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Ministry of Ayush
Ayurveda

To prevent cancer, AYUSH advocates for increased public awareness of healthy lifestyle choices and regular check-ups

by Pragati Singh
written by Pragati Singh

Ministers and renowned lawmakers today called for a coordinated and multisectoral approach to expanding the reach of awareness, diagnosis, and treatment at the IHW Council’s Breast Cancer Action Day Summit, emphasising the importance of preventive health care.

The government is working on a mission mode with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to expand the reach of healthcare services for breast cancer and other major diseases in the coming years. MoS Lekhi outlined three pillars for preventing breast cancer-related deaths: a) women’s health promotion; b) timely diagnosis; and c) comprehensive treatment.

Meanwhile, health experts cautioned against the changing lifestyle imitating the West as a major reason for the higher incidence of breast cancer in India. One Indian woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 4 minutes while every 8 minutes one Indian woman dies of breast cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020 alone, 2.3 million women across the world were diagnosed with breast cancer, and more than 6 lakh died.

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Ministry of Ayush
Ayurveda

The BUMS course GUMC&H in Ganderbal is opened in J&K by the Union Minister of Ayush

by Pragati Singh
written by Pragati Singh

The first batch of BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Health and Surgery) from GUMCH (General Unani Medical College & Hosting & Hospital, Jammu and Cashmir) opened in New Delhi: the Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Schipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal. Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha of UT J&K also thanked the event virtually.

Shri Sonowal previously participated in a 71 plant plant drive for Premier Shri Narendra Modi at the Unani Medicine Regional Research Institute in Srinagar to commemorate 71 years.

Terming the inauguration of the BUMS course as historic moment for whole UT, the Union Minister said that institution will go a long way to promote the indigenous systems of medicine in the UT of J&K particularly the Unani System of Medicine in the Kashmir Division. He said that the Ayush Ministry is determined to provide basic healthcare services to the people of country.

While congratulating the students who got admission in first batch of BUMS, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said that Prime Minister is working tirelessly for the development, peace and integrity of whole nations and advised the students to work with same dedication and energy to bring laurels to the Whole UT.

Later, Union minister took round of OPD block, Operation theater Block, various labs inside the Hospital and all blocks of the academic building, where union minister and other officers interacted with the students of 1st Batch of BUMS.

Pertinently, The Government Unani Medical College & Hospital Ganderbal has been constructed with the financial assistance of Rs. 17.00 crore from Ministry of AYUSH under erstwhile CSS scheme, Rs. 18.25 Crore from UT Government and Rs. 38.82 lakhs under National AYUSH Mission for operationalization of the College.

The College is having an annual intake capacity of 60 BUMS students along with 60 bedded hospital. There are 07 clinical departments viz; Moalijat (Medicine), Jarahat (Surgery), Ain-Uzn-Anf-Halq (Ophthalmology &ENT), Ilm-ul-Qabalatwa Niswan (Obstetrics & Gynecology), Ilmul Atfal (Paediatrics), Amraz-Jild (Dermatology) and Ilaj bit Tadbeer (Regimental Therapy) in the College.

During the visit, the Union Minister was accompanied by Chairperson District Development Council Ganderbal, Nuzhat Ishfaq, Special Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Pramod Kumar Pathak, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, Vivek Bhardwaj, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Krittika Jyotsna, Director General AYSUSH, Dr. Mohan Singh, Director General, CCRUM, Asim Ali Khan, Principal Government Unani Medical College, Samia Rashid, SSP Ganderbal and other concernred.

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Ministry of Ayush
AyurvedaNew Delhi

In the Lok Sabha, AYUSH Minister Sarbananda Sonowal introduces amendment legislation on homoeopathy and Indian system of medical commissions

by Pragati Singh
written by Pragati Singh

On Monday, AYUSH Minister Sarbananda Sonowal introduced the National Commission for Homoeopathy (Amendment) Bill, 2021, as well as the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Amendment) Bill, 2021, in the Lok Sabha.

