This study attempts to describe the basic ayurvedic theory of tridosha (three humour theory) vividly here.

This paper is the first attempt in introducing the medicinal importance of gems as found in the Sanskrit text 'Rasaratnasamuccaya', which has been rendered an English translation here. The modern physicians and gemologists will find this study quite useful in continuing research and, thus, develop a new field of gem medicine.

This communication deals with the detailed pharmacognostical aspects of commiphora mukul leaves which include morphological and anatomical characters and preliminary phytochemical analysis of the leaves. The microscopical characters of leaf powder are also reported with its salient features. The fluorescent behaviour of powdered drugs with some chemical reagents is also examined.

"Panchakavvyam", an indigenous preparation, has been referred to in ancient vedic literature of India, as having anticarcinogenic influence to the system, suffering from cancer. The levels of the marker enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phospeatase in serum and glycoprotein levels in plasma are analysed. They are significantly reduced in the drug treated group, suggesting that this drug may have anticarcinogenic properties. Histopathological observations made on the tumor tissue of the drug-treated animals and the untreated ones, attribute concrete evidence to our inference, explaining more clearly, the observations made on the enzyme levels.

An attempt has been made in this paper to disseminate the formation of basic knowledge of bacteriology in ancient India. In the aetiology of many diseases microbial relation plays a role which was realized by the modern medicine only a century ago.

Helminthic infections are now being recognized as the cause of much chronic ill health and sluggishness among the tropical people. More than half of the world populations suffers from worm infections of one type or the other. Traditional system of medicine reports the efficacy of chenopodiul oil, Embelia ribes (Via-Varang), Trachyspermum ammi Ajwain and Biper betle (Pan) oils etc. for eliminating helminthes. The present study reports the strong anthelmintic activity of the essential oil of Artemisia pallens Wall. Against Pheritima posthuma (earth worm), Taenia solium (tape worm) and Ascaris lumbricoides (round worm). The helminthes have been found to be more susceptible to the oil than to piperazine phosphate of similar concentration. Artemisia pallens has been ascribed to possess anthelmintic and stomachic properties in indigenous system of medicine. The present screening not only confirms the correct usage of the plant by the rurals but also enhances the creditability of ethnobotanical explorations.

Two commercial samples of saffron were analysed for moisture and ash contents, solubility in water, action with sulphuric acid, presence of foreign dyes and colour intensity of water soluble solution. The moisture content in Laccha was 12.7% while it was 11% in Mogra. The ash was 4.7% in both the samples. The water soluble matter in Laccha was 52.7% and 45.8% in Mogra. There was no foreign dye in these samples. The colour intensity of 0.02% saffron solution of both the samples corresponded to 0.07% of potassium dichromate at 470 mm.

The author presents in this article many evidence to prove that the cross is a symbol of soul.

A survey of Cannabis users reveal that long-term use of the drug does not produce any harmful effect. The findings of this scientific study is reported here minutely.

The drug Vanaharidra is used in various kinds of diseases like Kusta, Kasa, etc., Pharmacognosy of the root and rhizome of Vanaharidra is presented in this paper.

The Herbal Vendors are the mobile tribal medicineman seen selling crude medicinal plants and their products on the busy streets of many Indian cities. They give herbal treatment for many human ailments and diseases especially the more difficult and chronic ones. They claim to have herbal remedies for some gynaecological disorders in women such as Menorrhagia, leucorrhoea and also to restore fertility among women who fall to conceive. Lodh pathani (Symblocus racemosa), Sema Musli (Salmalia malabaricum) and Jal Jamni (Cocculus villosus) are some of the herbs used as the drug of choice.