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Herbal Medicines
Ayur means life and Veda means Science, so Ayurveda is the science of life. Ayurveda is the ancient medical science from Indian and are taken from the ancient books of knowledge contain practical and scientific information on various subjects beneficial to the humanity including health, philosophy, engineering, astrology etc.
As a traditional medicine, many Ayurveda products have not been tested in rigorous scientific studies and clinical trials. In India, research in Ayurveda is largely undertaken by the statutory body of the Central Government, the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS), through a national network of research institutes. A review of Ayurveda and cardiovascular disease concluded that the spices are appropriate, some herbs are promising, and yoga is also a promising complementary treatment.
Scientific evidence
Research suggests that Terminalia arjuna is useful in alleviating the pain of angina pectoris and in treating heart failure and coronary artery disease.
Terminalia may also be useful in treating hypercholesterolemia
Some ayurvedic products, mainly herbs used for phytotherapy, have been tested with promising results.
Turmeric and its derivative curcumin appear to have beneficial properties.
Tinspora cordifolia has been tested.
Medhya rasayanas (intellect rejuvenation), two varieties of Salvia have been tested in small trials; one trial provided evidence that Salvia lavandulifolia (Spanish sage) may improve word recall in young adults, and another provided evidence that Salvia officinalis (Common sage) may improve symptoms in Alzheimer's patients.
In some cases Ayurvedic medicine may provide clues to therapeutic compounds. For example, derivatives of snake venom have various therapeutic properties.
Many plants used as rasayana (rejuvenation) medications are potent antioxidants.
Neem appears to have beneficial pharmacological properties as well.
Azadirachta indica—believed to have immunopotentiating abilities and used often as an anti-infective—has been found to enhance the production of IL-2 and increase immunity in human volunteers by boosting lymphocyte and T-cell count in three weeks.
Black pepper and long pepper are combined with ginger to form the traditional trikatu mixture in Ayurveda. This mixture increases appetite, promotes the secretion of digestive juices, and cures certain gastric disorders—particularly Achlorhydria and Hypochlorhydria.
Mitra & Rangesh hold that cardamom and cinnamon are believed to stimulate digestive enzymes that break down polymeric macromolecules in the human body.
Research suggests that Terminalia arjuna is useful in alleviating the pain of angina pectoris and in treating heart failure and coronary artery disease. Terminalia arjuna may also be useful in treating hypercholesterolemia.
Azadirachta indica is believed to have immunopotentiating abilities and is used often as an anti-infective. It has been found to enhance the production of IL-2 and increase immunity in human volunteers by boosting lymphocyte and T-cell count in three weeks. Both black pepper and long pepper find application in Ayurvedic medicine in conjunction with ginger to form trikatu—a traditional mixture.
Trikatu has been suggested to increase appetite, promote the secretion of digestive juices, and cure certain gastric disorders—particularly achlorhydria and hypochlorhydria.
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