inflammation in a vicious circle.

As it is the malfunctioning of the

immune system, these are also called autoimmune diseases.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is one of the most disabling types of arthritis. Three times as

many women as men are affected, many between 25 and 50

years, by this type of arthritis. It usually affects the small finger

joints, wrists, knees and toes. Fatigue, weight loss and fever may

accompany the swelling and pain in the joints. Stiffness of joints

and surrounding muscles is a regular symptom. In some cases,

damages to the heart, lungs, eyes, skin and nerves may follow.

Though there is no universal agreement on the causes of this

disease, some doctors think it may be the result of an infection.

The joint linings become inflamed and destroy the cartilage and

the bone. Some doctors give large doses of aspirin or similar

drugs. If arthritis is very aggressive, drugs called DMARDs or

SAARDs are given. These may have hazardous side-effects and

needs close supervision. Surgeries like joint replacement, tendon

reconstruction and synovectomy will be necessary in very advanced

Common Types

Ford Foundation Project Reviewed ........................................... 3

Ayurvedic medicines manufactured at Lakshmi Seva Sangham for Arthritis......................................5

LSS President Conveys her Blessing to the Employees of LSS.............................................. 6

Review of SFURTI by CEO of KVIC ........................................ 7

Linkage Loan to SFURTI Artisans............................................... 7

Pro Vice Chancellor of IGNOU visits LSS.................................8

Smt. Sheela Rani Chunkath IAS at LSS..................................... 8

Inside

Definition

The word 'arthritis' means 'inflammation of the joint', as

'arthro' means 'joint' and 'itis' means 'inflammation'. Hence,

arthritis, generally, denotes a disease that causes pain in the

joints resulting in partial or complete loss of movement of

the joints. The inflammation occurs when the cartilage, that

acts as a cushion inside the joints, wear down and expose

the bone surfaces. People of all ages, even children, suffer

from arthritis now-a-days, though the disease is generally

connected with aging. In chronic cases, it can last, on and

off, a life time.

Description

More than 100 different types of arthritis, affecting different

parts of the body, have been identified. Besides joints, some

types of arthritis are seen to be associated with diseases of

other parts of the body. However, most of the patients suffer

swelling, redness, pain and subsequent loss of motion in the joints.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in senior citizens.

Inflammation is usually a defense mechanism of the immune

system of the body. When an injury or the presence of disease-

causing viruses or bacteria is noticed at a place in the body, the

defending cells of the immune system rush to the place and wipe

out the cause of the problem. After the battle is won, the

inflammation goes away and the area becomes healthy again. But

in several forms of arthritis, the inflammation remains as the real

problem, damaging healthy tissues and causing further

ARTHRITIS

Continued on Page 4

Dr. T.S. SoundramFOUNDER

Ayur WatchA Lakshmi Seva Sangam Communiqué

Mrs. Padmaja RajagopalanPresident

Dr.R. Kousalya DeviVice-president

M.R. RajagopalanAdvisor

Shri.K. ShivakumarSecretary

Editorial Team

Shri. K. Shivakumar

Dr. V. Balamurugan

Dr. R. Ramesh

Ms. R. Manjula

Design and Layout

JB Multimedia,

info@jbmultimedia.com

Lakshmi Seva Sangham

Gandhigram 624 302

Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu

Telephone: 0451 2452308

Fax: 0451 2453277

e-mail: info@glss.in, info@ayurwatch.com

www.ayurwatch.com, www.glss.in

Address for communication

Certified Khadi & Village Industries Commission, MumbaiNSIC Certified

For private circulation only

An ISO 9001:2000 & GMPCertified Institution

Editorial

K.Shivakumar,

Secretary

Social organization in the not for profit sector for the welfare of people concern

Vision

To caters to the needs of the patients through promotion of traditional medicines

Mission

Yours sincerely,

Dear Friends,

Initiation of green

LSS team had been contemplating for the past few months on preparation of Siddha and

Ayurveda medicines using organic raw materials. A brainstorming session conducted

recently with Smt. Sheela Rani Chunkat, IAS, helped to generate a lot of new ideas. We

have started quite a few initiatives taking cue from her ideas and suggestions. We will be

happy if the Green Foundation and other like-minded organizations/agencies help us in

identifying the raw materials.

