THE MODERN AYURVEDA: MILESTONES BEYOND THE CLASSICAL AGE Released by Dr S.S. Handa, Chairman Pharmacopoeia Commission of Indian Medicines

Prof. S. S. Handa, Chairman, Pharmacopoeia Commission of Indian Medicines, while releasing "The Modern Ayurveda: Milestone Beyond the Classical Age," on 28 April, 2012, said: "The concept of Modern Ayurveda by the think-tank of the Society for New Age Herbals is actually that of Ayurveda of New Generation which will prove an inspiration for the exponents of Ayurveda to think beyond the 16th century of classical period and move with the times. The enlightened Ayurvedic professionals will welcome this move as it provides a much-needed modern scientific temper to Ayurvedic medicines. Without a deep insight into the classical period and an in-depth study of developments during the modern period, this type of pathbreaking, monumental work was not possible" "The Modern Ayurveda: Milestone Beyond the Classical Age," conceived by C.P. Khare, edited by Chandra Kant Katiyar, V.K. Agarwal and Arun Gupta has been published by Taylor & Francis Group, USA. The book assumes global importance in today's context when approximately 100 medical schools and Universities outside India are imparting Ayurvedic education and there is paucity of authentic reference books on the modern period of Ayurveda. Before writing this book, the syllabi of universities in India as well as outside India were consulted. The chapters were planned for not only covering curriculum, but also other relevant topics like methodologies related to quality, safety & efficacy etc. There was a long felt need of such a comprehensive publication. The subtitle of the book "Milestone Beyond the Classical Age" has been carefully crafted since the list of plants covered in the book has been taken from the 16th century book "Bhavprakash Nighantu" after which no major original compilation has been published. This book covers modern research conducted on these plants beyond the classical age. The book is a one-point source for the modern explorer attempting to appreciate the transformation of Ayurveda from an empirical to a rationalist understanding, the book enumerates more than 400 Ayurvedic herbs with compiled information including their botanical name, common Ayurvedic name and family, their attributes, chemical constituents, phytochemicals markers, pharmacological actions, and their interactions and toxicity. It explores current research methodologies for the evaluation of efficacy and safety of herbal medicine and discusses the contemporary international regulatory status of herbal drugs. Society for New Age Herbals is a non-profit society established to promote evidence-based herbal medicine in India and bridge the gap between the ancient wisdom and scientific advancements. One of the major objectives of the Society is to highlight India's contribution to modern herbal medicine among the scientific community at global level. The Society was founded by Mr C.P. Khare, a herbal drug research consultant and renowned international author of reference works on Indian herbal medicine and Indian medicinal plants. His works find a prominent place in prestigious universities, teaching institutions and libraries across the world. Currently society has eminent members from various specialties including Pharmacology, Ayurveda, Unani medicine, Botany, Integrated medicines, Agronomy, Bio-chemistry, Phyto-chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry.