Importance of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Medicines

Ayurveda is a main part of well known Indian Traditional System of Medicines and popularly known as AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy). Among all AYUSH, Ayurveda is highly recommended as an ancient health care tradition that has been practiced in India for at least 5,000 years. According to modern Ayurvedic sources, the origins of Ayurveda have been traced to around 6,000 BCE, when they originated as an oral tradition. Some of the concepts of Ayurveda have existed since the times of Indus Valley Civilization. The first recorded forms of Ayurveda as medical texts evolved from the Vedas. The word “AYURVEDA” comes from the Sanskrit terms Ayur (life) and Veda (knowledge).

It is said that the Hindu god Brahma, one of the chief triumvirate gods of Hinduism, created Ayurveda. He then transmitted this knowledge to his son, Daksha Prajapati. Daksha passed it down to the twin Vedic gods Ashwini kumaras (celestial physician). Then, Ashwani kumaras transmitted this to Indra (Satyuga). From, Indra, it is provided to three mahapurushas, the lord Dhanvantari (Treta Yuga), and he (Dhanvantri) again gave it to Sushruta, who wrote Sushruta Samhita.  Indira had given the same knowledge to maha muni Kashyap (Dwapar yuga) who was a children's gynecologist and also to maha muni Bharadwaj (Dwapar yuga) maha muni Bharadwaj known as human father of ayurvedic medicines. Then, from maha muni Bharadwaj, it comes to Atreya Punarvasu, who develops school of physician and also wrote Charaka Samhita, Astanga Hridayam, Madhava Nidan (treatise on diagnosis), Sharangadhara Samhita (ayurvedic recipes), etc. He introduced mercurial preparation in ayurvedic medicines in the 14^th century AD. 

Ayurveda is widely practiced on the Indian subcontinent — more than 90 percent of Indians use some form of Ayurvedic medicine and the tradition has gained popularity in the Western world, though it's still considered an alternative medical treatment. 

Principles of Ayurveda-

Health care is a highly individualized practice under Ayurvedic principles, which state that everyone has a specific constitution, or prakruti, that determines his or her physical, physiologic and mental character and disease vulnerability. 

Prakruti is determined by three basic doshas (Pitta, Vata & Kapha), and   everyone has some features of each, most people have more than one doshas that predominating on metabolic activities of the body.

Pitta energy is linked to fire, and is thought to control the digestive and endocrine systems. People with pitta energy are considered fiery in temperament, intelligent and fast-paced. When pitta energy is out of balance, ulcers, inflammation, digestive problems, anger, heartburn, and arthritis can result.

Vata energy is associated with air and space, and is linked to bodily movement, including breathing and blood circulation. Vata energy is said to predominate in people who are lively, creative, original thinkers. When out-of-balance, Vata types can endure joint pain, constipation, dry skin, anxiety, and other ailments.

Kapha energy, linked to earth and water, is believed to control growth and strength, and is associated with the chest, torso, and back. Kapha types are considered strong and solid in the constitution, and generally calm in nature. But obesity, diabetes, sinus problems, insecurity and gallbladder issues can result when Kapha energy is out of balance, according to Ayurvedic practitioners.

According to Ayurvedic beliefs, factors such as stress, unhealthy diet, weather and strained relationships can all influence the balance that exists between a person's doshas and ultimately affect the immune system of the body and thus the imbalanced energies (Imbalanced doshas) in turn leave individuals more susceptible to disease.

This is why our Government of India issued the guidelines and strictly recommending not allow the senior citizen as they are very prone to COVID – 19 as they have many chances to get week immune as many factors involve in this age to disturb a healthy life. Nowadays, many guidelines have also been issued to treat the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients affected with COVID-19 with the Indian Traditional System of India. These medicines have many benefits like -   

Ø More affordable than conventional medicine.

Ø Easier to obtain than prescription medicine.

Ø Stabilizes hormones and metabolism.

Ø Natural healing.

Ø Strength in the immune system.

Ø Fewer side effects.

Ø Cost-effective.

Ø Many more benefits that are not listed here.

Treatment of COVID – 19 with Indian Traditional Systems of Medicines.

Indian Traditional Systems of Medicines- the love of Nature on Earth in the form of Medicine to Heal, Prevent and provide Longevity.

COVID -19 has becomes a great threatening to the civilization of human beings. The entire world is suffering from this pandemic. In all the countries, Doctors and Scientists, all together working restlessly to find out solutions in the form of potent medicines to treat the infected people and to develop a vaccine to stop this disease for coming generations. 