A meeting of the Sacred Herbs and Foods committee was convened. The discussions

concluded with a decision that representation should be made to the Governments of

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for the reservation of 15% for the organizations registered with

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and National Small Industries Corporation

Ltd. (NSIC) for price preference. The tender conditions include supply of medicines in pet

bottles and it was decided to represent to the Governments to use glass bottles instead

of plastic bottles.

LSS team discussed with Dr. Latha Pillai, Pro Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National

Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi on promoting the starting of two diploma courses

related to cultivation of medicinal plants and preparation of traditional medicines in

collaboration with IGNOU.

Ford Foundation project has been reviewed by the Programme Officer from the FORD

Foundation, New Delhi. The performance of SFURTI Project is being appreciated by CEO

and Director of SFURTI.

We are thankful to Shri M. Vallalar, IAS, District Collector & Chairman of Cluster

Development Coordination Group (CDCG) of SFURTI (KVIC) project for his valuable

suggestions for improving our documentation of the history of patients and studying the

impacts of our Siddha and Ayurveda medicines.

we are happy to inform that our Siddha & Ayurveda cluster under SFURTI baged National

Award for the best performing cluster in Southern States. We are thankful to KVIC,

Government of India for selecting us as a best cluster.

Dr. Ajit Kanitkar, Programme Officer, FORD Foundation, New Delhi

made a visit on 31.07.09 for reviewing the “Promotion of

Marketing Techniques of Indian Medicines” (PMTIM) project

implemented by Gandhigram Trust through Lakshmi Seva

Sangham. Gandhigram Trust has received $50,000 (Rs. 23,

71,148/-) from FORD FOUNDATION for LSS to promote the

marketing of Siddha & Ayurvedic medicines and to ensure the

sustainability of social development programmes for rural women.

With the aim to promote marketing in urban and rural areas by

developing low cost advertisement and designing brand identity

and penetration.

Dr. Ajit Kannikar, Programme officer reviewed the project and had

formal discussions with the project team. Dr. Kousalya Devi,

Managing Trustee of Gandhigram Trust had interaction with the

Progrmme Officer. Ms. R. Manjula, Project Coordinator presented

a PowerPoint presentation and explained about the programme

Marketing Promotional Activities of FORD Foundation Project

Three days training programme on Rural Marketing was thorganized & carried out at Gandhigram from 15-17 July 2009

for the SHG members from Vellore, Kanchipuram , Tirunelveli

and Tuticorin districts of Tamil Nadu and Thiruvananthapuram

district of Kerala. Another training programme for the

members of SHGs, and panchayat level federation members

from Cuddalore district was organized at Cuddalore on 22nd

July 2009.

and techniques carried out under the PMTIM project. Dr. Ajit went

through the various departments of LSS.

-3-

Ford Foundation Project Reviewed

Training on rural marketing

The Sacred Herbs and Foods (Herbal and Neutraceutical

Manufacturers Net work) represented to the Chief Minister of

Tamil Nadu on behalf of the members who are manufacturing

Ayurvedic and Siddha products certified by Khadi & Village

Industries Commission (KVIC) and National Small Industries

Corporation Limited (NSIC), on their supplies to the to

Government Departments. They requested the state Government

to accept price preference up to 15% over the lowest acceptable

offer from the large scale private sector units as per the KVIC

(No.3.8.1) and NSIC (note No.2) guidelines to those institutions

that are certified by both KVIC and NSIC.

Appeal to Govt. of Tamil Nadu

stages of the disease and are reported to be more successful.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

This is a form of chronic arthritis attacking children and may start

with fever and rash. Usually, it takes a long time to diagnose the

disease correctly. After 10 years, the disease may stop

progressing, but the damage done may be permanent and result

in further deterioration of the joints. Though the patient may get

completely cured of the disease, a deformity may remain till

death.

Osteoarthritis

Affecting almost all who cross 60 years of age, it is also known as

degenerative joint disease, arthrosis, osteoarthrosis and

hypertrophic arthritis. There is no complete cure for osteoarthritis

in allopathy, but proper treatment can help relieve the symptoms.

