Ayurvedamagazine

Category: Ayurveda Stories

  • The renowned cardio surgeon, Dr. MS Valiathan, passed away

    The renowned cardio surgeon, Dr. MS
    Valiathan, passed away (17 July 2024) in Manipal at the age of 90. Dr.
    Valiathan dedicated his life to medical innovation and education, leaving a
    lasting impact on the field. He earned his medical degree from the University
    of Kerala in 1956 and specialized in cardiac surgery, training at prestigious
    institutions like Johns Hopkins University and the University of Liverpool.

    Dr. Valiathan played a key role in
    establishing the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and
    Technology (SCTIMST) in Thiruvananthapuram, where his leadership was
    invaluable. His contributions to medicine were recognized worldwide, with honors
    such as being named a Chevalier in the Ordre des Palmes Académiques by the
    French government in 1999, receiving the Padma Vibhushan in 2005, and being
    awarded the Dr. Samuel P. Asper International Award from Johns Hopkins
    University Medical School in 2009. He served as the former president of the
    Indian National Science Academy and as a National Research Professor.

     

    Valiathan delved into the study of Ayurveda
    in addition to allopathy. He gained experience at the Post Graduate Institute
    in Chandigarh before joining the Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute in 1974. Under
    his guidance, the biomedical department at Sree Chitra successfully produced
    the country’s first artificial heart valve, blood bag, and oxygenator. Despite
    the usual clash between allopathic and Ayurvedic doctors, there have been
    attempts to recognize the benefits of both. The fusion of Ayurveda and Allopathy
    has led to numerous innovative ideas that hold promise for the future.

     

    We are truly sorry for the loss of such a
    remarkable figure in the healthcare field, who shared his knowledge through
    numerous books on Ayurveda, including the renowned works: Legacy of Charaka,
    Legacy of Susrutha, and Legacy of Vagbhata.

     

    – Ayurveda and Health Tourism Magazine-

  • Ayurveda to help Delhi Zoo animals remain safe and healthy during this monsoon season

    The immense popularity of Ayurveda is breaching biological boundaries and entering into the animal kingdom. At Delhi Zoo, authorities will be using traditional products like neem oil, turmeric and quick lime to keep animals safe and healthy during this monsoon season. 

    “The monsoon has arrived and we have to take all necessary measures to keep the animals healthy and safe during this season. We will use some Indian home remedies like neem oil, turmeric and quicklime, which will help protect the animals from common biting insects, including mosquitoes, biting midges and fleas,” Delhi Zoo Director Sanjeet Kumar said. 

    Neem oil, extracted from the leaves and seeds of the Neem tree, are potent antiseptic and insect repellant. It has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. It can be used as an herbal disinfectant and fly repellent and also against external parasites. 

    Turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties, can be used to treat itchy skin conditions, infections and wounds in animals. Turmeric dust when applied to lesions and foot sores will help expedite the healing process. 

    Quickline or ‘chuna’ can be used to prevent mosquito proliferation. This comes in handy during monsoon season when heavy rains can lead to waterlogging in certain parts of the zoo. Sprinkling quicklime in water-logged spots will stop the growth of mosquitoes and keep the animals safe. 

    The Delhi Zoo, originally named The National Zoological Park, is situated in a 176-acre area under the central government’s jurisdiction. The application of Ayurveda to keep the animals here safe during monsoon sends a positive message of utilising Ayurveda in all areas of life, including animal welfare. 

  • NFL star Aaron Rodgers is all praise for Ayurveda, calls it an ‘incredible experience’

    NFL star Aaron Rodgers has become the latest celebrity from the West to come out in praise of Ayurveda. Rodgers shared his ‘incredible’ experience with Ayurveda in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. 

    Regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in American Football history, 40-year-old Aaron had been suffering from problems to the gut for some time. “I was allergic to a lot of things. I was having irritable bowel syndrome,” said Aaron during the interview 

    Aaron entered into a 30-day Ayurvedic regimen which included a strict diet and a full-body flush reset. The diet consisted of mainly rice, lentils and vegetables. There was no meat. 

    Even while being a meat-lover, its complete absence in the month-long diet did not affect Aaron. Rather, The NFL star went on to call the experience ‘incredible’. “It reset my entire system. I lost weight. My stomach lining changed for sure. I came out of the 30 days with no allergies, no indigestion, no irritable bowel stuff; it all just flipped.”

    The experience of Aaron Rodgers is just one of the many that are happening worldwide daily. Ayurvedic treatment and lifestyle are improving the quality of life of people en masse. 

    While it often suffers ridicule from its own people, people in the developed West and other affluent regions are openly promoting Ayurveda as the best path towards attaining holistic wellness. Aaron Rodgers has become the latest person to do that. 

  • 101 years old and still young! Meet Charlotte Chopin, the real-life Wonder Woman

    A lot of people still don’t understand how wonderful a gift Yoga truly is to humankind. For them, the India government presents Charlotte Chopin, the 101-year-old yoga instructor from France, who received the prestigious Padma Shri award from President Draupadi Murmu on May 9. Here are a few things about Yoga that one gets to understand from this real-life Wonder Woman. 

