For Authors

Manuscript Preparation for Ayurveda Journal of Health

Ayurveda Journal of Health invites submission of original, unpublished* articles and case studies on the many facets of Ayurveda and its sister science, Yoga.

  • Articles should be firmly grounded in the spirit and science of Ayurveda.
  • The Editors reserve the right to edit articles for clarity and consistency of expression and to fit available space.
  • AJH begins its preparations six months ahead of the publishing date. The earliest submitted articles are highest on the list for publication. Do not hesitate to submit your article earlier than the deadline. The Editorial review protocol assists authors to bring their articles to an even higher level; time is needed for this process to unfold.

Journal Guidelines

  • Material should be prepared in Word as described below in formatting section and uploaded through manuscript submission site listed below.
  • All figures, graphics, photos, and tables should be included in one file along with the text.
  • Text should be in separate sections from figures, graphics, photos, and tables, but reference can be included to facilitate their placement within the text.
  • Graphics are printed in 300 dpi resolution.
  • 1,000 to 2,000 words for regular articles.
  • 500-1000 words for columns.
  • Up to 3500 words for a feature article or review. The word count should be adjusted downward if accompanied by more than 2 illustrations or by an extensive bibliography.
  • Book reviews or conference/workshop reviews: 500-700 words.

Please include a short biography of up to 100 words with contact information and a picture to accompany the article (head shot in good resolution – jpg in 300 dpi is excellent).

  • As the author, the article belongs to you, as the publisher, it also belongs to AJH.
  • It should not be offered for publication elsewhere (including websites) until you hear either that it will not be accepted by AJH or until it is actually published.

Work shall be submitted in Word doc., formatted as below. (Your specially formatted version can be the version sent by regular mail or via pdf to show the placement of graphics and charts.)

  • Titles and subtitles: Bold
  • Font: Times
  • Size: 12
  • Line spacing: single
  • Paragraphs: Indicated by a double return, no indents.
  • Special Formatting: Do not add any special formatting features such as columns, indents, alignment, or justification. However, do indicate lists or charts (can be done in excel). If you have a specific idea about formatting, send the article formatted the way you wish in a pdf file, but send the main text file as a Word doc so that it can be copy edited and set into layout and design.
  • Sanskrit words are italicized and defined upon their first appearance. After that initial introduction, they are not italicized. Ex: avidya (ignorance, not knowledge).
  • Sanskrit words using diacritics- Our publisher has Sanskrit editors who can place the correct diacritics for Sanskrit words.
  • Several Sanskrit words are considered too common to define although they will be in the glossary in each issue: vata, pitta, kapha, dosha.
  • Regarding herbs - do not capitalize although the first letter of the Latin name should be capitalized, e.g. ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).
  • In general, avoid capitalizing words simply for emphasis since frequent capitalization reduces that effect.

All manuscripts are submitted with the understanding that they have not been published elsewhere (except in the form of a symposia abstract or as part of a lecture or thesis) and are currently not under consideration for publication by another journal. All files, including figures, tables, charts or any kind of illustration must be original. The principal corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all authors have contributed to, read and approved the submitted manuscript. All the authors are encouraged to keep a copy of the submitted manuscript in case of revision, rejection, or loss. Receipt of manuscript will be acknowledged and a decision regarding acceptance will be made as soon as possible. Manuscripts will be subject to editorial revision if deemed necessary.

The Ayurveda Journal of Health (AJH, Print #ISSN 2372-1804; Online #ISSN 2169-5490) is a professional publication that focuses on all aspects of Ayurvedic science, philosophy, and clinical practice. AJH is primarily devoted to original research papers, but will also publish review articles, short communications, issues in practice, case studies and commentaries and ayurvedic recipes. The goal of AJH is to provide a forum for rapid dissemination of important discoveries in basic as well as clinical studies on all ayurvedic aspects including lifestyle changes, yoga and meditation practice, herbs and their use, diet and dietary changes, and ayurvedic cleansing through panchakarma techniques.All manuscripts are submitted with the understanding that they have not been published elsewhere (except in the form of symposia abstract or as part of a lecture or thesis) and are currently not under consideration for publication by another journal. All files, including figures, tables, charts or any kind of illustration must be original. The principal corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all authors have contributed to, read and approved the submitted manuscript. All the authors are encouraged to keep a copy of the submitted manuscript in case of revision, rejection, or loss. Receipt of manuscript will be acknowledged and a decision regarding acceptance will be made as soon as possible. Manuscripts will be subject to editorial revision if deemed necessary.

