History of medicine and plants dates back to remote past when herbal treatment was the only answer to all kind of ailments. Nowadays, greater emphasis is again being laid to phytotherapy all over the world. Besides, cultivation-cum-setting up herbal gardens are also mooted on hills and plain areas as management of all kinds of diseases is possible through plant drugs sans toxicity.

Ascertaining the botanical identities of many of the plants described in Sanskrit literature is a difficult task. However, the problem can be solved by basing the studies on an authentic and ancient Sanskrit work. Thus the Garuda Purana was studied and the botanical identities of the numerous plants listed in chapter 202 of the Purvabhaga were ascertained.

A survey of Raktaja Krimis of Chhindwara was made during July, 1986 to June, 1987. Tinea infections were abundant followed by Tinea cruris, Tinea pedis, Tinear capitis, Tinea barbae, and Tinea unguinum. Tinea infections were common among the youth between 21 - 30 years. The percentage wise tinea infections were as follows : Trichophyton rubrum (64.5%), T. mentagrophytes (5.37%), T. violaceum (1.07%), Epidermophyton flocceum (18.12%), Micrisporum gypseum (7.52%) and M. nanum (5.37%).

The essential oil from the rhizomes of Pavonia odorata Willd was extracted in an yield of 0.2% by hydrodistillation, and screened for antibacterial and antifungal activity against ten bacteria and thirteen fungi using paper disc agar diffusion technique. The oil was found to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Diplococcus pheumoniae, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp at 0.55 concentration. The oil was also found to inhibit the growth of keratinophilic fungi Trichophyton mentagreophytes and Chrysosporium indicum along with Aspergillus sp., Botrydiplodia sp. Fusarium solani etc.

Effect of hexane extract of Ferula jaeschkeana has been studied on the histological and biochemical constituents of the uterus of ovariectomized rats. Its administration caused remarkable increase in the height of luminal epithelium and the number of uterine glands. Its per se treatment also caused significant increase in the glycogen and protein contents and the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase. When the extract was administered with estradiol dipropionate, a synergic effect was observed in histological and biochemical constituents of the uterus. Conjoint administration with progesterone did not antagonize the estrogenic influence of the extract.

The present communication deals with a valuable plant Mahonia leschenaultia used by the Todas of Nilgiris in their religious and medical practices.

Dashmulakwatha, a preparation of Dashmula official in the Ayurvedic Formulary, was estimated for its phytosterol content by HPTLC method. The preparation was found to contain 7.165% W/W of phytosterols with respect to β-sitosterol as standard.

The present paper coins a new term Ethno-Oceanobiology, a new sub-discipline of ethnobiology and deals with the uses of some marine plants by tribals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The ethanolic extract of roots of Salacia macrosperma (Hippocrataceae) exhibited significant in vitro antimicrobial activity. The ethanolic extract was fractionated with different solvents and all the fractions were screened for their antimicrobial spectrum against eight gram-positive, five gram-negative and ten fungal strains. Chloroform fraction followed by benzene fraction of enthanolic extract showed significant antimicrobial effect against all the microorganisms tested. The dose-dependent activity of fractions was evaluated against selected microbial strains and compared with appropriate standards.

The alcoholic extract of Leucas aspera (ALA) was investigated for its antiulcer effect by two experimental models. A significant reduction in acid secretion and ulcer score was observed in rats after ALA treatment. The observed antiulcer effect of ALA may be due to a combination of antisecretary effect and a protective effect on gastric mucosa.

KUNJARA or KUNJALA is a yogic technique by which large volume of water is vomited out in jets just as an elephant does through its trunk. The technique of performing this beneficial stomach wash is described.

Oral feeding of 50% EtOH of Solanum xanthocarpum berry to male rats at the dose of 0.5 gm/kg body weight caused arrest of spermotagenesis. The number of spermatocytes (primary and secondary) and spermatids were significantly reduced (P<0.05 to 0.001). The total number of immature and mature leydig cells were significantly decreased (P<0.001), whereas degenerating cells were significantly increased (P<0.001). The decreased testicular cell population reflects antispermatogenic nature of Solanium xanthocarpum berry extract.

The principles of Ayurveda can be used to elucidate the medicinal properties of new food stuff or medicinal substance. This point is proved with the example of custard.

The antiparasitic activity of certain indigenous plant extracts was tested against the model bovine filarial parasite Setaria digitata. Among the plants tested, the extracts of Strebulus asper was found to be most effective. The chloroform and other phase of the organic solvents showed most activity indicating that the active compound may be a non polar substance having low molecular weight.

The present study carried out in the rural areas of Morena district of Madhya Pradesh, concerns the traditional use of indigenous herbal medicines against various diseases. Thirty medicinal plants have been mentioned along with their botanical name, families, local name, locality, medicinal use and field numbers.

Amrithadi Churnam - a compound ayurvedic preparation made up of Tinospora cordifolia, Salacia prenoides, Curcuma longa, Tribulus terrestris and Emblica Officinalis was screened for its antidiabetic activity. From the studies it could be established that Amrithadi churnam at a dose level of 100mg/kg b.w. was the optimum dose in alloxan diabetic rats. No toxic effects were observed as evidenced by the study of liver enzymes and blood haematoerit. An extra pancreatic role of the drug cannot be rulled out, since it (100 mg/kg b.w) produced significant decrease in blood sugar level in alloxan diabetic rats.

Bing a holistic medical system, Ayurveda is unique in its approach to the study of diseases. It also has the potential of giving rise to a new psychotherapy in which devices of bhakti, yoga and Vedanta can be ably incorporated.

The Sri Chakra is an important device used in the worship of the primordial energy which is the cause for the creation, maintenance and destruction of the cosmos. The author attempts in this article to provide an explanation for the mystical aspects of the celebrated yantra.

The theory and practice of Ayurveda are based on the doctrine of tridosa , according to which disease states spring from the disturbance of the three factors vata, pitta  and kapha . Being a wholistic medical system Ayurveda considers several variables in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This report identifies these variables in detail and highlights their clinical significance.

Janakia arayalpatra  (Periplocaceae) known to the local kani tribe as 'Amruthapala' is a rare and endemic wild plant species of southern forested region of Western Ghats. The medicinal value of this plant as a potential drug was reported by the authors earlier (on the basis of the information collected from the Kani tribe). Preliminary ethnopharmacological investigation of the plant showed promising results. In view of the emerging medical importance of this plant, a detailed pharmacognostical investigation of this plant species was carried out. The plant species is now placed under the family periploaceae which was formerly considered to be a sub-division of the family Asclepiadaceae. Pharmacognostical investigation of the root of this plant showed certain characterstic anatomical features like those of the Asclepiadaceae. The aroma and physical characterstics of the roots have close resemblance with plant species like Utleria salicifolia  Bedd. and Hemidesmus indicus  R. Br.