    Age is no bar for Yoga

    Charlotte Chopin started practising Yoga at the age of 50. Not only did Charlotte excel in it, she began teaching others Yoga within a short time. In the past fifty years, Charlotte has had thousands of students. Charlotte still operates a Yoga studio in her hometown of Cher in France. 

    Yoga transcends all boundaries

    Charlotte Chopin was born in France. She learnt and then taught Yoga in France. The nation of France acknowledged Charlotte’s contribution to the welfare of its citizens showcasing her on various media outlets. Charlotte was even invited to showcase her Yoga talents on the popular French TV show ‘France Got Incredible Talent’. The story of  Charlotte is proof that Yoga transcends all boundaries. 

    Yoga preserves youth and productivity 

    Charlotte Chopin is 101 years old and still leads an active life. Charlotte continues to teach and practice Yoga. She travels across France conducting workshops about the benefits of Yoga practice. India Government’s recognition was partly for Charlotte ‘defying age-limiting norms’. On her part, Charlotte credits her health and longevity to her yoga practice. 

    Charlotte Chopin began teaching Yoga in 1982. She is credited for making Yoga popular in France. Charlotte met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 July 2023 during the latter’s visit to France. The Prime Minister appreciated Charlotte’s deep faith in yoga and her ground-breaking work in the promotion of Yoga in France.

  • Research to explore Ayurveda qualities of tea.

    The All India Institute of Ayurveda is set to undertake research to discover the various health benefits of tea, including exploring possibilities for applications in the Ayurvedic line of medication and treatments. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the same was signed with The Andrew Yule Group on Thursday in New Delhi. 

    “This agreement is an attempt to scientifically catalog the various health benefits of tea as well as explore possibilities of tea’s application in providing Ayurvedic medicines,” said Sarbananda Sonowal, Union minister of Ayush, in whose presence the MoU was signed.

    “From the days of the yore, tea has been consumed both for its taste as well as healing touch. For long, this rich bounty of nature has remained merely as a cash crop. With this collaboration, we are unrolling a possibility of a booming tourism industry with the healing touch of Ayurveda and yoga in the pristine lap of tea gardens,” the minister said. 

    The Andrew Yule and Company Limited (AYCL) has seven tea estates in Assam. An expert team from AIIA will collect tea samples from various tea estates of AYCL and perform a detailed analysis of various tea from the perspectives of Ayurveda and its benefits on human health.

    Tea has been a popular drink among the indigenous population of Assam for a long time. If successful, the MoU is expected to propel Assam towards becoming a new destination of healing tourism in the South East Asian region, according to sources. 

  • Ayurvedic wisdom for a million-dollar smile

    In the pursuit of maintaining a dazzling smile, traditional Ayurvedic practices offer a holistic approach to oral health. Here are some time-tested remedies that could be the key to unlocking that million-dollar smile:

    Oil Pulling Unveils Oral Radiance: Engaging in the ancient practice of oil pulling can work wonders for oral health. This technique is believed to contribute to overall dental well-being in multiple ways.

    Saltwater Mouthwash, Nature’s Oral Elixir: Harnessing the power of nature, a saltwater mouthwash emerges as a potent and natural oral rinse, promoting oral hygiene with its cleansing properties.

    Ghee’s Cleansing Touch: Ghee, known for its multifaceted benefits, extends its support to dental health. Its cleansing properties aid in removing dental plaques, enhancing gum health, and contributing to an enviable smile.

    Turmeric’s Anti-Inflammatory Magic: The golden spice, turmeric, proves to be a formidable ally against gum inflammation. Applying turmeric directly to infected gums is touted as an effective remedy for conditions like gingivitis and periodontitis, combating gum recession.

    In the quest for that million-dollar smile, these Ayurvedic practices offer not only excitement but also remarkable results. However, it’s essential to blend these remedies with regular oral check-ups. Remember, a visit to the dentist every three months is crucial in maintaining optimal oral health.

    So, swipe left to explore these exciting home remedies and ensure your smile remains a timeless asset. Don’t forget to schedule your regular dental check-up and take a step towards preserving the radiance of your oral health.

  • Algorithm developed at CSIR-IGIB points out dietary essentials required for better health of individuals

    A machine learning-based algorithm developed at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) can

    enhance the understanding of individual dietary needs and promote healthier food choices among people. 

    The development is based on the principles of Ayurgenomics, which brings together the principles of Ayurveda and Genomics. It was on display at the World Food India 2023 event which was held from 3rd November to 5th November 2023 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

    “Whenever we talk about food, how much to eat, what to eat, and at what point in life, Ayurveda talks about all these factors in great detail,” said Dr. Bhawna Prasher, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-IGIB. 