Besides these common types, there are other types like psoriatic

arthritis in which psoriasis accompanies arthritis, autoimmune

diseases in which the body attacks itself, septic arthritis in which

there is severe infection of the joints, gouty arthritis in which uric

acid crystals are deposited in the joints, etc.

Treatment of Arthritis

The main treatments in any form of arthritis are physical therapy

and occupational therapy to maintain joint mobility and range of

motion. Among the drugs administered to the arthritis patients

there may be non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin,

ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. These are considered rather

safe. The second line of drugs for treating rheumatoid arthritis are

hydroxychloroquine, gold, penicillamine, azathioprine,

sulfasalazine and methotrexate. These can help delay the

progress of the disease, but have severe adverse effects.

Ayurveda classifies arthritis as a vata (air) related disease generally

that is caused by the accumulation of toxins in the body. External

causes are cold, damp and windy climate. Internal causes are

related to low Agni (poor digestive fire) leading to a built-up of

toxins in the body. Some ayurvedic treatises classify arthritis into

three types:

Vata type in which the joints will crack and pop

Pitta type in which the joints are red, hot and swollen

Kapha type in which the joints are stiff and swollen but cold

and clammy

The remedies in Ayurvedic treatment begins with the revival of the

digestive fire through short fasting to burn up the accumulated

toxins. Dietary restrictions avoiding heavy and damp food items

and encouraging intake of hot spicy herbs like cayenne, dry

Arthritis and Ayurveda

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ginger, cinnamon are put in place. Massaging the affected parts

and whole body massage with medicated oils are done to reduce

the pain and regain flexibility of the joints. Ayurvedic compound

Triphala to cleanse the colon and Guggul for cleaning and

strengthening the bone tissue are recommended. Turmeric

powder in warm water is also beneficial in relieving the

symptoms.

Guggul comes from the yellow resin produced by the stem of

Mukul Myrrh. It is the herb that is most used for the treatment of

arthritis in Ayurveda because of its amazing properties. It is anti-

inflammatory, analgesic and is an immune enhancer. Ricinus

communis, zingiber officinalis, cedrus deodara, tinospora

cordifolia, strychnos nux vomica, black pepper, winter cherry and

cinamonum camphora also have curing properties in the case of

arthritis in its various forms.

Lakshmi Seva Sangham is producing medications that are very

effective in the treatment of arthritis. Vatha Sanjeevi Tahailam is

massage oil that can be used in the treatment of all forms of

arthritis and Mahayogaraja Guggulu tablets are very popular

among the ayurvedic practitioners as sure remedy for arthritis.

Besides, the medication in paste form named Aswgandhadi

Lehyam is also a powerful tool in fighting arthritis, if taken

regularly for a long period. All these medications may be taken

under the supervision of an experienced practitioner of

Ayurveda/Siddha system. And finally, here are some home

remedies from all over the world, which you may try, and may be

useful, during the initial stages of the disease:

2 spoons of lemon juice with 1 spoon of honey in warm water

twice a day

Half-a-spoon of turmeric powder in warm water

Alfalfa tea twice a day

Rubbing the aching joints with hot vinegar to reduce pain

Two parts of olive oil with one of kerosene as liniment to

bathe joints

One garlic clove, lightly fried in ghee, every day for two

months

Exercising the afflicted joints in a tub full of hot water

Half-a-spoon of guggul twice a day with warm water after

meals

One spoon of cod-liver oil with orange juice before going to

sleep

It may be kept in mind that these home remedies and dietary

controls and exercises will not be sufficient in the chronic stages

of arthritis. Only Ayurvedic or Siddha treatment under the

supervision of an experienced practitioner of those systems of

medicine can cure the disease at an advanced stage.

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Continued from Page1

-5-

Ayurvedic medicines manufactured at Lakshmi Seva Sangham for Arthritis Amavadha Thailam

It is an anti-inflammatory, and

is used for joint pains and

inflammation (swelling). Hot

fermentation should be given

after one hour after the external

application of the oil

(Amavadha Thailam).

Balaguduchyadi thailam

It relives pain and

burning sensations

of the body, when

applied externally. It

is also used for

inflammatory and

rheumatic swelling.