It is said that the COVID – 19 affecting those people (either child or adult) who has poor immunity to fight against the diseases it is maybe due to long term existing a problem like diabetes, hypertension, renal disorders, asthma, acute bronchitis, etc.                                                                                           

Considering the above reasons, many efforts are being made to give treatment to the patients for boosting their immune along with the allopathic treatment. It is obviously seen, the immune system becomes week due to long illness. The Indian Traditional System of Medicines would help in supportive treatment to boost immunity as well as preventing the progression of disease in the absence of any antiviral vaccine, particularly for CORONA viruses. In this regards, the Indian System of Medicines i.e. the Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy would be the best option to enhance the immune to the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.  

Ayurveda concentrates on the source of the patient’s imbalance, supporting the body’s innate wisdom to promote optimal health. In Ayurvedic principles, it is believed that the intelligence of the natural world is within each of us. The body is made up of the basic elements of the universe – ether, air, fire, water, and earth – which are expressed as three characteristic humors (doshas): Vata (ether and air), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (water and earth).

According to Siddha principles of causation of diseases, any type of jwara (fever) occur due to the accumulation of Kapha. The excess of Kapha than its normal state resulting in the bad triggers of immunity and resulting infection to the body. Usually, Kapha is increased due to factors involve like food habits and lifestyle for instance, when food substance is cold in nature and are taken in excess quantity,  especially,  during cold weather, Kapha will exceed apart from its normal state and causes the Kapha and jwara , which makes the body favorable for this viral infection. Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine deal with the root cause of diseases. It would be highly beneficial to maintain the tri doshas correctly in our body in order to avoid infections. The body by taking Kapha and jwara (swine flu) is said to occur due to the increase of Kapha kuttram (humor), which makes the body favorable for this viral infection.

Some of the Ayush medicines in the form of avaleha churna, kasayam (decoction), etc., are quite helpful as preventive as well as supportive treatments to fight against COVID – 19. The following medicines practically observed for restoring immune homeostasis and immunomodulatory properties.  

1. Ayurvedic Medicines : Aswagandha Avalaeha,  Aswagandha churna, Chyvanprash avalaheha, Giloy Satawa, Honey, Golden milk (Haldi - doodh), kadha, Samshamani Vati, Agastya Rasayana, Indukantha Kasaya (decoction)  and other decoction made by Tulsi (Basil), Dalchini – (Cinnamon), Kali Mirch (Black pepper), Sunthi (Dry Ginger), Munakka (Raisin) and Jaggery (Natural Sugar) with the consultation of Ayurveda Physician  

2. Siddha Medicines:  Kabasura Kudineer, Nilavembu Kudineer and Adhatodai Manapagu., Amukkara choornam, Nellikai lehium and Decoction made from Nannari (Hemidesmus indicus), thoothuvalai (Solanum trilobatum), sirukanjori (Tragia involucrate), adathodai (Adhatoda vasica), (Terminalia chebula), nellikai (Emblica officnalis), thantrikai (Terminalia belerica), chukka (Zingiber officnale), Impooral (Oldenlandia umbellata) and pangampalai (Aristolochia bracteolata) is also taken for Kaba suram (kapaha and fever) with the consultation of Siddha Physician. 

3. Homoeopathic Medicines – Arsenic Album 30 (4-5 globules) once a day for a total of 03 days or as directed by Homeopathic Physician. 

4. Unani Medicines – Joshanda of Bahidan 5 g, Berg-E-Gouzaban 7 g, Unnab 7 dane, Sapistan 7 Dane, Dalchini 3 g, Banafsa 5g. Boil these ingredients in one-liter water for 15 minutes and filter. Take it like hot tea twice a day for 3 days or as directed by Unani Physician. Black date (Khajoor) 3-5 number morning time with hot water also enhances immunity.  

5.Yoga & Naturopathy (for prevention & management) – Fresh juice of Amla along with ginger tulsi, fresh lemon and turmeric may be taken as per the direction of Yoga & Naturopathy Physician. The Yoga plays a key role to manage this disease, so, suitable yoga maybe adopted as a lifestyle with proper guidelines of the Yoga & Naturopathy experts.   

AN EASIEST METHOD FOR QUICK SEGREGATION OF STANDARD QUALITY OF NUTMEG KERNAL

 "QUALITY OF MEDICINES DETERMINES QUALITY TREATMENT"

(ABBREVIATIONS: SQ- Standard Quality; SSQ - Sub Standard Quality )

Nutmeg, the dried seeds (kernel) of Myristica fragrans; family- Myrsticaceae, commonly known as Jatiphala (Sanskrit), Jaiphal (Hindi), Jathikkai (Tamil) is an ingredient of the majority of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani drugs. the mature seeds of nutmeg is ellipsoid. 20-30 mm long and about 20 mm broad. It is externally greenish-brown color; sometimes marked with small irregular dark brown patches or minute dark points and lines and slightly furrowed reticulately. it has strong and aromatic odor and pungent and aromatic taste. 

