Ayurveda

A yurveda, the ancient and glorious Indian therapeutic method, is renowned as one of the major systems of alternative and complementary medicine. Like other herbal therapies, a greater part of its medicaments is based purely on safe, remedial herbal drugs. Today, there is a new awareness among people regarding the efficacy of Ayurvedic drugs, and a large number of patients from different parts of the world seek Ayurvedic treatment.

A thorough and comprehensive knowledge about medicinal plants is mandatory for those working in the field of Ayurveda, in order to identify and select the appropriate remedy for a specific disease. Recently, interest in medicinal plants has increased a great deal. Apart from this, scientists in the West have also been conducting various researches on plant-based medicines. However, an extensive website on Ayurvedic medicinal plants did not exist, till the establishment of the website www.ayurvedicmedicinalplants.com.

This website is mainly concerned with the morphology and therapeutic properties of Indian medicinal herbs. The findings of the researchers who have been studying medicinal plants will be incorporated in the near future. It also includes relevant information on almost all varieties of medicinal plants, especially those grown in Kerala.

Visitors to the site can view highresolution digital pictures of Ayurvedic medicinal plants, and read about their morphology, therapeutic properties, the principle behind the selection of a plant as a medicine etc. Moreover, this site is regularly updated to deliver fresh content to visitors.

Over 500 photographs of Ayurvedic medicinal plants are available on the site for easy identification. In addition to this, the botanical name, family name, Sanskrit, Hindi, English and Malayalam names and synonyms of each plant are displayed in a categorised multi-language index. A search function is also incorporated. In addition, visitors can download Medical and Ayurvedic ebooks, screensavers, articles etc. A forum for discussing matters pertaining to Ayurveda is also present here.

According to Dr. Abraham, one of the moderators of the site, some more facilities will also be included, like an active discussion forum headed by eminent scholars for sharing information and clarifying doubts about Ayurveda. A page for home remedies, a feature for the publication of research works in Ayurveda and online sale of seedlings, seeds, Ayurvedic raw drugs, prepared drugs, extracts etc. will be available soon.

This website is maintained by a group of Ayurvedic physicians in Kerala, working both in the academic field and general practice. This site is indeed a great benefit, especially for students and those interested in Ayurveda.