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About 50 delegates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and eight countries and regions Wednesday attended a three-day meeting here to launch the First International Classification of Traditional Medicine (ICTM) project.

Participants are either practitioners or academics in disease terminology, classification or informatics. The project aims to develop an international standard set of harmonized terminology and classification for traditional medicine.

The event, entitled "First WHO Meeting on the International Classification of Traditional Medicine", is organized by the WHO with support from the Department of Health of Hong Kong.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hong Kong's Director of Health PY Lam said the project would go a long way to enhancing the integration of traditional medicine into the WHO Family of International Classifications which is crucial to the documentation on matters relating to traditional medicine.

"It is generally recognized that traditional medicine is increasingly popular worldwide. The ICTM will provide a platform for compiling healthcare statistics and information on traditional medicine which in turn can facilitate the study and evaluation of traditional medicine and documentation of its role in disease prevention and treatment," Lam said

Curcumin found in Turmeric is the key ingredient responsible for delaying liver damage. Curcumin renders the spice its bright yellow colour. In order to study Curcumin's role in delaying liver damage, the Austrian research team incorporated Turmeric in the diet of mice.

The mice were chemically induced with liver damage and fibrosis. For four and a half months, scientists observed the effects of curcumin on the mice with chronic liver inflammation before and after intake of diet enriched with Curcumin.

When scientists compared the tissue and blood sample results of these mice with those fed with a diet sans curcumin they found positive indications. Not only did the curcumin diet reduced bile duct blockage but also put a brake on liver cell (hepatocyte) damage and scarring (fibrosis). The mice fed with a normal diet did not show such results. "Targeting these pathways may be a promising therapeutic approach," say the authors, led by Michael Trauner.

The research on Turmeric and its liver related effects is still in a preliminary stage. The findings of this study led by Michael Trauner may well lead to a development of a new liver drug. Michael Trauner works at the Gastroenterology and Hepatology division at the Medical University Graz in Austria.

The goodness of Turmeric has been hailed since long by practitioners of Ayurveda.With this as one more added benefit of Turmeric, the value of the spice even goes higher! Not only is Turmeric a natural product but is also easy to use in day to day lives. Chronic cholangiopathies have no known effective treatments and in most cases liver transplant is the only option. In view of such complications, Turmeric and its benefits are indeed a boon.

Yoga is mainly focus on general well-being and holistic approach to create new lifestyle, way of thinking, and way of being in the world. In the process, however, it is also found to bring a myriad of healing effects.

yoga helps to enjoy better sleep, a happier disposition, a clearer and calmer mind. it teaches how to build up health and protect against colds, fevers, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and other troubles. Moreover, it helps to remain youthful, vital and alert, regardless of calendar-age; how to lose or gain weight; how to get rid of premature wrinkles, and keep a smooth skin and clear complexion."

Healing Effects of Yoga:

Yoga has been used for disorders such as:
*  Acid Stomach
*  Addictions,
*  Asthma:
*  Backache
*  Bronchitis
*  Cancer,
*  Cold
*  Constipation
*  Depression
*  Diabetes (not a cure!)
*  Emphysema
*  Eyestrain
*  Flatulence
*  Headache
*  Heart Disorders,
*  Hypertension (High Blood Pressure),
*  Indigestion
*  Insomnia
*  Menstrual disorders
*  Migraines,
*  Neurasthenia
*  Obesity
*  Premenstrual Tension,
*  Prostate troubles
*  Rheumatism
*  Sciatica
*  Sexual debility
*  Sinus
*  Skin diseases
*  Sore throat
*  Stress And Tension
*  Wrinkles

Yoga is being assessed for its potential in treating illnesses such as:
*  Multiple Sclerosis,
*  Cerebral Palsy,
*  Osteoporosis,
*  Rheumatoid Arthritis And
*  Depression Experienced After Childbirth.

It's long been known that yoga is good for your body. But is it good for your sex life? Definitely it is. Read more to explore it...

Yoga is not just about the beautiful bodies of diehard yogis and yoginis, although fitness is definitely one of the major payoffs, yoga is a path to that illusive center we are all seeking...it's a path to inner peace. And that is not all. It also enhances your body to perform good sex. Isn't that quite amazing?

Maintaining and increasing the flexibility of the pelvic muscles, is as important as strengthening your pelvic region. Any muscle is more effective when its range of movement is higher and it is in a relaxed state. The pelvic region is an area which tends to tighten up with the high stress levels of modern day life. Stretching these muscles will help increase the range of movement in this area. It will also bring you to a more relaxed state so that your sexual performance improves, as a tense individual has a tendency towards premature ejaculation.

Do you believe yoga is about twisting your body into good positions for sex? No. Yoga is really about what's happening in your mind, not your body when you make love. Like all other issues, Yoga's view of sex is also that of adherence to the middle path. It has been proved beyond doubt that a fulfilling sexual life is necessary to lead a happy life. Yoga considers sex to be a natural function, very helpful in a loving relationship and, of course, indispensable for the continuation of the human race on the earth. Yoga has a clear cut demarcation; do not indulge in too much of sex as it may diminish the force and pace of life.

