Vitiligo is a progressive, idiopathic, pigmentation disorder of the skin, characterized by hypopigmented white lesions. PUVA therapy is the treatment of choice in the modern system of medicine. In Ayurveda, Shvitra or Kilasa is the term employed to describe hypopigmentation disorders of the skin. Shvitra is caused by various dietic and behavioral factors which aggravate the tridoshas, especially the Kapha dosha vitiating the Meda dhatu. Many Ayurvedic drugs are well known for the regeneration of melanocytes, among which Bakuchi is one. The present study was planned to study its efficacy in the regeneration of melanocytes. The outcome of treatment in 50 cases of Shvitra vis-à-vis vitiligo receiving Shvitrahara kashaya and Shvitrahara lepa was analyzed and compared. Group I (n = 25) patients were treated with Shvitrahara kashaya and Shvitrahara lepa; Group II (n = 15) patients received Shvitrahara lepa only; and the remaining 10 patients of Group III used both (Western medicine) oral psoralens and UV-A therapy. Assessment was done after 6 months with bi-monthly follow-ups. Out of 25 cases in Group I, 17 showed 80% improvement (t = 7.65; P < 0.01) in the surface area, number of lesions, pigmentation and associated symptoms like itching; out of 15 patients in Group II, 10 showed partial repigmentation, i.e. 50% (t = 5.72; P < 0.01) response was observed. In Group III, 90% response (t = 6.14; P < 0.001) in repigmentation and number of lesions as well was noted but eight patients developed adverse effects like sunburn, severe itching and gastric upset on taking oral psoralen. On the basis of results and observations, it can be concluded that Ayurvedic formulation containing Bakuchi is efficacious and has no untoward effects when compared to oral psoralens and UV-A therapy.

Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common clinical entities encountered in regular practice by the gynecologists. Dysmenorrhea means painful menstruation. Fifty percent of the women suffer from dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is correlated with Udavartini yonivyapad in Ayurveda. No successful advances have been made in the line of management till today by western medicine. Therefore, a complete, comprehensive and holistic approach toward its understanding and treatment is the need of the age. In this series, Uttar Vasti, a unique panchakarma procedure, is studied for its role in yonivyapads. A research study was conductedto evaluate the efficacy of Uttar Vasti with Trivrit and Lasuna oil in Primary dysmenorrhea. Thirty-six diagnosed cases of Udavartini Yonivyapad, viz., primary (spasmodic) dysmenorrhea, were selected and randomly allocated into two groups. The effect of Uttar Vasti was compared with the commonly used non steroidal anti inflammatory drug (control group). Uttar Vasti with Operculina turpethum (Trivrit) and Allium sativum (Lasuna) oil has shown encouraging results in Udavartini yonivyapad. Statistically significant relief was seen in the intensity of pain and the successive cycles were less painful in the treated group as compared to control group. The mode of action can be attributed to anti-inflammatory (vatahara), vasodilatory (ushna virya) antispasmodic and laxative (anulomana) properties of the trial drugs. The present study shows Uttar Vasti as a safe and easy technique to treat dysmenorrhea like conditions without any side effects.

AIDS is one of the serious global health concerns caused by Human Immuno Deficiency(HIV) virus and is predominantly a sexually transmitted disease. Currently there is no vaccine or cure for AIDS still Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) is successful. It reduces both the mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection, but is expensive and inaccessible in many countries. However intense the therapy may be, HIV virus is rarely eliminated, and drug resistance is a major setback during long-term therapy. The development of new drugs and strategies and exploring alternative systems of medicine for antiviral herbs or drugs is the need of the age to improve treatment outcomes. Ayurveda describes many diseases which incorporate HIV like illness e.g. Rajayakshma, Ojo Kshaya, Sannipata jwara etc. HIV infection affects multisystems, chiefly the Immune System which can be correlated to Ojo Kshaya. Rasayana Chikitsa is the frontline therapy employed to treat Ojus disorders. Therefore Shilajatu (Mineral pitch), Centella asiatica (Mandukaparni), Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) and Emblica officinalis (Amalaki), well known for their Immuno-modulator and antioxidant properties were selected to evaluate their role on immune system. The study was carried on 20 patients from OPD and IPD of Kayachikitsa, S.S.Hospital, IMS, BHU and was randomly allocated into Treated group (Shilajatu+ART) and Control group (ART). Treated Group responded better to ART both clinically and biochemically. The results show that Shilajatu decreases the recurrent resistance of HIV virus to ART and improves the outcome of the therapy