Brain Tonic in Ayurveda
Today’s generation lives in a competitive world, are left to face stiff realities of life, and therefore, you need a healthy mind to deal with all these. With cut-throat competition and mental stress by our side, it is increasingly difficult to cope with pressures of day to day life. Some Ayurvedic brain tonics help in increasing brain powers and in keeping mental diseases at bay.
Listed here are some of the herbs that are used as brain tonics to treat daily stress and anxiety of life, boost memory, and also used as part of treatment of learning disorders in children.
Shankpushpi
This is a popular rasayana herb used in Ayurveda as a brain tonic. This popular tridoshic herb is nature’s answer to brain weakness, and helps improve memory and intelligence. Since ancient times, it has been used in Ayurveda therapy to sharpen intellect and increase mental powers. It is prepared in the form of syrup and given to children. It has a cooling and calming action on the brain, and is used to treat epilepsy, depression, psychosis, insomnia, loss of memory and lethargy.
Brahmi
Brahmi, which implies ‘cosmic consciousness’, is worth a mention in this list, and is associated with Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom. This essential herb boosts memory and is recommended to children for their complete brain development. Apart from this, the herb is used in treatment of nervous disorders, anxiety, tension etc. This useful brain tonic is administered in the form of powder or paste along with milk. Another option is the juice extract which can be consumed in a dose of 20ml approximately, or as directed by the physician. It is also a good cure for headaches too.
Shatavari
The herb ‘Shatavari’ is a body and brain rejuvenator and is excellent for intellect. It helps in balancing out the after-effects of daily stress and induces sound sleep. This can be taken in the form of powder in a dose of 3 to 5 gms along with milk, or mixed into equal amount of honey. Some medicinal preparations of the herb like ‘Shatavari Gritha’ can be taken a teaspoonful at bedtime with warm milk. Regular use of the herb helps in fighting mental stress, fatigue and exhaustion.
Jatamansi
The roots of the herb are excellent brain tonic, and stabilize mental abilities. It is an excellent restorative and helps in subsidising all three body humours. Given its specific action on the nervous system, the herb helps in curing numerous mental disorders like depression, insomnia, hysteria, epilepsy and loss of memory.
Saraswati Churna
This is a common ayurvedic formula, which is used in conditions like treatment of speech disorders, and a range of vata chaos of mind, nervous and digestive system. The ingredients of this churna include Shanka Pushpi, Vacha, Ashwagandha, Cumin, Ajwain and Rock salt.
Ayurvedic medicines like Smriti Sagar Ras, Brahma Rasayana, Ashwagandharishta, Brahmi ghee and Brahmi vati work wonderfully in rejuvenation of mind and nervous system. All the above mentioned herbs, when used skilfully and in the right dosage, can do wonders in improving brain health.
Lifestyle tips: It is rightly said that a sound mind dwells in a sound body. Therefore, it is essential to keep your body fit to remain in a healthy state of mind, and develop better intellect.
- Good amount of water intake is a must.
- Regular exercise schedule or walks in fresh air, particularly in early sunrise can help rejuvenate the mind and increase alertness.
- Nothing can replace sound sleep for eight hours daily, for proper functioning and recharging of your brain and memory abilities.
- Include cow ghee in your daily diet as it is quite beneficial for the brain.
