BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension (EHTN) is one of the most prevalent lifestyle disorders globally. In Ayurveda, the powdered seed of Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb. ex G.Don [Rudraksha Churna (RC)] is indicated for headache, the most common symptom of EHTN. Pharmacological studies on an aqueous extract of E. ganitrus have shown that it can be used to treat anxiety and EHTN. However, no research has been done on the therapeutic efficacy of RC in the treatment of EHTN. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RC in the treatment of EHTN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The multicentre single arm trial was conducted at the Regional Ayurveda Research Institutes at Jaipur and Itanagar. A total of 150 individuals who met the screening criteria were enrolled in the trial after obtaining written informed consent. The participants were administered two 500 mg capsules of RC twice daily (2 g daily) with water for 12 weeks. The outcome measures were reduction in blood pressure, improvement in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale Score (HAM-A), SF-36-Health Survey Questionnaire (HSQ), visual analog scale for headache, anxiety, dizziness, tinnitus, fatigue, and amelioration in clinical parameters at every 14-day interval during the trial period of 98 days comprising 84 days of treatment and 14 days of follow-up. RESULTS: The results showed a significant decrease in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.001). Significant relief (P < 0.001) was also observed in outcome measures such as headache, anxiety, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitation, HAM-A, and HSQ score. Safety parameters such as liver function tests and renal function tests were within the reference range during the study, indicating the therapeutic safety of RC. CONCLUSION: EHTN and its symptoms can be managed with RC. However, double-blind RCTs with adequate sample size may be planned to validate the findings of this study before generalizing the study results.

A 34-year-old female patient presented with a prolonged history of absence of menstruation and dyspareunia was clinically diagnosed as Artava Kshaya (amenorrhea). She was treated with Vamana Purva Snehapana (oral ingestion of fats) with Guggulutikta Ghrita and Aragvadha Mahatikta Ghrita followed by Vamana (emesis therapy) and Mahakalyanaka Ghrita Snehapana followed by Virechana (purgation therapy). On the 15th day after Shodhana and Samsarjana Karma (dietetic regimen after therapeutic purgation), the menstrual cycle appeared after ten years. The patient weight was reduced by 5 kg after the completion of therapeutic emesis and purgation. Symptomatic improvement was observed in concurrent symptoms such as dyspareunia and puffiness of the face. The patient was observed for the next two years without any therapeutic intervention, and she had regular menstrual cycles with moderate flow during that period. This case demonstrates the role of Vamana and Virechana in the management of Artava Kshaya.

BACKGROUND: The spine of Vallibadara [Ziziphus oenoplia (L.) Mill.] of family Rhamnaceae are traditionally claimed to manage Mukhadushika (acne vulgaris). In Ayurveda, Avipattikara Churna is known for its Pitta Shamka and mild laxative action. The vitiation of Pitta Dosha and constipation are also contribute to manifestation of acne. PATIENT INFORMATION AND INTERVENTION: A 19 year old patient presented with complaints of papules and pustules, scattered all over her forehead and cheeks since last one year. The patient also reported constipation and heartburn since many months. She was diagnosed with Mukhadushika and was treated with the local application of the paste of powdered thorn of Z. oenoplia mixed with lemon juice and oral administration of Avipattikara Churna 4 gm twice daily with water for 21 days. RESULT: Considerable reduction was observed in the scattered papules and pustules on the forehead and cheeks of the patient. Constipation and burning sensation in the chest were relieved after one week. Complete relief in symptoms was noticed after 21 days of treatment. No recurrence of eruptions was observed during the follow-up after 30 days. CONCLUSION: The external application of spine of Z. oenoplia and internal administration of Avipattikara Churna are effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Ayurvedagranthasamuccayah is a web portal developed by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) wherein all the major classical compendiums of Ayurveda are made available on a web-based platform to enable students, practitioners, academicians, and researchers of Ayurveda to have readily accessible and searchable information. The key features of the portal include easy navigation of books with the help of list-based dropdowns and arrow buttons, various scripts to suit the reading purpose of the reader, search facility for any particular term in all the books simultaneously, and results in Key Word in Context format, search function up to five terms simultaneously, and edutainment tools such as Shalaka pariksha and “Random Sutra” for testing and improving one’s knowledge. To increase awareness of the Āyurvedagranthasamuccayah, this short communication outlines the capabilities and utility of the web-based platform.

BACKGROUND: Although Ayurveda medicine is used to manage bronchial asthma, available evidence relating to its efficacy needs to be generated. To scientifically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ayurveda interventions, Kantakaryavaleha and Eladi Gutika, a multicenter, prospective, single-arm, open-label clinical study on mild stable bronchial asthma (Tamaka Shwasa) will be initiated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 90 patients (45 in each center) with mild stable bronchial asthma will be enrolled based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the patients will be treated with Ayurveda medicines, i.e., Kantakaryavaleha 10 g, orally, twice daily with lukewarm water and tablet Eladi Gutika, 1 g thrice daily, orally. The intervention period will be 12 weeks and each participant will be followed up for 2 more weeks post intervention period. The primary outcomes will be measured assessing the change in the Asthma Control Questionnaire and the frequency of need for control medication before and after the trial intervention. The secondary outcomes will be measured by comparing the changes in clinical signs and symptoms of Tamaka Shwasa as per the Ayurveda classical text, changes in forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and biomarkers such as serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and IgE. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial has been registered at the Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI); the registration number for this trial is CTRI/2018/06/014425.

BACKGROUND: The rise in the number of newly reported cases heralds the onset of the third wave of COVID-19 in India, despite the country’s relentless push for COVID-19 vaccination. In such a situation, efforts other than the vaccination, to strengthen the population’s immune system have become critical to keep the overburdened health-care system from being exhausted. Ayuraksha Kit includes four Ayurveda medicines viz., Chyawanprash, Samshamani Vati, Anu Taila and Ayush Kwath choorna. This kit is developed with an aim to enhance the general wellbeing and immunity of apparently healthy individuals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this trial will investigate the impact of the Ayuraksha Kit as an adjunct to standard preventative measures in safeguarding people living in 12 Indian cities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community-based cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted on 8316 apparently healthy adults. The clusters will be randomly allocated to two groups, intervention and control groups, in a 10:1 ratio. The advice on standard preventive measures along with masks and soaps for hand hygiene will be provided to all the study participants in both groups. Ayuraksha Kit will be given for one month to the 7560 study participants in the intervention group, and the 756 participants in the control group will be only given standard preventive measures. Effect of Ayuraksha Kit on incidence and severity of COVID-19 like symptoms and the psychological distress as an impact of risk of exposure to SARS CoV-2 will be assessed during this study. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As this study will be conducted in the areas predominantly resided by people belonging to scheduled castes in Indian cities, this cluster-RCT will determine whether the use of Ayuraksha Kit has a prophylactic potential against the incidence or on the severity of disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTRI/2022/02/040156 dated 10^th February 2022.