Medico-historical study of "asvattha" (sacred fig tree).

Asvattha (Ficus religiosa Linn.) is a tree which has got mythological, religious and medicinal importance in Indian culture since ancient times. As per Vedic Index Asvattha means horse stand, a place or site or an object where or under which horses stand. Asvattha is also known as Pipal and Bodhidrma. This tree is the oldest depicted tree in India. In Vedic times it was used to make fire by friction and considered sacred. Atharvaveda associates it with the third heaven. It discusses medicinal properties of Asvattha along with Soma and Kustha. Asvattha is associated with the triad of Gods-Brahma, visnu and siva. Reference to Asvattha is found in Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavadgita, Buddhistic literature, Arthasastra, Puranas, Upanisads etc. non-medical literature also. According to Ayurveda it has several synonyms. Most of them symbolize its sacredness. Asvattha is useful in various ailments like consumption, vomiting, ulcers in oral cavity, burns, gynaecological problems etc. Thus its medico-historical importance, regional nomenclature, morphological features in brief etc. are being presented in this article with few illustrations.

Biography of Sodhala and his contribution to Ayurveda.

Sodhala was a scholar of Ayurveda as well as sahitya, Jyotisya, Vyakarana and also a good poet who belongs to Gujarat. Sodhala contributed two important works to Ayurveda literature namely 1. Sodhbala nighantu, 2. Gadanigraha. Sodhala nighantu consists of two parts and contains about 2,050 (790+1,260) verses. The section on synonyms, the Namasangraha, and the other one is on properties and actions of drugs, the Gunasangraha. The arrangement of the material constitutes an unprecedented innovation in the literature of Nighantu (Ayurveda drug's lexicons or dictionaries). The Gadanigraha is composed of two distinct parts and contains about 10,054 (2,700+7,354) verses. The first part is a collection of formulae arranged according to the several types of pharmaceutical preparations and the second one is a comprehensive text dealing with both Nidana and cikitsa, arranged as for the Astangas (8 major divisions) of Ayurveda. The work seems to be later than Sodhalanighantu because most of the drugs mentioned in this work are not found in the Sodhalanighantu. The diseases are arranged in systematically, which is a new feature and their order is differ from Madhavanidana. From the available evidences we can assume that Sodhala might be belongs to 1200 A.D. The contributions of Sodhala are noteworthy and they are important landmark works in history of Ayurveda.

Diet, dietetics and flora of the Holy Bible.

The study of history of medical science from non-medical sources needs no apology. At first the discussion of what was thought in the past rather than what is known now appears to be of merely antiquarian value. The knowledge of Diet, Dietetics, medicinal plants dates back to the remote antiquity of mankind. The Hebrews can be proud of having preserved in the Old Testament many old medical practices and traditions, which throw light on ancient medicine. The Bible is genuinely documented book representing the wisdom, medical knowledge and the culture, of a nomadic race. This article contains information of some medicinal plants, which are useful for treating different kinds of ailments and some with nutritious qualities.

Introduction to Garudapurana with reference to Ayurveda.

The Puranas are the encyclopedic works of the ancient and medieval Hindu religion, philosophy, history, politics, ethics, sciences etc. There are 18 (Astadasa) puranas, which are, considered as mahapuranas, among which Garudapurana is popular one. The Garudapurana is divided into two parts viz., Purvakhanda and Uttarakhanda. The first part, which is also called Acarakhanda consists of 240 chapters. The greater part of the Purvakhanda occupies the descriptions of Vratas (religious observances), sacred places dedicated to the Surya (sun), Lord Siva and Lord Visnu. It also contains treatises on various aspects like astrology, palmistry, politics, Sankhya, Yoga, anatomy, precious stones and extensive information on vedic medicine i.e., Ayurveda. The Uttarakhanda consists of two khandas viz. Dharmakhanda and Brahmakhanda, which are divided into 42 and 29 chapters, respectively. The Dharmakhanda is also known as the Pretakalpa which contains directions for the performance of obsequies rites. The Pretakalpa portion of the Garudapurana is generally recited during the period of mourning and so its importance is self-evident. It is almost impossible to narrate within such a small framework, the wide range of splendid truths scattered in the pages of this noble puranam. Little information is available from internal evidence to establish its exact period. However, it is supposed to be quite ancient in its origin.

