Ayurvedamagazine

Tag: Ayurveda & Health Tourism Magazine

  • Ayush Hard Talk series from Oct 4

    Get set for a string of hard-hitting talks and in-depth
    analysis of bottleneck issues hindering the progress of AYUSH medicines with
    the launch of the ‘Ayush Hard Talk’ webinar series on October 4.

    The series, being organised by the ‘Ayush Valley Foundation’
    in tie up with the ‘Ayurveda & Health Tourism’ Magazine, will be moderated
    by Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya MD MPH (Harvard) PhD (Ayu-BHU). She is a Fullbright
    Specialist (2018-2022) in Public Health and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine,
    Weill Cornell Medical College, New York. Trained as a biomedical scientist,
    international public health specialist, and primary care physician before
    gaining skills as a holistic healer, Dr Bhaswati practices and teaches Ayurveda
    and holistic family medicine in Manhattan and in India.

    The over-an-hour webinar series will be held on the first
    Sunday of every month. Experts and ‘Who is Who’ from various health systems will
    discuss the critical issues hindering progress of AYUSH system of medicines
    despite its growing acceptance among global audience.

    The first of the digital deliberations will be held from 4.30
    pm (IST) on October 4. The webinar will have three sessions with in-depth
    analysis being done on topics ‘Why this conflict between Modern Medicine and
    Ayurveda’, ‘Does Homeopathy work’ and ‘What is scientific evidence’? The panellists
    include Arvind Kulkarni, Integrative Oncologist BSD Trust, IC Treatment &
    Research Centre, Wagholi, Pune, Elensi Tsiompanou MD, FRCP, Harmony in Health
    Ayurveda Clinical Lead College of Medicine & IH London, UK, and Prof Yogender
    K Gupta MD, President, AIIMS-Bhopal.

    For further details, log into https://ayushvalley.org/registration/hardtalk .


  • Ayurveda globalization to unveil vast opportunities: Dr S Sajikumar

    There is a vast growth opportunity for the Ayurveda sector if
    the rich potential of the traditional Indian medicinal system could be disseminated
    globally by addressing concerns of international society like “safety, efficacy
    and purity”, Dr S Sajikumar, Chief Physician & MD, Dhathri Ayurveda, said.

    “Every challenge is an opportunity … The global health crisis
    has led to much awareness of the preventive cure and Immunity development
    properties of Ayurveda among the global audience. It’s projected that the
    Indian Ayurveda market will witness a four-fold increase in growth in the next
    five years, touching one lakh crore by 2025,” the former Chairman, CII-Kerala,
    pointed out.

    “The Ayurvedic community has conviction about its efficacy
    and potential. Now efforts should be made for globalization of Ayurveda… For
    that we need a shared vision of the many stakeholders and make investments in
    strategic areas like Research and standards, Quality testing and adequate raw-material
    supply. The goal should be to develop Ayurveda globally as a parallel system
    (along with modern medicine) and not as an alternative one,” Sajikumar added.

    The topic ‘Ayurveda Medicine
    Manufacturing: Challenges and Opportunities post Covid-19’ was discussed in
    detail during the second episode of the National Webinar Series ‘AYUSHVICHAR’, organized
    by the Ayush Valley Foundation in association with the Ayurveda & Health
    Tourism Magazine on Saturday.

    “The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in breaking of the dogma (against traditional
    medicine) universally. Now people started believing in immunity and adopting
    the ‘Back to Nature’ strategy. The industry should stay in-tune with changing
    times. For instance, Ayurveda doctors should be more informed and understand
    medicinal chemistry or Immunology. The pharmaceutical industry should try new
    areas products like Immunity diagnostic kits,” observed Dr Hrishikesh Damle, MD
    & CEO, Atrimed Pharmaceuticals (P) Ltd.

    Dr Narasimham Jammi, CEO, Jammi Pharmaceuticals, stressed that time is
    right for making the world aware of the rich potential of Ayurveda and its
    treatment scope against a whole lot of diseases.

