This paper presents what we have learned from the Ashtavaidya Ayurveda physicians of Kerala regarding the status of their unique medical tradition of Ayurveda in the contemporary context. We extensively interviewed several practicing Ashtavaidyas for the "Living History of Indian Scientific Traditions" archive, a new initiative at the NCBS, Bangalore to study the history of Indian sciences. As ...

The non-medical literature and epigraphical and archaeological sources provide, though rarely, valuable information pertaining to history of medicine. Only limited efforts have been made either by the historians or by the scholar-physicians to study the non-medical literature, epigraphical and archaeological sources with a medico-historical view. The scholar-physicians of Ayurveda in India did ...

ing." The following are the personal impressions of the writer who is not a kabiraj but a practitioner of Western medicine, from his study of Ayurvedic books :? The Ayurvedic System of Medicine.?Anatomy, physiology, chemistry, botany, pathology, bacteriology, surgery, midwifery, hygiene and jurisprudence?in all these departments the modern Western system is decidedly superior. There remain the ...

OBJECTIVE To characterize Ayurvedic perspectives on the etiopathogenesis and supportive treatments for a biomedical diagnosis of cancer. METHODS Hour-long, digitally recorded interviews were conducted with 10 experienced Ayurvedic clinicians, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using techniques of qualitative thematic analysis. RESULTS Four major themes were identified. The Ayurvedic descrip...

Gandoosh and Kavalu are two therapeutic measures described in Ayurveda. The sailent features of these measures are described in this article.

The erudite author makes an attempt in this article to trace the historical developments of Ayurveda. He also identifies the divergent views which made their appearance on the scene, thus highlighting the flexibility and adaptability of the system to ever changing circumstances.

The author highlights in this paper the differences between Ayurveda and Western medicine in the approach to healing process. Also the paper examines relevance of Ayurveda to the present day life style and thus, makes a critical study of both medical systems quoting references from various modern authors.

Method of theorization (Tantra Yukti-s given in Ayurvedic texts) is analyzed in the backdrop of scientific method. Thirty six methodic devices are singled out from texts for analysis in terms of truth specific, theory specific and discourse specific issues. The paper also points out exact problems in conception of method in Ayurveda and Science.

The author discusses in this paper the trajection called 'Punsavana' or Ayurvedic science in detail asserted by various authors of Ayurveda to have a son or a daughter at will.

In basic Ayurveda texts, Susruta, Caraka and Vagbhata, some quite specific Salts (Lavanam) have been described and their properties and actions are enumerated. By comparing those accounts with the present methods of preparation, conclusions have been made and evidently spurious methods are pointed out. The reported properties of Saindhava, Samudra, Vida, Sauvarcha, Romaka, Audbhida, Gutika, the...