Practically, it is observed that nutmeg has two years of shelf life when stored properly however, the collection and storing of nutmeg procured from the market is uncertain. The procured nutmeg from the market cannot be used as such but it requires quality test approval for its identity, purity, and strength (efficacy) in order to prepare quality drugs for best action on the patients. 

If nutmeg is very old and has piercing marks of invasion of insects or external damage, then, it may be manually segregated. But, it would be very difficult to identify the nutmeg when it looks normal externally but it has microbial and fungal invasion internally. 

Yes ! the nutmeg cannot be identified for its good quality on its physical verifications because when it is procured from the market in bulk, it was seen that all the nutmeg externally gives similar appearances either suitable for medicines or not suitable for medicines due to fungal and microbial attack internally. It is a great challenge to Quality Assurance to select the standard quality of nutmeg to produce quality medicines. The method for detection of foreign matters has been published in various Pharmacopoeias is more or less the same and cannot be applied in the case of nutmeg. 

Nowadays, the world is facing great challenges to get rid of the COVID -19, a Pandemic disease and all medicines manufacturing companies (Traditional System and Modern Medicines) is trying to search antidotes. Many of our Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic Physician is suggesting various supportive and preventive medicines to boost up the immunity power to fight against CORONA (COVID - 19).  

In this situation, the quick clearance of the material from Quality Assurance to in-process the medicines is a very challenging task especially when the material is issued for compound formulations ( a medicines required more than one or many ingredients)

Considering this, I would like to share my practical experiences here, and trust that it will provide help to segregate nutmeg from the lot. I have given the process name as " Sinking and Floating Method". This method is very easy and presently working.

Segregation Method of Nutmeg: 

1. Take a big wide-mouthed clean vessel or container according to the quantity of Nutmeg require for segregations.

2. Fill the vessel with a 3/4 portion of water or above the half container. 

3. Put the Nutmeg in the vessel slowly.

4. Take a clean bamboo or wooden stick and stir two clockwise and to two anti-clock rounds.

5. Lave the vessel exactly for two minutes.

6. Collect the floating nutmeg (B) and Sinking nutmeg (A) separately.

7. Keep both categories (A) & (B) of nutmeg to Sunlight for proper dry. (not over dry otherwise  volatile oil may evaporate) OR keep under hot air dryer for 3 -4 hours at 40-42 degrees Celcius temperature.

8. Again check, if it is not satisfactorily dried, keep it for some more time.  

Observations:

1.  The sunk nutmeg is felt heavier in comparison to floating nutmeg.

2. Nutmegs which were sunken in water, when breaks, showed reddish-brown and white mosaic appearance internally (See  Image 1 - SQ) and has a strong aromatic odor and pungent & aromatic taste.

3. Nutmegs, which were floating (B) on the water, showed blackish - brown or fully  white appearance  (See Image 2 - SSQ) and has comparatively less strong odor and taste than 1 -SQ)

4. Powder of SQ nutmeg showed bright reddish-brown color (Image 3 - SQ)

5. SSQ nutmeg showed a dull greyish brown color (Image 4- SSQ) 

The above observation is quite enough to segregate the nutmeg as SQ and SSQ. Then, The SQ may be taken into Laboratory for its details testing as per standard mentioned in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India or other Pharmacopoeias for estimation of volatile oil and other physicochemical parameters, etc.  [THE SSQ MATERIAL MAY BE DISCARDED AND SENT BACK TO SUPPLIERS AS IT WAS NOT SUITABLE FOR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS]

Image 1 SQ

Image 2 SSQ

Image 3 SQ

Image 4 SSQ

Further, I would like to inform you that the nutmeg segregated as B- SSQ was tested Microbiologically and observed that the majority of nutmeg was shown with the Mucor sp., Aspergillus sp. and Penillin sp. Bacterial colonies also observed. Some of the nutmeg seeds were not found affected with fungal or bacterial growth but entirely destroyed anatomically, may be due to unhealthy storing conditions or storage without proper drying but they also not found suitable for medicines on its efficacy ground. 

 I hope, that the above observation will be helpful for Pharmaceutical industries especially to Quality Assurance, many research Scholar and the AYUSH Physician practicing with their own medicine preparations.

Note: The article is based on the absolute experience of the author who is presently working as a Selection Grade Quality Assurance Manager in Government Organisation.