Results of Clinical Studies of Ayurvedic Preparations Parinama-shoola (Duodenal Ulcer):
This study was conducted by various research centers of Central Council of Research in Ayurvedia & Siddha.
S No. Trial Therapy Instt./ Therapy Total Cases Results
Good Resp. Fair Resp Poor Resp No. Resp DropOut
1 (a) Nimbatiktam CRIBh 04 02 01 - - -
(b) Amalaki Rasayanam CRUK CRIBh 06 02 02 01 01 -
06 05 - 01 - -
2(a) Indukanta Ghrita Snehana CRUK CRUH CRUH 01 - - - - 01
03 01 - 02 - -
05 - 05 - - -
2(b) Mahatikta Ghritam CRUK CRUH 04 01 01 02 - -
05 - 03 - - 02
2(c) Amashya Prakashalana with Bilva Patra Kwatha CRUH 21 - 17 - 01 03
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Results of Clinical Studies of Ayurvedic preparations on Hridroga (Ischaemic, Heart Diseases):
This study was conducted by various research centers of Central Council of Research in Ayurvedia&Siddha.
S.No. Trial Therapy Instt. Centre Total Cases Result
Good Resp Fair Resp Poor Resp No Resp Drop out
1 Arjuna Tvak Ghana Stva IIKP CRID CRUV 210 60 90 40 10 0
2 Pushkara Guggulu IIKP CRID CRUV - - - - - -
3 Dasha Moola CRUV 280 80 145 45 10 -
TOTAL 490 140 235 85 20 -
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Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Pyretic Action of Juniperus Communis. Linn. Leaf Extract in Rats:
Juniperus communis, Linn is a plant widely available in the northern part of India mainly at the altitude of more than 1350 m. The different parts of the plant have been claimed to possess medicinal properties in traditional medical system. Traditionally the plant is used by Tibetian in gastric and urinary troubles1. A few reports concerning the activity of J. communis, L. are available2-4; so we have studied the pharmacological action of leaf extract of J. communis L. and we wish to report here the anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic action of methan fraction of the leaf extract.
Leaves of the plant J. communis L. was dried at 60°C in an air oven: the dried leaves were powdered in a grinder; this was then extracted in a soxhlet extractor with methanol. Finally, the methanolic extract was dried in vacuo. The sticky blakish-green material obtained after drying was partially purified in a column (silica gel G 60 type) using methanol: chloroform solvent system (1:1). After column chromatography, the plant extract was completely dried to constant weight in vacuo. This was kept at 4°C in a desicator for further use and just before pharmacological testing, was dissolved in hot distilled water (at 60°C).
The anti-inflammatory studies were conducted using male rats of Charles-Forster strain (120-180 g). For the chronic experiments, the animals had free access to food and water throughout the period. For the acute experiments, the rats were fasted for 18 hr., but water was allowed ad lib.
Carrageenin (0.1 ml of 1% solution) was injected into planter aponeurosis of the right hind paw of rats. The animals received the drugs or control vehicle i.p. 30 minutes before the injection of carrageenin, The paw volume was measured before and 3 hour after carrageenin administration by volume displacement method5-7.
Test doses of plant extract (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) were given orally against carrageenin-induced paw oedema. For differentation of counter-irritant activity and 'true' anti-inflammatory activity the extract and carrageenin were mixed (mixture I, 5 mg extract and 0.1 ml 1% carrageenin solution; mixture II, 10 mg of extract and 0.1 ml of 1% carrageenin solution), the mixtures were administered to the hind paw and the paw volume was measured as described above.
The method of Meier, Schaler and De Saulles9 as described by Finney and Somers10 was adopted with slight modifications. Sterile cotton pellets (weighing, 10 mg each) were implanted subcutaneously along the flanks or axillae of rats. Drug extract (50 mg/kg & 100 mg/kg) or phenyl butazone (100 mg/kg) or control vehicle were administered i.p. for 7 days from the day of cotton pellet implantation. Granuloma was measured by weighing the implanted cotton pellets after their removal, on the eighth day. The pellet were freed from extraneous tissue and dried at 60°c to constant weight.
Male rats were injected s.c. with 15% suspension of brewers yeast (1 ml/100 gm). After 15 hours the body temperature of each animal was measured rectally with a electronic thermometer (model No. DCT/1002). This served as the initial pyretic temperature, when drug extract (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) or Aspirin (100 mg/kg) or control vehicle (0.2 ml) was administered i.p. Rectal temperature was recorded at hourly intervals for the subsequent 4 hours11.
