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Over 600 scientific research studies on Maharishi
Ayurved have been conducted during the past 30 years. There is also
extensive clinical experience with Maharishi Ayurved as it has been
adopted by physicians throughout the world and the governments of
many countries. T he research includes studies on the herbal preparations
and general modalities of Maharishi Ayurveda, which have been established
on the modern foundations of Research & Development, Rigorous Scientific
Enquiry, Laboratory Tests, and Clinical Trials and Validations i
nvolving Eminent Seats of Medical Studies.
Studies have been published in leading scientific
journals, including: Science; Lancet; Scientific American; American
Journal of Physiology; Canadian Medical Association Journal; Journal
of Mind and Behavior; International Journal of Neuroscience; Psychosomatic
Medicine; and Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior.
Cancer Research
A select group of herbal compounds called 'rasayanas'
are described in the ancient Ayurvedic tests as having the effect
of increasing resistance to disease and promoting longevity. The
Maharishi Ayurveda rasayanas, known as Maharishi Amrit Kalash 4
and 5 (M4 and M5), have been found to reduce the incidence of breast
cancer in up to 88 percent of experimental animals. The tumors were
induced by the potent carcinogen DMBA. Sixty percent of the control
animals that had developed tumors, when put on MA4 and MA5, showed
tumor regression. MA4 has also been found to prevent lung cancer
metastases in up to 65 per cent of the animals tested. The anti-tumor
activity of MA4 and MA5 is unaccompanied by side effects.
At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
a study of Maharishi Ayurved Bhasma Rasayana (MABR) found that the
carcinogen dimethyl-hydreazide induced 40- percent fewer cancer
lesions in rats receiving MABR as compared to controls.
References
European Journal of Pharmacology, 1990; 183;
193, Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology, 1990;
4: A637' 5131' American Society for Physiology and Experimental
Therapeutics, October 9-13, 1988, Montreal, Canada Pharmacology,
Biochemistry and Behavior, 1990; 35: 767-73
Heart Disease
Heart disease caused by hardening of the arteries
(atherosclerosis) is a major cause of death in the western world..
Platelets (blood cells involved in clotting), oxidized lipids (fats),
and lipid peroxide (a by-product of metabolism) are important in
the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. High levels of
blood lipids generate lipid peroxides which cause damage of the
lining of blood vessels. Platelet aggregation may trigger myocardial
infarction (heart attack) or stroke by inducing blockage of the
arteries. MA4 and MA5 have been found to reduce human platelet aggregation
and lipid peroxide generation. Similar results are obtained in animals
on high lipid diets.
Reference
Clinica & Terapia Cardiovascolare 1989; 3:227-230
Scavenging Free Radicals
Maharishi Amrit Kalash 4 and 5 may be the most
effective free radical scavengers known today. Free radicals, including
lipid peroxides are highly unstable reactive molecules that are
known to cause damage to numerous cellular components and processes
in the body. Some researchers link free radicals with at least 80
per cent of all degenerating diseases, including cancer, heart disease,
and aging, and feel that the understanding of free radicals could
provide a unified theory of disease.
These free radical scavenging properties of Ayurvedic
preparations have been reported by researchers in Japan at the Niwa
Institute of Immunology and in the USA at Loyola University Medical
School, the Ohio State University College of Medicine, and Maharishi
International University.
References
Conference on Anti-oxidants and Degenerative
Diseases, Berkeley, California, January 26-27, 1990
Satellite Meeting of the International Society
of Free Radical Research, Berkeley, California, January 26-27, 1990
Reversal of Aging
A published study found that individuals practicing
Transcendental
Meditation had a significantly younger biological age
compared to controls and norms for the population, as measured by
standard auditory threshold, near point vision, and blood pressure
tests. Those practicing Transcendental
Meditation for 5 years or longer had a biological age
12 to 15 years younger than the population norms. Reduced blood
pressure has also been reported by other studies on Transcendental
Meditation A study conducted at Loyola University Medical
School, USA, also found that the herbal compounds Maharishi Amrit
Kalash 4 and 5 extend life span and improve age-related parameters
in animals.
References
International Journal of Neuroscience, 1982;
16:53-8 Psychosomatic Medicine, 1983; 45: 41-6,
Conference on Anti-oxidants and Degenerative Diseases, Berkeley,
California, January 26-27, 1990 Satellite Meeting of the International
Society of Free Radical Research, Berkeley, California, January
26-27, 1990
Increased Longevity
Researchers at Harvard University evaluated the
effects of three different self-development programs on residents
of homes for the elderly. They found that Transcendental
Meditation significantly improved health, mental functioning,
and longevity more than any of the other programs. Furthermore,
only the group practicing Transcendental
Meditation has a 100 per cent survival rate over 3 years,
as compared to significantly lower rates for the other groups and
a 62 per cent survival rate for the 478 other residents. The results
suggest that Transcendental
Meditation can increase life span and improve health
in older age groups.