    “The effectiveness of ‘Rasaaushadi’ (mettalo medicine) in treating
    chronic medical conditions like Liver Cirrhosis should be highlighted. Similarly,
    the traditional medicinal system proves more handy in certain areas like Gynecological
    solutions or sexual wellness, thanks to it having no side-effects,” he said.

    However, challenges are many – standardization, burden of proof, bonafide
    raw-materials, quality control mechanism, Marketing savvy and Regulatory
    hurdles for exports among others.

    The intense parleys discussed how the global regulatory authorities take a
    biased approach against the Indian medicinal system which so far restricted its
    entry into the global market. “For instance, the FDA regulators wrongly criticized
    the Indian medicines, citing presence of heavy metals like Mercury. This without
    any knowledge of ‘Rasaaushadi’ and its safe treatment procedures. Our
    authorities should take measures in proving the safety and efficacy of such
    treatment systems through case studies globally,” said Dr Bhaswati
    Bhattacharya, a Fulbright Specialist in Public Health-Integrative Medicine at
    Weill Cornell Medical College, New York.

    The webinar was moderated by Dr Madan Thangavelu, noted Genome
    Biologist from the University of Cambridge, UK, and co-moderated by Dr
    Harikumar Bhaskaran Nair, Ayurvedic Physician, Research and Co-ordinator, NSS
    Ayurvedic Hospitals.

  • Promote research in accordance with Ayurveda principles: BHU professor

    Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medical science, is faced with many
    challenges and the need of the hour is to initiate actions to find lasting solutions
    to issues in areas like Education, Research, Translation and Integrative
    Medicine treatment, according to Professor Kishor Patwardhan, Faculty of Ayurveda,
    Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

    “At present, a sizable proportion of students opt for BAMS after
    failing to get into modern medicine courses. There is a dearth of good faculty
    and the application-based content in curriculum is minimum. Similarly, the PG/PhD
    level Research currently follows ‘One Disease-One Medicine’ approach. This is
    not how Ayurveda is practiced. Promote research that is in accordance to
    Ayurvedic principles,” he pointed out.

    Prof Kishor was speaking as a Panelist in an international webinar
    held on the topic ‘Freedom For Ayurveda – sequel 2’. The over three-hour
    virtual session was the fourth of the international webinar series being organized
    by The Ayush Valley Foundation in association with the Ayurveda & Health
    Tourism Magazine.

    He called for initiatives like Integrated 10-year BAMS/MBBS
    courses or having a common course for all medical graduates irrespective pf
    their streams.

    “There is not much enthusiasm for an evidence-based research in
    Ayurveda where most practitioners are satisfied with laid down     knowledge. This
    will prevent the system getting global recognition as the Allopathy community
    is not going to accept non-evidence based medicine,” said Dr Sintija Sausa,
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia. She is currently engaged in exploring
    integrative medicine options by joining initiating research works with
    Ayurvedic experts.

    She called for measures to facilitate Ayurveda graduate students
    to have basic knowledge about modern medicine too.

    Another speaker Lea Kraemer, Governing Council Member, Yoga
    Unify, USA, noted that traditional medicines like Ayurveda and Yoga can be much
    effective as an integrative treatment option. “They can be used to alleviate
    side effects of Allopathy medicines while undergoing treatment for terminal
    diseases like cancer.”

    The session saw active participation of Ayurveda experts like Vaidya
    M Prasad, Dr N V Sreevaths and Mala Kapadia among others. “Research should be a
    broader word when we put it to the traditional wisdom. It should be more     accommodating in its meaning. It should be an effort to bring the good in the systems for a
    larger public and geographical boundary. For that the Gurus and Acharyas should
    not be put under the scanner of validation. Instead let the ayurvedic
    practitioners delve deep into Ayurvedic knowledge and their output analysed,” Prasad observed.

    The session was moderated by Dr Madan Thangavelu, University
    of Cambridge, UK, and co-hosted by Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya, Director, The
    DINacharya Institute.

    In
    the first session on the topic held on August 14, Padma Shri Anant Darshan
    Shankar, Vice Chancellor, Transdisciplinary University, Bengaluru, had called
    for strategic interventions including policy formulation and better budgetary
    resource utilisation in key areas like Health services, Education and Research
    to facilitate the growth of Ayurveda.

