Ayurvedic clinical decision-making methods to predict, prevent and manage childhood allergic disorders.

Allergy is a conundrum lacking satisfactory answers despite its global prevalence. Traditional systems of medicine may contain sustainable and effective solutions for the same. For mainstreaming them, an evaluation based on the system's own methods is inevitable rather than symptom-based correlations. Atopy is a novel entity in Ayurveda, but the methods of tripartite delineation (disease pattern, disease targets and influencing factors) of novel diseases and multifactorial approach to diagnosis and management in Ayurveda can bring about comprehensiveness in collection and categorization of data regarding the entity. This in turn can make the prediction, prevention and management of the same more precise, effective and sustainable. The article provides a template for the application of Ayurvedic biological framework in the diagnosis and management of novel diseases, with special reference to childhood allergic disorders.

AYURAKSHA, a prophylactic Ayurvedic immunity boosting kit reducing positivity percentage of IgG COVID-19 among frontline Indian Delhi police personnel: A non-randomized controlled intervention trial.

Objective: The world continues to face the COVID-19 crisis, and efforts are underway to integrate traditional medicine interventions for its effective management. The study aimed to determine the efficacy of the "AYURAKSHA" kit in terms of post-interventional percentage of COVID-19 IgG positivity, immunity levels, and quality of life (QoL) against COVID-19. Method: This was a non-randomized controlled, prospective intervention trial, done after the distribution of 80,000 AYURAKSHA kits (constituent of Sanshamani Vati, AYUSH Kadha, and Anu Taila) among Delhi police participants in India. Among 47,827 participants, the trial group (n = 101) was evaluated with the positivity percentage of IgG COVID-19 and Immune Status Questionnaire (ISQ) scores as a primary outcome and the WHO Quality of Life Brief Version (QOL BREF) scores along with hematological parameters as a secondary outcome in comparison to the control group (n = 71). Results: The data showed that the percentage of COVID-19 IgG positivity was significantly lower in the trial group (17.5 %) as compared to the control group (39.4 %, p = 0.003), indicating the lower risk (55.6%) of COVID-19 infection in the trial group. The decreased incidence (5.05%) and reduced mortality percentage (0.44%) of COVID-19 among Delhi police officers during peak times of the pandemic also corroborate our findings. The ISQ score and WHO-QOL BREF tool analysis showed the improved scores in the trial group when compared with the controls. Furthermore, no dysregulated blood profile and no increase in inflammation markers like C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed in the trial group. However, significantly enhanced (p = 0.027) IL-6 levels and random blood sugar levels were found in the control group (p = 0.032), compared to a trial group (p = 0.165) post-intervention. Importantly, the control group showed more significant (p = 0.0001) decline in lymphocyte subsets CD3+ (% change = 21.04), CD4+ (% change = 20.34) and CD8+ (% change = 21.54) levels than in trial group, confirming more severity of COVID-19 infection in the control group. Conclusion: The AYURAKSHA kit is associated with reduced COVID-19 positivity and with a better quality of life among the trial group. Hence, the study encourages in-depth research and future integration of traditional medicines for the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical trial registration: http://ctri.nic.in/, identifier: CTRI/2020/05/025171.

A Critical Review on the Concept of Avapeedaka Snehapana, a Special Mode of Lipid Administration.

Avapeedaka Snehapana is a unique and special method of internal administration of Sneha dravya (unctuous medicine) mentioned in the classical ayurveda texts. It is mainly indicated in mutravegarodha janya vikara (diseases due to the suppression of urge of micturition). Because of the lack of adequate review and analysis, this method of administration of snehapana (internal administration of lipid) is losing its significance from the practices and the concept remains unexplored. The reasons for not being practiced like other snehana (oleation therapy) procedures are because of the less understanding of the concept of administration, scattered and minimal textual references. Through this review, we intend to have a detailed analysis on the concept of avapeedaka snehapana mentioned in the Brihatrayees (Caraka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya-the 3 main texts of ayurveda) with its possible practical methods of administration. The role of ghrita (ghee) in inducing the ketogenesis is also analyzed. Being a ketogenic diet, the benefits of ghrita are interpreted. These efforts may help bring down avapeedaka snehapana into the mainstream of practice.

Unique contributions of Keraleeya Ayurveda in pediatric health care.

Childhood is considered as the most important phase in life, which determines the quality of health, well being, learning and behaviour across the lifespan. This may be the reason for giving the foremost position for Balacikitsa among Ashtangas (8 branches) of Ayurveda. The regional growth of indigenous medicine gave significant contribution for the development of primary health care. Kerala has major contribution of many authentic textbooks of Balacikitsa like Arogyakalpadruma, Vaidya Tarakam etc. These are more practically oriented and it can be considered as a physician's quick reference hand book. Many new diseases which are not mentioned in classical textbooks have found their place in these books. Medications like Praakaara yoga, Uramarunnuprayoga were administered in children as a mode of immunization, which helps in the maintenance of health and prevention of disease. Many diseases like Karappan (balavisarpa), Shakarogas etc. were common in Kerala and various indigenous treatment modalities were developed for such diseases. Single drug Prayogas with herbs like Mayaphal (galls), Tripadi (DesmodiumTriflorum L.), etc. and yogams like Nalikerakwatha (Putapakakalpana), Mukkuti (Takrakalpana) etc. were practiced commonly. Many effective therapies like Shashtikapindasweda, Thalapothichil (Sirolepa) etc. are an inevitable part of Balacikitsa. In this paper, an attempt is made to compile the theoretical concepts and unique practices of Balacikitsa in Kerala and to convey it's importance. The present article also addresses, how these vernacular books and traditional knowledge waned away from the Mainstream Ayurveda.

Ayurvedic management of cirrhotic ascites.

Cirrhosis is the final stage of most of the chronic liver diseases and is most invariably complicated by portal hypertension resulting in ascites. A case of chronic liver disease with portal hypertension (cryptogenic cirrhosis), managed at Amrita School of Ayurveda is discussed in this paper. The clinical picture was that of an uncomplicated cirrhotic ascites. Snehapana (therapeutic oral administration of lipids) followed by virecana (purgation) was done after an initial course of nityavirecana (daily purgation). Later Vardhamana pippali rasayana [administration of single drug - pippali (piper longum) in a structured dose pattern] was administered with an intention of rejuvenating liver cells. Ascites and lower limb oedema were completely resolved after the therapy. No recurrence of ascites has been reported after a follow up period of one year.