The National Commission for Homoeopathy (Amendment) Bill aims to promote access to quality and affordable medical education by amending the National Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020.

The other bill seeks to repeal the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 and help make available Indian system of medicine professionals across the country.

“The National Commission for Homoeopathy was constituted on 5th July, 2021 and on the same date, the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973 was repealed and the Central Council of Homoeopathy was superseded.

“Though a decision was taken that subsequent to the repeal of the said Act, it is not appropriate to move a replacement Bill before Parliament to replace the aforesaid Ordinance, nevertheless, the actions taken by the Board of Governors under the said Ordinance up to the date of repeal of the said Act are required to be saved,” the National Commission for Homoeopathy (Amendment) Bill said.

“Therefore, it is proposed to amend the National Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020 to insert a new sub-section (5) in section 58 thereof, to provide that all acts done, and all the powers and functions of the Central Council exercised and performed by the Board of Governors under the repealed Act, immediately before the commencement of the National Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020, shall be deemed to have been done or taken under that Act and shall continue in force unless and until superseded by anything done or any action taken under that Act,” it added.

The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine was constituted on June 11 this year and on the same date, the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 was repealed and the Central Council of Indian Medicine was superseded.

Though a decision was taken that subsequent to the Act being repealed, it would not be appropriate to move a replacement Bill before Parliament to replace the aforesaid Ordinance, nevertheless, the actions taken by the Board of Governors under the said Ordinance up to the date of the repeal of the said Act are required to be saved, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Amendment) Bill 2021 said.

“Therefore, it is proposed to amend the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020 to insert a new sub-section (5) in section 58 thereof, to provide that all acts done, and all the powers and functions of the Central Council exercised and performed by the Board of Governors under the repealed Act, immediately before the commencement of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020, shall be deemed to have been done or taken under that Act and shall continue in force unless and until superseded by anything done or any action taken under that Act,” it added.

 

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AyurvedaExperts speak

Treatment of ulcerative colitis is possible in Ayurveda: Dr. Harish Verma

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma

Ulcerative colitis is a long lasting inflammation of the large intestine (colon) and in this disease many ulcers(small ulcers) form in the inner lining of the large intestine. So far no such allopathic medicine has been prepared for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, which can give permanent benefit to the patient, but the treatment of this disease is completely possible in ayurveda. This information was given by the Canadian Ayurvedacharya of Indian origin and Dr. Harish Verma, head of the Canadian College of Ayurveda  and Yoga, in the webinar organized.

            Dr. Verma told that ulcerative colitis is a disease of the large intestine. As soon as the disease starts, the patient usually starts having loose stools, mucus starts coming in the stool. After this, gradually bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and feeling of twitching, blood in the stool,pain  in the rectum, urge to defecate immediately, weight loss, tiredness or fever starts. In this disease, it happens that the immune system of the body starts working abnormally. Instead of foreign germs, it starts attacking the large intestine itself, causing inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine. Dr. Verma says that sometimes the lack of blood goes to such a great extent, due to which the patient has to be admitted to the hospital.

            Dr. Verma after researching day and night prepared the formula by mixing the pulp of Bilva(Bael) fruit and a certain proportion of other herbs and this formula is very effective in ulcerative colitis. This medicine is proving to be a panacea in eradicating the disease ulcerative colitis from the root. He also told that most of the patients start treating ulcerative colitis as bloody piles and sometimes some doctors also start treating piles. Due to which the patient suffers a lot. He further added that he has so far treated more than twenty thousand patients of ulcerative colitis with this medicine prepared from bael pulp and other herbs. Patients are also leading a healthy life.

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Ministry of Ayush
Ayurveda

MOH approves Coronil as a supportive measure in Covid management

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma

Following the advice of a review committee set up by the AYUSH ministry, the State Licensing Authority of Uttarakhand has given a licence for Coronil tablet to be used as a supporting measure in the management of COVID-19 without claiming cure, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday.

