Wednesday, February 25, 2004

WHO To Standardize
Traditional/ Ayurvedic Medicines


Indian Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals will be set on an upward spike on the international sales graph when World Health Organisation's plan to establish the format for standardisation of traditional medicine in health care systems takes shape.

When that happens, the Ayurvedic medicines will also brought under the format of standardisation and validation, which will help Ayurvedic companies sell the medicines in developed markets.

Currently, only Ayurvedic products in food supplements and cosmetics segments are sold in developed markets, while Ayurvedic medicines are yet to enter these highly lucrative markets. Even after getting the validation and standardisation, a prior approval from the US FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) is mandatory for entering these markets.

Already, traditional Chinese medicines have a foothold in the US markets and it is estimated that last year alone Chinese traditional medicines worth over $ 3 billion were sold in the US.

The objective of WHO Strategy for Traditional Medicine for 2002 to 2005 is to discuss the role of traditional medicine in health care systems, current challenges and opportunities and WHO’s role and strategy for traditional medicine.

Though Ayurvedic medicines are widely used in India, there is no valid third party validation here on the properties of these medicines. The WHO format of standardisation will prepare the platform for the initiative.

Sunday, February 22, 2004

Ayurveda gaining acceptance abroad

"The countries which have shown interest in ayurveda curriculum and research included Russia, US, Japan, Australia, Netherlands, South Africa, Argentina, UK, France, Italy etc, Ms Malti S. Sinha, Secretary, Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy said.

According to Ms Sinha, medical schools in the US wanted to introduce an ayurvedic module and various teaching institutions in India such as Banaras Hindu University and Gujarat Ayurved University had entered into MoU's for collaboration in the field of education and research with institutions in Japan, Australia, Italy and Argentina.....

According to Ms Sinha, medical schools in the US wanted to introduce an ayurvedic module and various teaching institutions in India such as Banaras Hindu University and Gujarat Ayurved University had entered into MoU's for collaboration in the field of education and research with institutions in Japan, Australia, Italy and Argentina. " -- The Hindu:Businessline

Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Music Helps to Ease Arthritis Pain
Scientists in Florida have found that just 20 minutes a day of music was enough for patients to report more than a 50% reduction in pain levels. Over the 14-day listening period, the amount of natural pain relief continued to increase.

The research was published in the Journal for Advanced Nursing. It was based on tests on 66 older people with chronic osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common degenerative disease in humans. Previous studies have shown that music can improve motivation, elevate mood, and increase feelings of control. It is thought to release endorphins, which reduce pain, decrease blood pressure, the heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen consumption.

Read more about Music therapy on our website at - http://ayurveda-foryou.com/music/music.html

Thursday, January 22, 2004

Ayurveda Secrets-“We have failed in exploiting our own strength. Ayurveda can diminish stress and depression but we lack faith in it. There is something subtle about Ayurveda which has continually drawn many Westerners to it. It’s time we wake up and grab the chance to create a positive attitude towards our heritage.” --Ashwin Barot, who has been practising Ayurveda in the UK for over two decades.

Sunday, January 18, 2004

'India will be a superpower in 20 years'

Jeffrey Armstrong's prediction - "In the US alone, over half a dozen universities have been approached to recognise ayurveda as a complimentary therapy and I am hopeful that within a couple of years, this branch of medicine will be as popular as other Indian therapies like yoga and transcendental meditation,’’ he says, adding that the National Ayurvedic Medicine Association (NAMA) has already been set up in Canada and the US to promote the cause.

Tuesday, January 13, 2004

Ayurvedicl rival for the pill


The first scientifically approved herbal contraceptive pill - based on a 2500-year-old Indian recipe - could be available within three years, according to researchers.

They say the drug, which is about to undergo clinical trials, will provide women with an effective, safe and cheap alternative to existing contraceptive options.

Roy Chaudhury, president of Delhi Medical Council and head of India's herbal contraceptive development taskforce, described early development of the pill as "very promising".

"This would be a great gift from India to the world."

The main ingredients of the herbal contraceptive are two shrubs that grow in the Himalayan foothills - false pepper (Embelia ribes) and long pepper (Piper longum).


- Telegraph

Ayurveda Now In Digitised Format


NEW DELHI: In a bid to protect traditional knowledge in Ayurveda, scientists have prepared a traditional knowledge digital library (TKDL) that documents information from existing literature in the area.


