(To spread the knowledge of Ayurveda and to help the people for
their health problems, this is an humanitarian service to the society)

1) Dear Dr Shah

The workshop mentioned in your news letter by Swmiji for Vaidyas-how to practice in

USA is at my center on 10th of Nove. Any one interested can call us for more details. Phone no is 973-887-8828. The cost is $ 145.00 for turnkey seminar. Love and Peace Bharat Shukla lotusfair@aol.com

2) Always good to receive your newsletter... keep up the good work.

I suggest that you publish the e-mail addresses of these people who write in asking questions (about how to establish themselves in a practice here in the US) so that we can communicate directly. Legally speaking a BAMS is not worth the paper it's printed on here - because only MDs are qualified to practice internal medicine, and in some states Acupuncturists if they've acquired licensure (4 years + $20K). However, there are other ways to practice - as consultants, massage practitioners, teachers, or in partnership with sympathic MDs. Your readers can check out our website: www.ayurvedicretreat.com They may find some inspiration there.

Yours in Healing, Dinesh rasayana@cyberstreet.com

This article is first in the series that will appear every month. This series will cover various aspects of Ayurveda and how to use Ayurveda in our daily life.

Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems (around 5000 years old) of medicine in the world. Literal meaning of ayurveda is "Science of Life". Lord Brahma (The Creator of Universe) is said to be the founder of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is upveda (subpart) of Atharveda (one of the four Vedas).

The eight branches of Ayurveda are: Kayachiktsa (Internal medicine), Shalya (Surgery), Shalakya (Ear, nose and throat), Agadtantra (Toxicology), Bhutavidya (Psychology), Kaumarbhritya (Pediatrics), Rasayana (Rejuvenation therapy) and Bajikaran (Aphrodisiacs). They are referred to as Ashtang Ayurveda.

Two main aims of Ayurveda are: to protect and maintain the health of healthy; and to eliminate the root of disease and hence cure the disease. It is science of not only curing the disease but also maintaining good health all by natural means. Ayurveda therapy includes diet and nutrition, herbs, lifestyle, yoga, meditation, cleansing and detoxification (panchkarma) and rejuvenation programmes for inner and outer healing of the body.

Next month: Introduction to Tridoshas and Panch Mahabhoot (Five basic elements)

Vaidya Swaran Kaur (BAMS) , Email: swaran_k@yahoo.com , URL: www.geocities.com/swaran_k

Garlic is a wonderful drug of the herbal world. It was worshiped by the ancient Egyptians and they

also fed the herb to their slaves to keep them healthy. It has remained a reputed remedy from centuries. Biologist Loius Pasteur put garlic to the test by putting cloves in a petridish full of bactreia. Much to his surprise he observed that garlic killed the trouble some bacteria. During the worldwars, before the availability of antibiotics, garlic was used to disinfectant wound and to prevent gangrene.

Botanical name of garlic is Allium sativum and it belongs to family Liliaceae.it is a perennial herb, which grows upto 70 cm, and whole fresh bulb is used in medicine. Oil is also extracted from garlic. Central Asia is considered to be the region of origin and introduced to the Mediterranean.The herb is cultivated worldwide.

Pharmacologically the herb contains compounds known as allins, which are alkylcysetine sulfoxides. In the course of cutting up of the crop, these compounds are transformed into so called alliaceous oils or allicin. The allicin is considered to be the active principle of garlic. In addition garlic also contains fructosans and saponins. The antibacterial, antimycotic and lipid lowering effects of garlic are well proven.

Garlic is used as an anticoagulant to resolve blood clots and has been shown to lower cholesterol while increasing HDLs, the so-called good cholesterol. Garlic also lowers blood pressure. In fact, according to a study, Atherosclerosis patients with hyperproteinemia took garlic, there blood pressure declined along with levels of LDL and fibrinogen. An added bonus was that anti-clotting factor levels increased, reducing the risk of blood clots.

In folk medicine, garlic is used internally for colds, coughs, whooping coughs and bronchitis. Garlic also finds application in digestive ailments with bloating and convulsive pain. Other uses include menstrual disease, diabetes, tonic, externally for corns, warts, muscle pain, arthritis, and sciatica. The use of the herb in these diseases is not documented. The drug finds application as preventative measure for old age related vascular changes.

The minced garlic preparations are used for internal and external treatment. Garlic oil is obtained as a result of steam distillation. Garlic is also used in extract form and it is obtained by treating the drug with ethanol.aqoeous extract is obtained by treating the drug with cold water. Now a day's fermented garlic is also in great demand as it is odorless and it is less prone to cause gastritis on oral intake.

No health hazards are known if used within prescribed dosage. It is not advisable to take garlic on empty stomach, as it is liable to cause gastritis due to volatile content.frequent contact with the drug

leads to occasion allergic reactions. Daily dose of garlic is 4gm of the fresh form and 8mg of the garlic

oil. Recently allicin, allisatin1 and allisatin2 have been proved as anti hypertensive compounds of garlic.

References

1] Ide N et al., Aged garlic extract and its constituents inhibit Cu++ induced oxidative modification low-density lipoproteins. In: PM 60[5]:417 1994.

2] Jain AK can garlic levels of serum lipids? In: JAMA 94:632-635.1993.

3] Koch HP, Hormonwirkungen bei Allium -Arten, In: ZPT 13[6]: 177.1992

4] Koch B, In: Koch HP, Lawson LD: Garlic-The Science and Therapeutic Application of Allium sativum L.and related Species, Williams $ Wilkins, Baltimore .1996.

5] Lawson LD, WangZJ, Pre-hepatic fate of the organosulfur compounds derived from garlic [Allium

sativum]. In: PM 59[7]: A688. 1993.

6] Mutsch -Eckner M, Erdelmeier CAJ, Sticher O, A novel aminoacid glycoside and three amino acids from

Allium sativum. In: JNP 56[6]: 864.1993.

7] Nagae, S et al., Pharmacokinetics of the garlic compound S-allylcystein.In: PM 60[3]: 241.1994.

8] Schulz R, Hansel R, Rationale Phytotherapie, Springer Verlag Heidelberg1996.

By - Dr Amrit Pal Singh, MD (Alternative Medicine), Medical Executive, Ind -Swift Labs.