Ptosis is an abnormal drooping of the upper eyelid. In this case, a 74-year-old female patient presented with a history of drooping of the right eye lid, diplopia, right frontotemporal headache, pain in right eye, and tinnitus in the right ear. Diagnostic tests suggested palsy of the superior division of the third cranial nerve due to probable compression by the posterior communicating artery. In Ayurveda, this condition can be correlated with Vatahata vartma (~ptosis), a Vata pradhana dosha vyadhi (~ Vata predominant disease). Although classified as an Asadhya vyadhi (~incurable disease), the implementation of Vata pacifying line of treatment resulted in significant improvement. This case highlights the potential efficacy of Ayurvedic therapies in acquired ptosis management, warranting further clinical trials for validation.
The global diffusion of Ayurveda, combined with a favorable policy climate for innovation and entrepreneurship in India, has enabled the emergence of a distinct cohort of Ayurveda startups that operate at the intersection of traditional knowledge, technology and market systems. Yet this apparent dynamism coexists with foundational challenges, including definitional ambiguity, regulatory layering, and misalignment with conventional validation and funding models. This narrative review synthesizes literature from 2015 to 2026 spanning Ayurveda, health-sector entrepreneurship, innovation and public policy to: (i) propose an evolving normative definition of Ayurveda startups grounded in classical textual authority and statutory frameworks, (ii) identify systemic constraints affecting their growth, scale-up and ecosystem visibility, and (iii) analyze the comparative suitability of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of AYUSH Innovation Readiness (AIR) framework. Conceptual analysis reveals that regulatory complexity, ecosystem fragmentation, funding misalignment and the absence of a structured public registry together create an “epistemic funding gap” for Ayurveda startups, even as generic wellness and plant-based ventures attract significant capital. The review argues that an explicit normative definition is a precondition for credible ecosystem mapping, policy design, assessment framework and responsible commercialization of Ayurveda-based innovation.
Background: Standardization and analytical assessment of two Ayurvedic formulations under the Public Health Initiative (PHI) project on stress management for police personnel, implemented by the All India Institute of Ayurveda, Ministry of Ayush, established a vital translational link by scientifically validating their pharmaceutical quality, safety, and therapeutic suitability through rigorous testing as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Objectives: The present work aimed at preliminary phytochemical evaluation of Jatamansi tablet and Brahmi - Ashwagandha taila. Materials and Methods: Ayurvedic formulations prepared according to classical Ayurvedic procedures were procured from Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certified pharmacy. Standardization involved organoleptic assessment, physicochemical profiling, heavy metal analysis, aflatoxin screening, microbial load testing and pesticide residue analysis as per API and WHO guidelines. Results: Jatamansi tablets exhibited a disintegration time of 20 min, alcohol soluble extractive value of 13.35% w/w , and hardness of 5.0 kg/cm 2 , all within acceptable limits. Microbial load was well controlled (260 CFU/g bacteria, 120 CFU/g fungi), and heavy metals and aflatoxins were not detected. In the case of Brahmi-Ashwagandha taila , physicochemical parameters such as refractive index (1.4682), specific gravity (0.917), and saponification value (215.42) were within standard limits. Microbial counts remained minimal (150 CFU/ml), with no pathogens or pesticide residues detected. Conclusion: Jatamansi tablet and Bramhi-Ashwagandha taila consistently met pharmaceutical-grade quality standards. They demonstrated regulatory compliance, with no detectable microbial contamination, aflatoxins, or heavy metals exceeding permissible limits.
Beta-blockers are commonly used drugs for the treatment and prevention of various diseases, and are associated with a spectrum of cutaneous adverse reactions, which can present with diverse clinical manifestations and may often lead to misdiagnosis. This case report describes a 53-year-old man who presented to the outpatient department with generalized erythema, pruritus, powdery exfoliation, palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, and lichenification over the flexural aspects of the upper limbs. The patient had a history of prolonged beta-blocker use and obtained a score of six on the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) Probability Scale, indicating a probable drug-induced reaction. The histopathological examination revealed a lichenoid interface reaction, consistent with a drug-induced cutaneous reaction. Based on its clinical presentation, the condition was classified as Tridoshaja kushtha (~various skin diseases involving all three Doshas ). The patient received individualized Ayurvedic treatment comprising Shodhana (~major purification procedure), Shamana (~palliative therapy), Rasayana (~rejuvenation), and external therapies, selected according to the predominant Dosha (~regulatory functional factors of the body) at each stage of the disease, continued for five weeks. Marked clinical improvement, with resolution of pruritus, edema, and exfoliation, reduction in lichenification and palmoplantar scaling, was observed by the third week, and restoration of normal skin texture at discharge. Beta-blocker-induced Lichenoid Drug Eruption (LDE) is a rare but recognized ADR. This case highlights the potential application of an individualized Ayurvedic management approach, guided by Dosha assessment and supported by modern diagnostic evaluation. Further clinical studies are warranted to evaluate its therapeutic role.
Background: Snakebite envenomation remains a critical public health issue in India, especially in rural regions with limited access to modern healthcare. West Bengal, with its ecological diversity and rich cultural heritage, is home to a variety of traditional healing practices used in snakebite management. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of snakebites and to systematically document traditional plant-based and complementary nonpharmacological remedies employed by indigenous healers across distinct regions of Bengal. Methodology: A cross-sectional ethnobotanical field survey was conducted in 2020 across 15 subcenters in three ecologically and culturally distinct zones: North Bengal, South Bengal, and Jangal Mahal. Data were collected through structured interviews and semi-structured questionnaires administered to traditional healers and snakebite survivors. Plant specimens used in treatments were collected, identified, and validated using herbarium techniques and global botanical databases. Results: A total of 522 snakebite cases were documented. Regional variation in therapeutic approaches was evident – North Bengal demonstrated a preference for mineral-based treatments, while South Bengal and Jangal Mahal predominantly employed plant-based remedies. A total of 54 medicinal plant species were recorded, with preparations tailored to specific types of envenomation. In addition, several non-botanical interventions rooted in cultural and ritualistic practices were observed. Conclusion: Traditional snakebite management practices in Bengal represent a valuable repository of ethnomedicinal knowledge. Scientific validation and integration of these practices into public health strategies could improve snakebite response in resource-limited settings and support the development of complementary therapeutic interventions.
