Friday, July 31, 2009
First Ever Vigilance Program for Indian Herbal Medicine Companies
Change is everywhere. On one hand, we can see innovations in the field of science and technology; while on the other hand we observe a return to the ancient tradition. People all over the world are waking up to the need for Ayurvedic medicines and the stressing the importance of herbal medicines in curing or managing certain serious ailments. And India is the last country to realize the potential of this phenomenon, although it is here that the medicine was born.
However, better late than never, they say! And purists are now considering the importance of universal recognition for international promotion of herbal medicines. In a recent incident, almost 200 samples of herbal medicines bought from the Internet were tested by researchers of an American University and found to contain rich deposits of minerals and metals. This has come as a punch in the face of the herbal medicine market in India. For the first time, the Government is launching a quality checking program, a vigilance program unparalleled in the history of ancient Ayurveda. The Health Ministry has announced that all Ayurvedic doctors as well as patients can report any adverse effects of Ayurveda to a regulatory body that will investigate the matter and take legal actions against the company to ensure a ‘clean’ reputation for the Ayurvedic drugs.
The national research centre selected for this program is the Post Graduate Institute of Ayurveda at the Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar. There will be eight regional centres under this apex body that will report individual cases to the committee. The committee will cross check the cases before taking any decision. The committee will also report the case to the World Health Organization if the violation of norms is of serious nature. Such a pharmacovigilance initiative has also been taken in the past for preventing the corruption in the manufacturing and selling of modern allopathic medicines, but it yielded no result, thanks to corrupt doctors and irresponsible pharma companies.
For a $300 million market in India alone, and almost $1 billion world over, this was a move that had to come sooner or later. They say, “Health is wealth”. Better if India understands the potential of its traditional medicines promising heath to the individual and wealth to the economy!
However, better late than never, they say! And purists are now considering the importance of universal recognition for international promotion of herbal medicines. In a recent incident, almost 200 samples of herbal medicines bought from the Internet were tested by researchers of an American University and found to contain rich deposits of minerals and metals. This has come as a punch in the face of the herbal medicine market in India. For the first time, the Government is launching a quality checking program, a vigilance program unparalleled in the history of ancient Ayurveda. The Health Ministry has announced that all Ayurvedic doctors as well as patients can report any adverse effects of Ayurveda to a regulatory body that will investigate the matter and take legal actions against the company to ensure a ‘clean’ reputation for the Ayurvedic drugs.
The national research centre selected for this program is the Post Graduate Institute of Ayurveda at the Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar. There will be eight regional centres under this apex body that will report individual cases to the committee. The committee will cross check the cases before taking any decision. The committee will also report the case to the World Health Organization if the violation of norms is of serious nature. Such a pharmacovigilance initiative has also been taken in the past for preventing the corruption in the manufacturing and selling of modern allopathic medicines, but it yielded no result, thanks to corrupt doctors and irresponsible pharma companies.
For a $300 million market in India alone, and almost $1 billion world over, this was a move that had to come sooner or later. They say, “Health is wealth”. Better if India understands the potential of its traditional medicines promising heath to the individual and wealth to the economy!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Avoid Fake Herbal Medicine Companies
Herbal medicines are consumed by almost 80% of the world’s population. In India alone, the industry stands at a huge $1 billion. The demand comes from the people’s faith in the 5000 year old science of life. Despite many allegations, people never lose their faith in Ayurvedic medicines. This leads to an increase in demand over the years. This is primarily because of the distrust associated to anything chemical, and modern drugs are composed of chemicals and nothing else. Herbal medicines stand for anything natural, and provide us a chance to establish an association with nature. This explains the consumer attitudes behind the purchase decisions.
But, the fly-by-night quack Ayurvedic companies are taking advantage of this faith. According to a recent finding, a whopping twenty percent of Ayurvedic medicines sold over the Internet contains over permissible limits of lead, mercury, or arsenic. The conclusion was arrived at after the researchers of a university purchased 193 samples of medicines available over the Internet and analyzed them for possible toxicity. And their doubts came to be true.
This is shocking since the herbal medicine market is mainly a export oriented market and the main demand comes from the foreigners, affected by health tourism and looking towards the east to fix their physiological problems. These guys are an easily decieved lot, and seldom cross check the products or even the profile of the company. The decision is influenced by an eye catching design of the website and a compelling copy that enthralls the readers. Some aggressive and often misguided SEO efforts lead to high Page Rank which makes the company listed among the first few pages of any search engine. Most of these products flaunt a GMP certification and there is no means by which you can verify this certification.
