DOCSLIB.ORG

A Reader's Companion by M S Valiathan

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Reader's Companion by M S Valiathan Indian Journal of History of Science, 53.1 (2018) 117-121 DOI: 10.16943/ijhs/2018/v53i1/49369 Book Review Āyurvedic Inheritance — A Reader’s Companion by M S Valiathãn, Manipal University Press, Manipal, 2017, ISBN 978-93-82460-58-9, Pages 232 (Hardback), Rs 650. Anantanarayanan Raman* From the desk of a highly respected cardio- that sway the health of humans similar to the thoracic surgeon and a higher-education leader of perturbations that would occur in the Earth due to India, Marthandavarma Sankaran Valiathan either natural or induced causes. Āyurveda, a (MSV), another book on the science and art of discipline that evolved among Nature- Āyurveda has appeared. He wrote on Caraka in worshipping Indians, therefore confides in 2003, followed by volumes on Śuśruta in 2007 managing alterations via natural means, which and Vāgabhaā in 2010, followed by the could be anything from regulated breathing Introduction to Āyurveda in 2012, all of which exercises (pranāyāma) to administration of are being intently consulted by everyone interested defined doses of natural materials, such as mercury in Indian traditional-medical heritage. Āyurveda (Hg, rasa) and arsenic (As, kunai, naipāli) and (literally translating into the veda [the book of plants, such as Calotropis gigantea, Apocynaceae knowledge, deriving from vidyé] of life [āyu]) (arkā) and Aconitum ferox, Ranunculaceae evolved through recording observations and (vatsanābha). experiential learning in the Indian subcontinent, millennia ago. A popular Āyurvedic physician of The theory of humorolism (also referred the erstwhile Madras, V Narayanaswamy, speaks as humorism, estimated at at least 2000 years of of the ancientness of Āyurveda by referring to its human knowledge) explains that human body roots in Atharva Veda, but does not specify a date functions well because of the balanced action of (Narayanaswamy, 1981). Indian mythology humors: the black and yellow biles, phlegm, and associates Danvantari, the divine master of blood. However, a near-identical theory, but medicine, as the creator of Āyurveda. In principle, pitched on three humors only, viz., wind, bile, and Āyurveda explores human wellness in the context phlegm, forms the bedrock of Āyurveda. of immortality (read as longevity) by building on Āyurvedic worldview reinforces that a balance sound health. We need to recognize here that among the three humors enables attainment and Mga-Āyurveda dealing with the wellness of maintenance of sound human health. Illnesses animals and Vka-Āyurveda dealing with the manifest because of either excesses of or wellness of plants too are available (Kaushik et deficiencies in one or more humors. Humorolism al. 2016). The key underpinning element of ruled Western-medical thinking until the 17th Āyurveda is holism. Āyurveda perceives humans century. Greater understanding of human anatomy similar to Mother Earth and sees the alterations and chemistry, say, from the late 16th century *Charles Sturt University, PO Box 883, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia, Email: [email protected] 118 INDIAN JOURNAL OF HISTORY OF SCIENCE (Mitchell et al., 2011), buttressed by Francis that stories, metaphors, and similes in classes, help Bacon’s arguments of inductive reasoning in communicating the intents and interest of marshalled in Novum Organum of 1620 CE students. It is enjoyable the way MSV has driven (Devey, 1902) gradually changed the focus of this chapter by embedding detailed notes on the western-medical thinking and its underpinning archaeological findings made in the civilization philosophy (Magner, 2002), by emphasizing that flourished in the Indus Valley (3300-1900 biological fitness – survival and procreation – as BCE), thus delineating the understanding of the sole purpose of human life (Lennox, 1995). ‘sanitation and public health’. MSV argues in these Improvement of chances of human survival and pages whether Āyurveda is a veda of independent the ability to reproduce as successfully as possible standing or an upa-veda of Atharva Veda. With became the focal themes of western-medical profound authority, he illustrates Caraka’s medical thinking, leaning gradually towards reductionism. brilliance in the management and treatment of This thinking influenced the divergence and jaundice (kāmalā). This illustration highlights a cleavage of philosophical directions of Western- clear shift from faith-based healing (daiva- medical practice drastically from the Eastern- vyapāśraya cikitsā) to reason-based healing (yukti- medical practice (Āyurveda). Relief of pain vyapāśraya cikitsā). At this point, MSV reiterates (pathos, παθος, means ‘suffering’, ‘sadness how Buddhistic philosophy influenced Caraka’s inducing’) got on to the centre-stage in the post- thinking in designing and developing healing 18th century western-medical practice, thus measures by negating the Atharva-Veda-based shifting towards reductionism, whereas