The yagyopathy laboratory established at Brahmavarchas Research Instt., Shantkunj, haridwar ( India) is unique lab in which search and development facility are available to study the effect of sublimation of herbs with power of mantra chanted during the course of the ritual of Yagya.
Highlights of PhD Research Work of Dr. (Mrs). Meenakshi Raghuvanshi
Pulmonary Tuberculosis is a major public health problem across the globe. Every year about eighty thousands new cases are reported in India alone. The high frequency of drug-resistance, complications of sequential updating of multiple drug-regimen and side effects like hepatotoxicity, etc limit the efficacy of its treatment by modern medicines. Ayurvedic herbal medicines are found to be effective, but oral administration of these is usually slow in desired healing.
Because of repeated rhythmic chanting of mantra and deep breathing, oral and nasal inhalation of medicinal vapors/gases/fumes (released from the processing of the herbal plant medicinal preparation in the yagya-fire) occurs naturally during yagya. Thus, yagyopathy (yagya-therapy) enables pulmonary administration of the herbal medicines and is therefore expected to be a more efficient mode of healing in case of pulmonary diseases in general and pulmonary tuberculosis in particular.
Thorough scientific evaluation of this ancient therapy in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis was the principal objective of this research work.
The yagyopathy (yagya-therapy) experiments in this study were conducted using the fire-pit in the shape of 'Padma Kunda' which is constructed in the center of the Yagyopathy Lab of the Brahmvarchas research centre, Shantikunj, Hardwar. The size of this kunda is approximately 6 to7 times (in cross sectional area of the successive layers from top to bottom) that of the agnihotra kunda. The lab is surrounded by glass walls with appropriate facilities of controlled ventilation and exhaust through the roof which can be connected (at the terrace of the lab) to desired instruments for collection and analysis of the released medicinal fumes/gases/vapors etc. The lab is maintained in clinically necessary clean conditions. It is surrounded by green plants with a pollution-free and calm environment.
Dry powder prepared using the anti-tubercular preparations recommended in Ayurvedic scriptures were used as havan samagri for sacrifice in the yagya-fire. The botanical and chemical properties and the antitubercular activity, antibacterial activity and immunomodulatory activities published in modern scientific literature were thoroughly reviewed. Due care was taken to assure best type and quality of the herbs.
Detailed chemical analysis of the thermal transformation and slow-combustion process of yagya was studied together with the possible reactions and release of important phytochemicals and their anti-bacterial (including anti myco-bacterial), immunomodulatory and other important activities and synergistic and antagonistic effects of total herbs.