Minister of

State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar, in a written reply, said the Interdisciplinary Technical Review Committee (ITRC) setup by the AYUSH ministry reviewed the application submitted by the Patanjali Research Foundation Trust for updating the AYUSH license for Divya Coronil tablet from immunity booster’ to medicine for COVID-19′.

The committee suggested that the tablet may be used as supporting measure in Covid management, she said.

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Giloy
Ayurveda

Giloy – Benefits and afflictions

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma

A year and a half has passed since the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe. While there seemed no possible cure for the disease and researchers intensified their search for an effective treatment and vaccine, many clinical trials were happening around the world and herbs emerged as a possible alternate treatment. Two of them include Giloy and Ashwagandha.

Giloy is a popular ayurvedic remedy for a number of health conditions including fever, infections and diabetes. However, there have been numerous debates about its benefits. While Ayurvedic doctors have claimed that the herb is not harmful, there have also been some reports claiming that giloy can lead to liver damage. A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology claimed the herb is harmful to the liver. On the other hand, the Ministry of AYUSH argued that giloy had been scientifically proven to be an effective remedy for multiple disorders.

To comprehend the facts related to the medicinal herb, we interviewed some eminent personalities from the field of gastroenterology and hepatology. An expert from the field of liver and gastroenterology suggested that alternative medications like giloy can cause some serious liver injuries. Dr. Kaushal Madaan, Head of Hepatology, Max chain of hospitals, said: “When this pandemic came, we realised that there were many patients who came to us with unexplained liver failure and liver injury and some of them had even died. Only after a few months, we realised that they were taking a concoction and the most common ingredient of that concoction in these particular patients was giloy.” He pointed out that people were consuming kadhas or concoctions, twice or thrice a day, for a year, which could have caused serious liver damage.

“Even before the pandemic started, we had been advising our patients, whether or not they have underlying liver disease, to avoid taking herbal medicines of whose ingredients we are not sure about,” Dr. Kaushal added, in the context of herbal and alternative medicines.

Alluding the fact that all medicines- allopathic, homoeopathic or ayurvedic- have their pros and cons, Dr. Sarin, Director, ILBS, said, “I can certainly say that there are certain herbs that can be harmful. There are certain preparation; unless they have published data, or they have data that they are only beneficial, just don’t take them if they have no scientific evidence.”

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healthy diet
Ayurveda

What is Prediabetes? Know about some ayurvedic tips to overcome this condition

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma

A chronic condition, diabetes is caused when the body either does not produce enough insulin, or when it is unable to effectively use the insulin produced by the pancreas. According to the World Health Organisation, diabetes is a growing challenge in India with “estimated 8.7% diabetic population in the age group of 20 and 70 years.”

But in addition to the those already having diabetes, many young Indians are also on the verge of having diabetes. As such, doctors suggest that the best way to manage the condition is by making lifestyle tweaks that include changes to ones diet and fitness routine.

“Prediabetes is a menace of modern-day sedentary lifestyle. If left unattended, the person might become diabetic,” said ayurvedic practitioner Dr Shyam VL.

What is pre-diabetes?

Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.

Causes

As per Ayurveda, ‘eating at will’ is considered the main cause of diabetes.

“Sitting in front of the TV for long hours, no physical activities, and sleeping during day time should be avoided by pre-diabetics,” Dr Shyam mentioned.

According to him, just like all other ailments, pre-diabetes can also be managed with lifestyle changes. “With healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy foods, physical activity in your daily routine and maintaining a healthy weight — you may be able to bring your blood sugar level back to normal,” he advised.

What can be done?

One should cut down on excessive sweets, junk foods, and oily foods. “Sweets, ice-creams, fruit sugar, cakes, pastries, sweet biscuits, chocolates, soft drinks, condensed milk, cream, jaggery, yogurt should be avoided,” shared Dr Shyam.

