Ancient Remedies for Aging Minds: Ayurveda in the Management of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Keywords:
Neurodegeneration, Ayurveda, phytochemicals, Bacopa monnieri, Mucuna pruriens, Withania somnifera, BerberinsAbstract
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, views mental health as a balance between body, mind, and spirit. It attributes mental disorders (Manasika Roga) to imbalances in the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—along with disruptions in the gunas: sattva (clarity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia). Age-related neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD) are seen not merely as biological decline but as consequences of aggravated Vata dosha and depletion of Ojas (vital essence). Therapeutic strategies in Ayurveda aim to restore equilibrium through diet (Ahara), lifestyle practices (Dinacharya), herbal remedies (e.g., Ashwagandha, Brahmi), detoxification (Panchakarma), and mind-body techniques such as Abhyanga, Shirodhara, and meditation. These interventions are believed to support cognitive health, slow neural degeneration, and enhance resilience. Modern research supports many of these practices, showing that Ayurvedic herbs possess neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. While contemporary treatments often use a reductionist model, Ayurveda’s systems-based approach may offer a valuable complementary framework for managing neurodegenerative diseases by addressing interconnected physiological and psychological processes.
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