So, if you are living abroad and looking for herbal remedies to relieve you of asthma or other chronic illnesses, then don’t go for any Tom-Dick-or Harry manufacturer. Take time to know more about the disease, its chances of recovery and the available medications. If you are purchasing something over the Internet, do a Google search for the company to look for any media mention or press release that has come out in a national daily. Also, look for the research and development work of the company. Remember, Ayurveda is not just a quack medication. You can’t just mix some herbs, boil them and say, “Here is a miracle cure for Asthma!” It requires careful clinical experimentation and a proper lab-oriented approach to churn out the right medicine. Thankfully, the research work of Asoka Lifescience Limited is undertaken by Jadavpur University, one of the largest universities in Asia. Just the right approach needed to rub off the blemishes that fake companies put on Ayurveda.
But, the fly-by-night quack Ayurvedic companies are taking advantage of this faith. According to a recent finding, a whopping twenty percent of Ayurvedic medicines sold over the Internet contains over permissible limits of lead, mercury, or arsenic. The conclusion was arrived at after the researchers of a university purchased 193 samples of medicines available over the Internet and analyzed them for possible toxicity. And their doubts came to be true.
This is shocking since the herbal medicine market is mainly a export oriented market and the main demand comes from the foreigners, affected by health tourism and looking towards the east to fix their physiological problems. These guys are an easily decieved lot, and seldom cross check the products or even the profile of the company. The decision is influenced by an eye catching design of the website and a compelling copy that enthralls the readers. Some aggressive and often misguided SEO efforts lead to high Page Rank which makes the company listed among the first few pages of any search engine. Most of these products flaunt a GMP certification and there is no means by which you can verify this certification.
So, if you are living abroad and looking for herbal remedies to relieve you of asthma or other chronic illnesses, then don’t go for any Tom-Dick-or Harry manufacturer. Take time to know more about the disease, its chances of recovery and the available medications. If you are purchasing something over the Internet, do a Google search for the company to look for any media mention or press release that has come out in a national daily. Also, look for the research and development work of the company. Remember, Ayurveda is not just a quack medication. You can’t just mix some herbs, boil them and say, “Here is a miracle cure for Asthma!” It requires careful clinical experimentation and a proper lab-oriented approach to churn out the right medicine. Thankfully, the research work of Asoka Lifescience Limited is undertaken by Jadavpur University, one of the largest universities in Asia. Just the right approach needed to rub off the blemishes that fake companies put on Ayurveda.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Removing Tonsils May Not Be Helpful
Surgery to remove offending tissues in children having mild throat infections, enlarged Tonsils ot enlarged adenoids offers no major clinical benifits.
Reasearchers from university Medical centre, Utrecht, conducted a study of 300 children who were candidates for adeno-tonsillectomy because of recurrent throat infection or because they had enlarged tonsils or adenoids. The kids were randomly assigned to undergo surgery or be followed with a watchful waiting strategy. After an average follow up of 22 months, the number of fever episodes in the surgery group was nearly the same as in the watchful waiting group.Subjects in the surgery and watchful waiting groups averaged 0.6 and 0.8 throat infections per person per year, respectively.
Though the improvements in quality of life were significantly seen with tonsilectomy from a statistical stand point, but they were not considered clinically relevent. There was also evedience that surgery was more effective for children with three to six throat infections per year, rather than two or fewer. The result of the study indicate that surgery offers little benifit to children, but it does marginally reduce the number of episodes of fever, throat infections, and upper respiratory tract infections per person per year.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
End of era
My heart-felt condolence on the death of Kirana Gharana singer Gangubai Hangal. Gangubai was one of the greatest classical singers in India. The death of Gangubai is a great loss to the music world, which can not be replaced.I wish her family the courage to bear the lose.
With tears in the eyes
Dr Aravind T.V
Monday, July 20, 2009
Some little-known facts
Women who smoke are at risk of having a heart attack 19 years earlier than non-smoking women.
Women with diabetes are three to seven times more likely to have heart attacks.
Women are almost twice as likely as men to die after by-pass surgery.
Women often do not have the typical symptoms of angina (chest pain radiating to the arms) or other symptoms. associated with a heart attack. Therefore they are often not diagnosed correctly and in appropriate time.
Women are 20 per cent more likely than men to die in the hospital following a heart attack.