Boost your intake of vegetables and fruit with a low glycemic index and low glycemic load. “Try low-fat dairy products and beans. Choose whole grains more often. Choose poultry, and lean meat instead of fatty red meat or processed meat,” mentioned Dr Shyam.

Ayurvedic herbs that help manage pre-diabetes

Turmeric and amla

While turmeric helps in preventing insulin resistance among cells and acts as a channel opener for glucose, amla helps prevent cataracts.

Take ¼ cup fresh amla juice with half a teaspoon of turmeric powder every day or a teaspoon of amla powder with half teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed with warm water.

Fenugreek seeds

Fenugreek seeds are also known to help control blood sugar and decrease insulin resistance in mild type 2 diabetic patients.

Take 2-3 grams of soaked fenugreek seeds with your meals, a couple of times a day.

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Giloy
Ayurveda

Ayush ministry dismisses claims of liver damage linked to Ayurvedic herb ‘Giloy’

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma

The Ministry of Ayush has refuted the claims made in a study that the use of the Ayurvedic herb TinosporaCordifolia (TC), generally called Giloy or Guduchi, led to liver failure in six patients in Mumbai. 

The study, which was widely reported in the media, was published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, a peer-reviewed journal of the Indian National Association for the study of liver. 

Disputing the findings of the study, the ministry said in a statement on July 7 that it looks like the authors of the study failed to put down all essential details of the said cases in an organised pattern. 

“Apart from this, relating Giloy or TC to liver damage would be misleading and disastrous to the Traditional Medicine system of India as herb Guduchi or Giloy has been used in Ayurveda since long. The efficacy of TC in managing various disorders is well established,” it noted.

After reviewing the study, the Ayush ministry also observed that the authors of the study did not analyse the herb’s contents consumed by the patients.

“It becomes the responsibility of the authors to ascertain that the herb consumed by the patients is TC and not any other herb. To build upon the soundness, the authors would have taken the opinion of a botanist or would have consulted an Ayurveda expert,” the ministry said.

“In fact, there are many studies that point out that identifying the herb not correctly could lead to wrong results. A similar-looking herb TinosporoCrispa might have a negative effect on the liver. So, before labelling a herb such as Giloy with such toxic nature, the authors should of tried to correctly identify the plants following the standard guidelines, which they did not,” it added.

Giloy is known to have immune boosting properties and is one of the most commonly prescribed medicines in Ayurveda.

The Ayush ministry also said that the study did not take into account the large number of peer-reviewed and robust studies that validated the efficacy of T.Cordifolia and did not consult any reputed Ayurveda expert or the Ministry of Ayush on the matter. 

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International Yoga Day
Ayurveda

International Yoga Day: Build immunity against Covid through Yoga

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma

Today June 21 is International Yoga Day and Prime Minister Modi has announced the launch of the M-Yoga application, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Yoga is a discipline based on an extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. It is an art and science of healthy living. Yoga leads to a perfect harmony between mind and body, man and nature, individual consciousness and universal consciousness. That is why Yoga can be a great tool to help improve respiratory health and immunity, both of which are involved in the prevention and healing from COVID-19.

According to the Ministry of Ayush, Yoga helps to build up psycho-physiological health, emotional harmony; and manage daily stress and its consequences. Yoga is also useful in conditions where stress is believed to play a role. Various yogic practices such as Yogasanas, Pranayama, Dhyana (meditation), cleansing and relaxation practices etc. are known help modulate the physiological response to stressors. Several randomised controlled studies have shown the efficacy of Yogic practices in management of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchial asthma, diabetes, sleep disorders, depression, obesity, etc. that can be comorbid conditions in patients with COVID-19. Yoga has also been shown to be useful in vulnerable population such as the elderly and children.

Yoga may even play significant role in the psycho-social care and rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients in quarantine and isolation. It can be particularly useful in allaying their fears and anxiety.

