This book examines the history and evolution of Ayurveda and other indigenous medical traditions in juxtaposition with their encounter with colonial modernity. Through the lens of hereditary folk and Ayurvedic practitioners, it focuses on Kerala's heterogeneous medical traditions and presents them against the backdrop of the geographical, historical, sociocultural, ethnographic and regional contexts in which they developed and transformed. The author explores the world of Kerala's last traditionally trained hereditary practitioners (folk healers, poison therapists, Sanskrit-speaking Muslim Ayurvedic practitioners and the legendary Brahman Ashtavaidyan physicians). He discusses the views of these physicians regarding the marked difference between their personalised ancestral methods of treatment and the standardised version of Ayurveda compliant with biomedicine that is practised by doctors today. Drawing on extensive fieldwork, this book will be useful to researchers and scholars of medical anthropology, health and social medicine, sociology and social anthropology, the history of science and modern Indian history, as well as to medical practitioners interested in alternative and traditional medicine.

This book examines depression as a widely diagnosed and treated common mental disorder in India and offers a significant ethnographic study of the application of a traditional Indian medical system (Ayurveda) to the very modern problem of depression. Based on over a year of fieldwork, it investigates the Ayurvedic response to the burden of depression in the Indian state of Kerala as one of the key processes of the local appropriation or glocalization of depression. More broadly, Lang considers: What happens with the category of depression when it leaves the West and travels to South Asia? How is depression appropriated in a South Asian society characterized by medical pluralism? She explores on the level of ideas, institutions and materialities how depression interacts with and changes local worlds, clinical practice and knowledge and subjectivities. As depression travels from 'the West' to South India, its ontology, Lang argues, multiplies and thus leads to what she calls 'depression multiple'.

A single-source reference on the most important and best-investigated Ayurvedic herbs This book examines the clinical information available on more than 60 Ayurvedic herbs to determine how their use in traditional Indian medicine is supported by modern scientific study. Plants are grouped according to body systems and each entry includes a description, information on the source plant, distribution and traditional use, active chemical constituents, relevant pharmacology, and details of clinical studies and safety findings. This unique book also includes a brief history of Ayurveda, examines the history of drug development and evaluation in ancient India, and identifies current trends resulting from scientific investigation. Worldwide interest in Ayurveda is growing quickly, especially in the United States, Europe, and Japan. But until now, information on Western-style clinical trials on Ayurveda herbs has been scattered and no single source for descriptions, comments, and references has existed. Ayurvedic Herbs presents the first critical validation of Ayurvedic medicine, extensively referenced for physicians and clinicians interested in alternative and adjunctive therapies. This unique book is essential for making informed choices on herb use, offering clinical trial data, results of pharmacological studies, and safety information. Ayurvedic Herbs examines: gastrointestinal agents hepatoprotective agents respiratory tract agents cardiovascular drugs urinary tract drugs antirheumatic agents skin and trauma care agents gynecological agents antidiabetic agents CNS agents rasayana drugs dental and ophthamological agents and much more Ayurvedic Herbs includes cross-references to chapters when a particular plant has more than one indication and watercolor illustrations of twelve major herbs.

The effective yet gentle 'Sukshma' technique, for working with the Marma points at the emotional as well as on the physical level, is fully described in this book. Marma Therapy - the art of treating specific vital points on the human body - is one of the greatest healing secrets of Ayurveda. It can be used to detoxify, strengthen and revitalize the body, for rejuvenation and relaxation or to release blocked energy. The authors explain the theoretical basis of Marma Therapy, and then provide a detailed, fully illustrated guide to its use. For each Marma point, the authors provide information about its significance, the Ayurvedic element it relates to, the most appropriate oils to use, and what it can be used to treat. Clear step-by-step instructions and photographs illustrate the techniques, and advice is also included for self-treatment. The authors explain how to strengthen the Marmas through yoga and use mudras to support and complement Marma treatment. Finally, they describe how to treat common physical and emotional conditions, from headache and back pain, to exam nerves and insomnia.