In all the experiments the effect of the plant extract was compared with standard (either phenylbutazon or aspirin 100 mg/kg) anti-inflammatory antipyretic drugs.
The data were analysed statistically using student's t-test.
The plant extract in the doses employed (50 mg,100 mg/kg body wt) significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited the carrageenin induced oedema though less effectively than phenyl butazone (100 mg/kg). Simultaneous injection with carrageenin into the paw of the rats did not exhibit and counter-irritant activity of plant extract.
The plant extract was found to reduce the weight of cotton pellet induced granuloma in rat significantly (P >< 0.001).
The effect of the plant extract and acetylsalicylic acid, (aspirin) on yeast induced pyrexia in rats is encouraging. It is evident that the plant extract possessed a significant antipyretic activity (P >< 0.001 at 1, 2, 3 and 4 h).
From the battery of pharmacological tests we can conclude that our test plant extract of J. communis, L. positively possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activity. In the tests concerning carrageenin-induced oedema, the extract was found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity although less potent than the standard drug, phenylbutazone. It is established that anti-inflammatory substances which exert the!r effects by virtue of their irritant properties can be distinguished from true anti-inflammatory agents by administering them locally in the carrageenin test. The effects of the plant extract are not due to counter-irritant activity, since a mixture of plant extract and carrageenin produced a reduction in paw oedema. While it is difficult to give an adequate description of the inflammatory phenomenon in terms of underlying cellular events in the injured tissue, there are certain features of the process that are generally agreed to be characteristic.
These include penetration of the microvasculature, leakage of the elements of the blood in the interstitial spaces and migration of leukocytes in the inflammed tissue. On a microscopic level this is usually accompanied by the familiar clinical signs of erythema, oedema, tenderness (hyperalgesia) and pain. The plant extract may interfere with anyone or simultaneously all aforesaid processes of inflammation and act as an anti-inflammatory substance. The repairing phase of inflammation is initiated as a proliferation of fibroblasts and a multiplication of small blood vessels. Proliferating cells penetrate the exudate, producing the highly vascularized reddened mass known as "granulation tissue"12. Significant reduction of cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rats, by the plant extract would suggest an activity in the proliferative phase of inflammatory process.
There is evidence that mycobial endotoxin (lipo-polysaccharides from the cell wall) act by stimulating the bio-synthesis and release by neutraphils and other cells of an endogenous pyrogen, a protein with molecular weight in the range of 10,000 to 20,000. The current view is that the endogenous pyrogen passes from general circulation in the central nervous system, where it acts upto discrete thalamic area. There is evidence that the resultant elevation of body temperature is mediated by the release of prostagrandins. And aspirin supress the effects of endogenous pyrogen by inhibiting synthesis of these substances13. It may be possible that plant extract also interfered with prostaglandins, synthesis and reduced yeast-induced pyrexia.
Authors wish to thank University Grants Commission (UGC) New Delhi for financial assistance rendered. They are also grateful to Dr. R. B. Ghosh, Regional Botanist of Botanical Survey of India, Sibpur for identification of plant.
References
1. In "Medicinal Plant of India". Vol. -2, (ICMR) 1987, P. 106-107.
2. Devi, G. and Sisodia, C. S Indian J. Anim. Sci., 1969, 39, 345.
3. Srivastava, S. C. and Sisodia, C, S., Indian Vet. J., 1969, 46, 826.
4. Aswal, B. S., et. al, Indian J. Exp. Biol. 1984, 22,487.
5. Winter, C. A., Risley, E. A. and Nuss. G, W., Proc. Soc. Exp. BioI. Med., 1362 111 544-547.
6. Pillai, N. R, and Santhakumari, G., Planta Medica, 1981. 43, 59-63.
7. Bhatt, K. R.. Mehta, R. K. and Shrivastava, P.N., Indian J. Physiol. Pharmacol., 1977, 21, 399. 400.
8. Shanahan, R. W ., Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn., 1968, 175, 186-192.
9. Meier, R, W ., Schular and De Saulles, P., Experientia, 19,50, 6, 469-471.
10. Finney, R.S.H. and Somers, G. R., J. Pharm. Pharmac., 1958, 10, 613.620.
11. Gujral, M. L., Kohli, R. p. and Saxena, P.N., Indian J. Med, Res., 1955, 43, 89-94.
12. Swingle, K.F., In " Anti.inflammatory Agents : Chemistry and Pharmacology", (Scherrer, R. A. and Whitehouse, M. W. eds.) 1974, P. 33.122, Vol. 2.