Āyurveda daiva-vyapāśraya and by validating the Buddhist- maintained its commitment to holism. thinking based yukti-vyapāśraya. I could feel the vibration of logic (nyāya, see Chandra, 1913) here. It may be guessed that MSV, at some stage Enchanting. of his life, was impressed and influenced by the holistic paradigm of Āyurveda as against the It is to be admitted, how the tradition and reductionistic paradigm of modern western- faith did have a profound influence on this healing medical practice. This transformation becomes art of India. The captivating interventions made apparent when we think of his training in western by MSV, such as the above, generate a sense of medical practice in the best cardio-thoracic gratification in a science-biased reader, such as hospitals of the world and his contributions to myself, that after all, Āyurveda includes not only pioneering heart research institute and hospital mythic elements and esotericism, but also developed on western medical philosophy in sophisticated and rational thinking. The latter Trivandrum rising to the leadership of Manipal enabled Āyurveda to shape itself as a science with University. the passage of time. One of the intense dimensions of Āyurveda, as we understand it today, from the I am basically an amatelor historian of practices we see around, is the intricate science in India, not a medical practitioner. The intertwining of this healing art on the one hand present commentary however will reflect the and faith in divinity (Kessler et al. 2013) and in beauty and interest in the book uncompromisingly. astrology (Dwivedi, 2013) on the other. Such a Chapter 1 (pages 1-11) of MSV’s faith does not evoke an iota of surprise, since Āyurvedic Inheritance, A Reader’s Companion Āyurveda has arisen as a discipline fully accepting begins with a breezy context with a few stories on the superiority of Nature [seen as ‘God’] (Raman, the genesis of Āyurveda. Stories fascinate every 2002; Coward, 2003). Āyurveda’s ancient practice one, a child or an adult. It is worth mentioning daiva-vyapāśraya cikitsā includes manidārānā BOOK REVIEW 119 and chanting mantra-s in appeasement of natural the remarkable, multi-volume publication Hortus forces, recognized in the Indian heritage as the Malabaricus, referring to the plants of Malabar pa–ca mahābhuta-s: the sky, water, fire, air, and and their medicinal relevance, taking substantial earth and perceived as the divine forms, Indrā, help from the local physician Itty Achutan. At this Varua, Agni, Vāyu, and Bhū Devī, respectively. point, it is but appropriate to pay our homage to In this context, the delightful verses of Bhū Sukta the untiring efforts of Kattungal Subramaian (Paippalada version of Atharva Veda, http:// Manilal (2003), a Calicut botanist, who rendered greenmesg.org/mantras_slokas/bhoomi- van Rheede’s Hortus Malabaricus in English and bhoomi_sukta.php). Verse 2 of Bhū Sukta, cited included the current names of the plants referred below reverberating the thought is worth to in Hortus Malabaricus. MVS also refers to Ram mentioning: Nath Chopra, whose monumental volume, vlack/ka c/;rks ekuokuka ;L;k mn~or% izor% lea cgqA Indigenous Drugs of India: Their Medical and ukukoh;kZ vks”k/kh;kZ fcHkfrZ i`fFkoh u% izFkrka jk/;rka u%AA Economic Aspects, published in 1933, and his other contributions, which revolutionized Indian [Salutations to Mother Earth, who extends phytochemical and pharmacognistic research. unlimited freedom from within and without to humans via mountains and plains, and through In the concluding chapter, which MSV plants of varied potencies; may She extend Her enchantingly calls ‘Musings on Āyurveda’, riches to us and make us healthy.] delicately dilates on the value attributed to The 18 verses of this sukta gently tell us recognizing Nature — referred as the prakti by of our integral position in the great Earth, which, Suśruta — as the one key regulating factor of the Indian thinking portrays as the most benevolent Āyurveda. Prakti in Āyurvedic epistemology has mother — Bhū Devī — who offers us everything been beautifully explained as a collective term for we need, in the most unhesitating and plentiful svabhāva (innate disposition), Iśvara manner. (providence), kāla (time), yadaccha (chance), Chapters 2-16 (pages 15-202) refer to niyati (destiny), and parināma (evolution) as one various dimensions of the evolution and practice among the six spokes of on the philosophy of of Āyurveda, some briefly and others lengthily. Caraka along with the details are expounded in Chapter 10 (Medical treatment of diseases, pages Chapter 4 under the title ‘Philosophical ideas in 122-130) speaks
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
    JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH How to cite this article : PAUDEL R, PALAIAN S, RAVI SHANKAR P, PAUDEL B, , BHATTARAI S. ACONITE POISONING: A CLINICAL REVIEW OF THE FIRST FOUR CASES FROM NEPAL Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research [serial online] 2008 February [cited: 2008 February 4]; 2:651-655. Available from http://www.jcdr.net/back_issues.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2008&month= February &volume=2&issue=1&page=651-655 &id=137 PAUDEL R et al.: Aconite Poisoning: A Clinical Review Of The First Four Cases From Nepal CASE REPORT Aconite Poisoning: A Clinical Review Of The First Four Cases From Nepal PAUDEL R1, PALAIAN S2,3, RAVI SHANKAR P3, PAUDEL B1, BHATTARAI S1 ABSTRACT Aconite tubers are one of the most toxic plant products. They are taken as medication, and are occasionally confused with some other similar plants which are commonly used as medications. This manuscript describes four cases of aconite poisoning that were managed in the Manipal Teaching Hospital. The patients presented with classical symptoms of aconite poisoning such as perioral paraesthesia, generalized burning sensation, and cardiac manifestations such as hypotension and ventricular tachycardia. Since Aconite is a dangerous life threatening herb, one should be aware of this poison. We report four patients who presented with aconite poisoning after mistakenly ingesting aconite, thinking it to be related to medicinal plants. Keywords: Aconite poisoning, Cardiotoxicity, Nepal 1. Department of Medicine, Manipal Teaching Hospital public. The annual incidence of aconitine / Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal poisoning showed a marked decrease from 0.49 to 2 Department of Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Medicinal Plant Conservation
    MEDICINAL Medicinal Plant PLANT SPECIALIST GROUP Conservation Silphion Volume 11 Newsletter of the Medicinal Plant Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Chaired by Danna J. Leaman Chair’s note . 2 Sustainable sourcing of Arnica montana in the International Standard for Sustainable Wild Col- Apuseni Mountains (Romania): A field project lection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants – Wolfgang Kathe . 27 (ISSC-MAP) – Danna Leaman . 4 Rhodiola rosea L., from wild collection to field production – Bertalan Galambosi . 31 Regional File Conservation data sheet Ginseng – Dagmar Iracambi Medicinal Plants Project in Minas Gerais Lange . 35 (Brazil) and the International Standard for Sus- tainable Wild Collection of Medicinal and Aro- Conferences and Meetings matic Plants (ISSC-MAP) – Eleanor Coming up – Natalie Hofbauer. 38 Gallia & Karen Franz . 6 CITES News – Uwe Schippmann . 38 Conservation aspects of Aconitum species in the Himalayas with special reference to Uttaran- Recent Events chal (India) – Niranjan Chandra Shah . 9 Conservation Assessment and Management Prior- Promoting the cultivation of medicinal plants in itisation (CAMP) for wild medicinal plants of Uttaranchal, India – Ghayur Alam & Petra North-East India – D.K. Ved, G.A. Kinhal, K. van de Kop . 15 Ravikumar, R. Vijaya Sankar & K. Haridasan . 40 Taxon File Notices of Publication . 45 Trade in East African Aloes – Sara Oldfield . 19 Towards a standardization of biological sustain- List of Members. 48 ability: Wildcrafting Rhatany (Krameria lap- pacea) in Peru – Maximilian
    [Show full text]
  • Setting up of Herbal Gardens in Schools Under Prmotional Scheme of National Medicinal Plants Board (Nmpb), Government of India ======
    SETTING UP OF HERBAL GARDENS IN SCHOOLS UNDER PRMOTIONAL SCHEME OF NATIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS BOARD (NMPB), GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ============================================================ (I) Background :- Realising the resurgence of Indian traditional medicines across the world and corresponding increase in demand of medicinal plants, the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare have set up a Medicinal Plants Board in November, 2000 under the Chairmanship of Union Health & Family Welfare Minister for overall development of this sector. The Board is responsible for co-ordination of all matters relating to medicinal plants, including drawing up policies and strategies for in-situ conservation, ex-situ/in-situ cultivation, proper harvesting, research and development, processing and marketing of raw material etc. in order to protect, sustain and develop this sector. The Board has been implementing Promotional and Commercial schemes and providing Central Assistance for such purposes. (II) Objective : In order to sensitize the students about conservation of the rich biodiversity and in particular the role of medicinal plants in providing a holistic health care both in traditional and modern systems of medicine, it is proposed to provide financial assistance for setting up herbal gardens in schools under the promotional scheme of the Board on a pilot basis. (III) Coverage : As decided in the 13th Standing Finance Committee (SFC) meeting held on 6/7/05, it is proposed to take 10 schools each in 50 districts initially. The project seeks to cover schools up to senior secondary/intermediate/10+2 level with preference being given to Kendriya Vidyalayas and Noarvodaya Vidyalayas. Based on the response and experience of implementation the project will be extended to other districts.