Reference
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,
1989; 57: 950-64
Reduced Medical Care, Heart Disease, and Cancer
Health insurance statistics from a large 5 year
study reported that participants in the Transcendental
Meditation program consistently had less than half of
the doctor visits and hospital admissions of other groups of comparable
age, profession and insurance terms. The Transcendental
Meditation group's hospital admissions for 17 major disease
categories were much lower than the norm, including: 87 per cent
less heart disease, 55 per cent less benign and malignant tumors,
87 per cent less nervous system disorders, and 30 per cent less
infectious diseases. Benefits were even more significant for individuals
over the age of 40.
Reference
Psychosomatic Medicine, 1987; 49:493-507
Benefits for Chronic Disease
In a study of ten chronic diseases conducted
in the Netherlands, significant improvements were seen in 79 per
cent of 126 patients after only 3 months' treatment with herbal
preparations, diet program, behavioral chrono therapy, stress management,
and other treatment modalities of Maharishi Ayurved. The average
duration of illness before treatment was 20 years. The ten diseases,
which are often resistant to other forms of therapy, were: rheumatoid
arthritis, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, eczema, psoriasis,
hypertension, headaches, chronic sinusitis, chronic constipation,
and diabetes mellitus. Ten patients became completely symptom-free
during the period of study. The herbal preparations and other treatment
modalities were well tolerated by the patients and no harmful side-effects
were noted.
Reference
Nederiands Tildschriff voor intefrade Geneeskunde,
1989; 5: 586-94
Enhanced Immunity
In a study of immunity in experimental animals,
MA5 has been shown to enhance lymphoproliferation under several
different condition of challenge to the immune system. This heightened
immune response was found to be 2-3 times higher in animals receiving
MA5 than in controls.
Reference
Federation of American Societies of Experimental
Biology, 1988; 2 (5): Abstract no. 4740, Biochem, Archives, August,
1990
Survey on the Use of Maharishi Amrit Kalash
by Humans
Six hundred and fifty-nine individuals taking
both MA4 and MA5 participated in a health survey. The average age
of both male and female subjects was 41 years and the average time
of MA4 /MA5 use was 22 months. The results showed:
Upto 87 per cent improvement in digestion, elimination, sleep, energy, and resistance of illness;
Upto 80 per cent improvement in anxiety, worry, depression, and emotional disturbance;
Upto 94 per cent improvement in frequency of colds, allergic rhinitis, constipation, and headaches;
Upto 80 per cent improvement in premenstrual syndrome and irregular and painful menses;
Upto 85 per cent improvement in happiness, alertness and well-being.
Eighty-four participants underwent blood screening for standard
biochemical, hematological, and liver enzyme parameters and no toxic
effects were seen.
Reference
Annual meeting of the American Association of Ayurvedic Medicine,
1990
Development of Mental Potential
A study published in the British Journal of Educational Psychology
showed that graduate students practising the Transcendental
Meditation technique scored significantly higher on academic
examinations than control subjects in comparison to previous performance.
Other studies report increased grade point average, intelligence,
creativity, moral reasoning, and field independence-an indication
of broader comprehension and improved ability to focus
Optimizing brain functioning is also indicated by EEG studies that
report higher levels of EEG coherence during the practice of Transcendental
Meditation, particularly alpha coherence in the frontal
brain areas. EEG coherence has been significantly correlated with
a number of cognitive and physiological variables, including: increased
fluency of verbal creativity, increased efficiency of learning new
concepts, higher verbal IQ, and faster recovery of the H-reflex-a
measure of neurological efficiency. Psychological studies also indicate
that Transcendental
Meditation improves mental functioning b by alleviating
stress and anxiety.
Reference
British Journal of Educational Psychology, 1985; 5: 164-6 Perception
and Motor Skills, 1986; 62: 731-738 International Journal of Neuroscience,
1981; 13: 211-17, 1981; 14: 147-51, 1981; 15: 151-7
Improved Social Rehabilitation
Several studies on Maharishi Ayurveda have shown its effectiveness
in criminal rehabilitation. A study on recidivism was conducted
with 259 men who learned the Transcendental
Meditation program in the California Department of Corrections.
Follow-up during a period of 6 months to 6 years after parole, while
controlling for 28 social and criminal history variables, showed
30 per cent fewer repeat prison terms, whereas prison education,
vocational training, and psychotherapy did not consistently reduce
recidivism.
The Transcendental
Meditation program resulted in a saving of 60 man-years
in prison, each man-year worth about $20,000 in incarceration costs.
In addition to the actual dollars saved was the reduction in human
suffering by the victims of crime. Other findings on inmates practicing
the Transcendental
Meditation program include decreased cortisol (a stress
hormone), increased skin resistance (indicating decreased anxiety),
increased resistance to stress, higher moral reasoning and increased
field independence- associated with greater physical self-control.