Palasa (Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub.) and its medico-historical study.

Palasa (Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub.) is considered sacred both by Hindus and Buddhists. It is known to the Hindus under the Sanskrt name Palasa as it possesses valuable medicinal properties. This sacred tree is being called the treasurer of the gods and of sacrifice. It grows throughout India except in very arid parts and is a medium sized deciduous tree. Parts used are bark, leaf, flower, seed and gum. It is mainly useful as antihelmenthic appetizer, aphrodisiac, laxative etc. Thus its medico- historical aspects are being presented in this paper.

Thirumular--pioneer of the immunology concept.

Extraordinary longevity of life, made possible by repeated reading and following of the text Thirumandiram 3000 - written by great Siddhar Thirumular. He the Prince of Mystics is one of the 18 luminous Siddhars and the first and foremost #1 Siva siddhandi. Historians and scholars predicted his life period between 5th to 8th centuries AD. In his teachings, he explained the kinds of 'Thavam' (Yoga) and he insisted the #2 'Kaya siddhi'. Thousands of years ago, he wrote in detail about Anatomy of microcosm, Siddha physiology, Humoural pathology, Science of pulse, Microcosmic Atom theory, Immunology concept and Immortalization of our body. His marvelous text Thirumandiram deals with Medical science, Life science, Natural science and Divine. In this article authors, discuss about the biography of Thirumular and his medical works.

Standardization of Ayurvedic formulations : a scientific review.

Safety and efficacy of a drug mainly depends on the method of preparation. To assess the quality of a finished product, there should be some basic standards as well as methods of preparation. There are several parameters for testing the quality of a chemical drug, which have, are true indicators. So, there is no problem in assessing a synthetic drug's quality. As far as the preparation used in Ayurvedic system of medicine, a drug formulation or design may not be a problem, because many formulations are well documented in classical texts. But, there is confusion with respect to standards to be followed while preparing a formulation as well as basic parameters to assess the quality of the finished product. In Ayurveda, pañcavidhakasayakalpana are the basic pharmaceutical preparations, from which all the other preparations are developed. A specific method for each and every preparation and some basic standards of finished products are mentioned in Ayurvedic texts to maintain their quality. This information may some times vary from text to text. To overcome this problem Sarangdhara mentioned detailed information about various formulations with respect to their methods of preparation as well as basic standards and are documented in Sarangdhara Samhita.

History of Manuscriptology: study of medical manuscripts.

Connoisseurs of different areas of learning are apt to hold their particular area higher above all else, as the 'Science of Sciences'. These sciences transmitted to a scholar or to a common man are known through the texts, which are either handwritten or printed. The marvel of accuracy with which the vast literature specially Vedic literature has been handed down or transmitted to us orally, from generation to generations in India carried from person to person through mouth and ear, is a matter of great admiration all early literature that is now available in printed form, originally hand written i. e. in the form of manuscripts is the basis for the learning of science and technology today. Hence, it is forced to grant a top place of honor to the science of Manuscriptology and can be considered as 'Science of Sciences'. The scripts; Writing tools; Languages; Conservation, Preservation, Maintenance of the manuscripts; the study of medical manuscripts and its constraints; the strategies to validate the old concepts, drugs, diseases, and methods of treatment hidden in the manuscripts and knowledge application in the medical science are discussed here under.

Biography of Madhavakara: his scholarly contribution.