Women receive less aggressive treatment than men for their heart disease.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
What every woman should know about heart disease
Ask any woman which disease she's most afraid of, and the reply you will usually get is breast cancer. The reality however is very different; heart disease kills more women than any other disease. This comes as a surprise to most, as heart disease was always thought to be a 'man's disease'. In reality, women are as much at risk for heart disease as men are, but are protected by their hormones till they reach menopause.
The hormone estrogen is responsible for the strengthening of arteries but risks posed by lifestyle changes are overpowering the protection given by estrogen. Risk factors such as smoking, erratic working hours, obesity and stress are no longer associated only with men. In India, within the next 10 years, it is expected that one out of every three women will die of heart disease.
Another sad statistic is that a much larger percentage of women die within one year after having a heart attack, as compared to men. The reasons for this are not well understood yet. One possible explanation is that women tend to get heart disease later in life and are therefore more likely to have co-existing chronic conditions. Women also tend to get less treatment than men, because they are typically not the main earning member of the family. This is seen all over the world and in our country as well.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
PROPERTIES OF COW’S GHEE
Cow’s Ghee
· Bestows Intellect, Memory, Wisdom, Digestive activity, Strength, Longevity
· Nourishes the ‘Sukra dhatu’
· Is very much beneficial for the eyes
· Is very essential to people of all age groups – especially children and the aged
· Is very beneficial to those who seek good progeny, complexion, physique and pleasant voice.
· Is necessary for those who are injured, exhausted, who had undergone treatments like Sastra karma, Agni karma etc.
· Alleviates Vata and Pitta, cures Visha (poison), Unmada (mental disturbances), Sosha (emaciation), Jwara and Alakshmi (inauspiciousness).
· Is considered the best amongst the sneha dravyas.
· Is Cold in potency, Sustains Youth.
· Having the Property of ‘Yogavaahitvam’- Ghee exhibits thousands of other qualities of the herbs, it has been processed with.
· Bestows Intellect, Memory, Wisdom, Digestive activity, Strength, Longevity
· Nourishes the ‘Sukra dhatu’
· Is very much beneficial for the eyes
· Is very essential to people of all age groups – especially children and the aged
· Is very beneficial to those who seek good progeny, complexion, physique and pleasant voice.
· Is necessary for those who are injured, exhausted, who had undergone treatments like Sastra karma, Agni karma etc.
· Alleviates Vata and Pitta, cures Visha (poison), Unmada (mental disturbances), Sosha (emaciation), Jwara and Alakshmi (inauspiciousness).
· Is considered the best amongst the sneha dravyas.
· Is Cold in potency, Sustains Youth.
· Having the Property of ‘Yogavaahitvam’- Ghee exhibits thousands of other qualities of the herbs, it has been processed with.
in the name of ayurveda
vaidya Aravind
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Milky Way
Milk is given an important place in one's dietary regimen in Ayurveda.It is an essential element in aphrodisiac therapy.Milk and Ghee have nourishing qualities and the positive attributes of milk are manifold. Milk is recommended before sexual intercourse as well as afterwards. The absence of milk in one diet can lead to problems. ( In todays world of pasteurized milk and additives it is not uncommon to find many people with lactose in tolerance.)
charaka's recommendation of milk as part of aphrodisiac therapy emphasizes the excellent qualities of cow's milk.
- cow's milk given with honey, sugar and ghee is an excellent aphrodisiac.
- one should keep the cow fed on black gram leaves or sugarcane or arjuna leaves, well nourished, with four nipples, of brown or black colour, with her horns pointing upwards and giving thick milk. The milk of such cow alone, either boiled or unboiled with sugar added along with honey and ghee is an excellent aphrodisiac. (ca.ci.2.3:3-5)
- The milk of the above said cow, boiled with a golden ring and with the ghee, honey and sugar added afterwards provides progeny.(ca.ci 2.3:11)
vaidya Aravind T.V
Monday, July 13, 2009
Allergic Rhinitis
2 tab (1gm each) of bilwadi gulika was administered thrice daily for 21 days to patients of Allergic Rhinitis. Sneezing, rhinorrhoea, itching, cough and fever reduced considerably. The patients were disease free even in the follow up period. It also reduced ESR and Absolute Eosinophil counts.