It is used in the

treatment of nervous

disorders like paralysis,

hemiplegia, facial

paralysis, neuritis and

neurasthenia. For

external uses only.

Dhanvantara Thailam Karpooradhi Thailam

It relieves pain and is

rubbed over

inflammatory swellings

and on the chest in

pneumonia and

pleurisy. For external

use only.

Ksheerbala thailam (ordinary)

It is useful in nervous

debility of joint pain.

For external use only.

It is used in the

treatment of paralysis

and similar diseases

relating to the nervous

system externally. For

external use only.

Narayana Thailam Vishamushti Thailam

It is anti-

inflammatory, anti-

erotic and is for

external application

only.

Karpasasthyadhi Thailam

It is a nervine tonic and is

anti-rheumatic. It is used

in paralysis and

hemiplegia. Though it is

generally used externally,

it is also given internally

with hot milk in some

cases.

Ksheerabala (101)

It is a nervine tonic and is

anti-rheumatic. It is used in

paralysis and hemiplegia.

Though it is generally used

externally, it is also given

internally with hot milk.

It is used in arthritis,

inflammatory swelling

burns and wounds.

Pinda Thailam

Arthritic joint surfaces

Medial Meniscus

Femur

Patella

Lateral meniscus

Tibia

Khadi outlet Managers @ LSS A meeting was arranged for the Managers of Khadi outlets on

05.08.09 to strengthen the market promotion of Siddha and

Ayurveda medicines. Shri. K. Shiva Kumar, Secretary of LSS, shared

details about the target achieved so far by LSS with the support of

the Khadi outlet. He congratulated the Managers for extending

the support and requested to increase the sales of the Siddha,

Ayurveda and Khadi products.

-6-

LSS President Conveys her Blessing to the Employees of LSS A team members met Smt. Padmaja Rajagopalan, President of

LSS, in her residence at Bangalore on 18th July 2009 and narrated

the activities of LSS as well as the Human Resource and Welfare

Programmes of LSS.

She appreciated the happenings and blessed all employees for

running the unit in a successful manner.

LSS maintains the Gandhigram traditions

by planting new plants on Tagore Day. The

model of the place for planting has been

designed in such a way that the usage of

the different medicinal herbs for different

systems of the body is represented.

Tagore Day Celebrations

Navaga Gugglu

It is used in rheumatic

disorder, arthritis, chronic

ulcers and boils sciatica. It

is a deodorant and

reduces obesity and hyper-

cholestreamia.

Mahayogaraja Guggulu

It is a blood purifier and is

anti-inflammatory. It is

used in arthritis and

rheumatism.

It is anti-rheumatic and

anti-inflammatory. It is used

in rheumatic fever, arthritis,

sciatica and neuritis.

Maharasnathi kwatha choornam

It is a blood purifier in

Gout and arthritis. It is

given with Mahayogaraja

Gugglu.

Manjishtadhi kwatha choornam

Our advisor Shri M. R.

Rajagopalan, on his

appointment as an Executive

Committee member for the

third consecutive term in

CAPART.

LSS congratulates

A team of Siddha vaithyas from Chennai visited Lakshmi Seva

Sangham and its units on 6th June 2009. The Siddha Vaithyas

were very excited after viewing the production and the quality

control lab. They appreciated the fact that the medicines are

manufactured in a clean environment using the traditional

methodologies. The medicines produced are of high standard

and good quality, they stated after the visit.

Campus visit of Siddha Vaithyas

The performance and achivement for the past two years of the

SFURTI project implemented by LSS along with the necessary

documents for the release of further grant was handed over to

the Director, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC),

Divisional Office, Madurai for forwarding the same to the Central

Office, Mumbai, on 14th July 2009.

Performance and Achievement Report of SFURTIsubmitted to Khadi and Village Industries Commission

As part of the programme the SFURTI team arranged linkage loan

to the artisans who are involved in collection, cultivation and semi

processing of medicinal plants from the State Bank of India and

the Canara Bank. LSS and SFURTI express their sincere thanks to

State Bank of India, Ambathurai branch, and Canara Bank,

Gandhigram Branch, who helped us a lot by providing Linkage

loans tor SHG groups and Individual loans to individual

entrepreneurs. The loan amount not only helped them as working

capital but also reduced the money borrowing from private money

lenders at exorbitant rates of interest.