Madhavakara, the author of renowned work on 'Nidana-Rogaviniscaya', popularly known as Madhava Nidana. It may be the first or earliest compendium detailed description of the diseases based on Nidana Pancakam (Five groups of subjects concerned to aetio-pathogenesis). He was the son of Indukara according to the colophon of a manuscript of Vacaspati's commentary on Madhava Nidana. He is probably lived between 700-800 A.D., because he is quoted by Vrnda, who belongs to 8th century A.D. The book Madhava Nidana was translated in to Arabic as evidenced by the writings of Ali Ibn Sahl 849-850 A.D. and other Arabic authors. Hence, he probably lived between 700-800 A.D. Madhava Nidana is a popular work on Nidana (aetiopathogenesis) and it is the best in the field of ayurveda. "Nidane Madhavam srestah" and it is popularly known by the name of the author, but the title of the work is "Rugviniscaya" or "Rogaviniscaya". The subject matter explained in 73 chapters. The 1st chapter deals with Nidanapancakam and the other chapter's deals with diseases. The major contribution of Madhava is the new order of arranging diseases, description of new diseases and recognizing some disorders as independent diseases. The other works attributed to Madhava are Madhavacikitsa, Paryayaratnamala etc. The important commentaries on Madhavanidana are "Madhukosa" by Vijayaraksita and Srikanthadatta and "Atankadarpana" by Vidyavacaspati. The work is translated into English, Italian, Hindi, Bengali, Telugu etc., including some regional languages of India.

Ayurveda gleaned through Buddhism.

The Pali canon consists of three Pitakas (baskets), which replete the Buddhism and is known as Tripitaka, viz, Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma Pitakas. The original phase of Tripitaka (Buddhisim started in 544 B.C. and lastly systematized up to 29 B.C. The Buddhist literature also possesses the esoteric material of Medical Science, which is practiced and conserved in India since centuries. It refers to the fundamentals of medicine, rules of good living, which lay considerable emphasis on the hygiene of body, mind. Internal Medicine, curative medicine including symptoms, methods of diagnosis, theories of causation, materia-medica, therapeutics and treatment and skills of Jivaka. Some famous and popular prescriptions are also dealt with.

Basic principles of pharmaceutical science in Ayurveda.

Pharmaceutical is one of the allied branches of science, which is closely associated with Medical science. Today pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmacognosy are playing important role in treatment for a disease and its prevention. Herbal medicines are being used by about 80% of the world population mostly in the developing countries in the primary health care. There has been an upsurge in demand for the Phyto-pharmaceutical products of Ayurveda in western nations, because of the fact that the synthetic drugs are considered to be unsafe. Due to this many national and multinational pharmaceutical companies are now concentrating on manufacturing of Ayurvedic Phyto-pharmaceutical products. Ayurveda is the Indian traditional system of medicine, which also deals about pharmaceutical science. The Ayurvedic knowledge of the pharmaceutical science is scattered in Ayurvedic classical texts. Saranghadhara Samhita, which is written by Saranghadhara, explain systematically about the information of the Ayurvedic pharmaceutical science and also updated it. Industrialized manufacturing of Ayurvedic dosage forms has brought in new challenges like deviation from basic concepts of medicine preparation. Saranghadhara Samrhita the devout text on pharmaceutics in Ayurveda comes handy to solve such problems, as the methods described are very lucid and easy to follow.

Evolution of surgery--susrta's innovative skills.

Surgery and Medicine are inseparably fused today as essential parts of the art of heeling. Over the millennia of recorded history, Medicine and Surgery have followed separate and largely independent evolutionary pertains. It is obvious that medical care could not have been complete without some surgery in ancient times. This branch of medical skill was not accepted as profession. The practitioners were members of all low caste, who were illiterates and passed on their knowledge by oral tradition rather than in writing. The barbers are celebrity surgeons in ancient India and continued till the recent past it is evident by Pandyan inscriptions of Tamilnadu of 7th-8th centuries A.D. The barbers were also the surgeons in ancient and medieval Europe. susrta, a great ancient Indian Surgeon, who is regarded as father of the surgery, designed surgical equipment with innovative vision and described many surgical procedures, which laid basis for many advanced technologies in this field.