In the name of Ayurveda
Vaidya Aravind T.V
Thursday, July 9, 2009
YOGA EASES MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS
yoga encourages relaxation and muscle control, and helps reduce the adverse effects of psychological stress and strain. To assess the benifits yoga offers for women going though menopause, researchers from vivekananda yoga kendra India randomly assigned 120 menopausal women, aged between 40 to 55 years, to yoga practice or simple stretching and strengthening exercise five days a week or eight weeks.women in the yoga group also listned on using yoga to manage stress and other yoga related topics, while those in the control group heard lectures on diet, exercise, the physiology of menopause, and stress.
After eight weeks, it was found that women in the yoga group showed a significant reduction in hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances, while in the control group did not. Both groups showed improvments in a test of attention and concentration, although improvement in the yoga group was significantly greated.In a test of memory and intelligence is 10 components, the yoga group improved on 8, while the control group improved on 6. The above findings establish that efficacy of yoga over physical activity in improving the cognitive functions that could be attributed to emphasis on correctness in breathing, synchronizing breathing with body movements, relaxation and mindful rest.
After eight weeks, it was found that women in the yoga group showed a significant reduction in hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances, while in the control group did not. Both groups showed improvments in a test of attention and concentration, although improvement in the yoga group was significantly greated.In a test of memory and intelligence is 10 components, the yoga group improved on 8, while the control group improved on 6. The above findings establish that efficacy of yoga over physical activity in improving the cognitive functions that could be attributed to emphasis on correctness in breathing, synchronizing breathing with body movements, relaxation and mindful rest.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
YOGA HELPS MIGRANE SUFFERERS
A combination of yoga postures, breathing exercises and relaxation may help reduce the frequency and intensity of migrane.Indian Researchers from the university of the Rajasthan, jaipur,randomly divided 72 migrane sufferers into 2 groups. One group recieved education on managing their pain by avoiding migraine triggers and making diet and lifestyle changes. The other group recieved yoga therapy, which included gentle yoga postures, breathing excercises, relaxation and meditation.participants practiced five days a week for one hour each day, except on days when they were having a migrane attack or just recovering from one.
After three months, the yoga group showed an overall improvement in the frequency and intensity of their migrane attacks, whereas the comparision group showed either no change or worsened symptoms. It ws found that among 72 adults suffering from migrane, patients undergoing yoga programme started having less headaches and endured less pain with each migrane attack, when compared with patients assigned to a self care group.The pain relief also brought considerable improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression.The findings reported in the journal headache provide prelimimnary evidence that yoga therapy can be an effective treatment for migrane.
After three months, the yoga group showed an overall improvement in the frequency and intensity of their migrane attacks, whereas the comparision group showed either no change or worsened symptoms. It ws found that among 72 adults suffering from migrane, patients undergoing yoga programme started having less headaches and endured less pain with each migrane attack, when compared with patients assigned to a self care group.The pain relief also brought considerable improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression.The findings reported in the journal headache provide prelimimnary evidence that yoga therapy can be an effective treatment for migrane.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Kshara sutra in japan
Kshara Sutra is a medicated thread which is used in anal fistula surgical operations in Ayurveda. For the purpose of introducing Kshara Sutra therapy into Japan, which offers a better cure rate than modern surgery in India and Sri Lanka, we attempted the production of alternative Kshara Sutra using Japanese plants and materials. We established the protocol of Kshara Sutra preparation including the use of the latex of the fig (Ficus carica) fruit as a binding agent instead of Snuhi (Euphorbia antiquorum or Euphorbia neliifolia [Euphorbia neriifolia]), and red pepper [Capsicum annuum] tincture for induction of healing by granulation. In addition, we made Kshara, an alkali agent, from the plant of Achyranthes bidentata and used commercial turmeric powder and a suture with high water absorbency. This is thought to be the first Kshara Sutra in use in Japan, which was named "Kanazawa Sutra I".
Publisher: Medical and Pharmaceutical Society for Wakan-Yaku
Publisher: Medical and Pharmaceutical Society for Wakan-Yaku
Friday, July 3, 2009
pediatrics in Ayurveda
CHILDHOOD BRONCHIAL ASTHAMA
Duration of the Medication
Most of the cases are genetic and incurable. But continues treatment brings relief. Bronchial asthma needs prolonged treatment. In children it may take 6 months to three years for curing the diseases.
Therapies required to cure the Ailment
1,)Clean nostrils with sterilized cloth or cotton, Apply Gingili oil +Salt boiled and cooled on chest for one hour and then rub it out.
