Uma Karthik

Padmabhushan Dr P.K. Warrier was an illustrious Ayurvedic physician who served as the managing trustee of Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal for a period of 68 years. His approach to diagnosis and treatment of diseases was based on sound principles of diet and regimen. He was a person who fostered research in educational, clinical and pharmaceutical sectors through collaborations with reputed organisations. He played a key role in the dissemination of knowledge through Ayurveda Seminars and publication of articles for the scientific community as well as informative pieces for the common man. The Padma awardee breathed his last on July 10, 2021 leaving a huge void in the field of Ayurveda medicine.

Ojas is the vital force that sustains life formed as an essence of all the dhatu. The decline of ojas is an inevitable sequel of any disease. Shock which is a condition that results from reduced perfusion to tissues and organ dysfunction is relatable to the 3 stages of ojakshaya as mentioned by Susrutha. Sannipatajwara which is also called as Hritaujas and its classification into 13 types can be aligned to the stages of different types of shock. The contradiction of visha and ojas and the importance of the trimarma in the pathology of ojodushti are also significant in understanding and managing ojodushti. The emergency management system has to focus on the concept of ojodushti.

The skin which forms the largest organ in the body is involved in many homeostatic functions like temperature regulation, Vitamin D synthesis and forms a mechanical barrier against pathogens. It is a site of expression of various normal and abnormal processes in the body. The role of vata, pitta and kapha dosha are important in determining the nature of skin. The excellence of the dhatu is also expressed as healthy skin or dhatusaaratha. Rasasaaratha is equivalent to twaksaaratha. The equivalence of rasa to twak is an important factor in deciding the route of medicine as internal or external in skin disorders.