In today’s modern world, most people are confronted with mental illness at some point in their lives. Depression is a widespread problem that has a detrimental impact on a person’s ability to function and sense of well-being. It has become a worldwide public health concern. Sattvavajava Chikatsa (SC) is an Ayurvedic psychotherapy and psycho-spiritual therapy that promotes mental wellness as well as prevention, management, and treatment of mental disorders. SC works on five basic principles, i.e., promotion of spiritual knowledge, scriptural knowledge, patience, memory, meditation in any patient whenever needed. The concepts of SC are scattered throughout classical texts, making it difficult for Ayurvedic physicians to understand how to practice. This could be due to the fact that psychological diseases are less common than physical illnesses. The goal of this review is to describe and briefly explain the concept of SC, as well as to establish a practical approach/tools based on it, with a particular focus on the management of major depressive disorder (MDD). It will aid in a holistic knowledge of the SC principle, as well as a practical approach based on SC for the management of MDD.

INTRODUCTION: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease of macula associated with aging. It is the most leading cause of the central vision loss and blindness in the developed countries above the age of 55 years. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article is to critically analyze and to provide quality evidence in view of safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of Ayurveda interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: The study reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs, and case studies on the management of AMD in Ayurveda. They were retrieved through Ayurveda research databases and Medical Journal databases such as MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and other directories of open access journals. Hand searching was done using predefined search terms. The search was limited to articles published till July 2021. Study selection followed the symptomatology of AMD. The data were documented and extracted using study ID and design, sample size, duration, interventions, outcomes, and result. The quality and the risk of bias assessment were done using available tools. Quantitative synthesis was not attempted as we aimed at only systematic review. RESULTS: There were 28 screened records of which 6 fulfilled pre-defined criteria. Most commonly adopted therapeutics include four studies on Nasya (medication through nose), five on Tarpana (lubrication of eye), and two studies focussing on Basti (therapeutic enema) as primary management. The results were categorized under Shodhana (purification therapy) and Shamana (palliative). Overall studies show a significant improvement in subjective parameters assessed through gradation index. Panchakarma combined with eye treatment showed better relief. CONCLUSION: The study outcome yielded considerable improvement in vision and also assisted in maintaining existing vision which is greatly appreciable in addressing the subject’s quality of life by controlling further progression of the disease.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 virus is a new contagious pathogen which has made a huge impact on health, economic and societal perspectives of our country. Early detection, rapid isolation, and adoption of effective infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are key to preventing and controlling COVID-19 infection. Patients are now receiving symptomatic treatment. This retrospective study aims to assess and comprehend the effectiveness of Ayurvedic interventions in the treatment of mild symptomatic COVID-19 patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to analyze the outcome of Ayurvedic interventions in managing mild symptomatic COVID-19-infected cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: COVID-19 patients (diagnosed through RT-PCR test) admitted at Shri Dhanwantry Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Chandigarh were treated with Ayurvedic interventions. The data were collected and have been analyzed retrospectively. Data collected were systematically analyzed and presented using appropriate software (SPSS version 21). RESULTS: The treatment given in this particular study were aimed at dissipating the pathogenesis based on Ayurvedic principles of management. Relief in major clinical symptoms such as fever, cough, and throat pain has been observed in studied cases of COVID-19. The clinical recovery rate observed in this study was 94.3%, which is comparatively high with reference to the current clinical recovery rate, i.e., 69.5% in Chandigarh (India). CONCLUSION: The Ayurvedic interventions, AYUSH-64, Agasthya Hareetaki Rasayana, and Anu Taila Nasya, may play a major role in managing mild symptomatic cases of COVID-19. IEC number: 8-55/2020-CARIRD/TECH/COVID/149

BACKGROUND: Madhumeha (diabetes mellitus [DM]) disease is one of the very few diseases, which has been found in the history and culture of India and across the globe. Since ages, even in the twenty-first century, this disease is a cause of concern to the world due to its morbidity and long-term complications. Traditional medicines are still found to be very useful in the improvement of quality of life (QOL) of the patients with Madhumeha. Ayurvedic formulations are found to be useful in the management of type II DM and in promoting health. OBJECTIVE: Saptavimshatika Guggulu (SG) and Haridra Churna (HC) were evaluated to assess their clinical effectiveness in the management of type 2 diabetes. A secondary objective was to assess the changes in the QOL of the patients with type 2 DM and the clinical safety of SG and HC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter clinical study was critically evaluated to assay the clinical efficacy and safety profile of ayurvedic formulations, SG 500 g two tablets two times after food and HC 3 g with luke-warm water after food two times daily for 12 weeks in 146 participants, diagnosed with NIIDM, enrolled as per the selection criteria. RESULTS: The results were of highly significant in the regulation of FBS (BT-167.44 mg/dL, AT-152.83 mg/dL) and PPBS (BT-261.74 mg/dL, AT-240.59 mg/dL). Statistically highly significant result was found in the improvement of Diabetes Symptoms Questionnaire and SF-36 health survey score; no ADR or any complications were noted. CONCLUSION: SG and HC used on the subjects of type 2 DM (Madhumeha) are clinically effective, safe, and tolerable.

Introduction: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a complication of diabetes mellitus, is a leading cause of blindness on a global level. Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), both with and without diabetic macular edema (DME), are the stages of DR. The conventional treatment strategies for DR include intravitreal injections, laser photocoagulation, and surgical approach. There are quite a few individual studies available in various databases showing the efficacy of Ayurveda intervention in DR. However, a systematic review of these studies is not available to date. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review of various clinical studies of Ayurveda treatments in DR, along with meta-analysis, if possible. This shall help in providing more precise estimates of the effectiveness of management of DR using Ayurveda interventions. Methods and Analysis: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-randomized controlled trials (QRCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), multiple arms clinical trials, and single-group studies on DR published/unpublished from January 1990 to November 2020 will be conducted. The database search will be performed using the words with Boolean operators: Ayurveda OR Ayurvedic AND Diabetic Retinopathy as title, abstract, or keyword. Clinical trials of patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria based on signs and symptoms of DR in any of its stages, irrespective of age and either gender, will be selected. Studies that are based on the Ayurvedic treatments such as Shodhana (purification therapies), Shamana (pacification therapies), Netra Kriyakalpa (topical ophthalmic application of medications), Moordha Taila Prayoga (topical application of medicine on head), Mukha Kriya Kramas (usage of medicine on/in mouth and on face such as Mukhalepa, Kabala, Gandoosha) irrespective of dosage, type, schedule, drug, form, and advised Pathayapathya (lifestyle changes) as intervention or control will be selected. Response to treatment, both subjective and objective, is the primary outcome and onset of serious adverse events is the secondary outcome. Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. The results obtained will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Trial Registration Number: International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) number CRD42019136750.