In this paper the author discusses the ancient Ayurvedic system of India which is basically of holistic approach. The contribution of modern scholars are also summed up here.

This translation of Haramekhala - tantra of the author is based on Banaras Hindu University manuscript which seems to be a novel one. The manuscript runs into 133 stanzas in all in the form of dialogue between lord Siva and goddess Parvati. This is only the first chapter (of the great work) dealing with medicine. From stanza 109 onwards some magic spells are described and as such those have not been included in this translation.

Conjunctivitis and its treatment have been widely described in ancient Indian medicine, 50 cases of Conjunctivitis (Acute) were clinically studied with Glycyrrhiza glabra along with comparative approach of Chlorophenicol. 25 cases studied with Glycyrrhiza glabra have shown encouraging results from which the author concludes that, the drug has got a definite role in Conjunctivitis.

This paper draws some parallels between Ayurvedic and Western Psychotherapy based on a collateral sutdy.

A brief review of Mimosa Pudica (Linn) covering its medicinal value, clinical use and Ayurvedic aspects, is presented here.

Ischaemic heart disease (Hrdroga) is known to be the cause of large number of mortality even in developed countries in spite of the fact that much advancement has been made in the field of medicine. But in this paper the author present in Ayurvedic compound remedy for controlling and management those types of endogenous diseases.

The aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Leucas aspera were investigated for their action on experimental inflammation and on mast cell degranuatlion. Both the extracts exhibited significant antiinflammatory action of acute and chronic inflammation. The mast cell drgranulation induced by proprancolol and Carbachol was effectively prevented by pretreatment with Leucas aspera extracts.The aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Leucas aspera were investigated for their action on experimental inflammation and on mast cell degranuatlion. Both the extracts exhibited significant antiinflammatory action of acute and chronic inflammation. The mast cell drgranulation induced by proprancolol and Carbachol was effectively prevented by pretreatment with Leucas aspera extracts.

Swietenia mahagoni Jacq. (native to tropical America), a common avenue tree of India, yields a bark drug, used as antipyretic, bitter tonic, astringent, and occasionally as a substitute for Cinchona. The district characteristics of the species are : blackish brown colour; cracks and fissures with both clean cut and thick recurved edges; irregular wrinkles; splintery and fibrous fractures; bitter taste; compound sieve plates; mostly biseriate rays; abundant rhomboidal crystals; presence of tannin, saponin, lignin and absence of alkaloids.

Folklore medicines of certain hilly parts of Dharmapuri District of Tamil Nadu are brought out in this paper, based on a recent survey of the area by the authors. Some of the incantation techniques used for snake bites are also highlighted.

Use of simple synthetic drug called Chin - Yeh, Gold - plus - plant juice or red colloidal gold. Gold made body everlasting and the herbal principle, as soul, increased life-span. Dialectally it was called Kim - Iya. Arabicized as Al - Kimiya it finally appeared as Alchemy. Chin - Yeh as drug was only brick - red when mercury, and sulphur - with traces of gold were sublimated there resulted Chin - Tan, Gold - plus - cinnabar. It was blood - red and with redness as soul it became the ideal drug of longevity.

Details on 33 plants / drugs belonging to 30 genera and 22 families are provided in this paper; ayurvedic drug name, botanical sources in the island, short description of the species occurring in the islands, chemical constituents, ayurvedic preparations and therapeutic properties are elucidated.

The estimation of total protein and total sugars of cucumber, mango, paddy, radish and tomato seeds in dry, wet and germinating conditions were studied. Also the results are discussed in the light of possible physiological and bio - chemical change taking place inside the seeds during the process of absorption and germination.

Surgery in ancient India was highly advanced, much more than in any other country at that time. Its proof is available in Susruta Samhita, one of the main treatises of Ayurveda, which is presented here.