This is an easy-to-follow guide to the ancient Indian system of health and diet by body type, with over 150 photographs. You can learn how to understand and use the ancient Indian healing system to promote spiritual harmony and physical health. You can discover your body type - Vata, Pitta or Kapha - and how to maintain complete well-being through diet, massage, herbs, crystals and exercise. It includes step-by-step sequences for crystal infusions, massage techniques, and tonics recommended to restore the body's balance. It is a fascinating introduction covers the origins of Ayurveda, its influence and the different branches of Ayurvedic medicine. It offers advice on Ayurvedic self-help in the home with treatments for common ailments, such as insomnia, headaches, colds and skin problems. The traditional healing system of India, Ayurveda is increasingly popular throughout the world. Literally translated, it means 'life knowing' or 'science of life', and is one of the oldest recorded health practices still used today. It is a complete health system for mind, body and spirit. Rather than treating symptoms, it treats the whole patient, working holistically to prevent and treat disease. This accessible book explains how you can discover your body type and how the elements express themselves within you. It then takes you through the dietary requirements, massage techniques and appropriate oils, herbs, crystals, gems, exercise and tonics recommended for each body type. Whether you are looking for a complete holistic healing system or simply need to regain a sense of balance and harmony, this is the ideal guide to using and understanding the powerful system of Ayurvedic medicine.

This book is a concise, easy-to-understand practical guide on Ayurvedic wellness and spiritual healing techniques that can be implemented at your own pace and in the comfort of your home. It can be used by anyone who is interested in holistic and natural methods for healing and longevity of life, using the wisdom from the 5,000-year-old Indian science of Ayurveda. The book contains a self-diagnosis questionnaire to determine your "dosha" or constitution, a guide to your perfect diet, stress reduction techniques, and much more. The guidebook is unique in that it presents an exclusive measurement method for portion control, natural food products and recipes conducive to various metabolic types, and information on the many spices and herbs used in Vedic healing. It is a distinctive, all-encompassing treatise for self-healing to bring about a complete mind-body-soul transformation!

People seeking psychiatric healing choose from an almost dizzying array of therapies--from the medicated mud packs of Ayurveda, to the pharmacopeia of Western biomedicine, to the spiritual pathways of the world's religions. How do we choose, what do the treatments offer, and how do they cure? In Mudpacks and Prozac, Murphy Halliburton investigates the very different ways in which Ayurvedic, Western, and religious (Christian, Muslim, and Hindu) healing systems define psychiatric problems and cures. He describes people's embodied experiences of therapies that range from soothing to frightening, and explores how enduring pleasure or pain affects healing. And through evocative portraits of patients in Kerala, India--a place of incredible cultural diversity that has become a Mecca for alternative medicine--Halliburton shows how sociopolitical changes around the globe may be limiting the ways in which people seek and experience health care, with negative effects on our quality of health and quality of life.

People seeking psychiatric healing choose from an almost dizzying array of therapies--from the medicated mud packs of Ayurveda, to the pharmacopeia of Western biomedicine, to the spiritual pathways of the world's religions. How do we choose, what do the treatments offer, and how do they cure? In Mudpacks and Prozac, Murphy Halliburton investigates the very different ways in which Ayurvedic, Western, and religious (Christian, Muslim, and Hindu) healing systems define psychiatric problems and cures. He describes people's embodied experiences of therapies that range from soothing to frightening, and explores how enduring pleasure or pain affects healing. And through evocative portraits of patients in Kerala, India--a place of incredible cultural diversity that has become a Mecca for alternative medicine--Halliburton shows how sociopolitical changes around the globe may be limiting the ways in which people seek and experience health care, with negative effects on our quality of health and quality of life.

Plants constitute an excellent ecosystem for microorganisms. The environmental conditions differ considerably between the highly variable aerial plant part and the more stable root system. Microbes interact with plant tissues and cells with different degrees of dependence. The most interesting from the microbial ecology point of view, however, are specific interactions developed by plant-beneficial (either non symbiotic or symbiotic) and pathogenic microorganisms. Beneficial interactions are caused by symbiotic and non-symbiotic bacteria and a highly specialized type of fungi, the mycorrhizae. The pathogenic and detrimental interactions of microbes involve viroids, viruses, bacteria and fungi, and lead to infectious diseases affecting only the plant kingdom. Microflora composition of any agro-ecosystem is governed by the equilibrium created by the associations and interactions of all flora and fauna found in the community. In soil, microorganisms live in close proximity and interact among themselves as well as with existing plant communities in different ways, which could be beneficial (mutualism, commensalism, proto-cooperation) or neutral (epiphytic). These microbial interactions govern the functioning and stability of agro-ecosystem, playing significant role in the production and productivity crops. Hence, this book on Plant-Microbe Interactions is aimed at bringing out the recent developments in this field including the molecular mechanisms and proteomics involved in the establishment of Plant-Microbe Interactions. The book reviews the enormous diversity of plant associated microbes, and their molecular mechanisms, small molecules and proteomics involved in the establishment of their mutual interactions. Utilization of these rhizosperic, phyllospheric and endophytic microbes as nutrient providers, in combating phytopathogens and ameliorating the stressed and polluted soils is also explained. Importantly, the book also throws light on the unanswered questions and future direction of research in the field. It illustrates how the basic knowledge can be amalgamated with advanced technology to design the future bio-formulations. This book will be useful in providing latest information in this topic to Scientists, Researchers, Ph.D and PG students working in the field of Plant Sciences.

