Dealing with intemperate diabetes and hypertension, one of the main challenge to deal with is retinopathy. Early management and preventive treatments through Ayurveda can make a great impact as it helps in preventing vision loss. The major cause of vision loss in diabetic retinopathy is macular edema, which is the thickening of macula due to fluid accumulation. This will result in significant deterioration of vision and if untreated will result in permanent loss of vision. The pathophysiology of hypertension and diabetes can cause altered immune functions and vascular endothelial dysfunction. In Ayurveda, retinopathy can be considered as Timira (~errors of refraction/partial blindness). A 61-year-old male patient complaining of defective distant and near vision for one year sought Ayurvedic treatment. Clinical findings include Central Serous Macular Edema (CSME), Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR) with maculopathy, and Grade 2 hypertensive retinopathy in both eyes. The selected treatment protocol includes Rakta sangrahi (~medicine that helps in blood coagulation), Stambhana (~procedure or action of drug causing arrest of secretion or control of bleeding), and Ama pachana (~the action of a drug or medicine which helps in digesting toxins in body), Sirovirechana (~medication through nose for cleansing or errhine), Talapotichil (~patching the scalp with herbal paste), Sirodhara (~pouring medicated oil over the scalp), Takradhara (~therapeutic butter milk-streaming over body), and Akshi tarpanam (~filling the eyes with medicated Ghee). Significant improvement in Visual Acuity (VA) and changes in CSME were observed at the end of the treatment. During follow-up period of three months, VA was further improved. The observations reveal that Ayurvedic management of the mixed retinopathy is significantly effective in reducing the subjective and objective symptoms and improve VA.

The Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophies (LGMDs) include a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the progressive wasting and weakness of the proximal limb-girdle muscles. Sarcoglycanopathies are forms of LGMD that result from defect in the sarcoglycan complex. Ayurveda explains the condition in the line of Srotorodha (~obstructive pathology occurring in channels), especially at the Mamsa dhatu (~muscle tissue) level. This is the case report of an eight year old male child of autosomal recessive LGMD with no relevant family history. The patient was presented with gradual onset of proximal muscle weakness in all four limbs for two years along with pseudohypertrophy of bilateral calf muscles. He had elevated Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) level and the genetic test findings revealed a homozygous missense variation in exon 2 of the SGCA gene. He visited the outpatient department of the tertiary Government Ayurveda Hospital and Ayurveda medications were administered along with dietary advices for two months followed by in-patient management for one month. There was a significant improvement in the clinical findings assessed by the Vignos scale of lower extremity and Barthel index along with reduction in the level of CPK value after three months of Ayurvedic management. Significant improvement in this short period of management substantiates the benefit of Ayurvedic medicines in the management of LGMD.

Uveitis is a broad term used to describe the inflammatory pathology of vascular layer of the eyeball. It is composed of a diverse group of disease entities, which, in total, has been estimated to cause approximately 10% of blindness. It can lead to serious complications such as cataract, glaucoma, and cystoid macular edema if not diagnosed and treated promptly. A 31-year-old male patient residing in urban area presented to the outpatient department with complaints of redness, pain, and watering from both eyes for the last 10 years. He also complained of photophobia, floaters, and discoloration of skin under the eyes for the last one year. The clinical features of anterior uveitis simulated to Pitta-Raktadhimantha and the treatment modalities adopted were based on Doshas and Samprapti (~pathogenesis). On examination, both the eyes were severely congested. The patient was treated with oral Ayurvedic drugs and topical medication. Satisfactory improvement was noticed by the end of management inferring the potential of Ayurveda approaches in management of such conditions.

