Many ayurvedic texts mention arbuda which is considered as an equivalent of cancer. Vagbhata mentions arbuda of mouth, tongue, eyes, nose, breast and uterus. Caraka and Susruta also provide plenty of information on this dreaded group of diseases. Considering the importance of this disease in present day health care, the authors mention in this paper several plants of the Himalaya, used in the treatment of cancer.

Rheumatic disorders like Amavata, Sandhivata and Vatarakta are elaborately described in ayurvedic literature. Preliminary survey of literature shows that about 247 formulations are recommended for these rheumatic disorders. These formulations generally include guggulu compounds, compounds of plant powders, decoctions, medicated ghees, oils, electuaries etc. Therapeutic potential of ayurvedic concepts and a brief review of Ayurvedic formulations are also discussed.

Talisadya churna was prepared by pounding the individual ingredients in mortar and pestle and mixie. The Curna prepared by pounding the ingredients in mortar and pestle showed higher exhaustive extraction in hexane and solubility in alcohol. The Curna prepared by grinding the ingredients in mixie showed less acid insoluble content, high volatile matter, water soluble matter, and exhaustive extraction in chloroform. Thin layer silica gel chromatography and test of organic functional groups did not show any difference in the Tulisadya curna prepared by either method.

Eclipta prostrate (L.) L. (Asterceae) is a valuable plant used in the treatment of various human ailments in Ayurveda and Siddha systems. Nomenclatural confusion prevails as different plants are mentioned in Indian medical literature as Bhringaraja and Karisalahganni. It is evident from the present study that the nomenclature Bhringaraja and Karisalanganni must be restricted only to Eclipta prostrate (L.) L.

This paper describes the standardization of Somarajee taila, an important ayurvedic formulation indicated in scabies, pruritus, acne, fistula, gout, leprosy and ring worm.

The venerated author presents evidence to prove that the physical body of man is certainly the instrument for practicing dharma, the non-observance of which leads to all miseries.

Administration of anethole at 10 and 50 mg doses caused significant reduction in seminal vesicle weight, RNA and protein concentrations and contents and acid phosphates activity. However, there was significant increase in DNA concentrations and in the activities of alkaline phosphates and lactate dehydrogenase. The effects were more pronounced in the group receiving 50 mg of anethole.

Serial extracts of the seeds of M.fragrans were investigated for their anti-diarrhoeal potential in three experimental models. Though all the three extracts exhibited significant activity, the petroleum ether and ethanol extracts were found to be more effective above 200 mg | kg dose levels.

The Effect of tincture of Tinospora cordifolia was evaluated using onion root tip mitosis as the test system. The aqueous extract stimulated the mitotic activity significatory.

Three to six hours after the administration of extracts of neem bark or flower, the blood glucose levels of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice dropped significantly. However, neem flower possesses stronger hypoglycemic activity than the bark. Hypoglycemic action of these extracts may be due to their metabolic effect on tissue and or due to increase in insulin secretion.

Levels of glycogen, lactate, pyruvate, total proteins, free amino acids andenzymes (LDH & SDH) have been recorded in brain, heart, kidney and liver of rats in response to treatment with crude drug combination. The study indicates increase in the levels of glycogen, pyruvate, total proteins, LDH and SDH and decrease in levels of lactate and free amino acids.

Observations on the occurrence of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae association in 16 medicinal plants are reported in this communication.

The rural population in many parts of India consumes sorghum (Jowar) and maize as staple food. The flour made out of these cereals is consumed after cooking or baking on a pan with or without oil. The present study was undertaken in two groups of healthy human volunteers. Each subject of first group consumed ground unrefined sorghum (100g) daily as supper for three weeks in the form of pancake. The subjects of second group consumed ground unrefined Maize (50g) daily as supper for three weeks also as pancake. Both the diets showed significant reduction in serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels with simultaneous increase in HDL cholesterol value.

Successful callusing was obtained from leaf segments of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. Cultures aseptically on MS medium with various concentrations of growth regulators.

Sharbat-e-Unsul, a Unani medicine was found to cure zeequn – nafasbalghami or “difficulty in breathing due to narrowing or obstruction of air passage”. The drug did not cause any adverse effect.

Pharmacognostical studies on the South Indian market sample of Karkatasringi (Terminalia chebula leaf galls) were carried out along with comparative studies on Pistacia integerima which is the accepted source of Karkatasringi. The galls of T. chebula are also known as Kadukkai Poo in Siddha system.

Sri Lankan Medical manuscripts offer a wealth of information on the practice of Ayurveda. The significant of these manuscripts in the various speheres of medical research in presented in this communication.

Many yogic methods emphasis control and suspension of breath as important components of the path to transcendence. However, the Pranayamas are varied and their role of both improve the physical aspects of breathing and for calming the mind, the latter being very important in the management of many phycosomatic disorders. Different types of Pranayama seem to influence the brain functioning in specific ways. Since the breath seems to link the body and the mind, it is possible to study this link by studying the effect of Pranayama on some brain functioning. This report document some of the recent observations of EEG changes during different types of Pranayama and their significance in health and diseases.

Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu is one of the most botanised areas of southern India. In spite of it a number of wild plants had been missed by previous collectors. In addition a number of exotics and ornamentals having importance in alternative systems of medicine like Homoeopathy and Unani have not been collected and preserved as herbarium records. The present paper lists 36 species of wild plants and 69 species of exotics. Their areas of occurrence, phonological data, accession numbers, and names of collectors have been given.

The medicinal uses of thirteen plants from Lucknow District are reported in this paper.

Field and laboratory investigations were undertaken at Nagarjun Medicinal Plants Garden from 1984 – 1987 with object to find out the suitable variety of palmarosa having high yield of foliage and oil. From the pooled analysis the variety IW – 3631 showed highest dry foliage yield (10271 KG / ha) which was significantly superior over all varieties i.e, IW 3632, IW-3630, IW RRL (B) – 65 and IW – 3629 except IW RRL (B) – 49. Oil contents and oil yield was also found to be more in variety IW 3631. Varieties IW – 3629 gave lowest oil yield and was at par with varieties IW – 3630 and IW – 3632.

This paper deals with the pharmacognosy of Hyptis suaveolens leaf including its morphological, anatomical, chemical constituents and powder analysis. Contrary to earlier reports, the leaves are amphistomatic. Stomata are diacytic, a few being isotricytic and ansiotricytic. Four types of trichomes have been noted. The venation is semicraspidodromous. Midrib consists of one large moon shaped and petiole with four wedge-shaped vascular bundles. Powder microscopy revealed fragments of epidermis, mesophyll, trichomes and tracheary elements. Positive tests for glycosides, polyphenolases, flavones and juglones are also recorded.

The role of different types of containers and methods of preparation was studied in the case of Kutajarista. Stainless steel containers were found to be superior of vessels made of earth and wood. Addition of yeast generated more alcohol facilitating better extraction of chemicals. The significance of the findings is discussed.

Thirty endangered plants of Assam are mentioned in this report. Some measures to ward off the threat are also suggested.