Various pharmacognostic parameters including macroscopy, microscopy, chemomicroscopy and behaviour of powdered drug on treatment with different chemical reagents were studied on the leaves of Bauhinia purpurea Linn. (Family Caesalpinaceae). Phytochemical screening of the plant part with various solvents revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, phytosterols, saponins and glycosides in it.

Ayurveda symbolises holistic approach towards treating diseases and better prevention than cure as its one of the main motto . In present paper, etiological based survey of30 patients was carried out to assess dietary and habitual lifestyles of people suffering from hypertension, for this a detailed proforma based on classical etiological factors related to hypertension was used. After the detailed assessment it was found that, more percentage of etiological factors of Raktavaha Srotas (micro channels for the transportation of blood) (78.46%), Rasavaha Srotas (micro channels for the transport of chyme) (53.33%) were found influenced than that ofManovaha Srotas (micro channels for the conveyance of psyche) (27.67%)) and Medovaha Srotas (micro channels transporting of fats) (37.76%). Hence, it can be concluded that avoidance of these etiologies (Nidanaparivarjana) is a first step in the direction of control and management of hypertension.

This paper reports the ethno-medicinal uses of 30 plants by the Paroja tribes of Koraput, Odisha. All the plants were enumerated with botanical name, family name, local name, short description of the plant and information on ethnic use.

Waje rehm (Dysmenorrhoea) means painful menstruation. Since ancient times, hijamat bila shurt (Dry cupping) is a method of treatment of for this disease. Therefore, objective of this preliminary study was to evaluate the efficacy of hijamat bila shurt on intensity of pain in waje rehm by using Visual Analogue Scale for pain. It was conducted from May 2009 to July 2010 on 25 patients in National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore. Patients suffering from primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea with regular cycles, age group 12-37years were selected. For dry cupping, two glass cup of medium size were applied below the umbilicus for 15 minutes on day land/or day 2 of the menstrual phase for one cycle and pain intensity was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale score for pain before and after the treatment. The Mean and Standard Error Mean for pain intensity before and after the treatment was 6.48 (0.32) and 2.12 (0.32) respectively with P<0.001, considered significant. Thus, hijamat bila shurt was effective in reducing pain intensity in dysmenorrhoea.

A case of stricture of membranous urethra was treated with medicated oil used as Uttara Basti (administration of medicated oil through urethra) once daily for seven consecutive days. The treatment was repeated at a monthly interval for two months. The patient obtained remarkable improvement in his condition. This case highlights the fact that it is possible to treat the cases of urethral stricture with Uttara Basti.

In Ayurveda, a series of pharmaceutical procedures which converts a poisonous drug into a therapeutically very effective medicine for various ailments is termed as Shodhana. Various médias are being used for processing the herbal poisonous drugs, are quite interesting to understand with modern scientific technology. The analysis of media before and after Shodhana (purification /processing) will give clear rationale behind the selection of the particular media for the particular drug. The change that takes place during the Shodhana process can be explored by modern analytical methods. Researchers have proved the presence of strychnine and brucine in milk after Shodhana of Nux-vomica highlighting the role media for Shodhana. Importance of Shodhana, the role of media used for Shodhana process of few poisonous drugs is dealt briefly with scientific view.

'The History of Hindu Chemistry' is one of the rare, important books published in twentieth century. Sir Prafulla Chandra Ray, the author of this book, who was a chemist by profession, has contributed greatly to the field of Rasashastra in his own style. The book in two volumes is in English and has achieved international recognition. The work became the cause of enlightening people specially, the Westerners about Indian Alchemy which, they were till then unaware of. In a way, 'globalization' of the concepts of Rasashastra has its starting point in the works of Sir P.C.Ray. The author has touched almost every area of Rasashastra of course, from the standpoint of modern Chemistry. A critical analysis of his contributions, the narration of the contents of the book are detailed in the paper.