References
Journal of Criminal Justice 1987; 15: 211-3
International Journal of Comparative and Applied
Criminal Justice, 1987: 11: 111-32
Reduced Substance Abuse
At least 24 different studies have been conducted
on the effects of Transcendental
Meditation on substance abuse. The studies report significant
decreases in the use of alcohol, cigarettes, and a wide range of
both prescribed and non-prescribed drugs, including narcotics, barbiturates,
marijuana, and other psychoactive drugs. The studies include both
institutional and non-institutional settings, a wide range of age
groups, and individuals with drug abuse histories, Psychological
and biochemical factors related to substance abuse (including neurotransmitter
imbalances) were also seen to improve, supporting the view that
has a direct effect on the underlying physiological
and psychological causes of susbstance
References
International Journal of Addiction
American Journal of Psychiatry, 1974; 131: 60-3
Collective Health: Improved Quality of Life
in Society
In addition to the research on individual health,
over 35 studies have been conducted on the Maharishi Effect- the
influence on the collective health of society from one per cent
of the population practising Transcendental
Meditation, or from the square root of one per cent of
the population practising the TM-Sidhi program together in a group.
The findings indicate long-range field effects including improvements
at the community, state, national, and international levels, with
significant decreases in the incidence of diseases, hospital admissions,
suicides, accidents, and crime, and reductions in national and international
conflicts. For example, one study reported reduced conflict and
improved quality of life in the Middle East during August-September
1983, including a 75.9 per cent reduction in war deaths in Lebanon,
as a result of the group practice with the required among of practitioners
of the Transcendental
Meditation and TM-Sidhi program in neighboring Israel.
Similar results were found in studies published in several other
journals.
These studies have utilized the most advanced
and rigorous designs and statistical methodologies to precisely
evaluate the effect of large coherence-creating groups on standard
sociological measures of the quality of life. Considering several
of the studies together, the probability that the positive trends
could have occurred independently of the Transcendental
Meditation groups was shown statistically to be less
than one chance in 10 (10 billion )
References
Journal of Conflict Resolution, 1988; 32: 776-812
Journal of Mind and Behaviors, 1987; 8: 67-104, 1988; 9: 457-86
Crime and Justice, 1981; 4: 25-45
Following trials have been completed in various
Indian Institutions :-
- Maharishi Amrit Kalash
Antioxidant Adjuvant Therapy Using Natural Herbal Mixtures [MAK-4
and MAK-5] During Intensive Chemotherapy: Reduction in Toxicity.
A Prospective of 62 patients.
Publication
Proceedings of the XVI International Cancer Congress, Bologna,
Italy : Monduzzi Editore, 1994 : pp. 3099-3102
Authors
N.C.Misra, Rao, R.S., Deo, M.G., and Sanghvi, L.D. (eds). et.
al
- Maharishi Amrit Kalash
Maharishi Amrit Kalash [MAK-4 and MAK-5] Reduces Chemotherapy
Toxicity in Breast Cancer Patients
Publication
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal,
Vol. 14, No.4, p. A720, 2000
Authors
A. Srivastava,* A. Samaiya,* et. al
219 patients of breast cancer were included in the trial. It was
a double blind placebo controlled trial and the results were very
encouraging that it reduced the incidents of anorexia, stomatitis,
diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, general well being, increased
weight and a good response in karnofsky score which came to around
8-9 in the scale of 0-10. Paper has since been published.
- Another study has been completed on the effect of herbal mixture
MAK in reducing the chemotoxicity on 250 patients of cancer especially
diabetics. The paper has since been forwarded to the Indian Journal
of Surgery for publication.
Authors
Dr. A.Srivastava, Dr.V.seenu, Dr. A. Saxena, Dr. S. Dixit,
Dr. R. Prasad, Dr. V.tarnikanti & M.C. Misra
- Maharishi Amrit Kalash
Indigenous Free Radical Scavenger MAK-4 and MAK-5 in Angina Pectoris.
Is it only a placebo ?
Publication
Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, Vol. 42, No.
6, pp.466-467, 1994
Authors
Dr. J. Dogra, et.al.
- Glucomap
Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic and general beneficial effects of
an Herbal Mixture MA-471.
Publication
Alternative Therapies in Clinical Practice, Vol. 3, No. 5, pp.
26-31, September / October 1996
Authors
Amulya R. Sircar MD, et. al
- Glucomap
Double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical trial of herbal
compound MA-471 (Glucomap) on metabolic profile in type II diabetic
patients.
Authors
Dr. Anoop Misra MD, Professor of Clinical Medicine, AIIMS , Dr.
Smita Dixit, et. al
Final Paper presented by Dr. Smita Dixit at The Diamond APICON
Conference at Mumbai, January, 2005
- Lipomap
Effect of Ayurvedic herbal compound MA-1596 on primary hyperlipidemic:
A clinical trial.
Authors
Dr. Anoop Misra MD, Professor of Clinical Medicine, AIIMS, Dr.
Abha Saxena, et. al
Final Paper presented by Dr. Abha Saxena at The Diamond APICON
Conference at Mumbai, January, 2005
- Amlant
A randomized trial comparing herbal compound Amlant with ranitidine
in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.
Publication
Indian Journal of Gastroenterology, Chennai, November 20-24, 2003
Authors
Dr. M. P. Sharma, Dr. Vineet Ahuja, Department of Gastroenterology,
A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi
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