Ayurveda can help in preventing AIDS

Ayurveda can help in preventing AIDS by strengthening the body’s defence system through herbs and a supplementary code of conduct, doctors at a recent meeting of international policymakers on HIV here, said. “Apart from ‘Achaar Rasayan’ (code of conduct), the ancient system of Indian medicine provides for a whole range of herbs for the prevention of […]

Gene Therapy in Rats Reduces Cocaine Use

(HealthDay News) -- Using gene therapy to increase the level of dopamine -- a pleasure-related chemical -- receptors in rats' brains reduced their desire for cocaine by 75 percent, U.S. researchers say.

Previous research by the same team at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, in Upton, N.Y., found that increasing the level of dopamine receptors reduced rats' desire for alcohol.

"By increasing dopamine D2 receptor levels, we saw a dramatic drop in these rats' interest in cocaine. This provides new evidence that low levels of dopamine D2 receptors may play an important role in not just alcoholism but in cocaine abuse as well. It also shows a potential direction for addiction therapies," study lead author Panayotis (Peter) Thanos, a neuroscientist with the Brookhaven Lab and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Laboratory of Neuroimaging, said in a prepared statement.

The study was published online April 16 in the journal Synapse and was expected to be published in the July print edition of the journal.

D2 receptors receive signals triggered by dopamine, a neurotransmitter needed to experience feelings of pleasure and reward. Without these receptors, the brain's pleasure response is blunted, according to background information in the study.

Previous research showed that chronic alcohol and drug abuse increases dopamine production. However, long-term substance abuse depletes the brain's D2 receptors and rewires the brain so that normal pleasurable activities no longer stimulate these pathways. As a result, alcohol and/or drugs are the only way to feel pleasure.

The Brookhaven Lab studies suggest that increasing levels of D2 receptors in the brain could help treat addiction to alcohol, cocaine and other drugs.

More information
The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse has more about drug abuse and addiction.

Obesity prevention

When it comes to obesity prevention and management, Ayurveda has much to offer, with daily and seasonal regimens that include healthy foods, yoga exercise, panchakarma and medicines.

For obese patients, according to the symptoms of ama, digestive (dhatwagni deepan) and carminative (pachan) medications are given. Ayurvedic formulations of a guggulu kalpa decoction are also advised with […]

Meaning and Principles of Ayurveda

Meaning of Ayurveda
Ayurveda comprising of Ayur (life) and Veda (Scince or knowledge) is a holistic healing science which is in other words called “Science of life”. Ayurveda deals with the complete way of life, rather than just the treatment of diseases.

Basic principles
Ayurveda considers the humanity and universe as a common origin, and considers nature to be made of three main qualities (also called gunas). These gunas namely Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are the inner qualities found in all material forms of nature.

Ayurveda also considers the entire universe to be governed by five major elements called Panchamahabhutas which includes space, fire, water, air and earth. The entire human structure is considered to be made of Seven tissues (also known as Dhatus) which is the plasma, adipose tissue, muscle, bone marrow, bone, blood and reproductive tissue. From the liquids of all these tissues, Ojas (energy) which is the refined ultimate product of metabolism and digestion, is formed. Ojas is also considered to connect the consciousness and physiology of an individual and is responsible for developing immunity in the body.

All India Institute of Ayurveda to be set up in Delhi

The Union Cabinet today approved establishment of the All India Institute of Ayurveda in New Delhi as an autonomous organization under the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).

The Cabinet also gave approval to appointment of a director with supporting staff to oversee the project implementation.The decision will facilitate scientific validation, quality control, standardization and safety evaluation of Ayurveda products; standardised Ayurveda-based tertiary health delivery; and to promote interdisciplinary research and education of Ayurveda at postgraduate and postdoctoral levels.

Delhi RWA’s get Herbal Gardens for improving Urban Health Solutions

New Delhi, INDIA: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) with support from National Medicinal Plants Board, (NMPB), Govt. of India, launched the Home Herbal Garden (HHG) Project, in Delhi – NCR area to fill the critical void in the area of herbal resource development and extension activities with the overall objective to sensitize community awareness on ‘Herbal Medicine and Herbal Gardens.’

“Herbal and Botanic Gardens can play a key role in protecting all our herbal plants for the future. TERI’s initiative highlights the importance of plants and the ecosystem services they provide for all life on earth, with a focus on biodiversity and human wellbeing.” said Dr RK Pachauri, Director General of TERI.

Addressing members of the RWA’s, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said, “The Delhi Govt is already in process to develop biodiversity parks and a sprawling 170 acre land has been allotted for the same near Dabur, outskirts of Delhi.

Along with those 17 new forest areas have been identified for growing medicinal and decorative plants. It is through organizations such as TERI that we are able to revive our traditional medicinal system and move towards human-wellness. This imitative will not only revive the traditional medical system, but would also make a huge difference to the atmosphere of Delhi, that has over the years improved with such initiatives.”