This text constitutes a summary of the author's recent book on Gustave Lietard (1833 - 1904) and Palmyr Cordier (1871 - 1914),the first historians of Ayurveda in France. In this book, their writings are reprinted and analysed in a long introduction of Ayurvedic historiography.

This article reports the results obtained from a study of the usefulness of Saussurea Lappa  on the treatment of Ichaemic Heart Diseases.

The findings of Nadi Vijnana of 53 asymptomatic adult males were compared with the results of the blood examinations and the radial pulse pressure wave analysis conducted concomitantly. K pulse had elongated fatty pulse wave contour which is opposite to the slime V one, on the other hand, P pulse had the vibratory contour as the basic principles of Ayurveda. K pulse or K/P pulse had the largest inertia resistance. All these results were characterstic circulatory conditions and sympathetic tones for each pulse.

The paper reviews the economic and traditional medicinal uses of the plants, Calotropis gigantean  and C. procera  from the published literature from various of India. The ethno-medicinal uses of the former species in Orissa are also incorporated. Their distribution in India, Botany, Physical and Chemical properties of the plant parts are provided. Uses of the traditional medicines and their authentication as evidence by the available clinical trials are discussed. Besides, uses and standardization of doses against various ailments are suggested.

Licorice (Glycyrrhizaglabra L) is an important herb used in almost all systems of medicine. The author tries to present in this article a comprehensive review on all aspects of Licorice.

Treatment with a mixture of Cyperus rotundus, Iris versicolor and Holoptelia integrifolia resulted in a rapid decrease of weight in and ad libitum fed obese rats. Body fat and Fat: Protein ratio were much less while food consumption, body protein, energy expenditure and metabolic rate were more in mixture treated obese rats than in food restricted obese. A mixture of these plant preparations, therefore, possesses the property to reduce obesity by increasing energy expenditure and metabolic rate in obese rats.

A 60% (W/W) simple ointment of Udumbar (Ficus glomeruta) was prepared. The cases of cervical erosion were selected from S.S. Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. The ointment was applied in the form of tampon following electric cauterization and compared the results with the triples sulpha ointment. It showed 95% cure rate as against 85% of Triple sulpha treated cases.

In this era of Antibiotics decline in infectious diseases is seen but degenerative diseases have established themselves all over world, among which Atherosclerosis and Ischemic Heart Diseases are considered as greatest killer. In view of the increasing morbidity and mortality by these diseases and in absence of safety and adequate efficacy of modern drugs, it has become a timely necessity to understand disease process properly and to explore traditional indigenous system of medicine. So that drugs stated useful in ancient literature for these diseases can be used for I.H.D. Vatika Hrcchula described in Ayurveda simulates with Ischemic Heart Diseases.

The various aspects of theory and treatment of Amlapitta  and Parinamasula  are presented in this paper.

Gurez Valley is situated along the Krishna Ganga river and is less exploited. It has reserve forests. The forests are very rich in herbal wealth. The population of the area consists of the types Dard, Kashimiries; Gujars and Pathans. They have got much faith in herbs and the elders of the family mostly know the uses of the herbs and prescribe for the ailments to their families and neighbours. The folklores of 56 plants species belonging to 50 genera and 28 families and neighbourers. The folklores of 56 plants species belonging to 50 genera and 28 families and their mode of administration were collected during the survey of the area. Botanical names with author citations, plant family, local name, connection with altitude and medicinal uses have been enlisted.

The findings of the Nadi Vijnana of 53 asymptotic adult males were compared with the results of the radial pulse pressure wave analysis by Fourier analysis and 1 ^st  differentiation of the original waves. There are significant differences of height and latency of peaks among some pulse diagnosis findings. The possibility to calculate the Dosa balance and the conditions of Subdosa Dhatu of the body with the analysis of radial pulse waves by machine was suspected.