It’s no secret that yoga is good for sex, but certain poses can better your chances of obtaining an orgasm every time. We’ve done our research and have found the best poses for achieving the big O.

1 ::: Upavista Kanasana (wide straddle forward bend)

Sit on the floor with your legs spread wide. Lean forward and go as far down as it feel comfortable. This pose increases blood flow to the va-jay area.

2 ::: Biltilasana (cow pose)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of Joints that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in affected joints. Unlike the common arthritis, it is an autoimmune disease, that is, our own immune system mistakenly attacks our healthy cells as in infections, wounds, and foreign objects. In addition to joints, it can also affect other body organs like eyes, heart, lungs etc.
In Ayurveda, RA is called as AMAVATA, where AMA means toxic particles evolved from improper digestion and assimilation. The AMA is, then, emulsified with Vata and gets spread on whole body and localized on joints, hearts, lungs and other parts of body. Our defence mechanism treats the AMA as a foreign body and forms the antibodies in order to fight.  But, when it combines with AMA, it acts as an abnormal immune complex which leads to inflammatory changes and contribute to disease process.

Risk Factors:
Gender: Developing RA is 2 to 3 times more common in women.
Heredity: People may be affected if they have a history of RA in their families. Age: Although rheumatoid arthritis can develop at any age, it likely to develop between the ages of 25 and 55.
Coffee and Cigarettes: Some studies have suggested that Smokers are also more at risk for developing RA Diet Habit: According to Ayurveda, it is the main risk factor for developing RA. Untimely and improper diet habit may leads to alteration in digestive power which is responsible for production of AMA.

Signs and symptoms:
•    Involvement of symmetrical joints, morning stiffness, pain and swelling in joints, first involvement of small joints of finger and toes, nodules, deformity are the signs and symptoms of classical RA.
•    Stiffness: Reduced mobility or movement of the affected joints. It is prominently seen early in the morning.
•    Swelling: The area around the affected joint is swollen and puffy.
•    Pain: in Ayurveda, the pain is described as the pain just like scorpion bite. •    Nodules: These are hard bumps that appear on or near the join, may develop in nearly one-third of people who have rheumatoid arthritis. They often are found in the pressure points in the body like elbows. •    Joint Deformity: In classical and chronic RA, joint deformity like anterior subluxation of metacarpo-phalengeal joint, ulnar deviation, swan neck deformities etc are seen.

Extra-articular features:
Anorexia, loss of weight, lethargy, fever, depression, anemia, myolgia, pericarditis, cardiomyopathy, pleurisy, carpal tunnel syndrome etc.

Management:
Diet and Life Style modifications.
Patient digestive power is week. So he/she should take easily digestible, light and compatible food mixing with stomachic and digestive herbs like dry ginger, long piper, leadwort, garlic, cinnamon and cloves Amavata patient's diet should include leaves of Patola, Vastuka, Goshura etc.  should take old rice, garlic, bitter gourd and horse gram in his/her diet.
Avoid consumption of curd, milk, buttermilk, fish, jaggery, oily foods, junk and fast foods, salty and sour foods, black gram, cold drinks.

•  always use hot water to bathe •  Avoid cold breeze and excessive wind.
•  Empty bowels regularly. •  Do not control natural urges. •  Avoid late nights and afternoon naps.
Should take fomentation through warm sand particles packed in a piece of contton.

Drug Therapy:
The aim of drug therapy is increasing the digestive power, removing of toxic or detoxification, correcting the immune response, relief from pain and swelling and minimizing the deformity.
1. Ama-Pachan or Anti-toxic Drugs
These medicines avoid the formation of toxin by enhancing digestive and assimilative power. a) Panchkola Qwath
b) Amavatari Rasa
c) Agnitundi Wati
d) Chitrakadi Wati e) Rasonadi Wati

2. Rog Pratirakshytmak or Immunomodulators:
As RA is an autoimmune disease, these medicines are prescribed to correct and enhance the immunity.
a) Aswagandha
b) Guduchi
c) Amrita Guggulu

3. Bedanahar or Anti-inflammatory and Anti-Rheumatic Drugs.
These medicines are effective in pain and inflammation. They help to slowdown the disease progression.
a) Yograj Guggulu
b) Maha Yograj Guggulu
c) Sinhanad Guggulu

Panchakarma or Detoxification Therapy:
Panchkarma is used to clean the body of toxic materials left by disease and improper diet habit. Ayurveda says that imbalanced doshas create waste matter. This waste matter is called Ama in Ayurveda. Ama is a foul smelling, sticky, noxious, substance that needs to be evacuated from the body as thoroughly as possible. Panchakarma permanently eliminates these toxins from the body, allowing healing and restoration of the tissues, channels, digestion and mental functions.

Yoga:
Yoga keeps the body free from impurities that are accumulated inside our body due to our bad food habit, wrong behavior and other external agents. In Ayurveda, various yogic practices are used for keeping equilibrium between the body, mind, and self, in order to establish health and harmony.

