Introduction:Vajikarana is one of the eight specialities of Ashtang Ayurveda dealing with the management of pathophysiology of spermatogenesis and healthy sexual potentiation. This aphrodisiac therapy is advocated for various sexual and reproductive disease i.e., Klaibya or Erectile dysfunctions, Bandhyatva or Infertility, Shukraghata Vata or azospermia and premature ejaculation. Vrishya, a synonym of Vajikara, is the technical term indicating spermatogenic and aphrodisiac effect of a dravya (foods, herbs, spices and Medicinal plants) including audio-visual, socio-religious effects/ sexual behaviour factors/ constants). Currently, the importance of this branch has increased manifold, as more and more people are reporting to clinics with various disorders related to seminal parameters and sexual dysfunction. Material and Methods: Various drugs mentioned under these therapies were searched including scientific data pertaining to their efficacy and probable mode of action. The search was limited to Ayurveda classics, books and published works from pubmed as well as non-pubmed indexed journals including google scholar database. The present review is mainly focussed on brihatryi (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtang) for elaborate understanding of the concept of Vrishya and Vajikarana. The texts Sarangdhar Samhita and Bhavprakash Nighantu were searched for the drugs indicated as vrishya and vajikarana properties. Results: Analyses of the textual data revealed that Vrishya dravyas act as Vajikara also, but all Vajikara dravyas do not possess Vrishya property. This appears due to predominance of stimulant action on Sukravaha Samsthana in Vajikara dravyas while Vrishya has mainly quantitative and qualitative effect on Sukra. These drugs also act on higher centres of the brain which helps to alleviate anxiety associated with sexual performance as revealed by the published scientific data. Aphrodiasics also modulate the level of the pituitary hormones FSH and LH. The drugs possessing these properties have been tabulated in the text. Conclusion: Vajikarana is the therapy while Vrishya is the property (Karma) of the drug. Vrishya drugs are successful in treating conditions of reproductive disorders and sexual performance and they have an effect on pituitary-gonadal axis. Investigations in validation of these drugs will go a long way in management of infertility.

In the age of modern technology, scientific advancements, consumer awareness and the advent of evidence based medicine, there is inadequate genuine clinical trial evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of Ayurveda drugs, except that this system is practised since hundreds of years. Another fact that supports it is the rarity of any adverse effect ever reported. Even the IEC guidelines for human trials take shelter under the fact that Ayurvedic drugs are time tested and require no evidence base of clinical safety data for approval of their use in humans. But this is a limitation which all along has interfered in acceptance of Ayurvedic medicines in developed world as a health care system. Further, a common misconception prevails among the masses and also a large population of practitioners is that Ayurveda drugs are safe and do not have any adverse reaction. Pharmacovigilance is an important tool to analyse the drug effect particularly its side effects, if any. This paper outlines briefly the concept of Pharmacovigilance, and the implementation of National Pharmacovigilance Programme for Ayurveda, Sidhha, Unani Drugs.

Day to day stress at work, various physical, biological, chemical and socio-economic factors contribute to a decline in concentration, motility and in the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa in fertile men. Ayurveda has several effective remedies which may act as a boon for seminal disorders. Vanga Bhasma (calcined tin) is one of the most popular drugs, used as Vrishya and to potentiate sexual vigour. It has been acclaimed to be efficacious in sukra dosa, swapanmeha and also prevents sukrakshaya. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of Vanga Bhasma as Vrishya on the basis of seminal parameters, sexual dysfunction, and quality of sexual life. The study was conducted on 30 male subjects. The results were assessed in terms of seminal parameters, Questionnaire on Quality of Sexual Life and Symptomatic relief on the basis of scoring system. Statistically significant improvement (p < 0.01) was observed on total sperm count and semen volume. Highly significant improvement, with p < 0.001 was observed on abnormal sperm forms and sperm motility. In terms of subjective parameters also, highly significant improvement, with p < 0.001 was observed in sexual desire, rigidity, ejaculation, erection and orgasm. The study revealed that Vanga Bhasma can be used as a Vrishya drug.

Geriatric medicine is the specialized branch of medicine that deals with the problem of elderly persons. Increase in average life span due to enhanced medical facilities has resulted in demographic shift towards older age. Also, a lot has been stated in Ayurveda texts regarding longevity and vitality in terms of Jara chikitsa and Rasayan. This study was undertaken to critically review the Ayurveda texts and re-evaluate the concept of jara (ageing) and to analyse the various considerations and therapeutic interventions which have promotive, preventive and curative effect on diseases of old age. The three main texts of Ayurveda, i.e. Brihatryi were explored regarding the aspects of ageing and non-pharmacological as well as drug approaches were studied. Analyses of the texts revealed that the preventive aspects of ideal regimen, healthy dietary habits, use of Rasayana drugs and Panchkarma purification procedures, if adopted in daily routine can have a positive effect in improving vitality and longevity of the body. This also improves the quality of life especially in the elderly.

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing rapidly because of changes in dietetic habits and life style. Continuous research is being done by scientists of various fields in order to achieve an effective cure of the disease. A great deal of work has also been done by Ayurvedic research scholars on various herbal and mineral drugs to find an effective treatment for Prameha. Shilajatu is one such drug which has been described for the management of Prameha in Ayurveda texts. The present study was conducted to clinically assess the efficacy of Shilajatu in the management of Prameha. Twenty two diabetic patients were selected for the study. The results were assessed in terms of symptomatic relief on the basis of scoring system, laboratory investigations including fasting blood glucose, post prandial blood glucose, glycosylated Hb, urine sugar, and a Questionnaire on Quality of Life. Statistically highly significant improvement (p <0.001) was observed on FBS and PPBS.  Statistically significant improvement was observed on urine sugar and glycosylated haemoglobin with p <0.05 and p<0.01 respectively. In terms of subjective parameters also, highly significant improvement, with p <0.001 was observed in Shaithilya, Mukha Sosha, Sandhi Shoola, Prabhuta Mutrata, Pipasa and Kshudha. Highly significant improvement was observed in quality of life statistically with p <0.001. The study revealed that Shilajatu can be used as a drug in the management of Prameha.