Systematic Review: Comparing Traditional and Modern Ayurvedic Methods

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Systematic Review: Comparing Traditional and Modern Ayurvedic Methods”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Drug:
In Ayurveda, a drug refers to substances prepared from medicinal plants used to treat various ailments. The traditional methods of preparing these drugs include processes like boiling, filtration, and fermentation, often transformed into modern dosage forms for easier consumption.

2) Medicine:
Ayurvedic medicine involves the use of plant-based materials in various forms like Swarasa, Kwatha, and Sneha. These medicines are designed to address health concerns based on ancient principles, often validated through modern scientific methods for improved efficacy.

3) Phanta (Phamta):
Phanta is an Ayurvedic drug preparation method where herbs are immersed in hot water, allowed to steep until lukewarm, and then filtered. This technique primarily uses the volatility and adsorption principles for extracting medicinal components from the plant material.

4) Sneha:
Sneha refers to medicated oils or ghee preparations in Ayurveda. These are made by cooking primary drugs in ghee or oil, which are then filtered to create potent oil-based medicinal forms that are used both for internal consumption and external application.

5) Sandhana (Samdhana):
Sandhana is a fermentation process in Ayurvedic medicine preparation involving Ayurvedic drugs and decoctions with fermentation catalysts like Madhuka flowers. The sealed mixture undergoes fermentation, producing a liquid that is then filtered for therapeutic use.

6) Hima:
Hima is an Ayurvedic extraction technique where herbs are immersed in cold water and stirred continuously. This method avoids the use of heat, thus preserving volatile components, with the resultant liquid being filtered for consumption.

7) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian holistic healing system that employs a range of medicinal plants and treatment methods. Ayurvedic practices are deeply rooted in the principles of balancing bodily humors and utilizing plant-based substances processed through traditional and modern methods.

8) Kalka:
Kalka is a primary dosage form in Ayurveda where medicinal plants are mashed into a paste. Traditionally, fresh herbs may be used directly or dried herbs could be mixed with water before mashing. This preparation is foundational for several other Ayurvedic medicines.

9) Avaleha:
Avaleha is a secondary dosage form in Ayurveda involving the cooking of primary drugs with additives in water or oil until a thick consistency is achieved. It acts as a carrier for various herbs and enhances their shelf life and therapeutic properties.

10) Vati:
Vati refers to Ayurvedic pills made by heating Ayurvedic substances with solvents like water, jaggery, and cow's urine until thickened. The mixture is then rolled into pills, providing a convenient dosage form with extended shelf life.

11) Ghi (Ghee):
In Ayurveda, ghee (clarified butter) is often used as a base in Sneha preparations due to its ability to absorb and carry the medicinal properties of herbs. It plays a crucial role in enhancing the potency and delivery of Ayurvedic medicines.

12) Garbhashaya (Garbhasaya, Garbha-ashaya):
[see source text or glossary: Garbhasaya]

13) Bhaishajya (Bhaisajya):
Bhaishajya refers to medicinal formulations in Ayurveda. It involves the knowledge and practice of pharmacological principles in preparing, storing, and administering Ayurvedic medicines to ensure their efficacy and safety.

14) Science (Scientific):
Scientific methods are being integrated into Ayurvedic practices to validate traditional medicinal processes and improve drug efficacy. This involves correlating Ayurvedic preparation techniques with modern biopharmaceutical methods for broader acceptance and better healthcare outcomes.

15) Substance:
Substances used in Ayurvedic medicine preparation include plant materials that undergo processes like drying, powdering, and extraction. These substances are selected based on their medicinal properties and combined to create effective treatments for various ailments.

16) Kalpana:
Kalpana refers to the creative processes involved in formulating Ayurvedic medicines. Techniques like Swarasa, Kalka, Kwatha, and others form the basis of preparing and prescribing effective Ayurvedic treatments using plant-based ingredients.

17) Anjali (Amjali):
[see source text or glossary: Anjali]

18) Khatri:
[see source text or glossary: Khatri]

19) Vrana:
[see source text or glossary: Vrana]

20) Kumar:
[see source text or glossary: Kumar]

21) Food:
Ayurvedic medicine often integrates principles from food processing to enhance drug preparation and effectiveness. Techniques adapted from the food industry have been instrumental in scaling up the production of Ayurvedic medicines while maintaining their quality.

22) Rasashastra (Rasa-shastra, Rasasastra):
Rasashastra is the Ayurvedic science of alchemy and metallurgy, focusing on the preparation of mineral and metal-based medicines. This discipline combines traditional practices with contemporary techniques to create potent therapeutic agents.

23) Madhuka:
Madhuka flowers (Madhuca longifolia) are used in the Ayurvedic Sandhana Kalpana process for fermentation. These flowers help in converting plant extracts into more bioavailable forms, enhancing the therapeutic effects of the resultant medicine.

24) Disease:
Ayurvedic medicine aims to treat various diseases by restoring balance in the body using plant-based preparations. Techniques like drug extraction and separation target specific ailments, from chronic conditions like diabetes to everyday health issues.

25) Nature:
Ayurvedic principles focus on using natural substances from plants to treat health issues. Understanding the nature of these substances and their processing can lead to improvements in treatment efficacy and patient well-being.

