an Asian economic power house, takes a lead in the group on several counts. The ministerial follows BJP-led NDA government creating an integrated department of Indian systems of medicine in six new All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Bhopal, Patna, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Rishikesh and Jodhpur.

India has also taken steps to establish a 100-bed hospital on Indian system of medicine – to be called centre of excellence in holistic medicine – and land for medicinal herb cultivation facility for standardised production of medicines. An expert panel has been constituted to recommend a blueprint for the operationalisation of a yoga training and therapy centre at AIIMS Rishikesh.

WHO officials claimed that the thrust on traditional medicine was in accordance with the health agency’s new (2014-23) strategy on traditional medicine to harness its potential contribution to health and universal health coverage.

Even though several WHO technical committees and advisory bodies underscored the importance of the ancient wisdom on healthcare, this is for the first time the ministers would decide how the traditional knowledge can be integrated to the national healthcare delivery system.

WHO director general Margaret Chan and regional head Poonam Khetrapal Singh will be present at the Dhaka meeting that would also seek to prevent harmful use of alcohol, strengthening surgical care and curb the growing threat of viral hepatitis that kill 5 lakh people every year in the region.

VOLUNTEERS CALLED FOR IN EFFORT TO PUT CHARAKA SAMHITA ONLINE

The Charaka Samhita Online Project is seeking a few good editors of proper English, who have clinical experience, knowledge of Ayurveda, and a willingness to learn medical editing. The English editing team will be editing the 120 chapters of the revered classic text in the next 4 months.

The world has changed since the original publication of the Charaka Samhita. There is an urgent need for a new edition of this treasure of knowledge, incorporating new techniques for accessing the knowledge. A team of 70+ Ayurvedic scholars, biomedical researchers, modern medicine physicians, content managers, business consultants, language editors, illustrators, and audio-visual professionals have been assembled to collaborate on a new 2014 edition of Charaka Samhita. True to its tradition of dialogue between teacher and student, it will be a "living and interactive" text, planned and redacted online to allow maximal outreach to readers and to references online. The new Caraka Samhita has the same sequence of chapters as the original text, as clinical knowledge unfolds like petals of a lotus flower.

If you re interested or can lend your aid to this important effort, please visit the project's website b clicking here.