The theory of Ayurveda rests on the concepts of matter, vital principle, mind, and pure consciousness. It is a holistic theory of medicine, which aims at restoration of physical and mental health, and spiritual well-being in a sick person, so that he may self-actualize himself, and eventually, realize his nature as pure consciousness. Modern Western medicine tries to reduce consciousness, and vital principle to biochemical entities. It is a value-neutral science, and considers the aim of therapy as removal of pathological symptoms. Its theoretical position is weak. Interface between medical and value science is urgently needed.

Tantra and Ayurveda are interrelated, particularly during medieval period, Tantra had great impact on the theory and practice of Ayurveda. Hitherto this aspect of history is not sufficiently explored. In this paper, influence of Tantra on Sarngadhara, a representative author of the medieval period, has been vividly brought out.

The author scans in this paper the drug classification of Ayurvedic science grouped under two distinct heads of Botanical and therapeutic planes with modern equivalents. Also he throws some light on grouping of drugs done by Caraka the author of Caraka Samhita with special references to anti-inflammatory, Anti-haemorridal and Anti-asthmatic Dasemani drugs.

In this sample study the authors report the efficacy of an Ayurvedic compound drug administered in Children under 2 years age suffering from non specific infantile diarrhoea.

Kattusirakam or Vanajira is an important fruit drug in Siddha and Ayurveda systems of Medicine. The market sample of Madras has been identified in our laboratory as the fruits, commonly known as seeds of Centratherum anthelminticum (Willd) Kuntz. (Syn. Veronia anthelmintica Willd) of the family Compositate. The morphology, anatomy, fluorescence analysis and chemical characters of the drug are dealt with here.

The plant Dugdhika belongs to the family Euphorbeaceae and is found all over India up to the height of 6000 ft. Various workers have proved it beneficial for the treatment of Bronchial asthma, on the basis of their clinical and experimental studies conducted on the mixture of two plants i.e. Euphorbia thymifolia Linn and Euphorbia prostrate W. Ait, taken by the name of Dugdhika. Again, both the plant species have two ecotypes - Red & Green. The present study has been exclusively conducted on the red ecotype of E. Prostrata W. Ait. The paper deals with certain experimental studies on water soluble fraction of total alcoholic extract of the plant, to evaluate its efficacy and the mode of action in the treatment of Bronchial asthma. The study reveals that the drug causes relaxation of smooth muscles by virtue of which the spasm of Bronchial muscles during an acute attack of bronchial asthma, is relieved and thus exhibits its beneficial effect.

A suggestion was made recently that the account of dissection of the cadaver present in Susruta Samhita is probably not in the true tradition of Ayurveda and the art of dissection itself is presumably of the Greek origin. By a closer scrutiny of the Text and its internal evidence, it has been shown here that this contention is likely to be not only incorrect but also unwarranted. In this connection a rather new perspective, which may probably be better than usual to evaluate the Samita itself is posited.

In the present study the efficacy of arkas (water distillate) and essential oils of cinnamon and clove is evaluated as a preservative for kwathas. Arkas and essential oils of cinnamon and clove have good preservative property without altering the physico - chemical properties of kwatha.

Specific features of Soma plant are implict from various references in Rigveda enabling its identity as ephedra. Its juice is an energizer - cum - euphoriant contrary to the intoxicant sura. Sura is beer prepared from barely malt. Soma is the juice of ephedra rich in ephedrine which is antisomnalent. At least one use of soma has never been substituted, as the drink of longevity for a newly born child.

Three new immigrant species of Spilanthes Jacq. (Asteraceae) is described for the first time from India. Their current nomenclature and an artificial key for the identification of the 5 Indian species are provided. The identity of the commonly used 'tooth-ache' plant is also discussed.