13. Flower, R.J., Moncada, S. and Vane, J, R., In "Drug therapy of inflammation: Goodman and Gilman's the pharmacological basis of therapeutics" (Macmillan publishing company, NY) r. 674.715, 7th ed.
* Dept. of Pharmaceutical T. Chatterjee*1
Technology, Jadavpur University C. Ghosh**
Calcutta.700 032, P. Raychaudhuri * *
** Dey's Medical Stores (Mfa) Ltd.,
62 Bondel Road, Calcutta-700 019,
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Ayurvedic Diagnostic Proceadures
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Contents:
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Know thyself
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Introduction
Test your body type
Body type characteristics
Doshic Imbalances
Dosha subtypes
Diet Planning
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Introduction
Test your body type
Body type characteristics
Doshic Imbalances
Dosha subtypes
Diagnostics in Ayurveda
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Introduction
Diagnosis Process
Three Fold Examination
Eight Fold Examination
Ten Fold Examination
Panchkarma
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Introduction
Basic Principles
Three Stages
Panchkarma Durations
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Introduction
Your personal constitution, which is your individual metabolic make-up, helps determine how your mind and body will instinctively react when confronted with and how much effect any stimulus, as a specific taste or emotion, will have on you. This inborn metabolic pattern is called Prakriti. The personality traits most prized or the qualities disliked all equally arise from these tendencies inherent in your prakriti.
Determined by the doshic state of your parents at the time of your conception, your constitution is influenced by your parents' genetics also. And once set along with the tendencies, it cannot be altered. However, one can learn to adjust so as to reduce distortions, prevent imbalances and treat them when necessary. Also learn the whys and hows of dealing with others. Knowing your own constitution thus allows you to understand the workings of your mind and body better, thereby allowing greater control over the traits through planned and adequate changes incorporated into your lifestyle.
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Test your body type
The chart given below is designed to help you assess your personal constitution. Be honest and observant and choose based on how you are not how you would like to be. Mark yourself for trends that endure and make the assessments in relation to ethnic background. Take time to reflect on the questions and remember no one is purely Vata, Pitta and Kapha. For each factor, from the options given, put a tick over the doshic description that matches what you are or have been for most of your life.And remember, that there are no right or wrong answers.
Physical Characteristics
1 Build
Thin, Light, Delicate
Medium, Enduring
Large, Solid, Powerful
2 Skin
Thin, Very dry, Darkish, Cool
Soft, With Freckles & Moles, Fair, Warm
Thick, Oily, Pale / White, Cold
3 Body Temperature
Low, Cool Extremities
High , Feels Warm
Low, Cool to Touch
4 Teeth
Irregular, Small, Easily Cracked
Yellowish, Medium
White, Big, Strong
5 Lips
Thin, Dark, Dry, Cracked
Soft, Pink / Copper Coloured
Thick, Full, Oily
6 Nails
Short, Rough, Brittle, Dark, Lusterless
Medium, Soft, Pink, Tender
Long, Thick, Well Rounded
7 Height
Exceptionally Short or Tall (Beanpole)
Medium
Tall / Short, Sturdy
8 Joints
Prominent, Dry, Knobbly
Normal, Well Proportioned
Big, Well Formed, Lubricated
9 Hair
Thin, Dark, Coarse, Kinky or Curly
Fine, Soft, Straight, Fair / Reddish / Sandy
Plentiful, Thick, Wavy, Lustrous, Black / Brown
10 Face
Long, Angular, Chin often Underdeveloped
Heart Shaped Chin often Pointed
Large, Rounded, Full
11 Neck
Thin, Very Long or Very Short
Average, Proportionate
Solid, Tree Trunk type
12 Nose
Small, Narrow, even Crooked
Average, Neat, Pointed
Large, Rounded
13 Eyes
Small, Narrow, Sunken, Dark Brown / Gray, Dull
Average, Light Blue / Gray / Hazel, Intense
Large, Prominent, Blue / Light Brown, Attractive
14 Mouth
Small
Medium
Large
Physiological Functions
1 Sweat
Minimal
Profuse, Strong Fleshy or Sour Smell
Moderate, Present Always
2 Temperature Preferences
Crave Warmth
Love Coolness
Dislike Cold
3 Sleep
Light, Fitful
Sound, Short
Deep, Likes Plenty
4 Stool
Irregular, Constipated, Hard, Dry
Regular, Loose
Slow, Plentiful, Heavy
5 Activity Level
Very High, Fidgety
Moderate
Lackadaisical
6 Endurance
Fast Burnout, Needs Recovery Time
Well Managed
Good Stamina
7 Sexual Arousal
Intense, Quickly Expended. Fantasizes
Strong, Desires and Actions Matched
Slow, then Passion Maintained
8 Speech
Fast, Talkative
Sharp, Clear, Precise
Slow, Maybe Laboured
9 Diet
Warm / Hot, Moist Food of Sweet, Sour, Salty Taste
Very Cold, Sweet / Bitter & Astringent Food
Light Warm, Sour & Astringent Food
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Characteristics of body types
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For a better understanding of your Ayurvedic constitution and to cross-check the results of the test, listed below are the principal physical and psychological characteristics of persons with predominantly single dosha constitutions.