According to Saibal Chakraborty, a Yoga consultant and expert based in Mumbai, “Yoga is very beneficial to enhance breathing capacity and increase your energy level, especially during these pandemic times. Most of the breathing exercises in Yoga help to boost your lungs without any contraindication. Different types of breathing exercises are recommended like standing, sitting, prone and supine postures. There are a number of Kriya cleansing techniques to throw out the toxins from your system. These practices are very beneficial to enhance your internal healing.”

The guided relaxation techniques, meditation and Yogic counselling also help to boost the morales of people and add the meaning of the life during these depressing times. Saibal adds that proper Yoga techniques need to be practised under the guidance of a qualified and skilled teacher who can contribute to your real progress.

Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation is one of the most important and easy to routine Yoga exercises. It is a series of 10 or 12 poses in a continuous flow, synchronising breathing with body movement. It benefits most muscles and joints. One of the best energisation techniques, it must be practised early in the morning. It also improves spinal flexibility and results in improved immunity.

Ministry of Ayush’s guidelines recommend practice of deep relaxation of the body, slowing down of the breathing rate and calming down of the mind for twenty minutes repeated once every 3-4 hours during the day time using audio instructions. Some examples include: mindfulness meditation, transcendental meditation, yoga nidra, progressive relaxation, quick relaxation, deep relaxation etc.

Saibal adds, “For practising Yoga, choose a place that is well ventilated and quite. The best time for Yoga practice is early morning or evening. Preferably on empty stomach or with a gap of three hours after lunch.”

Some important Yoga exercises to build immunity:

  • Shodhana Kriya (Yogic cleansing practices): Jalaneti, Sutra Neti

Neti helps in cleansing sinuses, beneficial in allergic conditions and reduces upper airway reactivity

  • Breathing & Pranayama (Sectional breathing): Nadishodhana, Ujjayi and Bhramari

Nadishodhan pranayama reduces the sympathetic activity and stimulate vagal (parasympathetic) activity and decreases stress and anxiety. Ujjayi increase the oxygen saturation in body. Bhramari pranayama similar to humming may increase Nasal Nitric Oxide (NO), which may improve blood flow to the ciliary epithelium and has anti-inflammatory action.

  • Yoga Nidra: Pratyaahara

Reduces emotional distress and improves quality of sleep. Rejuvenates the body and helps to keep the mind calm.

  • Meditative practices (Breath awareness): Dharana & Dhyana

Meditation helps to reduces anxiety and stress by reducing the cortisol level and enhancing the alpha brain wave. Makes the body stable and calms the mind. Balances the functions of the neuroendocrine system and thereby enhances the immune system.

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Ministry of Ayush
AyurvedaPharma News

NMPB and CSIR-NBRI sign MoU for promoting cultivation and production of medicinal plants

by Vaishali Sharma
written by Vaishali Sharma

The National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 4th June, 2021 to extend joint collaborative efforts for boosting the cultivation and production of medicinal plants and herbs in India, the Ministry of AYUSH has said.

In a statement, the ministry said, “The MoU will facilitate the development of Quality Planting Material (QPM) of medicinal plants and herbs identified by NMPB, help in the establishment of their nurseries for QPM, development, promotion, conservation and cultivation of the appropriate medicinal plants in different agro-climatic zones, including the threatened medicinal plant species and plants for the high-altitude regions.”

It added, “Through this collaboration, NMPB will support CSIR-NBRI in carrying out the potential medicinal plant species with high commercial value for germplasm collection/conservation and establishment of nursery and seed banks/gene banks.”

It also stated that NBRI, while undertaking the survey of medicinal plants, will work in coherence with NMPB in the desired direction. The outreaches of NMPB and its implementing agencies like State Medicinal Plants Boards (SMPBs) and regional-cum-facilitation centres will work together under the ambit of this MoU.

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