Herbal Medicine: Open Access

Management of depression through Ayurveda

In the parlance of conventional drug, Kaphaja Unmada incorporates depressive complaint under mood diseases. Depression is a common internal complaint and one of the main causes of disability worldwide. Encyclopedically, an estimated 264 million people are affected by depression. It can affect a person's capability to work, form connections and destroy their quality of life. At its most severe depression can lead to self-murder and is responsible for deaths every time. There has been an enormous need for the treatment of depression through holistic system of drugs. Ayurveda uses styles like Shodhana (purificatory procedure), Shamana (palliative care) for the treatment. Through medicinal sauces like Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Yashti madhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra); emulsion phrasings like manasa mitra vati, unmada gaja kesari rasa, sootha shekara rasa; treated ghee like kalyanaka gritha, saraswatha gritha; liquid medications like saraswatharishta; panchakarma treatments like shirodhara, virechana, matra basti, nasya air; sathvavajaya chikitsa ( comforting remedy) have all shown promising benefits in cases of depression. An attempt has been made to concentrate on the different modalities of operation of depression through Ayurveda. The full paper elaborately presents the treatment aspects of depression with the applicable case studies.

Author(s): Rashmi Kalkura K

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