Description
Winter 2021 Ejournal
It is my honor and privilege to take on the role of Editor-In-Chief and I am excited to continue the journal’s important work of moving the field of Ayurveda forward. I deeply appreciate the dedication and work of the individuals who have helped to build the journal to what it is today, especially Professor Balram Singh and the previous Editor-In-Chief Dr. Anusha Sehgal.
The journal has made great strides in making Ayurveda more accessible to many readers. We still have much work to do and...
BRS: Please tell us your personal journey to Ayurveda
VB: When I was eighteen I began to feel a nagging pain and irritation underneath my left shoulder blade. It was not so bad that I couldn’t live my life, but it was not so minor that I could ignre it. Over the next two years I saw multiple doctors, went to physical therapy, received MRI’s, X-Rays, etc. No one figured it out, but more impactful than that, I felt that none of them even cared to try. They were too busy with more serious patients. I understood that, after all, I was under the mindset that I didn’thave that serious of a health issue.
When life gets a little hectic, we know must simplify the diet to stay in balance. However, that doesn’t mean we need to sacrifice flavour. Roasting the carrots gives this soup a deep, sweet richness that will make you think you are eating a much more complicated food. It’s okay if some of the carrots get a little caramelized while roasting as this will give that much more body to the finished product.
Immunity is the most important defence to protect us from microbes, toxins, and other external influences. A weak immune system makes our body more susceptible to infections which may hit harder and stay for a longer duration, whereas an overactive immune system may result in allergies and chronic inflammatory diseases, and joint and tissue problems. A robust immune system is important to maintain good health. Immunity is also known as Vyādhikṣamatva in Āyurveda and is deemed important. Vyādhikṣamatva opposes the power of disease and prohibits the occurrence of disease. As per Āyurveda, herbs with Rasāyana property are known for their preventive activity and improve immunity. The herbs with Rasāyana property possess immunomodulatory actions as exhibited by their pharmacological activity in various experimental studies. Wellknown Rasāyana herbs like Amalaki, Guduchi, Yaṣṭimadhu, Shatavri, Haridra, Vacha, and many more have traditionally been used for various ailments in Āyurveda to nourish mind, body, and soul and improve immunity.
Introduction: Aspects of the natural environment have been implicated in the development and severity of dermatological conditions including acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. This paper provides an evidencebased overview on the role of environmental factors such as humidity, temperature and sun exposure in dermatology, and compliments the evidence with Āyurvedic insights.
Methods: PubMed searches were conducted for studies assessing the relationship between the natural environment and acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Filters were applied for human studies and studies done in the past 10 years. Articles not translated to English were excluded, in addition to articles investigating the effect of environmental pollutants/toxins, allergens, tobacco, psychological factors, artificial sources of light, and balneotherapy.
Results: The literature surrounding skin diseases note that environmental changes may influence and aggravate skin diseases. Interestingly, these findings have correlations that can be mapped to Āyurvedic theory. More studies that needed to prospectively correlate Āyurvedic imbalances with an environmental risk to aggravate or improve different skin conditions.
The art and science of ayurvedic pulse reading is a wonderful example of what happens when we take an ancient methodology and throw it head-first into the pool of a new culture, with vastly different world views and cultural underpinnings.
We, in the West, respond to pulse reading the way we respond to most foreign influences. Some of us find ourselves curious, attracted to the mystique of something new, yet old, relevant, yet timeless, eager to unlock whatever potential secrets are contained within. Others of us find ourselves skeptical towards a form of knowledge that came before the creation of what we have now, sophisticated technologies that answer questions which were mysteries of the past. We find an ancient art threatening in a way, especially when it comes to assessing something so personal and intimate as our own health. “Nadi Pareeksha” means something very different...
Abstract:
Diabetes (Madhumeha) is a metabolic disease (kapha type of disorder) characterized by hyperglycemia, which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidney and nerves due to deficiency of insulin (diminished function of agni). With aging/genetic factors environmental factors insulin becomes less effective to introducing glucose into the cells and blood glucose levels continue to rise. In order to control the spikes in blood sugar, Āyurveda suggest jamun (Syzygium cumini) seed power, which contain jamboline and jambosine that acts as anti-diabetic drug.
Abstract:
Vyāyāma (exercise) is an essential component of the Āyurveda system of preventive health care, rejuvenation, and longevity. Āyurveda suggests that a daily routine of proper physical activity affects not only our body but has a positive influence on our mind, emotions, senses and spirit. Śārīra Balāor nherent strength and vitality can be assessed by performing exercise. Śārīra Balā prevents the occurrence of diseases and also checks the progress of disease which has already manifested. Classical dance also known as nritya, provides an active, non competitive form of exercise that has potential positive effects for physical health as well as mental and emotional well being. It has the potential to motivate and excite people as well as a way of engaging people in physical activity. Nritya (dance) as an exercise, creative art form and practice has a significant contribution to health. Hence in the present study dance is considered as a Vyāyāma and the Śārīra Balā of dance students have been assessed.