Herpes zoster is an acute viral infection of sensory ganglia and the corresponding cutaneous areas of innervations characterized by fever and localized pain with vesicular skin eruption over single dermatomes. The available conventional treatments such as the use of antiviral drugs, corticosteroids, and topical agents have certain limitations. The condition, if not treated in early stages, becomes a great challenge to the clinician due to a higher rate of complications such as the neurological sequel, palsy, stroke, and cardiovascular events. In Ayurveda, this condition closely resembles Pittajavisarpa. Gilbert's syndrome is an inherited condition in which the liver does not properly process bilirubin, which causes a slight increase in bilirubin level that can be correlated with Kamala (~jaundice) in Ayurveda. Visarpa and Kamala both diseases are Rakta-pradoshajaroga (~blood vitiated disorders). The principle of treatment is Raktapittanashak-kriya (~remedies which balance the Rakta and Pitta dosha). In this case report, a 20-year-old male patient, with Gilbert syndrome presented with herpes zoster was managed with Ayurvedic internal medications such as Sutashekhara rasa, Arogyavardhini vati, Kaishora guggulu, Avipattikara churna, Paripathadi kwatha, and local application of Shatadhouta ghrita. Improvement had been observed in symptoms and in skin lesions after 14 days, whereas hepatic biochemical parameters were restored to normal after 42 days of treatment. No adverse effect pertaining to the prescribed drug was reported during the study period, inferring that, Ayurvedic medicines offer a good approach to manage Rakta-pradoshajaroga.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problem between brain and rest of the body. Steroids are the drugs of choice in conventional systems but fail to provide a complete cure. There is no direct reference to the disease in Ayurveda, but based on the clinical picture, treatment can be planned. A 28-year-old male patient diagnosed with MS approached the Panchakarma outpatient department with chief complaints of difficulty in balancing while standing and walking, weakness in bilateral lower limbs, and lower backache. On examination of presentation according to Ayurveda, this manifestation was diagnosed as a type of Vata vyadhi (~diseases caused by a Vata dosha). Considering the case, different Panchakarma (~five bio-purification therapies) procedures including Ruksha churna pinda swedana (~dry fomentation), Takradhara (~therapeutic buttermilk dripping), Kshara basti (~therapeutic enema therapy by alkali substance), Snehapana (~internal administration of medicated lipids), and Virechana (~therapeutic purgation) followed by Kalabasti (~therapeutic enema therapy) and Nasya (~intranasal drug administration) were adopted along with Shamana (~palliative) therapy. After completion of 45-day stay in hospital and one month Shamana treatment on follow-up, considerable improvement was recorded in subjective parameters. Assessments were made using the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale which was 8 before treatment and decreased to three after follow-up. The Functional Assessment of MS was reduced from 158 to 102. The Visual Analog Scale which was 8 before treatment was decreased to 1 with increased quality of life according to the SF-36 Quality of Life Scale.

Male pattern hair loss or Androgenic Alopecia (AGA) is one of the most prevalent forms of hair loss among men. The general symptoms include progressive thinning of the scalp hair and reduction in hair density. Hair loss is typically seen as a receding front hairline or loss of hair on vertex of the scalp or a combination of both. Although considered a relatively minor medical condition, AGA can lead to cosmetic as well as psychosocial distress in a person. Even though many conventional therapies have been evolved, there is no satisfactory cure for this condition. In this study, a case of AGA managed by Ayurveda Shamana (∼pacification) therapy is being presented. The prescribed treatment protocol comprised the drugs having Keshya (∼drug or intervention good for hair), Rakta shuddhikara (∼drug or intervention having potency of purifying blood), and Rasayana (∼rejuvenation) properties. The criterion for assessment was based on the Severity of Alopecia Tool scale. The observations made before and after the treatment showed promising results in the management of AGA without causing any adverse effects.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disorder of reproductive women characterized by hyperandrogenism (elevated free testosterone levels and hirsutism), ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology. Here, a case of 29-year-old female was presented with complaints of irregular menstrual cycle, only twice during the last six months associated with severe pain in the lower abdomen and back. Acne on the face, facial hair growth, and increase in weight (from 42 kg to 53 kg) were also associated. The diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) was established through Ultrasonography (USG) and blood hormonal profile (prolactin, serum testosterone total, androstenedione value, complete blood count, thyroid profiles, luteinizing hormone, fasting insulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, follicle-stimulating hormone, sex hormone-binding globulin, progesterone level, and estrogen level). Ayurvedic treatment was planned on the lines of management for Nastaartava (~ceases of menstrual fluid with ovary dysfunction). Matra basti (a form of unctuous enema) was administered in a dose of 75 ml of Phala ghrita regularly for 24 days starting from 6^th day of menstruation cycle. The regimen was adopted for two consecutive cycles. Improvement in USG findings showing reduced endometrial thickness from (9 mm to 6 mm) and ovarian size (from 40 mm × 20 mm to 34 mm × 24 mm of right ovary and 39 mm × 18 mm to 36 mm × 22 mm of left ovary), and normal menstrual cycles were noticed after the treatment. The size of follicle also reduced from >12 mm to 3–7 mm in both ovaries. These findings suggest that Ayurvedic management and Matra basti procedures may be beneficial in case of PCOS.