Leaf and oleoresin fractions of both alcoholic and petroleum ether extracts of Araucaria bidwillii  exhibited significant prolongation of pentobarbitones sleeping time at a dose of 300 and 100 mg/kg body weight respectively in mice. This effect is more pronounced for oleoresin than the leaf extracts. Further, the two extracts seem to possess analgesic effect comparable to aspirin by writing method. The analgesic activity is found to be higher in oleoresin than the leaf extracts. Both the extracts are found to show high anti inflammatory activity comparable to phenylbutzaone by cotton pellet granuloma method.

Ilinkaccenturam No.1, Canta Cantirotayam, Kowri Cintamani Centuram and Cati Campirakkulampu the four mercurial drugs of Siddha system of medicine have been chemically analysed for laying down standards. The physico-chemicals data presented can be taken as parameters to fix standards.

In Yajur Vedhika, "Panchakavvyam", an indigenous preparation, is referred to have anticarcinogenic property. In firbosarcoma, Panchakavvyam has been tried, which on feeding promotes longevity of rats. The advantageous effect of the drug is substantial, so we tried to study the lipid changes in serum of both control and experimental animals. A significance increase in free cholesterol and phospholipids (p<0.001) ; total cholesterol and free fatty acids; a significant decrease in (p<0.001) ester cholesterol; and triglycerides. Among the enzymes, a significant increase in cholesterol ester hydrolase are observed. On panchakavvyam administration to the humour-bearing rats, a significant increase in ester cholesterol and triglycerides; and a gradual decrease in total cholesterol, free cholesterol, phospholipids and free fatty acids; and a significant decrease in cholesterol ester synthetase and an increase in the level of cholesterol ester.

Combined extracts of Amaranthus spinosus  roots and Dolichos biflorus  seeds at two different doses were administered to adult male rats to assess the structural and functional activity of epididymis. Biochemical studies were made throughout the experiment. Sperm motility was decreased markedly in the cauda epididymal fluid and the sperm counts were reduced in both caput and caudal segments. Epididymal weights, activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase and total LDH were decreased after high dose treatment in both the segments after 10 days of treatment. Protein concentrations were appreciably increased at both doses in the caput and at low dose only in the cauda segment. A reduction in sperm concentration was observed at both doses in cauda but only at high doses in caput. Thus, the herbal extracts impaired the structural and functional integrity of the epididymis.

Invitro antimycotic effect of the coconut, mustard, groundnut & soyabeen oils and the seeds of trigonella, ajwoin, mustard and garlic bulbs were mixed in the above oil samples to determine their effect on the spore germination of five pathogenic fungi i.e., Aspergillus niger, A.flavus, Absidia corymbifera, Penicilium nigricans and Candida albicans, isolated from otitic fungal infection of external ear (tympanic membrane) of human beings of different places. Growth of these fungi was completely inhibited by the oil of mustard when mixed seeds of trigonella, ajwoin, mustard and garlic bulbs, while coconut oil with ajwoin seeds was found to be less funitoxic. In addition to these other oils and different plant parts were also found to have fungitoxicity against test pathogens and increase pf 50 - 100 percent inhibition was noted in these cases. Present study indicated the possible role of test oils and different plant parts in control of otomycosis in human being after further experimental in-vivo condition.

Comparative morphological microscopical and phytochemical studies of root and stem parts of R. cordifolia  and R. tinctorum  L. (Rubiaceae) have been carried out.

The anti - inflammatory activities of the alcoholic extracts of three species of Andrographis  Wall. were assayed at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight in Male albino rats using carrageenin induced rat paw edema. All the extracts were screened for their anti-inflammatory activities in Carrageenin induced inflammation in rats. The maximal anti-inflammatory activity was found with the alcoholic extract of Andrographis  alata Nees.

An alcoholic extract of the leaves of Premna tomentosa  Willd at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in albino rats. The extract caused reduction in the weight of spleen, thymus and adrenals. It reduced cotton pellet granuloma by 32.21%. The serum biochemical parameters showed reduction in protein, acid phosphatase and transaminases. The activity of P. tomentosa was comparable to phenylbutazone.

This present study describes 11 species under 11 generate and 10 families of rare Homoeopathic Medicinal Plants introduced and cultivated in the Nilgiri district, Tamil Nadu, South India. The original citation, description, distribution and their medicinal uses are given.