Ayurveda on Mental Health: Mental health issues rate are increasing day by day. Globally, a significant portion of the population experiences mental health issues. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in every 8 people, or 970 million individuals, were living with a mental disorder in 2019. Anxiety and depressive disorders are the most prevalent.
There could be many reasons associated for this. Be it in professional, social, or personal life. The greater part of the population is unaware till date about these problems. People put off these diseases thinking it would do no harm. Especially in India, until and unless an health issue starts affecting your physical health and daily routine it gets ignored. The good part here is, the new generation has started being very cautious about their mental health. They also talk and spread awareness regarding these issues to a great extent.
When we finally understand our health condition, the first thing that comes to our mind is to take medicines. Surrounded by the fear that people might call us “mad”,we search for medications without even proper consultation to a doctor. The “Instagram or social media doctors” have also contributed a lot into it. The main problem in today’s time incomplete knowledge and taking impulsive reactions based on the knowledge. It only creates or worsens the issue. The motive of this article is not to give any treatment of mental health issues but to provide correct information on how to improve your mental health.
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Ayurveda on Mental Health
शरीरेन्द्रिय्सत्त्वात्म्संयोगो धारि जीवितम् । नित्यगश्चानुबन्धश्च पर्यायौरायुरुच्यते ॥
The body when combined with the sense organs, mind and soul, becomes life.
Ayurveda gives great importance to mental health as it believes mental health issues impact physical health to a great extent. Not only this, but it also impacts our surroundings knowingly or unknownily. The three doshas responsible for Prakruti of a human also plays a important role in mental health balance.
What are three Manshik Gunas?
Besides this, Ayurveda discusses three manshik guna. These three types of traits viz. Sattvic, Rajsik and Tamsik which determine the behavioural pattern, mental status, and more.
Sattva: Persons with great Sattva guna have pure mind, clean conscience, sensible, sympathetic, philanthropic, wear decent dresses, are soft spoken, mild, amicable, accommodating, are simple and straightforward. They eat only the finest food articles, are vegetarians, abstain from intoxicants and love whatever is good. In short, they are, by far, the best of human species, and nobility personified.
Rajas: The simple words descriing this guna is “impatient”. These people are rash, obdurate, haughty, ill and rash tempered, get enraged even on petty matters, are rough and tough bosses but bad subordinates, due to their dominant and dashing approach to life. They are hard nuts to crack. They have a penchant for various non-vegetarian food and delicacies, are short and hot-tempered.
Tamas: Tamas represents laziness and lethargic traits. These persons are totally at variance with the sattvic and rajsik traits. Such persons revel in sexual matters and are horrible indulgence in sexual acts. They are easy-going people and do not wish to attend to any mental and physical activity.
Now that you know the properties of these gunas, you might tackle down the reasons behind specific mental issues. The equilibrium of these gunas is responsible for mental well being. Any issue in their balance leads to mental health issues. These gunas are also related with Doshas and hence their vitiation also leads to mental health problems.
Symptoms of bad mental health according to Ayurveda
Ayurveda recognizes that mental imbalances known as Manasika Vikaras can have profound effects on physical health and vice versa. Stress, anxiety, and negative emotions can disrupt the delicate balance of doshas, leading to various health issues.
Conversely, physical ailments can impact mental well-being, creating a reciprocal relationship between the mind and body.
Some of the symptoms are discussed below:
- दुःखित (Unhappy)
- चित्तोंद्वेग (Anxiety)
- चित्तग्लानि (Fatigue)
- असिद्धिमय (Feear of Failure)
- मनः खेद (Feeling Sad)
- अवसाद (Hopelessness)
Ayurvedic Management: Ayurveda on Mental Health
It’s perfectly fine to feel these emotions sometimes. It takes a form of disease when these emotions overtake your mind and you constantly worry without any reason. Prolonged exposure to these emotions trap your brain into a whirlwind which cannot be explained or expressed. Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to mental health, emphasizing the importance of balance and harmony in the body, mind, and spirit. Without any dependence on any drug (medicine) or any such practices, it helps to feel happy from within. We shall be discussing 3 levels of Ayurvedic Management of mental health issues.