    ENDs

  • Ayurveda growth: experts call for reforms in key areas

    Experts have called for strategic interventions
    including policy formulation and better budgetary resource utilisation in key
    areas like Health services, Education and Research to facilitate the growth of
    Ayurveda and its elevation into the mainstream medical practice.

     “…growth of the Ayurvedic sector is happening
    for sure. But, currently, a great deal of commodification is taking place. It’s
    not growing in the way it should …the challenge is to effect strategic
    interventions,” said Padma Shri Anant Darshan Shankar, Vice Chancellor,
    Transdisciplinary University, Bengaluru.

    “For instance, in Education, the Minimum Standard
    Requirements is holding back the sector. We need to create Centres of
    Excellence which should be extended autonomy and the freedom to experiment new
    models,” he said in a free-wheeling conversation as one of the Speakers of the
    Webinar held on the topic ‘Freedom For Ayurveda’.

    The event was the third of the international
    webinar series being organised by the Ayush Valley Foundation in tie up with
    the Ayurveda & Health Tourism Magazine. The interactive session was
    moderated by Dr Madan Thangavelu, noted Genome Biologist from the University of
    Cambridge, UK, and Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya, a renowned Physician-turned
    Ayurvedic practitioner.

    Another Speaker Vaidya M Prasad,former Principal of
    Ashtamgam Ayurveda Vidyapeedham, Palakkad, Kerala, too stressed on the need for
    reformations.

    “There is a need for complete overhauling of the
    curriculum. It should not be mixed with notions of Modern Medicine and leave
    the students a confused lot…. Similarly, the so-called researches involving
    Ayurveda are actually leveraging the traditional medicinal system for the
    growth of the western medicine. This is clear as such exercises, including that
    for a Covid-19 cure, are done without invoking Ayurvedic thought process,” he
    said.

    Asmita Wele, Head of Rasashastra and
    Bhaishajyakalpana Vigyan, College of Ayurveda, Bharati Vidyapeeth University,
    Pune, though batted for integration of the sciences, saying the best practices
    should be combined.

    “There is no question about a patient-centered
    treatment approach. But the cross reference is always possible. We should try
    to bridge the gap between the sciences …and work in teams. The best practices
    should be combined and applied at every level,” she said.

  • ‘Freedom for Ayurveda’

    The third of the international webinar series, being
    organised by the Ayush Valley Foundation in tie up with the Ayurveda &
    Health Tourism Magazine and to be held on August 14, will discuss in detail why
    Ayurveda should be brought into the mainstream and allowed to contribute to the
    fight against major ailments, including Covid-19.

    The webinar on the topic ‘Freedom For Ayurveda’ will be
    moderated by Dr Madan Thangavelu, noted Genome Biologist from the University of
    Cambridge, UK. The prominent speakers include Padma Shri Anant Darshan Shankar,
    Vice Chancellor, Transdisciplinary University, Bengaluru, Asmita Wele, Head of Rasashastra
    and Bhaishajyakalpana Vigyan, College of Ayurveda, Bharati Vidyapeeth
    University, Pune, and Vaidya M Prasad, Director, Sunethri
    Ayurvedashram    , Thrissur.

    Despite proving to be effective in disease prevention and
    cure during studies, the traditional medicinal system is yet to get required
    nod for first line of treatment against major diseases like Covid-19. Recently,
    the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, has successfully cured
    Covid-19 patients using Ayurvedic treatment protocol. Many studies too have
    revealed that the viral spread is minimal among those who have taken Ayurvedic preventive
    measures.

    The global community has also started acknowledging the
    immunity-boosting power of Ayurveda and is increasingly relying on the Indian
    traditional medicinal system, along with Yoga, during the pandemic times.

    The speakers will also touch upon the future measures and approaches required
    to bring the ancient healing system into the mainstream. The virtual session
    will start from 2.30 pm (IST) on July 18. For further details, log into http://www.ayushvalley.org/ .