VATA
>
Physically such people are either very tall or very short, non- muscular, with thin and bony limbs and have a quick gait with short fast steps. Skin is generally thin, darkish and cool. The hair is thin, dark, coarse and either kinky or curly. The face is usually long and angular, often with an underdeveloped chin. The neck is thin and scrawny. Nose is small and narrow. May be long, crooked or asymmetrical also. Eyes tend to be small, narrow or sunken, dark brown or gray in color, with dull luster. The mouth being small, with thin, narrow or tight lips. Teeth are irregular, protruding, or broken, set in receding gums. And while the voice is weak, low or cracked, speech is fast with interruptions.
Creativity +Enthusiasm+ Freedom +Generosity+ Joy they will sometimes overindulge in pleasures. And are sexually the most active. Fearful, worrisome and anxious they are into questioning, theorising and over-analysis. Often dissatisfied with and unable to sustain friendships, they spend money quickly, often on trifles. With light, interrupted sleep of 5-7 hours a day.
PITTA

A moderately well developed physique with mascular limbs and a purposeful, stable gait of medium speed. With a loud, strong voice and precise, convincing speech. The skin is fair, soft, lusterous, warm, and tends to burn easily in the sun has freckles, many moles, and a tendency to rashes. And the bodies are hot and sweaty. Characterised by fine and soft, either fair or reddish hair that tends to gray soon. Face is heart-shaped, often with a pointed chin. While the neck is proportionate and of average size. A neat, pointed, and average sized nose matches the average sized eyes that are either light blue, light gray or hazel in color, with an intense luster which get red in summer or after bathing. The mouth being medium, with average lips and medium-sized, yellowish teeth.
Ambition Concentration +Confidence+ Courage +Enthusiasm+for+knowledge+ Happiness focussed mind. Sharp and knife-like in anger, they are irritable, jealous and aggressive by nature. Discriminating and judgemental, they are articulate, learned and proud. With a developed sense of responsibility, they can take decisions and organise affairs well. Argumentative, but with a sense of humour, their selectively excellent memory makes them fast learners. Moderately passionate in their sexual pursuits, they spend moderately, usually on luxuries.
KAPHA
A thick, broad, well-developed frame and large, long limbs go well with a pleasant, deep and resonant voice with low, slow, rhythmic speech. The skin is usually thick, oily, pale or white and cold. Plentiful, thick, wavy, lusterous and generally brown hair is set on a large, rounded and full face. The neck is solid, with a near tree-trunk quality. A large, rounded nose and large, attractive, blue or light brown in color eyes are found in a mouth that is large with big, full lips. Teeth too are big and white and set in strong gums.

Caring Centeredness +Compassion+ Contentment +Faith+ Fulfillment +Groundedness+ Patience +Sense+of+being+nourished+ Stability +Support+ Tenderness
Kapha predominated people are calm, steady, considerate - stable, patient personalities they are slow to anger. Not easily provoked, once angry they do not calm down easily. They are honourable, true to their word and avoid lies. Loyal, forgiving and understanding, they can be lethargic, even lazy, if not driven by others. Learning may be slow but memory will be strong. Excellent in logical analysis, they take time before reaching conclusions. Long hours of deep sleep and a strong, enduring sex drive come naturally. While they do save money, it does get spent on food. And there can at times be an element of dullness, given that a kapha mind is usually too content to seek fresh mental stimulation.
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