1st Level
The first level can be managed at a clinic or small PHC center. This can be done by Sattvavajaya treatment. This psychotherapeutic approach aims to regulate the mind and emotions through practices like meditation, yoga, and mindful breathing. Proper counseling can help in managing this issue. At personal level, try these practices:
- Connecting with nature and self talk.
- Self Journaling, drawing or anything that calms you.
- Talk and share your feelings with your loved ones.
- Spend idle time with yourself without using any gadgets.
- Practice Yoga and Pranayama
Do not try to neglect or suppress these emotions. It will only compile up your feelings and come out in an worst way possible.
2nd Level
At this level along with counseling some medications or formulations can be used.
Kushmanda Swarasa: The fresh juice of ash gourd (Benincasa hispida)—is a revered Ayurvedic formulation known for its nourishing and mind-rejuvenating properties. Kushmanda Swarasa is esteemed for its Medhya (nootropic) properties.
A clinical study evaluated the efficacy of Kushmanda Rasayana in treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Over 30 days, participants exhibited significant improvements in anxiety levels and quality of life, particularly in psychological well-being. The findings suggest its potential as a natural alternative for anxiety management.
Medhya Rasayana: Medhya Rasayana refers to a class of Ayurvedic herbs and formulations renowned for enhancing cognitive functions, memory, intellect (medha), and overall mental well-being. According to classical Ayurvedic texts, particularly the Charaka Samhita, some of the herbs are Brahmi, Shankhapushpi, Yashtimadhu, Mandukaparni, and others.
Jyotishmati Taila: It is extracted from the seeds of Celastrus paniculatus (commonly known as Malkangani), is a revered Ayurvedic oil celebrated for its profound effects on mental health and cognitive function. Research indicates that Celastrus paniculatus seed oil possesses significant antidepressant-like activity. In animal studies, the oil demonstrated efficacy comparable to fluoxetine, a commonly prescribed antidepressant.
3rd level
At this point, few Ayurvedic therapies are indicated when the problem reaches an extreme level. Recommend practices are as follow:
Mridu Virechan: As it believed that vitiation of bodily doshas impact mental health, Virechan (purgation) with mild dravyas us indicated. It also calms down disturbed Manshik gunas as they are interconnected with doshas. For example, Kapha dosha is related with Tamas Guna. Vata and Pitta dosha is related with Rajsik Guna. To pacify these doshas, virechan is prescribed by Acharyas.
Nasya: Nasal drops of Hingughreet and Panchgavya ghreet can be administered for better results. It is best for mental well being as it s the nearest tool. It helps in calming down there nervous tissues.
Vaman: A therapeutic emesis using Dhamargava (Luffa cylindrica) is a classical Ayurvedic purification method particularly effective for mental health and Kapha-related disorders.
A case study demonstrated that administering Dhamargava in the form of Dadhi Yoga (curd-based preparation) to a healthy individual with Kapha constitution resulted in successful emesis (Samyak Vamana), leading to improvements in digestion (Agni), sensory perception (Indriya Prasada), and mental clarity (Mana Prasada).
Vasti: Vasti (medicated enema) is a pivotal therapy in Ayurveda, renowned for its efficacy in balancing the Vata dosha, which governs the nervous system and mental functions. By administering herbal decoctions or oils rectally, Vasti directly influences the colon (main seat of Vata) thereby impacting the gut-brain axis .
Role of Yukti
Yuktipurvak (proper) administration of Panchgavya ghreet, Kalyanaka ghreet, and Brahmi ghreet can provide great relief. These will target the root cause with their habitual practice.
Make sure to consult an certified Ayurvedic Practitioner before adding these mindlessly in your routine. The above mentioned “Yukti” refers to keep in mind that the treatment of any disease varies from patient to patient. It depends on their Prakruti, strength and other aspects. Some of the above discussed management comes with lots of contraindications discussed by Acharyas. As I said earlier, incomplete knowledge is the cause of any bigger problem.
With proper administratin under the consultation of a Ayurvedic Vaidya, you can find great relief with mental health issues. Ayurveda never fails to amaze with it’s principles. Remember that you are not “mad” if you go through mental health issues. Adapt real and authentic Ayurveda to be happy from within!