Linkage Loan to SFURTI Artisans REVIEW of SFURTI by CEO of KVIC

The Chairman- CDCG & District Collector visit Implementing Agency of Siddha and Ayurveda Cluster of SFURTI

The Project SFURTI implemented by LSS was reviewed by the Chief

Executive Officer of KVIC, Dy. CEO of Southern Zone and the

Director of SFURTI at Bangalore on 16th and 17th July 2009. Dr.

V. Balamurugan, CDE of the project and Shri J. Ananda Gandhi,

Finance Controller of LSS attended the meeting and explained the

targets already achieved and to be implemented in the next year

under SFURTI. The committee appreciated the team for the

successful implementation of the project.

The District Collector and Chairman of CDCG of SFURTI visited LSS on 8th August 2009 along

with the member CDCG & Project Officer of Women Development Corporation, Dindigul District.

The team went around the production unit of Siddha and Ayurveda unit. He suggested that the

effect of Siddha and Ayurvedic medicines in each disease should be documented in a scientific

manner. The activities of SFURTI and the present status were explained to the team. We also

requested financial assistance for the construction of CFC to be started at Kodaikanal shortly.

-7-

Propagation of Siddha & Ayurveda

medicines has been demonstrated

in front of the villagers at

Thottanoothu village, Dindigul on

26th June 09. FORD and SFURTI

team have performed a skit before

The Ford team has focused and covered three more districts viz.,

Vellore, Theni and Dindigul, for sales promotion camps. During

this period the team has targeted fifty traditional healers and

thirty five Siddha & Ayurveda medical practitioners. This

programme helps us to build and strengthen the relationship

between the LSS, plus doctors prescribing Siddha and Ayurveda

medicines and consumers.

Sales Promotion Camp under FORD

Awareness CampaignParticipation in Herbal Expo 2009 The Siddha medical students have organized Herbal Expo 2009

from 16th to 19th July 2009, at Anna Hospital, Chennai to create

awareness on Siddha and Ayurveda medicines among the public.

In this programme, SHG members of SFURTI and FORD marketing

promoters got an exposure of the Siddha and Ayurvedic

medicines. They explained about the goodness of Siddha and

Ayurvedic medicines. Good response and new trade enquiries

were received as a result of this programme.

Mrs. Latha Pillai, Pro Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, Delhi, visited the

campus of LSS on 21.07.09 and felt that it's very impressive work

in the area of traditional medicines by the Sangham. She also

added that a formal way to pass on this knowledge may be

considered. Shri Shiva Kumar, Secretary of LSS and Dr. Pankajam,

former Vice-Chancellor of Gandhigram Rural University & Director

of Dr. Soundram Community College shared their experiences and

the activities to be commenced under LSS and Gandhigram Trust.

Dr. V. Balamurugan and Ms. R. Manjula explained activities

undertaken in the SFURTI and PMTIM projects respectively.

Pro Vice Chancellor of IGNOU visits LSS

the audience, depicting the importance of Siddha & Ayurveda

medicines and their special features. Nearly 350 people, including

the Community leaders, ward councillors, other ward members of

the community & the public viewed the programmes.

Smt. Sheela Rani Chunkath IAS visits LSS

Smt. Sheela Rani

Chunkath, IAS, Principal

Secretary / Chairperson

& Managing Director of

The Tamilnadu Industrial

Investment Corporation

Limited visited LSS on

3rd August 2009.

During her visit, she made a brain storming session with the team

for future strategic plan of LSS. She appreciated the professional

integrity the LSS staff have maintained and advised LSS to start a

clinical lab and hospital.

We are happy to inform that our Dindigul Siddha and Ayurveda

Cluster under SFURTI implementing by Lakshmi Seva Sangham has

been selected as a best cluster for National Award-2009 representing

South Zone. We are thankful to Khadi and Village Industries

Commission (Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises,

Government of India) for selecting us for the National Award. Shri M.

R. Rajagopalan, Secretary of Gandhigram Trust and Adviser of LSS

received the Award from the Hon'ble Union Minister for MSME Shri

Dinsha J Patel at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 28th August 2009.

National Award for SFURTI