Āyurvedic Psychotropic Drugs (Medhya Rasayan Drugs) and Their Effect on Manovaha Srotas

Abstract

The ancient system of Āyurveda (science of life) offers a holistic approach to mental health that integrates the mind, body, and soul. Āyurvedic theory of health is based on tridoṣa (primary life forces or biological humours). The five elements (pancamāhabhūta) combine in pairs to constitute the three doṣas-Vāta (ether and air), Pitta (water and fire), and Kapha (water and earth). The combination of these doṣas inherited at birth indicates an individual’s unique constitution called Prakriti. The dynamic balance of tridoṣas creates health. Ayurveda defines mental health as a state of mental, intellectual, and spiritual well-being. Many of the Āyurvedic medicinal plant drugs, i.e., Medhya Rasayana Drugs, single are compound preparation is being used for mental well-being (brain food) from the ancient period to improve Dhi, Dhṛati, and Smṛati. Manovikāras (diseases of the psyche) can be defined as a group of clinical conditions affecting individuals with Alpasatva (weak psyche). Unmāda (Insanity), Apasmara (epilepsy), Avasāda (Depression), Citto-udvega (anxiety, neurosis), Buddhi Mandāta (Mental Retardation), Atatva-abhineviṣa (obsessive disorders), Madātyaya (intoxication), etc. are the common clinical conditions. There are some psychotropic drugs i.e. Brahmi (Centella asiatica), Aindri (Bacopa monnieri), Āmalakī (Embelica officinale), Vaca (Acorus calamus), Aswagandhā (Withenia somnifera), Sankhapuṣpī (Convolvulus pluralism), Jyotiṣmati (Celastrus paniculatus), Jaṭāmānsī (Nardostachys jatamansi), Tagara (Valeriana wallichii), Yaṣṭimadhu (Glycyrrhiza Alabama), etc. has been used for mental health. This study has been conducted for the description of Mana, Manovaha srotas, its vikara, and treatment by single medicinal plants given in Ayurvedic text with modern review. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Soumya Mukherjee, Akula Ramakrishna, and Atanu Bhattacharjee; individual chapters, the contributors.