All manuscripts are subject to peer review and are expected to meet the rigorous standards of academic excellence. Authors may provide names of three potential peer reviewers and include their e-mail addresses and other contact information. Authors may also request to not send their article to any potential reviewers for peer review because of conflict of interest. Note that the final selection of reviewers will, however, be made by one of the editorial staff, which may or may not include reviewers suggested by the author.

All papers submitted for publication will be immediately subjected to editorial scrutiny, usually in consultation with members of the Editorial staff. The assigned editor makes an initial decision to send the manuscript out for peer review or to reject without external review. As a condition of agreeing to review the manuscript, all reviewers undertake the responsibility to keep submitted manuscripts and associated data confidential, and not to redistribute them without permission from the journal. Although every effort is made to ensure reviewers honor their promise to ensure confidentiality, we are not responsible for the conduct of reviewers. Reviewers should be aware that it is our policy to keep their names confidential, and that we do our utmost to ensure this confidentiality. Peer-reviewers will submit their reports via our secure online system by following the link provided in the editor's email.

The principal corresponding author is required to disclose any conflicts of interest on the part of any author during the manuscript submission stage. A declaration of conflict of interest serves to inform all parties about relationships that may affect scientific judgment. Potential conflicts of interest include financial or non-financial affiliations, relationships, or funding sources that may influence the objectivity of the author with regard to the content of the manuscript. Conflict of interest disclosures will be added as a footnote in the main article.

All manuscripts reporting animal or human research must comply with the regulations set by the regulatory committee of that country. In the US, research involving animals must be performed in accordance with institutional guidelines as defined by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee regulatory committee. Similarly, research studies involving humans must have institutional review board approval. Authors need to report in the manuscript the institutional or licensing committee that has approved the experiments.

Consent of all authors mentioned in the manuscript must be obtained prior to submission of manuscripts. Any changes in the authorship after the submission process will require for the principal author to submit a consent to the change, to the editorial staff.

The journal is published by the Center for Indic Studies, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, in collaboration with D.K.Printworld, New Delhi as Associate Publisher and Printer. The Center has currently 22 faculties associated with it from varying fields of science, engineering, business, history, social sciences, and humanities. The Center’s administrative structure includes a Center Director, Assistant Director, and Board of Governors consisting of external members. The Center Director reports to the Dean of Arts and Sciences.

Types of Articles

  • Presentation of the symptoms noted by the client and the findings from the examination.
  • Description of the plan of action and the Ayurvedic principles involved in the decision.
  • Course of the treatment including modifications
  • General description of the Ayurvedic understanding and theory behind the findings and the plan of treatment.
  • Outcome of treatment
  • Summary and discussion of the case.

Introduction: Introduce the topic with a brief literature review giving some background information.

  • Should be a couple of paragraphs.
  • At the end of the introduction, clearly, state the research question and how the study addresses the question.

Methods: Clearly present all the methods.

  • The methods section should be brief but sufficient to allow other investigators to repeat the research.

Results: This section should present clearly but succinctly the experimental findings.

  • Only results essential to establish the main points of the work should be included.

Discussion: The discussion section should be very concise and include:

  • A brief statement of the principal findings.
  • A discussion of the validity of the observations.
  • A discussion of the findings in light of other published work dealing with the same or closely related subjects.
  • A statement of the possible significance of the work.
  • Extensive discussion of the literature is discouraged.

Should add a novel perspective or additional information that the general readership may not be familiar with.

  • Introduction
  • Review of literature on the subject
  • Conclusions

500 to 800 words. Must be presented in an unbiased manner with information rather than advertisement as the key component to the report/review.

  • Books: Include title, author, publisher, publishing date, number of pages, price.
  • Video/audio: Include title, performer, producer, contact information, type (cassette, CD, video), length, price.
  • Workshop/seminar: Include title, presenter, location, number of hours/days,
  • contact information, cost. Note: Review should be of an on-going or continuing offering.

References should be keyed to the placement of the quote in the text and numbered consecutively in order of appearance.

Ie. The sky is blue¹. But you will note that grass is green².

Journal Article

  • Garbutt JM, Banister C, Spitznagel E, Piccirillo JF. Amoxicillin for acute rhinosinusitis: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2012;307(7):685-692.

Published online ahead of print

  • Steinbrook R, Ross JS. "Transparency reports" on industry payments to physicians and teaching hospitals [published online ahead of print February 14, 2012]. JAMA. doi:10.1001/jama.2012.211.

