Background Ayurveda students in India learn Dinacarya practices (daily routines) during BAMS course (Undergraduate Ayurveda medical education course), with limited research on its awareness and adoption. A valid database on Knowledge-Attitude Practice (KAP) status of Dinacarya practices is ideal for self-evaluation and further student improvement. Objective To assess the KAP status of selected Dinacarya practices among BAMS students in Kerala. Materials and Methods Cross-sectional study among 216 students aged 18-27 years, using stratified two-stage sampling from two strata - Government/Aided and Private Ayurveda colleges in Kerala (7 colleges). Semi constructed KAP questionnaire on selected ten Dinacarya developed through literature review, focus group discussion (FGD),content and face validity checking. Population estimates calculated using survey weights and Multiple linear regression (MLR) to identify predictors of KAP components and composite scores was used. Result Population-weighted mean K, A, P and total KAP scores of Dinacarya came to 6.65 (SE=0.48), 3.25 (SE=0.22), -5.01 (SE=0.29) and 4.89 (SE=0.61) respectively. MLR analysis revealed that knowledge was primarily determined by institutional factors, attitude reflects lifestyle pathways and Practice projects multilayered predictors encompassing environmental and institutional factors. Conclusion Weighted KAP analysis revealed knowledge scores exceeding attitude and practice scores, indicating a knowledge-practice gap. Institutional entity emerged as overall determinant, residence type and psychological disposition are crucial factors.Health behaviors practice progressively decline with advancement in academic years.
Background: Friedreich ataxia (FA) is the most common hereditary ataxia accounting for approximately 50% of all ataxia cases. 75% in patients less than 25 years of age. The prevalence of FA globally is 1 in 40,000. It frequently occurs in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and North , Africa . Methods: This report discusses a case of a 23-year-old male, previously healthy, presented with a 1-year history of progressive gait instability and frequent falls. The patient also experienced numbness and tingling sensation in the extremities with a Family history was treated with panchakarma procedures like Rukshana Chikitsa followed by Brihmana chikitsa along with Oral medications. Result: After 3 sittings there was some relief in symptoms. Conclusion:The present case of FAis managed with the treatment principle of Kaphavruta vata.
Abstract Narikela ( Cocos nucifera L., Arecaceae), commonly known as coconut, is a versatile resource in Kerala, where it is widely used as a household and medicinal commodity. Owing to its abundance, the coconut tree has been recognized as the State tree of Kerala. Kerala’s traditional texts document numerous coconut-based medicinal recipes. Key classical texts, such as Sahasrayogam, Yogamrutam, Chikitsamanjari, Alathiyur manipravalam, Arogyakalpadrumam, Sarvaroga cikitsaratnam , and Sarvaroga cikitsanool , were reviewed, as these are the most comprehensive texts related to this. These books describe the therapeutic applications of different parts of coconut in various forms. A total of 25 simple internal medicine formulations and 7 external combinations are found across these texts. Many of these recipes are unique to the native Malayalam language medical traditions and explain coconut’s significance in the traditional healthcare practices of Kerala. By providing an overview of the unique preparations and their applications, this article aims to explore the traditional medicinal use of coconut.
Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility is estimated to affect 8%–12% of reproductive-age group couples (60–80 million couples) worldwide, with around 15–20 million (25%) in India alone. A significant contributor to male infertility is oligoasthenozoospermia, a term that encompasses both oligospermia and asthenozoospermia. Clinically, it is distinguished by reduced sperm concentration and motility. The prevalence of oligoasthenozoospermia among men has increased worldwide annually to 10%–15% under the influence of numerous harmful factors, such as environmental pollution, psychological stress, and unhealthy lifestyles, placing a significant burden on people and the social healthcare system. The drawbacks of the currently available treatments include their side effects, unclear clinical effectiveness, and increased cost. In Ayurveda, there is no direct correlation of oligoasthenozoospermia but it can be correlated with Ksheena shukra (~oligospermia) or Shukra kshaya (~reduced semen) . It is a Vatapaittika-pradhana shukra dosha (~pathology due to the predominance of Vata-pitta dosha ) . This is a case report of a 36-year-old male complaining of infertility due to oligoasthenozoospermia. After 98 days of treatment, there is an increase in sperm count from 4 million/mL to 54 million/mL, rapid progressive motility from 7% to 35%, a decrease in nonprogressive motility from 22% to 5%, immotile sperm percentage from 71% to 55%. After one month of follow-up, the values were maintained and his partner achieved pregnancy. The observation of this case highlights the role of Vajeekarana aushadha (~aphrodisiac medicines) in the management of Oligoasthenozoospermia.
Ksharasutra therapy is an ancient Ayurvedic treatment utilized in the management of Fistula-in-Ano. This study explores the efficiency of a novel sliding Ksharasutra technique to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment and patient comfort. The square knot of the Ksharasutra is replaced with a sliding knot which allow easier adjustments in the tension of the thread. This method was applied to seven patients, and the cutting rate was assessed in centimeters and pain levels were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results demonstrated a remarkable increase in the cutting rate, up to 1.98 cm per week, when compared to the conventional method. Additionally, the novel sliding technique was able to substantially reduce the pain during thread changes. The results suggest that the sliding Ksharasutra technique can accelerates the cutting rate as well as improves the patient comfort by reducing the pain during the course of treatment. This approach offers a potential superior alternative to the conventional methods.
