Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease – Ayurvedic herbal treatment
Dementia is a decline in reasoning, memory, and other mental abilities, collectively called cognitive functions. This decline eventually affects the ability to perform daily activities such as driving, housework, and even personal care such as bathing, dressing, and feeding. Dementia affects approximately 1% of people between the ages of 60 and 70. Dementia is different from age-related memory loss; a condition in which a person cannot find their glasses or remember someone’s name, but can still learn new things, solve problems, and go about their daily activities.
The causes of dementia can be divided into reversible and irreversible. Reversible causes include head injuries, infections, excess fluid in the brain, tumors, metabolic and hormonal disorders, poor oxygen supply, drug reactions, and exposure to toxic substances.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a slowly progressing brain disease characterized by memory impairment and eventually by disturbances in reasoning, planning, language and perception. Old age, genetic factors, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, high cholesterol, history of head trauma, and poor academic education are noted as risk factors for AD. AD accounts for nearly half of dementia cases.
The basic principles of Ayurveda can be used judiciously in the treatment of dementia and AD. Excessive protein deposition, brain cell neurotransmitter dysfunction, and brain cell destruction are hallmarks of these conditions. Brain damage, which is the root cause of this condition, can be treated with drugs that improve the metabolism of “Majja” dhatu in the body and help improve the overall functioning and quality of brain cells. Useful medicines in this condition are: Pancha-Tikta-Ghruta Guggulu, Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) and Musta (Cyperus rotundus).
Also, Ayurveda mentions a category of medicines known as “Medhya”, which improves the working capacity of the brain. This category includes drugs such as Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Guduchi, Padma (Nelumbo nucifera), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Vacha (Acorus calamus), and Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis). These medications can help slow the destruction of brain cells, stabilize brain function, and may even help regenerate brain cells in the long run. Very little is known about the full potential of herbal medicines in these conditions, and detailed scientific research is the need of the hour. However, what is now definitely known is that outcomes are better when treatment is started early in the course of the disease. Therefore, early and specific diagnosis is of paramount importance.