    [Show full text]
  • Phytosociological Features and Threat Categorization of A. Heterophyllum Wall
    Vol. 6(3), pp. 111-118, March 2014 DOI: 10.5897/JENE2013.0395 ISSN 2006-9847 ©2014 Academic Journals Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment http://www.academicjournals.org/JENE Full Length Research Paper Phytosociological features and threat categorization of A. heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle and A. ferox Wall. ex Ser. in Kumaun Himalaya Deepika Bhatt1, G. C. Joshi1, Ravi Kumar1 and L. M. Tewari2 1Regional research Institute of Himalayan Flora, (CCRAS) Tarikhet, Ranikhet -263 663, Uttarakhand, India. 2Department of Botany, D. S. B. Campus, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. Accepted 7 January, 2014 Alpine and subalpine regions of Kumaun Himalaya were surveyed qualitatively and quantitatively for the population study to determine the status of Aconitum ferox and A. heterophyllum. Low population density across the surveyed populations and restricted distribution to specific pockets indicates poor availability of the species in the study area. Illegal and over exploitation of these species pose threat to their existence. The present study clarifies the population structure of identified aconite species in Kumaun Himalaya. Observations reveal that on the basis of six attributes (that is habitat preference, distribution range, population size, use pattern, extraction trend, native and endemic species) used to assign threat categories, both the Aconitum species are endangered. Key words: Endangered, Himalaya, Aconitum heterophyllum, Aconitum ferox, medicinal plant. INTRODUCTION Since time immemorial, Himalaya is famous for its rich Indian System of Medicine (ISM). According to Red List plant biodiversity including a wide range of medicinal and Categories published by IUCN (1993), threatened aromatic plants. The variety of soils, topography and species are having small geographic area, narrow habitat climatic conditions of the region provide very congenial specificity, commonly sparse and geographically conditions for growth and development of many thera- restricted to special habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • Gymnaconitum, a New Genus of Ranunculaceae Endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
    TAXON 62 (4) • August 2013: 713–722 Wang & al. • Gymnaconitum, a new genus of Ranunculaceae Gymnaconitum, a new genus of Ranunculaceae endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Wei Wang,1 Yang Liu,2 Sheng-Xiang Yu,1 Tian-Gang Gao1 & Zhi-Duan Chen1 1 State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, P.R. China 2 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3043, U.S.A. Author for correspondence: Wei Wang, [email protected] Abstract The monophyly of traditional Aconitum remains unresolved, owing to the controversial systematic position and taxonomic treatment of the monotypic, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau endemic A. subg. Gymnaconitum. In this study, we analyzed two datasets using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods: (1) two markers (ITS, trnL-F) of 285 Delphinieae species, and (2) six markers (ITS, trnL-F, trnH-psbA, trnK-matK, trnS-trnG, rbcL) of 32 Delphinieae species. All our analyses show that traditional Aconitum is not monophyletic and that subgenus Gymnaconitum and a broadly defined Delphinium form a clade. The SOWH tests also reject the inclusion of subgenus Gymnaconitum in traditional Aconitum. Subgenus Gymnaconitum markedly differs from other species of Aconitum and other genera of tribe Delphinieae in many non-molecular characters. By integrating lines of evidence from molecular phylogeny, divergence times, morphology, and karyology, we raise the mono- typic A. subg. Gymnaconitum to generic status. Keywords Aconitum; Delphinieae; Gymnaconitum; monophyly; phylogeny; Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau; Ranunculaceae; SOWH test Supplementary Material The Electronic Supplement (Figs. S1–S8; Appendices S1, S2) and the alignment files are available in the Supplementary Data section of the online version of this article (http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iapt/tax).
