Alok Singh Sengar’s research while affiliated with Government Ayurvedic Medical College, Bangalore and other places

With the fourth year of the pandemic under its belt, the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) disease is no longer deemed a public health emergency, but rather a persistent health issue. COVID-19 is one among the many diseases caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. Two waves of COVID-19 infections have recently emerged in India, with 2.8 million confirmed cases and 1,95,123 fatalities as of April 26, 2021. Typically, individuals have symptoms such as fever, dry cough, and malaise, which usually subside within a few days. However, in rare instances, these symptoms can escalate to respiratory distress, organ failure, and ultimately death. According to the World Health Organization, pregnant women are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and may experience more severe symptoms than the general population. This is owing to their adaptive physiological changes and weakened immunological condition. Additionally, there is an elevated risk of premature delivery. Susceptible populations require special attention, efforts, and care to protect them from the coronavirus. No specific drug has been discovered for pregnant women (COVID-19) to date. Thus, preventive actions are the primary focus worldwide. Considering the current COVID-19 crisis, strengthening one's immune system is very crucial, and in recent weeks, there has been much interest in Ayush practices that boost immunity. This article describes numerous Rasayana medicines, both single and compound, as well as preventive measures. This study primarily aims to understand the Ayurvedic perspective of COVID-19 during pregnancy and to offer Ayurvedic measures for immune regulation, health promotion, and prevention. By adopting Ayurvedic measures, the immunity of pregnant women can be enhanced, and COVID-19 will be prevented well, which will lessen the burden of the disease worldwide.

Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) consists of lichenified scaly plaque due to chronic scratching. The available conventional treatments are various topical antipruritic agents and corticosteroids, which are associated with high rates of treatment failure and complications because trans-epidermal drug absorption is limited. LSC manifests as a significant challenge to a physician due to persistent itching and therapeutic resistance. In Ayurveda, this condition has a close resemblance to Vicharchika. Vicharchika is a type of Kshudra kustha with dominancy of Kapha dosha characterized by redness, itching, pain, cracks, and dryness. In this case report, a 48 year old female reported complaints of multiple black-colored patches on the dorsum surface of bilateral feet with severe itching for 6 years. Local examination revealed lichenified hyperpigmented plaques with erythematous bases and well-defined edges covered by white scales with central excoriation. Plaques were found bilaterally over the dorsum of feet and malleolus. Based on symptoms and signs, the case of LSC was diagnosed. This case was managed effectively with Ayurvedic internal medications such as Arogyavardhini Vati, Kaishore Guggulu, Nishaamlaki Vati, Triphala churna, Khadirarishta, and local application of Brihat Marichyadi oil and Sudha Gandhak. The outcome assessment was based on improvement in the size of skin patches, hyperpigmentation, thickening, and itching. Complete improvement has been observed in symptoms after 4 months of regular treatment. No adverse effect pertaining to the prescribed drug was reported during the study period. Ayurvedic medicines offer a good approach to managing LSC.

Chronic pancreatitis progressively damages the pancreas and results in the loss of its function. Constant and disabling pain or pain in the form of recurrent attacks of pancreatitis is usually the main symptom. The available conventional treatments may provide temporary pain relief and manage the complications but cannot arrest the progression of the disease. In the early stages of illness, its diagnosis remains challenging and therapeutic challenges are faced by clinicians due to its development into adenocarcinoma and if it is not treated early, resulting in steatorrhea, diabetes, local complications, and associated psychosocial issues. In Ayurveda, this disorder can be correlated with Grahaṇi (~derangement of Agni situated in Grahaṇi) and is clinically characterized by indigestion, decreased appetite, pain in the abdomen, and nausea caused by Agnisada (~diminution of digestive power). The principle of treatment is Vata pitta shamaka-kriya (~remedies which balance the Vata and Pitta dosha), Mriduvirechana (~ mild purgation), and use of Yakrutottejaka (~hepatostimulant), Pramehaghna (~pancreas protective), and Rasayana (~rejuvenating) formulations. In this case report, a 30-year-old female patient, a known case of chronic pancreatitis with recurrent abdominal pain for the last 2½ years, was managed effectively with Ayurvedic medications. The outcome assessment was based on the changes in the visual analog scale, the need for analgesics, improvement in appetite, digestion, and hemoglobin level, restoration of serum lipase level, and changes observed in symptoms after 42 days of treatment. Recurrence of pain was not observed during the follow-up period. The case infers that Ayurvedic medicines can offer an excellent approach to the management of pancreatitis.