Arogya-2010, the annual health fair organised by the Department of Ayush, will be held in India from February 23 to 26. The fair will have a display of panels, books, research papers and other papers on the outcome of years of research by council of ayurveda, siddha, unani and homoeopathy systems of medicine and yoga and naturopathy. It will have live yoga demonstrations besides informing the people about home remedies based on medicinal plants. Exhibitions, sale of drug manufacturing equipment and allied plant and machinery will be organised. Ayush clinics will run simultaneously in separate chambers. Lectures and panel discussions on concept of siddha system and its specialities, management of skin diseases through unani system of medicine, geriatric health care through ayurvedic approach, yoga for healthy living, lifestyle disorders and their management through naturopathy and mother and childcare through homoeopathy will be organised.

A new pathological research has demonstrated that herbal medicine can lead to unwanted deaths, especially in people who consume too much of their natural remedies, or who combine such substances with prescription medication.  University of Adelaide forensic pathologist Professor Roger Byard underlines the fact that many herbal chemicals have very toxic compounds inside, which can kill an adult on their own when taken in excessive quantities, or when combined with other chemicals from other drugs.

Naturopaths agree that there are dangers in herbal medicines for people who self-diagnose and then ''treat'' themselves with off-the-shelf products. However, they say the industry is generally well regulated.

The problem is compounded when herbs are contaminated, poorly processed or replaced with a cheaper alternative.

"These substances may cause serious illnesses, exacerbate pre-existing health problems or result in death, particularly if taken in excess or injected rather than ingested."
"Herbal medicines are frequently mixed with standard drugs, presumably to make them more effective. This can also have devastating results," Byard says.

Many common herbs could cause severe side effects when used with conventional medicine, such as negating the effect of blood-thinning agent warfarin or making epileptic seizures more frequent.

Ginkgo and garlic also increase the risk of bleeding with anticoagulants and certain herbal remedies such as Borage Oil and Evening Primrose Oil lower the seizure threshold in epileptics, said a university release.

 ''I'm not saying don't take them - herbal medicine is a time-honoured practice with real benefits,'' Professor Byard said. ''But you should talk to your doctor and work it out together.''

On a newly done research, Dr Shyam Mani Adhikari pointed out that there is no laboratory facility or well established mechanism for standardization and monitoring so far in Nepal  to assure and control the quality of such medicines, many questions are raised regarding the quality, safety and efficacy of these medicines. Hence, substandard Ayurvedic medicines also might have been brought to the market which not only defames Ayurvedic physicians and decreases faith to the Ayurveda but also creates a risk of public health hazards.

He recommended that it requires very urgent and serious multi-dimensional attempts by concerned authorities and other stakeholders to manage and regulate this situation.

The first genetic map of the world’s most important medicinal plant, Artemisia annua, was published on Thursday in the journal Science. Artemisia is the source of artemisinin, a key ingredient in antimalarial drugs.

Plant scientists at York University, who prepared the genetic map, are already using the map to breed higher-yielding strains of Artemisia. Existing wild plants produce only small amounts of artemisinin, which is therefore too scarce and too expensive to meet the huge requirement for malaria drugs in the developing world.“We intend to get high-yielding seed to farmers in the next two to three years in order to supply soaring demand for malaria treatments,” said York Professor Dianna Bowles. “This is a really tight deadline and we can only do it with the benefit of the new knowledge provided by the map.”

The benefits of marijuana in tempering or reversing the effects of Alzheimer's disease have been challenged in a new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute.The findings, published in the current issue of the journal Current Alzheimer Research, could lower expectations about the benefits of medical marijuana in combating various cognitive diseases and help redirect future research to more promising therapeutics.

Previous studies using animal models showed that HU210, a synthetic form of the compounds found in marijuana, reduced the toxicity of plaques and promoted the growth of new neurons. Those studies used rats carrying amyloid protein, the toxin that forms plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's victims.

The new study, led by Dr. Weihong Song, Canada Research Chair in Alzheimer's Disease and a professor of psychiatry in the UBC Faculty of Medicine, was the first to test those findings using mice carrying human genetic mutations that cause Alzheimer's disease -- widely considered to be a more accurate model for the disease in humans.

"As scientists, we begin every study hoping to be able to confirm beneficial effects of potential therapies, and we hoped to confirm this for the use of medical marijuana in treating Alzheimer's disease," says Song, a member of the Brain Research Centre at UBC and VCH Research Institute and Director of Townsend Family Laboratories at UBC.

"But we didn't see any benefit at all. Instead, our study pointed to some detrimental effects."

Over a period of several weeks, some of the Alzheimer's-afflicted mice were given varying doses of HU210 -- also known as cannabinoids -- which is 100 to 800 times more potent than the marijuana compounds. Their memory was then tested.

The mice treated with HU210 did no better than untreated mice, with those given low doses of HU210 performing the worst. The researchers also found that HU210-treated mice had just as much plaque formation and the same density of neurons as the control group. The group given higher doses actually had fewer brain cells.

"Our study shows that HU210 has no biological or behavioural effect on the established Alzheimer's disease model," says Song, the Jack Brown and Family Professor and Chair in Alzheimer's Disease. "More studies should be done before we place much hope in marijuana's benefits for Alzheimer's patients."

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100208091926.htm