    [Show full text]
  • VATSANABHA: an AGADA PERSPECTIVE Dr Amala Jyothi1, Dr Aruna Naga1, Dr Rajalakshmi R1, Dr Ashwinikumar S Bharati2 1PG Scholar, 2Professor, Dept
    Review Article International Ayurvedic Medical Journal ISSN:2320 5091 VATSANABHA: AN AGADA PERSPECTIVE Dr Amala Jyothi1, Dr Aruna Naga1, Dr Rajalakshmi R1, Dr Ashwinikumar S Bharati2 1PG Scholar, 2Professor, Dept. of Agada Tantra, SDM College of Ayurveda Hassan, Karnataka, India ABSTRACT Ayurveda is the science of life that is widely practiced in India. It uses medicine pre- pared from plants, animals, and mineral origin. All the three sources of drugs can be divided under poisonous and nonpoisonous category. Vatsanabha is one such plant which is considered the most toxic plant in the world, hence listed out under Visha varga. It is the only Mahavisha which still identified and available. But if administered after proper Shodhana acts as Ra- sayana. Shodhana or purification is the process which involves the purification as well as re- duction in the levels of toxic principles thus removing the untoward effects the drug produces. The present review is designed to extensively discuss and understand the plant, its toxic effects, management and the medico-legal aspects involved. Keywords: Ayurveda, Vatsanabha, Toxicity, Detoxification, Management, Medico-legal as- pects INTRODUCTION ga[6]. The objective of this study is to review Vatsanabha or Mahavisha, Aconitum ferox the state of knowledge of the drug as such is a species of monk’s hood from the family along with its toxic effects on various sys- Ranunculaceae is a deciduous perennial with tems, its shodhana and medico-legal im- tall and erect stems crowned by racemes of portance. large eye catching blue, purple, white zygo- Toxic constituents: morphic flowers with numerous stamens. [1] The tuber of Vatsanabha contains 0.4–0.8% Vatsanabha is also identified as Vatsanaga, diterpene alkaloids and the concentration of Ksweda, Visa and Amrita.[2] As the synonym aconite in the fresh plant is between 0.3% reveals, this toxic plant can also be useful as and 2.0% in tubers and 0.2% and 1.2% in Amrita.
    [Show full text]
  • Presence Or Absence of Stone Cells in the Roots of Indian Aconites: an Aid to Identification of Species
    Selvam et al Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Rsearch and Development. 2018; 6(3): 42-45 Available online at http://ajprd.com Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (An International Peer-Reviewed Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development) Open Access to Pharmaceutical and Medical Research © 2013-18, publisher and licensee AJPRD, This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, provided the original work is properly cited Open Access Research Article PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF STONE CELLS IN THE ROOTS OF INDIAN ACONITES: AN AID TO IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES A. B. D. Selvam Pharmacognosy Section, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah – 711103, West Bengal, India. ABSTRACT The species of the genus Aconitum are commonly and collectively called Aconites in trade. Aconites are known to people since antiquity as deadly poisonous plants. They are being used world-wide either as an arrow poison to kill the wild animals illegally or to heal human beings legally. After detoxification of the roots of Aconites using conventional methods, they are being used in different traditional systems of medicine such as Chinese, Japanese, Nepalese, Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Tibetan, in addition to tribal and folk medicines. The roots of Aconites are highly exploited from wild sources and are traded illegally. Identification of traded roots of Aconites is a difficult task. To overcome this botanical problem, anatomical characters may be used. Sclereids, particularly brachysclereids are popularly known as stone cells because of their hardness. Stone cells protect other cells/tissues of the plants or plant parts. Since the presence of stone cells in plants is considered as one of the constant characters (marker characters), which may be very well utilized for identification or authentication of tuberous roots of Aconites.
