Several arguments have been forwarded for the stagnation of Ayurveda, and most of these focus on the discrimination that Ayurveda faces under Mughal and then under British rule. Even for Ancient India, the halcyon portrait of Ayurveda synergetically related with religion and politics during the period, as has been portrayed in many books of history and in countless lores, is false. This paper then deals with the interaction between the State and Ayurvedic medicine in ancient India.

In this paper the author discusses how the secret of life was taken care of by our ancients. The contribution of modern research scholars in this fields are also summed up here.

35 patients of Maturity onset diabetes mellitus having the complaints of polyurea polydypsia and polyphagia etc. have been selected. For the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus the fasting and 1st hour and 2nd hour post parandial blood sugar were estimated. Patients were classified into two groups. 20 patients were treated with powder of C. Tamal leaves in the dose of 2 TSF T. D. S. and 15 patients were treated with Inula racemosa in the dose of 1 TSF T. D. S. for the period of three months. The response was estimated on the parameter of Joslin's Clinica in C. Tamal group 50% cases were in good control. 33.33% were in fair control and 16.67% cases were in poor control. Inula racemosa treated group 100% cases were in good control. Thus it can be inferred that both of the drugs are useful in the treatment of Diabetes mellitus of Maturity onset. However, the response of Inula racemosa is better as compared to C. Tamala.

"777 oil" is a coded drug of the Siddha system of medicine prescribed in Psoriasis. Sunlight plays an important role in the preparation of the drug as well as in the treatment of the cases. In vitro studies carried out with the drug exposed to sunlight for four hours showed an increase in acid and iodine values. The visible spectrum was changed in shape at the wave length 480 to 580 mm. The thin layer chromtographs employing different solvent systems did not show any difference. The drug resolved in to two to three spots in these solvents and did not indicate any response of the drug to insulation.

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian "Science of Life" and age - old traditional medical science of India, has a recorded history of more than 2000 years. During this period certain changes and developments occurred in the conceptual framework of this science as well as in the political, socio - economic, and religion contexts in which Ayurvedic science must be seen. In his historical process one observes a continuous systematization, diversification, and specialization of the science. Yet, among the central concerns of Ayurveda has always been promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of disease. Especially on the first topic one finds beautiful expositions in the early samhitas of Ayurvedic writing. But there is hardly any further elaboration on this subject in the later literature and until today. "It's all been said in Caraka". As the importance of health promotion and prevention medicine for comprehensive health care is now recognised, what is required today are not flat statements such as "Ayurveda is prevention in itself" but a critical assessment of the respective issues of Ayurvedic or any other old tradtion with a view to their relevance today, with a clear sigth of their limitations, and without loosing out of sight the ways and means required for their implementations.

Here, an attempt is made to study the clinical aspect of Kalanchoe spathulata Dc. It has been observed that would heals rapidly leaving no scar. The study clearly validates the ancient concept of Ayurveda, that without taking the help of surgery, there are several medicinal plants which may cure diseases very well.

Cardiospermum halicacabum used in Ayurveda has been investigated for various pharmacological actions in a number of experimental animal models. On central nervous system the decoction of the plant showed sedative effect. It exhibited significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The drug also showed vasadepressant activity which is considered to be transcient in nature. In vitro studies also revealed its antispasmodic effect. These findigns are in support of its use in Ayurvedic medicine.

'HAB-E-BUKHAR' - a compound drug formulation in Unani System of medicine has been analysed. The microscopic method of identification of few of its ingredients (Sath-e-gulu, Thabasheer); Quantitative analysis of Quinine sulphate, other physio-chemical contents and the T.L.C. of the drug have also been reported here.

This article deals with the history, names and uses of the garden cress in Indian Medicine.

Vanga bhasma, a popular Ayurvedic Medicine is prepared from Tin metal. This drug is claimed to have 'Sukrala' (Semenaugmentator), 'vrsya' (good for testis) properties in the literature and is widely in vogue for genito - urinary disorders in Ayurvedic practice. An experimental evaluation of the claim has been undertaken and the results have been presented in this paper. The drug in reference is found to have testicular regenerative potential on cadmium induced testicular degeneration in albino tats, when administered orally. This effect on 'Sukravaha Srotomula' (testis) appears to corroborate "Sukrala" and "Vrsya" properties attributed to the drug in Ayuredic literature.

The Ayurvedic materia medica is based upto 500 to 600 plant drugs. The number of these drugs are dwindling rapidly due to several natural and man made factors with the result the physicians are uanble to get the required drug or the required quantity of the drug. This ultimately results in the gradual death of the entire system. In order to overcome this alarming problem and to provide a permanent solution, various aspects like new or alternate sources for the drugs, exploitation of crude drug market sources, ethnobotanical data and cultivation and germ plasm are discussed in detail.

Ayurveda has a long history of being enriched by different types of contributions from different stages befitting their geographical, climatic and cultural situations, and based on their thinking and living patterns, especially the practical aspects. Kerala has its own great role in this prcess of enrichment. It is unique and invaluable. The historical aspects the literary contributions by Kerala to the Ayurvedic system, the traditional and special treatments of Kerala etc., are discussed in this paper.

An experiment to study the effect of inter and intra row spacing on the yielding performance of periwinkle species was conducted at Nagarjun Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Scheme, P. K. V., Akola (M. S.) during 1980 - 81 to 82 - 83. Three species viz., Catharanthus roseus, Catharanthus alba and Catharanthus oscillatus did not differ significantly in respect of dried foliage and root yields. Inter and intra row spacing of 30 and 20 cm. respectively produced the highest foliage and root yields.

Kesar has been an important ingredient of the recipes of our ancient physicians in the field of Indian systems of medicine and its cultivation is a monopoly of Jammu and Kashmir. This paper presents in detail the historical review, botanical description, vernacular names, distribution in India and world, cultivation, collection, preservation and storage, adulterants, purity tests, chemical composition, action and uses, folk - lore claims and markets with special reference to its medicinal utility.