    While the first webinar (June 27) focused on ‘Can we live with Corona’,
    the second edition (July 18) discussed the topic ‘Ayurveda for Covid-19
    Prophylaxis’ in detail.

  • Follow Ayurvedic immunity practices to fight Covid-19: Webinar

    With the pandemic threat likely to
    persist for long, the focus should be on preventive healthcare that entails strengthening
    of the body’s defence systems, for which Ayurvedic interventions are the most
    suited, according to experts.

    A webinar on the topic ‘Ayurveda for
    Covid-19 Prophylaxis’ was organised by the Ayush Valley Foundation in
    association with the Ayurveda & Health Tourism Magazine on Saturday which
    was attended by scores of participants from across the world.

    The second of the international
    webinar series was moderated by Dr Madan Thangavelu, noted Genome Biologist
    from the University of Cambridge, UK. The prominent speakers included Dr S
    Ajith, Founder, Australasian Institute of Ayurvedic Studies, Dr Bhaswati
    Bhattacharya, Director, The DINacharya Institute, New York, United States, and
    Dr Martina Ziskova, Ayurvedic Gurukula, Prague, Czech Republic.

    The speakers touched upon topics like
    ‘Power of daily and seasonal routines in pandemic ailments’, Ayurveda’s
    immunity boosting measures for self-care’ and ‘Dinacharya & Ritucharya.

    “Such pandemic threats are likely to
    crop up again in future, but with a different name. Here comes the role of the
    holistic healing science of Ayurveda which places great emphasis on maintaining
    a balance of the body elements… The power of ‘Agni’ (digestive fire) is the key
    element determining one’s health. However, we give little importance to the
    right types of food and lifestyle,” Dr Ajith noted.

    He urged people to follow the
    Ayurvedic regimen in building up immunity. “Flushing out toxins from the gutt
    is important. A simple detox drink like warm water mixed with ginger, honey and
    lemon juice twice a day could do the trick,” he added.

    Dr Bhaswati, a Physician-turned
    Ayurvedic practitioner, stressed on the need to practice daily and seasonal
    Ayurvedic regimen so as to enjoy ‘Ojas’ and keep the diseases at bay.

    “It’s time the AYUSH systems should
    come to the mainstream so that people could enjoy robust health through
    cost-effective treatment …building up natural immunity will make you less
    vulnerable to diseases,” she said.

    Dr Martina Ziskova said it’s time we
    focus on a disease preventive approach and batted for integrating Ayurveda with
    modern medicine.

    “Modern medicine can be availed as a
    temporary relief measure while Ayurveda, the Life of Science, can be integrated
    to treat the causes at the root and enable one to enjoy a permanent health,”
    she observed.


  • Webinar on ‘Ayurveda for Covid-19 prophylaxis’

    After an overwhelming response to first
    of its international webinar series, the Ayush Valley Foundation, in association
    with the Ayurveda & Health Tourism Magazine, is holding another round of virtual
    meet to be attended by acclaimed Ayurveda practitioners and academicians on
    July 18.

    The webinar on the topic ‘Ayurveda
    for Covid-19 Prophylaxis’ will be moderated by Dr Madan Thangavelu,     noted
    Genome Biologist from the University of Cambridge, UK. The prominent speakers
    include Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya, Director, The DINacharya Institute, New York,
    Vaidya Ajith Singh, Founder, Australasian Institute of Ayurvedic Studies, and
    Vaidya E P Jeevan, Director, Ayurveda Care Academy, Germany.

    The global
    community is increasingly acknowledging the immunity-boosting power of Ayurveda.
    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his inaugural address at the ‘India
    Global Week-2020’ the other day, said the Covid-19 pandemic has seen the
    increasing appeal of Yoga, Ayurveda and traditional medicines world over.

    The speakers will touch upon related topics like ‘Power of
    daily and seasonal routines in pandemic ailments’, Ayurveda’s immunity boosting
    measures for self-care’ and ‘Dinacharya & Ritucharya: Lessons from New
    York, Varanasi & Udipi’.