    [Show full text]
  • Jan Scholten Wonderful Plants Reading Excerpt Wonderful Plants of Jan Scholten Publisher: Alonnissos Verlag
    Jan Scholten Wonderful Plants Reading excerpt Wonderful Plants of Jan Scholten Publisher: Alonnissos Verlag http://www.narayana-verlag.com/b14446 In the Narayana webshop you can find all english books on homeopathy, alternative medicine and a healthy life. Copying excerpts is not permitted. Narayana Verlag GmbH, Blumenplatz 2, D-79400 Kandern, Germany Tel. +49 7626 9749 700 Email [email protected] http://www.narayana-verlag.
    [Show full text]
  • Types of Datura Metel
    STANDARDIZATION ON “PURIFICATION PROCESSES OF UMATHTHAI SEEDS” – A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS Dissertation submitted To THE TAMILNADU DR.M.G.R. MEDICAL UNIVERSITY Chennai – 32. For the partial fulfillment in Awarding the Degree of DOCTOR OF MEDICINE (SIDDHA) (Branch VI – Nanju Noolum Maruthuva Neethi Noolum ) DEPARTMENT OF NANJU NOOLUM MARUTHTHUVA NEETHI NOOLUM GOVERNMENT SIDDHA MEDICAL COLLEGE PALAYAMKOTTAI – 627002. OCTOBER 2019 . GOVERNMENT SIDDHA MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL, PALAYAMKOTTAI, THIRUNELVELI – 627002, TAMILNADU, INDIA. PHONE NO – 0462-2572736/2572737/2582010 FAX – 0462582010 DECLARATION BY THE CANDIDATE I hereby declare that this dissertation entitled STANDARDIZATION ON “PURIFICATION PROCESSES OF UMATHTHAI SEEDS”- A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS is a bonafide and genuine research work carried out by me under the guidance and supervision of Prof. DR.M. THIRUTHTHANI, M.D(S), HOD, Post Graduate Department of Nanju Noolum Maruthuva Neethi Noolum, Government Siddha Medical College, Palyamkottai, Thirunelvely, Tamil Nadu, India. and the dissertation has not formed the basis for the award of any Degree, Diploma, Fellowship or other similar title. Date: Signature of the Candidate Place: PALAYAMKOTTAI ( DR. THUSIYANTHAN KALAICHELVI) i GOVERNMENT SIDDHA MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL, PALAYAMKOTTAI, THIRUNELVELI – 627002, TAMILNADU, INDIA. PHONE NO – 0462-2572736/2572737/2582010 FAX – 0462582010 CERTIFICATE Certify that I have gone through the dissertation submitted by DR. THUSIYANTHAN KALAICHELVI (Reg No – 321616009) UNDER the title STANDARDIZATION ON “PURIFICATION PROCESSES OF UMATHTHAI SEEDS” – A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS, the student of final DOCTOR OF MEDICINE (SIDDHA), Department of Nanju Noolum Maruthuva Neethi Noolum ( BRANCH VI) of the GOVERNMENT SIDDHA MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL, PALAYAMKOTTAI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA. This dissertation does not represent or reproduce the dissertation submitted and approved earlier.
    [Show full text]
  • Indian Aconites: Boon Or Bane? Selvam ABD* Pharmacognosy Section, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah-711 103, Kolkata, India
    ognosy & ac N m a r t a u h r a Selvam, J Pharmacogn Nat Prod 2015, 1:1 P l f P Journal of o r DOI: 10.4172/2472-0992.1000104 l o a d n u r c u t s o J Pharmacognosy & Natural Products ISSN: 2472-0992 Research Article Open Access Indian Aconites: Boon or Bane? Selvam ABD* Pharmacognosy Section, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah-711 103, Kolkata, India Abstract Aconites were widely recognized as deadly poisonous plants since ancient times and are used in various traditional systems of medicine such as Chinese, Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Tibetan medicine, etc. after eliminating the toxic effect through traditional methods and are also used in modern Homoeopathic and Allopathic systems. Aconitum ferox is known as Indian aconitum, which is seven times more poisonous than the Aconitum nepellus, the European aconitum. Further, Aconitum ferox is also known as ‘the king of poisons’ due to the presence of highly poisonous alkaloids in its roots. This article highlights the botanical/medicinal importance of Indian Aconties and their legal status for trade/export. Keywords: Aconitum; Aconites; Aconitum ferox; Pharmacognosy; rhizomes of Aconitum ferox are used in Tibetan medicine, Ayurveda, Vegetable crude drugs; Siddha; Ayurveda tribal and folk medical systems. It has been used as an arrow poison since early times and it is also used in medicine due to its narcotic and Introduction sedative properties [2]. Consumption of unprocessed tuberous Aconite The herbaceous genus, Aconitum L. belongs to the buttercup family, roots is fatal due to the hazardous effect of alkaloids present in the Ranunculaceae.