The basic aim of this manual is to provide useful resource materials for training young students and faculties working in the area of plant systematics. The manual provides updated information on basic as well as applied aspects of plant systematics on various groups of plants like Algae, Lichens, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms. 1 to 3 describe the various approaches and methods to study microbial and fungal diversity, which is basically a very useful precursor to the students and young researchers. 4 and 5 provide deals with the multi-dimensional approaches in Lichen systematics. The book progresses upwards through the plethora of information on the diversity and systematics of Algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms ( 6-10). 11 to 15 contain on the plant methodological details identification, approaches and methods of Flora, revision, monograph and development of herbarium. This information is very important for the students and young faculties who intend to pursue their researches in plant taxonomy. 14 and 15 particularly provide all the relevant information on the International Code of Plant nomenclature including cultivated plants. These s per se are very significant for the amateur as well as serious readers of plant taxonomy. Plant taxonomy and biosystematics is a dynamic subject, as it derives information from various other disciplines like palynology, seed morphology, pharmacognosy, molecular biology, etc. We have, therefore, broaden the scope of this book by including the s on palynology, seed morphology, molecular systematics, biostatistics, ecological and remote sensing methods for diversity analyses, and pharmacognostical tools for identification of herbal drugs ( 16-22). The knowledge and information on these applied aspects of biology in relation to taxonomy will certainly infuse the interest in readers, who are pursuing plant taxonomy as their scientific pursuits. 23 and 24 describe the various methods of characterization and evaluation of ornamental and medicinal plants. The last (25) of the book provides the information about CSIR-NBRI Botanic Garden and its various repositories, which could be of great interest to the readers from the perspectives of plant conservation.

The objectives of the book is to highlight the relevance of traditional medicine and way towards ethnopharmacology, to share research achievements and innovations in herbal science, to evaluate and review opportunities for advancing herbal drug research in the region, to provide a platform to map an agenda for the development of phytomedicine, to address issues concerning conservation of medicinal plants. The book has been compiled with 30 articles based on the original research work by eminent academicians and scientists of the country on different areas of phytomedicine. Recent trends and techniques involved from the search, documentation, processing, sustainable utilization and conservation of medicinal plants are the highlights of this book. It will provide a unique opportunity to boost up the knowledge in various aspects of medicinal plant research.

Dr Lad teaches a systematic method for identifying the causes of illness and the stages in which a disease unfolds. This paradigm of cause and effect (etiology and pathogenesis) is the key to understanding how disease can be prevented through awareness of the subtle energetic disturbances that precede structural or functional damage. Sharing from a wealth of clinical experience, Dr Lad presents principles and methods of assessment using a combination of the most helpful Ayurvedic and modern techniques.

This title covers all aspects of Ayurvedic healing, from diet and herbs to yoga and meditation. It explains in-depth Ayurvedic diagnostic and treatment methods, and explains key lifestyle requirements, including daily and seasonal regimens for optimal health and vitality.

Ayurveda is one of the World's oldest and most comprehensive systems of natural medicine, and is particularly useful for addressing the chronic conditions Western medicine finds difficult to treat. This authoritative book provides a comprehensive introduction to Ayurvedic medicine for the practitioner or student. The authors describe the foundations and principles of Maharishi Ayurveda in detail, and drawing on the latest scientific research into its efficacy, show what it can offer clinical medicine in the West. Topics covered include pathogenesis and diagnosis, diet and digestion, toxic build-up, purification therapies, the effects of the emotions and thinking on health, and the practical applications of Transcendental Meditation. This updated and expanded second edition describes specific Ayurvedic treatments for a range of common medical conditions, and also contains information on more general Vedic approaches to health and wellbeing. This book will provide complementary and alternative health practitioners with a solid base on which to build their understanding of Maharishi Ayurveda, and will also be of interest to mainstream health professionals wishing to learn more about the efficacy of this ancient healthcare system.

The Indian population has used Ayurvedic herbs for centuries, but now modern scientific work has led to recognition and acceptance at a global level. The major cause of the increased popularity of Ayurvedic medicine stems from recent scientific validation and its potential in lifestyle management. This growth in research in India and worldwide has created the need for a resource covering the scientific development of Ayurvedic herbs for practice during the postclassical period. The Modern Ayurveda: Milestones Beyond the Classical Age explores a host of topics essential to understanding the surge of scientific work now being conducted on this ancient practice. A one-point source for the modern explorer attempting to appreciate the transformation of Ayurveda from an empirical to a rationalist understanding, the book enumerates more than 400 Ayurvedic herbs with compiled information including their botanical name, common Ayurvedic name and family, their attributes, chemical constituents, phytochemical markers, pharmacological actions, and their interactions and toxicity. It explores current research methodologies for the evaluation of efficacy and safety of herbal medicine and discusses the contemporary international regulatory status of herbal drugs. Ayurvedic medicine can be better understood and utilized through the application of modern scientific analytical tools for standardization, modern pharmacological tools for safety and efficacy evaluation, and the application of biotechnology to elicit the mechanism of drug actions. Bringing Ayurveda into the 21st century, this volume will inform further progress and open new doors to treatment.

A Peek into Vedic Wellness, as the name suggests, is a peek: a short but succinct initiation into the ancient dietary theory of Vedic wellness and spiritual healing, both for interested readers as well as those who are curious about holistic wellness in general. The book will introduce you to fundamental concepts for mind-body-soul alignment in a question-and-answer format that allows for easy comprehension of this 5,000-year-old medical science from India. A perfect primer for the author's other title, Vedic Transformation. This book contains specific information on dietary balance, stress reduction, improving digestion, and many other health benefits. This life-changing little book is a distinct, preliminary view into Ayurveda, spiritual healing, and Vedic guidance for mind-body-soul alignment that will whet every reader's appetite for knowledge!

Discover the principles, therapies, and collected knowledge of a venerable ancient healing system. Ayurveda provides a threefold approach to wellness: 1.) Preventive a concept of health care and personal hygiene meant for every person; 2.) Psychological an approach to dealing with essential and challenging aspects of life; 3.) Curative a medical science with a holistic view of health and disease, offering extensive methods of cure. This comprehensive reference to a natural system of medicine will guide you on your way to addressing specific health concerns and improving overall wellbeing.

Ayurveda, a Sanskrit word, denotes the Traditional Medicine of India. Translated as the science of life, the term more accurately implies the wisdom in living. Several thousand years old, its ancient roots produced an integrated body of enduring knowledge and practice incorporating medicine, psychology, aesthetics, philosophy, the humanities, and spirituality. Yet, it goes beyond only immediate care of health symptoms and illnesses by suggesting principles and practices for overall self-development and good health. This book offers the reader a concise yet detailed overview of thousands of years of deep thought and clinical work aimed at improving the human condition. Concentrating on healing and prevention, the practice is intended to restore balance and instill better health through consciousness and the connection between body, mind, and spirit. Through Ayurveda, Dr. Ninivaggi offers guidelines toward achieving a better quality of life and health in all areas of one's life.

Dagmar Wujastyk explores the moral discourses on the practice of medicine in the foundational texts of Ayurveda. The classical ayurvedic treatises were composed in Sanskrit between the first and the fifth centuries CE, and the later works, dating into the sixteenth century CE, were still considered strongly authoritative. As Wujastyk shows, these works testify to an elaborate system of medical ethics and etiquette. Physicians looked to the ayurvedic treatises for a guide to professional conduct. Ayurvedic discourses on good medical practice depict the physician as highly-educated, skilled, moral, and well-mannered. The rules of conduct positioned physicians within mainstream society's and characterized medical practice as a trustworthy and socially acceptable profession. At the same time, professional success was largely based on a particular physician's ability to cure his patients. This resulted in tension, as some treatments and medications were considered socially or religiously unacceptable. Doctors needed to treat their patients successfully while ostensibly following the rules of acceptable behavior. Wujastyk offers insight into the many unorthodox methods of avoiding conflict while ensuring patient compliance shown in the ayurvedic treatises, giving a disarmingly candid perspective on the realities of medical practice and its crucial role in a profoundly well-mannered society.

Ayurveda addresses the well-being of the entire being - physical, psychological and spiritual - in an approach to health and healing that is as relevant to the modern world as it was to the ancient world from which it emerged. Herbs and minerals, nutrition and purification, affirmative ways of living are a few of the ways in which Ayurveda treats not just the ailment but the whole person, emphasising prevention of disease to avoid the need for cure. The Ayurvedic principles and practices outlined in this book form a sound basis for accessing optimal health in balance.