Website reference

Book

  • McPhee SJ, Winker MA, Rabow MW, Pantilat SZ, Markowitz AJ, eds. Care at the Close of Life: Evidence and Experience. New York, NY: McGraw Hill Medical; 2011
  • Articles published in the Ayurveda Journal of Health become the property of the journal and may be used on the AJH web site or in promotional materials and reprints offered to help support AJH.
  • The author may use the article freely once it has been published. However, if publishing it in another entity, it shall be noted to be “reprinted from LOAJ, Vol. #, Issue #, p. #”. Correspondence to Light on Ayurveda Journal, Hollie Jones, Center for Indic Studies, UMass-Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747 U.S.A. Email: hjones@umassd.edu Tel: 508-999-8588 Fax: 508-910-6920.
  • Articles that have been published outside of the United States or in small, local publications may be exempted from this rule upon consideration by the Editorial Board. Posting an article on a Web site is also considered “published”.

Editorial Policies

  • All manuscripts are submitted with the understanding that they have not been published elsewhere (except in the form of a symposia abstract or as part of a lecture or thesis) and are currently not under consideration for publication by another journal. All files, including figures, tables, charts or any kind of illustration must be original. The principal corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all authors have contributed to, read and approved the submitted manuscript. All the authors are encouraged to keep a copy of the submitted manuscript in case of revision, rejection, or loss. Receipt of manuscript will be acknowledged and a decision regarding acceptance will be made as soon as possible. Manuscripts will be subject to editorial revision if deemed necessary.

The Ayurveda journal of Health (AJH, Print #ISSN 2372-1804; Online #ISSN 2169-5490) is a professional publication that focuses on all aspects of Ayurvedic science, philosophy, and clinical practice. AJH is primarily devoted to original research papers, but will also publish review articles, short communications, issues in practice, case studies and commentaries and ayurvedic recipes. The goal of AJH is to provide a forum for rapid dissemination of important discoveries in basic as well as clinical studies on all ayurvedic aspects including lifestyle changes, yoga and meditation practice, herbs and their use, diet and dietary changes, and ayurvedic cleansing through panchakarma techniques.

All manuscripts are subject to peer review and are expected to meet the rigorous standards of academic excellence. Authors may provide names of three potential peer reviewers and include their e-mail addresses and other contact information. Authors may also request to not send their article to any potential reviewers for peer review because of conflict of interest. Note that the final selection of reviewers will, however, be made by one of the editorial staff, which may or may not include reviewers suggested by the author.

All papers submitted for publication will be immediately subjected to editorial scrutiny, usually in consultation with members of the Editorial staff. The assigned editor makes an initial decision to send the manuscript out for peer review or to reject without external review. As a condition of agreeing to review the manuscript, all reviewers undertake the responsibility to keep submitted manuscripts and associated data confidential, and not to redistribute them without permission from the journal. Although every effort is made to ensure reviewers honor their promise to ensure confidentiality, we are not responsible for the conduct of reviewers. Reviewers should be aware that it is our policy to keep their names confidential, and that we do our utmost to ensure this confidentiality. Peer-reviewers will submit their reports via our secure online system by following the link provided in the editor's email.

The principal corresponding author is required to disclose any conflicts of interest on the part of any author during the manuscript submission stage. A declaration of conflict of interest serves to inform all parties about relationships that may affect scientific judgment. Potential conflicts of interest include financial or non-financial affiliations, relationships, or funding sources that may influence the objectivity of the author with regard to the content of the manuscript. Conflict of interest disclosures will be added as a footnote in the main article.

All manuscripts reporting animal or human research must comply with the regulations set by the regulatory committee of that country. In the US, research involving animals must be performed in accordance with institutional guidelines as defined by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee regulatory committee. Similarly, research studies involving humans must have institutional review board approval. Authors need to report in the manuscript the institutional or licensing committee that has approved the experiments.

Consent of all authors mentioned in the manuscript must be obtained prior to submission of manuscripts. Any changes in the authorship after the submission process will require for the principal author to submit a consent to the change, to the editorial staff.

The journal is published by the Center for Indic Studies, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, in collaboration with D.K.Printworld, New Delhi as Associate Publisher and Printer. The Center has currently 22 faculties associated with it from varying fields of science, engineering, business, history, social sciences, and humanities. The Center’s administrative structure includes a Center Director, Assistant Director, and Board of Governors consisting of external members. The Center Director reports to the Dean of Arts and Sciences.