    “Ayurveda tells about the food choices to be made in a healthy way considering your Prakriti, as well as agni. That if taken into consideration while making food choices leads to more nutritive benefits coming out of the food and diet that we take.” 

    “By doing prakriti analysis and looking into your agni status using the ML-based algorithm we have developed, what kind of diet and what kind of lifestyle is good for obtaining optimal health in your day-to-day life can be known,” Dr Prasher said. 

    A market-wide application of this algorithm can result in the manufacture of smart devices which can suggest to a person what to eat and when to maintain good health and energy in life. This can vastly bring down the debilitating effects that lifestyle diseases have on humanity. 

  • ‘Credibility of Ayurveda depends on proper supervision, licensing, testing and enforcement.’

    Social media is flooded with debates focusing on the authenticity of Ayurveda as a mainstream medical science. It takes an especially pointed turn on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), where many allopathy doctors have outright dismissed Ayurveda as a dangerous pseudoscience. 

    On the other side of the debate are proponents like Shailaja Chandra (@over2shailaja), author and former civil servant, who recently uploaded a lengthy post in reply to another tweet, discussing the pros and cons of Ayurveda. The following is an abridged version: 

    “I have spent 12 years in the allopathic health sector, and 6 years studying and administering Ayurveda and Indian systems of medicine.  

    The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library has over one lakh formulations drawn from 54 authoritative texts. It is approved by the World Intellectual Property Organisation. 

    The authoritative texts contain references to several conditions that can be prevented by following daily and seasonal regimens depending on the constitution of the individual. 

    I have personally watched innumerable patients being treated for a range of conditions. Even in the case of cancer, leading oncologists said it improved the quality of life of the patient.

    Ayurveda is not a panacea but if used intelligently (and humbly), it can give a range of patients relief without ingesting chemical drugs.

    Unfortunately, absurd claims are being made on the labels of medicine, in advertisements, and poorly researched published articles.

    There is very little regulation as the states turn a blind eye to enforcement requirements. 

    There are very few trusted practitioners and no directories of licensed practitioners are available. 

    My Conclusion: 

    Ayurveda is a time-honored system. However, the credibility of the system depends on proper supervision, licensing, testing, and enforcement. Only governments can do that. That is a duty, not an option.”

  • India is the least promiscuous country in the world; Ayurveda tips for nurturing unity in relationships

    As per the Global Promiscuity Index prepared by Naplab and shared by World of Statistics (@stats_feed), India is the least promiscuous country in the world, averaging three partners per person. Fewer sexual partners meant the second-highest mean age for virginity loss and low prevalence of STDs among the population. 

    It is the country’s strict adherence to traditional values and customs that has resulted in a stronger sense of virtue among the people when it comes to matters of sex. Ayurveda too has a significant role in this. 

    Ayurveda teaches that a person is part of a larger web of life, where one’s actions and choices have an impact on the well-being of others. It encourages the person to prioritise their well-being which enables them to show up fully and authentically in their relationships. 

    Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to enhance connection in relationships. Expressing gratitude through words or gestures strengthens the bond of compassion and fosters a sense of unity and connection. 

    Ayurveda also encourages selfless service to boost a relationship. Engaging in acts of kindness and service without expecting anything in return cultivates a sense of compassion, empathy, and unity with others. This deepens one’s sense of connection. 

    Thus, Ayurveda offers powerful tools to stay satisfied and loyal in a relationship. By following the principles of this age-old system of medicine, a sense of unity and well-being can be promoted in relationships, that do good to the individual and the society as a whole.  

  • Ayurveda needs to be adopted as a lifestyle practice: Priyadarshan

    The transformative power of Ayurveda as a lifestyle practice was highlighted by renowned filmmaker Priyadarshan during the Founders Day commemoration of the Vaidyaratnam Group. The ace director credited veteran actor Madhu for inspiring many luminaries in the Malayalam cinema industry to embrace Ayurveda, after recognizing the virtues of this ancient science. 

    “Veteran actor Madhu enlightened me and others of my generation in the cinema industry about the virtues of Ayurveda. During the Karkkidakam month, Madhu would stay away from acting and other work and go for ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy without fail. This inspired me, Mohanlal, and Sathyan Anthikkad to go for Ayurvedic treatment”, Priyadarshan said. 

    He revealed this while making the inaugural address of the Founders Day of the Vaidyaratnam Group on Wednesday. The Day is held to commemorate Padmasree Ashtavaidyan E.T. Neelakandan Mooss, (1904-1997) the founder of the Vaidyaratnam Group.

    Describing Ayurveda as a science of discipline and dedication, the noted filmmaker said as a system of healthcare the country could present the virtues of Ayurveda to the world with great pride. “It is high time that we adopt Ayurveda as a lifestyle practice”, he said.

    Well-known writer and journalist K.C. Narayanan, Vaidyaratnam Group Managing Director Ashtavaidyan Dr. E.T. Neelakandan Mooss, P Balachandran, member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly from Thrissur, among others, took part in the function.