26) Shalakyatantra (Salakyatantra, Shalakya-tantra, Shalakyatamtra):
[see source text or glossary: Shalakya-tantra]

27) Pharmacological:
Pharmacological principles are applied in Ayurveda to understand the processes and effects of medicinal plant extracts. This helps in developing more effective treatments and aligning traditional practices with modern scientific approaches.

28) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology in Ayurveda involves studying the medicinal properties of plants and how they interact with the body. Research in this field aims to validate and enhance the efficacy of traditional Ayurvedic medicines using scientific methods.

29) Dhanvantari (Dhanvamtari):
Dhanvantari is a deity in Ayurveda, often regarded as the divine physician. The principles and practices attributed to Dhanvantari form the foundation of Ayurvedic medicine, emphasizing the holistic treatment of diseases using natural substances.

30) Discussion:
The discussion in Ayurvedic research explores the integration of traditional methods with modern scientific principles to enhance drug preparation and efficacy. It aims to identify correlations that can improve both the scalability and effectiveness of Ayurvedic medicines.

31) Faridpur:
[see source text or glossary: Faridpur]

32) Putapaka (Puta-paka):
Putapaka is a pre-extraction processing technique in Ayurveda where herbs are wrapped in leaves, covered with clay, and heated over fire. This method helps in the extraction of herbal juices, making them easier to process into medicines.

33) Mahatman (Mahatma, Maha-atman):
[see source text or glossary: Mahatma]

34) Jaggery:
Jaggery, a traditional unrefined sugar, is used in some Ayurvedic preparation methods like Vati. It acts as a binder and enhances the palatability and potency of the medicine while retaining its therapeutic properties.

35) Tantra (Tamtra, Tantrism):
[see source text or glossary: Tantra]

36) Ghrita (Ghrta):
Ghrita (medicated ghee) is a form of Sneha used in Ayurvedic medicine. It involves cooking herbs in ghee to extract their therapeutic properties, resulting in a preparation that is easily absorbable and highly potent.

37) Vaidya:
A Vaidya is a practitioner of Ayurveda, skilled in diagnosing and treating ailments using traditional methods. They rely on a deep understanding of Ayurvedic texts and principles to prepare and prescribe effective plant-based medicines.

38) Maurya:
[see source text or glossary: Maurya]

39) Family:
[see source text or glossary: Family]

40) Cancer:
Ayurvedic treatments for cancer involve using plant-based medicines prepared through traditional and modern methods. These treatments aim to restore balance in the body and often complement conventional therapies.

41) Sharman (Sarma, Sharma, Sarman):
[see source text or glossary: Sharma]

42) Powder:
In Ayurveda, powders (Churna) are prepared by drying and finely grinding medicinal plants. These powders are used in various formulations, either alone or combined with other ingredients, to treat different health conditions.

43) Indian:
Indian traditional medicine, Ayurveda, utilizes a variety of plant-based substances prepared through methods like extraction and separation. These age-old practices are being validated and integrated with modern scientific principles for wider acceptance.

44) Taila (Thaila):
Taila, referring to medicinal oils in Ayurveda, is prepared by cooking herbs in oil. This method ensures the extraction of fat-soluble medicinal compounds, resulting in potent oils used for both internal and external applications.

45) Asava (Ashava):
Asava refers to Ayurvedic fermented preparations. These are made by fermenting herbal extracts in a mixture with natural sugars and yeast, resulting in a potent liquid medicine that has enhanced bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.

46) India:
India is the birthplace of Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine that employs plant-based drugs and holistic healing principles. Modern research aims to validate and update these ancient techniques for broader global usage.

47) Ayus (Ayush):
AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy - the traditional systems of medicine in India. The integration of these methods with modern scientific research aims to enhance their efficacy and acceptance.

48) Kayam:
In modern Ayurvedic pharmacies, drugs known as Kayam are often processed into freeze-dried or vacuum-dried powders, or tablet form. This modern approach improves the shelf life and ease of administration for traditional medicines.

49) Arka:
Arka is a distillation technique in Ayurveda used to prepare potent medicinal liquids by boiling herbs and condensing the vapors. This method captures the volatile components of the herb, creating a concentrated and effective remedy.

50) Shala (Sala):
Arya Vaidya Sala is one of the significant institutions in India, pioneering the industrialization and modernization of Ayurvedic medicine. The Sala has greatly contributed to scaling up the production and scientific validation of traditional medicines.

51) Arya:
[see source text or glossary: Arya]

52) Rani:
[see source text or glossary: Rani]

53) Leha:
Leha refers to thick herbal pastes in Ayurveda created by cooking primary drugs with jaggery, honey, or other sweeteners. These preparations have a longer shelf life and are used to deliver the therapeutic benefits of herbs more effectively.

54) Fire:
Fire is used in various Ayurvedic preparation methods such as Kwatha and Putapaka. It helps in extracting the medicinal properties from herbs by either boiling them or through dry heating, making these compounds more accessible for use.

55) Milk:
Milk is often used as a medium in Ayurvedic drug preparation methods like Kwatha. It acts as a solvent that can extract fat-soluble medicinal compounds, enhancing the bioavailability and potency of the resultant medicine.