    [Show full text]
  • Downloaded from Brill.Com10/02/2021 07:37:41AM Via Free Access 172 Gaudillière
    asian medicine 9 (2014) 171–205 brill.com/asme Herbalised Ayurveda? Reformulation, Plant Management and the ‘Pharmaceuticalisation’ of Indian ‘Traditional’ Medicine Jean-Paul Gaudillière Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale; Center for Research on Science, Health, Medicine and Society (CERMES3), Paris [email protected] Abstract This paper discusses one dimension of the contemporary industrialisation of ayurvedic medicine, namely the new centrality given to the collection, combination, and mass- manipulation of herbal therapeutic material. The aim is to highlight the process of ‘pharmaceuticalisation’, too often and wrongly taken as synonymous of a form of align- ment of Ayurveda with biomedicine, its categories, and practices. Within this context, pharmaceuticalisation refers to the creation of a new world of professionals beside ayurvedic doctors, often personnel of the industry, whose role is to handle the mate- rial (rather than the clinical) dimensions of polyherbal preparations. This management of plants includes multiple dimensions: documentation of their uses, experimental research on their composition and properties, design of new simplified combinations, mass-production of ready-made specialties, and marketing. In other words, it encom- passes all the attributes of pharmacy as it developed in Europe, but with the major caveat that this pharmacy has little to do with chemistry, pure substances, and mol- ecules, since it focuses on plants, their combination, and their value as materia medica. The paper focuses on the series of institutions, policies, and practices regarding plant management that have emerged since 2000 with a special interests in a) the ways ‘old’ settings like the botanical garden have taken the turn toward industrial Ayurveda; b) how the operations of ‘new’ institutions, such as the National Medicinal Plant Board, have been mandated to foster supply of as well as research on ‘prioritised’ species.
    [Show full text]
  • 20 7 Pandey Proof
    Ethnobotanical knowledge of Khandadevi and Gokulganga Rural Municipality of Ramechhap District of Nepal Suman Prakash Pradhan, Ram Prasad Chaudhary, Sagar Sigdel and Bishnu Prasad Pandey Research and the highest ICF was found in the gastro- intestinal disorders ailment category (0.50). Abstract Conclusions: For the first time, we revealed the Background: This study was focused on the ethnobotanical application of plant species from ethnobotany of different ethnic communities residing Majhuwa and Chuchure villages of Ramechhap in Majhuwa and Chuchure villages of Khandadevi District. This study showed that Majhuwa and and Gokulganga Rural Municipality of Ramechhap Chuchure villages are rich in medicinally important District of Bagmati Province of the Federal plant species and different ethnic communities have Democratic Republic of Nepal. enormous knowledge of ethnobotanical uses of plants. Moreover, illegal collection, trade, and Methods: The ethnobotanical study was carried out marketing have threatened the abundance and by using semi-structured questionnaires in which distribution of some high-value medicinal plants. It is participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and rapid rural of utmost importance to conserve floral diversity appraisal (RRA) tools were used to acquire through the local peoples’ participation. knowledge from local people regarding ethnobotanical uses of plants of their surroundings. The quantitative data were analyzed by the relative Correspondence frequency of citation (RFC), use value (UV), and 1 informant consensus factor (ICF). Suman Prakash Pradhan , Ram Prasad 2 3 Chaudhary , Sagar Sigdel , Bishnu Prasad 1, Results: A total of 139 plant species belonging to 74 Pandey * families were found to have ethnobotanical 1 significance. Among these species, herbs accounted Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, for 41% followed by trees (29%), shrubs (14%), Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal 2 climbers (9%), grasses (3%), epiphytes (1%), ferns Research Centre for Applied Science and (1%), fungi (1%), and lichens (1%).
    [Show full text]