In the first phase, information has been documented in a digitalised format in five international languages — English, German, French, Spanish and Japanese — according to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) director general, RA Mashelkar.

About 36,000 Ayurvedic formulations have been transcribed in a patent application format for the benefit of those eager for existing information before applying for a patent, he said. The project involved collaboration between the National Institute of Science Communication and Inform-ation Resources (Niscair), office of controller general of patent designs and trade marks, department of industrial policy and promotion, and the department of Indian systems of medicine and homoeopathy. In the next phase, policies would be worked out depending on the access of the data, Dr Mashelkar said.

Initially, data on around 500 formulations will be made available to those applying for patents as a showcase of the project. The rest is likely to be released in January.

— PTI

Friday, January 09, 2004

Healthy Diets for Diabetics

(HealthDayNews) -- If you have diabetes, healthy eating should be an integral part of managing your disease. A good diet can help control your weight and blood sugar level.

Use vegetable spray instead of oil, shortening, or butter.
Steam vegetables using a low-fat broth or water.
Season foods with herbs and spices, vinegar, lemon juice, or salsa.
Use low or sugar-free jams instead of butter or margarine.
Use low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese, or nonfat yoghurt.
Eat chicken or turkey without the skin.
Buy only lean meats and broil, roast, stir-fry or grill them.
Use canola or olive oil rather than vegetable oils.
Buy whole-grain breads and cereals

Monday, January 05, 2004

Healing the Ayurvedic Way

Dissatisfied with the present day medical practices, more and more people around the globe are in search of a total healing health care systems. This search for a safe and natural health care system has brought into light the uniqueness and importance of Ayurveda. The 5000 years old natural health care system of India, Ayurveda is in great demand globally.

Ayurveda is more than a system of medical treatment. It focuses on maintaining the health of body mind and spirit by proper use of deities, exercises, positive outlook and leading a life in tune with nature. Ayurveda, the safe and effective herbal health care system emphasizes on detoxification and rejuvenation therapies, which making it the most sought after among natural health care systems.

Sunday, December 28, 2003

The kitchen clinic

Cold weather and pollution are a deadly combination for young asthmatics. Since Ayurveda classifies asthma as an acutely kaphic disorder brought on by excessive mucous and phlegm, the best prescription is honey.

Packed with subtle alcohols and ethereal oils, honey drains mucous from the respiratory passages and eliminates it from the lungs.

In fact, the ancient vaids actually believed that when an asthmatic child so much as inhales the air above a pot of honey, his breathing becomes easier. Hot garlic milk with a dash of turmeric, and ajwain tea are also traditional remedies for asthma. Avoid mucous forming foods like rice, wheat, yogurt, bananas, nuts and all dairy products, especially ice-cream and cheese.
[from News Mid-day]

Friday, December 26, 2003

Master’s course in herbs


With the West putting a credibility crimp on herbal medicines, the interest in herbs and herbal medicines in the country has been on the up for the past few years. From personal care products to medicines for critical diseases, herbs are being used today as never before.

Recognising the trend and taking note of a growing interest in herbs, the Agri-Horticultural Society of India (AHSI) has joined hands with Jadavpur University (JU) to offer a one-year post-graduate diploma course in herbalogy, billed as the first in this part of the country. A memorandum of understanding has been inked between the 184-year-old society and the university.


Tuesday, December 23, 2003

CHYAWANPRASH :
India’s first Child Specialist’ chyawanprash, Sivananda Bal Chyawanprabha has been launched. This special formulation has been designed to address the needs of growing children, keeping in mind the increasing pressures of today's lifestyles. Bal Chyawanprabha has a sweeter and child friendly taste that makes it more palatable than the other standard formulations of Chyawanprash


Bal Chyawanprabha not only provides immunity and addresses the physical needs of the body, but also helps in the child’s mental development. Herbs like Brahmibooti & Shankpushpi that are not present in the standard formulations, help in improving the concentration and mental development of children in their growing years. Apart from this, the formulations contain child specific herbs in optimal quantity, each of which address specific nutritional needs of children in their growing years.

Sivananda Chyawanprash range:
Sivananda has also launched two other variants to cater to the adults and older people in the family. While Amrit Chyawanprabha addresses the needs of older people, Sivananda Chyawanprash is the original formulation as per Ayurved Saar Sangrah, and is best suited for the adults in the family.

BUY CHYAWANPRASH ONLINE FROM THE STORE