2,)Bela +Jeerakom + sunty =( 10: 1 : 1 ) Kwatham is very much effective for brochial asthma. The quantity should be decided according to age.
3)Ealakanadi Kashayam, Dasamoolakadutrayam kashayam, Jeerakatrikadukadi kashyam.
4) Thila Saindhava samuktham for Exturnal application.
in the name of Ayurveda
Vaidya Aravind T.V
Duration of the Medication
Most of the cases are genetic and incurable. But continues treatment brings relief. Bronchial asthma needs prolonged treatment. In children it may take 6 months to three years for curing the diseases.
Therapies required to cure the Ailment
1,)Clean nostrils with sterilized cloth or cotton, Apply Gingili oil +Salt boiled and cooled on chest for one hour and then rub it out.
2,)Bela +Jeerakom + sunty =( 10: 1 : 1 ) Kwatham is very much effective for brochial asthma. The quantity should be decided according to age.
3)Ealakanadi Kashayam, Dasamoolakadutrayam kashayam, Jeerakatrikadukadi kashyam.
4) Thila Saindhava samuktham for Exturnal application.
in the name of Ayurveda
Vaidya Aravind T.V
Thursday, July 2, 2009
PANCHAGAVYA
Panchagavya Ayurveda
The Ayurveda has detail mentions of importance of Cow's Milk, Curd, Ghee, Urine in the treatment of various human aliments. All these five products obtained from cow are individually called Gavya and collectively termed as Panchagavya. Every product has distinct qualities and uses in Health, Agriculture and other fields.
The Panchagavya Cure, for various ailments, has been there in Ayurvedic texts for thousands of years, and hundreds of people have dedicated their lives to provide alternative medicine and economic growth models to the people of India.There are reports of many people who have benefitted from highly economical panchagavya-based medicines, and one may be surprised to know that Europeans and Americans are researching on the genetics of Indian Cows as they are the only ones not spoiled by the feeds in their countries which resulted in disasters like the mad cow disease.
Effective Treatment
Renal failures, Leucoderma, Asthama, Arthritis, Skin Diseases, Psoriosis Eczema, Stomach Disorders, Diabetes, Blood Pressure Disorder, Women and Children related diseases are very effectively treated by Panchgavya therapy.
Press Release
US patent granted to Indian scientists on the use of cow urine distillate on bio-enhancer.
United States Patent 6,410,059Khanuja,et al.June 25, 2002
Pharmaceutical composition containing cow urine distillate and anantibiotic
AbstractA pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibiotic and cow urine distillate in an amount effective to enhance antimicrobial effect of the antibiotic is disclosed. The antibiotic can be an antifungal agent. The antibiotic can be a quinolone or a fluoroquinolone. The antifungal agent can be azoles, clotrimazole, mystatin or amphotericin.
In the name of Ayurveda
vaidya Aravind T.V
The Ayurveda has detail mentions of importance of Cow's Milk, Curd, Ghee, Urine in the treatment of various human aliments. All these five products obtained from cow are individually called Gavya and collectively termed as Panchagavya. Every product has distinct qualities and uses in Health, Agriculture and other fields.
The Panchagavya Cure, for various ailments, has been there in Ayurvedic texts for thousands of years, and hundreds of people have dedicated their lives to provide alternative medicine and economic growth models to the people of India.There are reports of many people who have benefitted from highly economical panchagavya-based medicines, and one may be surprised to know that Europeans and Americans are researching on the genetics of Indian Cows as they are the only ones not spoiled by the feeds in their countries which resulted in disasters like the mad cow disease.
Effective Treatment
Renal failures, Leucoderma, Asthama, Arthritis, Skin Diseases, Psoriosis Eczema, Stomach Disorders, Diabetes, Blood Pressure Disorder, Women and Children related diseases are very effectively treated by Panchgavya therapy.
Press Release
US patent granted to Indian scientists on the use of cow urine distillate on bio-enhancer.
United States Patent 6,410,059Khanuja,et al.June 25, 2002
Pharmaceutical composition containing cow urine distillate and anantibiotic
AbstractA pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibiotic and cow urine distillate in an amount effective to enhance antimicrobial effect of the antibiotic is disclosed. The antibiotic can be an antifungal agent. The antibiotic can be a quinolone or a fluoroquinolone. The antifungal agent can be azoles, clotrimazole, mystatin or amphotericin.
In the name of Ayurveda
vaidya Aravind T.V
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Ksharasutra consultation
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