Fungal infections are quite common in day-to-day practice. The available conventional treatments include various topical and systemic anti-pruritic and anti-fungal agents which are associated with high rates of treatment failure and adverse effects. Fungal infections manifest a great challenge to clinicians due to higher rate of recurrences and if not treated early, can lead to the development of more extensive diseases. In Ayurveda, this condition has resemblance with Dadru kustha. The characteristics of Dadru kustha are circumscribed erythematous, scaly plaques due to dematophytes infection. It is a type of Kshudra kushta, tridosaja vyadhi with dominance of pitta and kapha dosha, having characteristic features such as presence of utsanna mandal (elevated circular skin lesion), kandu (itching), raga (erythyma), and pidaka (eruptions). In this case report, a 62-year old male patient suffering from tinea corporis on and off for one year was treated effectively with Ayurvedic medicines. Significant changes were observed in the skin lesion and in the patient symptoms after 42 days of regular treatment. Post-treatment follow-up after 1 month did not reveal any signs of recurrences of lesions. Ayurvedic medicines offer an effective approach to manage tinea corporis.

A urinary tract infection is the most common bacterial infection met in day to day practice. It is more common in females than males due to shorter urethra which allows the bacteria quick access to the bladder. In Ayurveda symptoms of UTI has close resemblance with Mutrakruchha. Acharya Charaka has described eight types of Mutrakrichha. In Mutrakrichha, the vitiated Pitta dosha along with Apana Vayu reaches the Vasti (bladder) and afflicts the Mutravaha Srotas due to which the patient feels painful and burning micturition. In this case report a 45 years old female patient presenting with symptoms of urinary urgency, increased frequency and burning micturition on and off since 10 years was diagnosed as a case of recurrent UTI, managed effectively with chandraprabha vati, gokshuradi guggulu shwetparpati for 21days and uttarbasti procedure for 3days. The assessment were done before and after treatment showed significant changes in sign, symptoms and urine examination report. No recurrence of UTI was noticed in follow up visit. Ayurvedic management offers a good approach to manage Mutrakrichha.

Background: Corona virus infection caused by a novel corona virus is an ongoing pandemic affecting whole country. The disease has spread globally affecting 213 countries with 7.06 million corona virus cases and 1, 09,856 deaths as of 13th October 2020. In most cases the symptoms are fever, dry cough, fatigue which resolves in few days, but in few cases, it progressed gradually into respiratory distress, multiple organ failure and death. Nowadays numerous efforts on researches are being ongoing to develop vaccines and effective medicines for the disease, but till date no specific treatment or vaccine is available. Whole world is focusing on preventive measures. The old adage ''prevention is better than cure'' has become all the more relevant. Enhancing the body's natural defense system is particularly important in the covid19 situation and there has been tremendous interest in last few weeks in AYUSH practices that increases immunity. Many single drugs and compound formulation have been mentioned in Ayurvedic text as rasayan. It will be good for us if we adopt Ayurveda rasayan as a preventive measure, which helps to boost our immunity in present times. Objectives: The main aim of this study is to review ancient's classical and recent modern literature and journal for understanding the Ayurvedic perspective of disease and to provide prevention, health promotion, and immune-modulation by Ayurveda rasayan in covid-19. Methods: Classical Ayurveda, recent modern literature, relevant journals reviewed. Literature related to the title has been explored, rationality and evidences are studied and conclusion has been drawn. Conclusion: Ayurveda Rasayan may help in boosting of our immunity and thereby promoting the health of individual or public, which is the ultimate requirement in prevention of COVID-19. The beneficial actions of Rasayan have been proven scientifically through clinical and experimental studies, which potentially will help in reducing the disease burden.

Sthanika chikitsa or Local treatment plays very crucial role in the management of various gynaecological disorders. In classics, various local therapeutic measures have been described for Yonivyapadas. In Ayurveda there are various forms of local treatments such as Yoni Pichu, Yoni Dhupana, Yoni Dhavana, Yonilepana, YoniVarti, Kshar Karma and Agnikarma have been mentioned for the management of various gynaecological and obstetrical disorders. Although it is more of local treatment but its effect is systemic too and capable of preventing complications of diseases. Yoni Pichu is one of the types of sthanika chikitsa where sterile medicated pichu is kept inside the vagina for a specific period of time. In this article Yoni Pichu chikitsa reviewed through ayurvedic classics with its concept, procedure, probable mode of action and uses.