Dr.V.Muralikrishnan M.D (Ayu) Email: drvmuralikrishnan@gmail.com Ayurveda

1. APPLICATION OF MEDHYA
RASAYANAS IN MAJOR
DEPRESSIVE DIsORDER
BY
Dr.V.Muralikrishnan
2nd year P.G. Scholar ,
Dept.of Kayachikitsa,
AAMC

2. INTRODUCTION
• Shariram Sattva sandyam cha vyadhinam
aasrayo matah I
Tatha sukhanam, Yogastu Sukhanam karanam
samah II
Cha.Su.1/55
Body and mind constitute the substrata of diseases and happiness
(positive health).
Ayurveda gives prime importance to positive mental health.
Anything that disturbs the balance of body and mind is known to
produce a disease.

3. • A depressive disorder is a “whole body” illness involving
individual’s body, mood, and thoughts. It is not a sign of
weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away.
• In India, prevalence of all psychiatric disorder is 65.4 per 1000
population out of which total 51% i.e.31.2 per 1000
population is affected by depressive illness

4. • Vishada and Avasada are two conditions which are closely
similar to depression in Ayurveda.
• Charaka quotes ‘Vishado Rogavardhananam Agrya:’
means Vishada is the foremost factor to worsen the disease
condition.
• This is the first principle regarding Psycho-neuro-immunology
in Ayurveda.
• In this regard, Serum Cortisol which has its effect on
immunity is investigated in depressed patients as a biomarker
for depression in the present research scenario.

5. Comprehension of Vishada and Avasdha:
• Vishada - Vataja Nanatmaja Vikara by Charaka
-At various places in the classics ,imbalance of Vata dosha
is highlighted as a major cause.
• Chakrapani -depletion of Vata dosha in the body.
• As we know Dosha Vaishamya (named as Vyadhi) if remain
persistent can lead to a full formed disease.
Thus the principle of treatment in Vishada can be
Shamana chikitsa which will correct the imbalance of dosha
without aggravating others.

6. • Avasada – A Kapha vriddhijanya Lakshana i.e.
arose due to aggravation of Kapha dosha.
• Thus vitiation of Kapha dosha is the main
aetiopathological factor in Avasada. Its prime
treatment will be Shodhana i.e. to eliminate first and
then pacify the aggravated Kapha dosha.
• So the principal of chikitsa should be selected
according to the dosha predominance.

7. • Unique concept of Manasa prakruthi explained
in Ayurveda should also be considered here.
• Ayurvedic scientists narrated the
characteristics of Sattvika Rajasika and
Tamasika manas prakriti depending upon the
dominance of Manas guna respectively
• Modern science is on the edge to find the
genetic basis of each emotion through
technologies of Genomics and Proteomic.

8. Majordepressiveillness:
• Depression is commonest psychiatric
disorder leading to disability, thus seeking urgent
attention for management. Modern
pharmacology is struggling to search for an
effective antidepressant with least side effects.
So it is prime duty of an ayurvedist to contribute
to this requirement of the society with its holistic
approach towards management of the disease.
• Bio chemically Major depression is
characterized by deregulation of central biogenic
amine neurotransmitter system (Mainly
serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic).
These neuro transmitters control various drives
of mood, sex, sleep and appetite.

9. Medhya Ghritha
• Acharyas are used Medhya dravyas in context
of management of Manasika Vyadhis
comprising herbs like
• Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri Linn),
• Vacha (Acorus calamus Linn),
• Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis Chois)
• Kushtha (Saussurea lappa C.B.Clarke) etc.
processed in Cow’s ghee.

10. Important Medhya ghrithas
Used in Classics:
• Brahmi Ghrita – A.H.U.6:23
• Kalyanaka Ghrita-A.H.U.6
• Mahakalyanaka Ghrita – A.H.U6
• Mahapanchagavya Ghrita – A.H.U.7
• Panchagavya ghritha – A.H.U.7

11. Mode of Action of Medhya ghritha in MDD
in accordance with Recent Research
Studies:
• Effect on Gross behavior:
Studies suggests that Cow’s ghee act as stimulant,
but the actions are potentiated when it is
processed with medhya dravyas.
The probable CNS stimulation mechanism
could be – release of excitatory neurotransmitter
like glutamate or its congeners like AMPA and
NMDA .
The other possibility is the inhibition of the activity
of the neurotransmitter like GABA.

12. • Anxiolytic activity: (A type of medication that helps to relieve
anxiety)
Acc to a clinical study conducted On Bruhmi ghritha which
shows significant drop in anxiety level of experimental group.
This suggests that ghrita may possess anxiolytic effect itself,
which can be potentiated by its processing with herbal drugs.
• Anti depressant activity:
Scientists have proven this action through two important
tests. They are:
1. Behavioral despair test- Significant result in animal experiment
2. L-DOPA potentiation test- Increase activity of L-DOPA in human
experimental group

13. Action of Medhya dravyas in MDD:
• Action of Medhya dravyas in MDD:
Medhya dravyas like Brahmi, Sankhapushpi, Vacha etc
comprise very marked effect in the treatment of Depression.
Recent research studies on these drugs have revealed some
incredible action against Depression.
Some of them are:
• Brahmi:
B.monnieri has been shown to cause prolonged elevated level of cerebral
glutamic acid and a transient increase in GABA level. It is assumed that
endogenous increase in brain glutamine may be helpful in the process of
learning. Bacosides support the repair of damaged neurons by enhancing
kinase activity, neuronal synthesis, restoration and regeneration of
synaptic activity resulting in nerve impulse

14. • Vacha: Rhizomes act as a brain tonic in weak memory,
psychoneurosis and epilepsy. It is also known for its tranquilizing,
anti convulsant, sedative and carminative properties.
• Kushtha (Saussurea lappa) has been reported to possess anti-
inflammatory, and immunostimulant actions.
• Shankhapushpi is known for its sedative, antiinflammatory,
antistress, CNS depressant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti
anxiety effects. Various clinical trials have shown beneficial effect
in patients with anxiety neurosis. It produces a feeling of well
being, good sleep, and relief in anxiety, nervousness, palpitation,
and found useful in mental fatigue.

15. Role of Ghee:
Ghee, which is used as processing media, is
lipophilic and this action of ghee facilitates
transportation of ingredients of formulation to
a target organ and final delivery.
Inside the cell- Up to the mitochondria,
microsome and nuclear membrane, because
cell membrane also contains lipid.

16. Conclusion
On the basis of this study:
• Vishada and Avasada are two different presentations of the
disease depression in Ayurvedic context
• Pharmacologically it has been proven that Medhya ghrita
possesses mild anxiolytic and antidepressant activities in dose
dependent manner.
• So it is evident that internal application of Medhya ghrithas
plays an major role in the management of MDD.

17. Thank you…