    The virtual session will start from 2.30 pm (IST) on July 18.
    For further details and registration, log into


    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

  • ‘Ayurveda clinical trial shows positive results in Covid-19 patients’

    A clinical trial of Ayurvedic
    intervention to cure Covid-19 patients with mild and moderate symptoms held at
    the Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru, has showed “positive results”.

    The trial, approved by the Ethics
    Committee of Bengaluru Medical College with the nod from the Clinical Trials
    Registry of India, was carried out on 10 Covid-positive patients from June
    seven to 25.

    “All the patients were cured and
    tested negative for the virus after nine days of treatment. Two ayurvedic
    tablets were administered to them thrice a day during the period… I’ve sought
    permission from the government to treat larger number of people. The more
    samples tested, the more will be its approval ratings,” Dr Giridhara Kaje, MD
    and Chief Physician, Prashanthi Ayurvedic Centre, Rajajinagar, who initiated
    the trial told the AIR.

    Dr Smitha S Segu, Nodal Officer of
    the Covid Core Committee, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute said
    the Ayurvedic treatment was provided in addition to regular treatment and that
    all the patients recovered well.

    The development comes even as the
    AYUSH Ministry has stated that the results of its clinical trials and
    evaluations involving ayurvedic formulations will be out only by September end
    due to the strict standards involved and the fool-proof approach adopted.

    “We’ve already initiated trial
    of AYUSH 64, a poly-herbal antimalarial formulation. The clinical
    research of ‘Ashwagandha’ will start this week while that regarding
    Ayurveda medicines like Giloy will commence soon. The last one
    is happening at multiple places like Jamnagar and Jodhpur… By September end,
    we’ll have some clarity about the results. Then we will share with the public,”
    said Dr J L N Sastry, Chief Executive Officer, National Medicinal Plant Board.

    He was speaking as a panelist in
    the first of the international webinar series being organized by the Ayush
    Valley Foundation in association with the Ayurveda & Health Tourism
    Magazine on the topic ‘Can we live with Corona’ last week.

  • Ayurveda Covid-19 clinical trials results by Sept end: webinar

    The first of the webinar series, being organized by the Ayush
    Valley Foundation in association with the Ayurveda & Health Tourism
    Magazine, was held on Saturday with eminent Ayurvedic academicians and
    practitioners focusing on the ‘topic ‘Can we live with Corona’.

    The virtual meet evoked wide response with participants from
    across the world attending the over two-hour event. The panelists included Dr
    Narendra S Bhatt, Mumbai-based eminent Ayurvedic scholar and Head of CRIA
    Consultants Pvt Ltd, Dr J L N Sastry, Chief Executive Officer, National
    Medicinal Plant Board, and Dr Cornelis Peters, Director, Europa Ayurveda
    Centre, Netherlands. Dr Madan Thangavelu, noted Genome Biologist from the
    University of Cambridge, UK, moderated the discussions.

    The speakers batted for clinical trials and proper
    documentation of Ayurvedic solutions. Dr Sastry said the AYUSH Ministry has
    initiated clinical trials of AYUSH medicines/interventions regarding Covid-19
    and the results would be out by September end.

    “We’ve already initiated the trial of AYUSH 64, a
    poly-herbal antimalarial formulation. The clinical research of ‘Ashwagandha’
    will start this week while that regarding Ayurveda medicines like Guduchi
    will commence soon. We expect the results to be out by September end,” Sastry
    said.

    Dr Narendra Bhatt observed that viral infections like
    Covid-19 would become severe if the body fails to adapt to the stress. “In
    viral infections, the causative agents play a game of hide and seek. They pale
    out initially only to come back stronger with multiple complications which make
    the treatment difficult… The ayurvedic solutions should consist of four targets
    – prevention, genetic changes of the virus, biological make up (proteins) and
    the symptoms,” he said.

    Dr Cornelis Peters pointed out that there should be a common
    model of investigation from the Ayurvedic point of view so as to facilitate
    research and documentation. “In Netherlands, we’re engaged in research with
    different herbal medicine combinations. We’re growing at least 20 Ottamoolis,”
    he said.

    The next webinar is slated to be held on July 4.