MEDHYA RASAYANA

DEFINITION
Medha means intellect
Rasayana means therapeutic procedure or
preparation that on regular practice will boost
nourishment, health, memory, intellect, immunity
and hence longevity.
Medhya Rasayanas are group of medicinal plants
described in Ayurveda with multi-fold benefits,
specifically to improve memory and intellect by
Prabhava (specific action).
Specially mentioned with wide range of
applications on different systems.
Medhya Rasayana are used either in polyherbal
preparations or alone.
Common Drugs in Medhya Rasayana
Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica Linn.)
Yastimadhu (Glycirrhiza glabra Linn.),
Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia Miers)
Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pleuricaulis Chois),
Brahmi (Bacopa monniera)
Jyothishmati (Celastrus panniculata)
Kushmanda (Benincasa hispida)
Vacha (Acorus calamus)
Jatamamsi (Nardostachys jatamamsi).
Medhyarasayanas 1

• Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): for long-therm

memory
• Mandukparni (Centella asiatica): against
anxiety disorders, strenghens „Dhi“
• Vacha (Acorus calamus): for short-term
memory, against depressions
• Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculata): against
depressions, purifies Buddhi (Dhi and Smriti)
(cave: ushna!!!)
Medhyarasayanas 2
• Ashwagandha (Whitania somnifera): reduces fear,
strenghtens higher mental functions
• Shankpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis): improves long-
term memory efficient, hepls with high BP, good for
children
• Yasthimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra): increases Sattva Guna,
reduces Rajas and Tamas, side effect: waterretention,
highers BP
• Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi): against insomnia and
anxiety (no export!)
Some Herbs acting on Manas
• Medhya (Intellect Promoting): Centella Asiatica,
Clitoria Ternatea
• Madakaari (Narcotic) : Papaver Somniferum,
Cannabis indica
• Sanjna sthaapana (Resuscitative) : Acorus
calamus, Nardostachis Jatamansi
• Nidraa Janana (Hypnotic): Rauwolfia serpentina
• Nidra Hara (anti-hypnotic): Strong Purgatives
• Vedana Sthaapana (Analgesics): Vitex negundo,
Alpinea galanga
• Akshepaka Janana (Convulsant): Strychnous
nuxvomica
• Akshepaka Hara (Anti convulsant): Ruta
graveolens, Betula utilis
BRAHMI
• It is a small, creeping marshy herb grown
through out India.
• Most beneficial therapeutic form is macerated
whole plant juice.
• Properties are said to be similar to that
of Mandukaparni.
Brahmi
• It is one of the best Memory boosting herbs.

• Sanskrit : Brahmi ,Sarasvati

• English : Thyme leaved gratiola
• Latin : Bacopa monnieri
• Family : Scrophulariaceae

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Pharmacodynamic Properties

• Rasa:Tikta(bitter),Kashaya(astringent),Madhura
(sweet)
• Guna: Laghu(light),Sara (unstable)
• Virya : Shita(cold)
• Vipaka :Madhura(sweet)
• Doshakarma : Kaphavatashamak(alleviates K and V
dosha), Ayusya, Svarya ,Prajasthapana
• Prabhava : Medhya(memory booster)

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Medicinal Uses
• It is best memory boosting herb.
• Diuretic :used in renal stones
• Blood purifier
• Nervine tonic: Used in sleep disorders, insanity,
Depression
• Improves digestion: Used in Anorexia,Dyspepsia
• Helps in Fatigue
• Bacopa monniera is a well-known tranquilizing,
cognitive enhancer, hepatoprotective.

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• Neuroprotective activity may be ascribed to
having its reactive oxygen species scavenging
property.
• Bacopa monniera is a saponin rich plant.
• Bacosides are the main active nootropic
principle present in the alcoholic extract of the
plant.
 • Useful Parts:Whole plant
• Dose: Churna (powder) 1-3 gm
• Important Formulation:
• Brahmi ghrita
• Brahmi Tablets
• Ratnagiri rasa
• Smritisagar rasa

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GUDUCHI
• Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia (Wild) Miers) is a
large glabrous, deciduous, climbing shrub of
Menispermaceae family found throughout
tropical India.
• Juice of whole plant is used therapeutically
as Medhya.
• It is also used in the form of decoction, powder
and Satwa (starch extract of stem).
Guduchi
• It is a well known Adaptogen.
• Adaptogen are herbs that bring the body back to
balance.They increase the immunity system.
• It is said to enhance the functions of protective
cells macrophages.

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Synonyms
• Sanskrit : Guduchi, Amrita, Giloy
• English : Gulvel, Giloe
• Latin : Tinospora cordifolia
• Family : Menispermaceae

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Pharmacodynamic Properties
• Rasa: Tikta(bitter),Kashaya(astringent)
• Guna: Laghu(light)
• Virya : Ushna(hot)
• Vipaka :Madhura(sweet)
• Doshakarma :Tridoshashamak (alleviates V
Pand K dosha), Samgrahi, Deepan, Balya ,
Raktasodhak

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Medicinal Uses
• Medhya Rasayana
• It is best hepatic stimulant
• Diuretic: used in incontinence of urine,
dysuroa,gonorrhoea,cystitis,calculous
infection
• Jaundice
• Diabetes
• Piles
• Skin ailments
• Neurological disorders
• Improves intellect
• Respiratory disorders
• Arthritis and gout
• Chemotherapy
• Mechanism of cognitive enhancement is by
immunostimulation and increasing the synthesis
of acetylcholine, this supplementation of choline
enhances the cognition.
• Its root is known for its anti stress, anti-leprotic
and anti-malarial activities.
• Chemical constituents’ classes are alkaloids,
diterpenoid lactones, glycosides, steroids and
polysaccharides.
• Neuroprotective and ameliorative properties are
due to their antioxidant and trace element
contents.
• Tinospora cordifolia is known to be a rich source
of trace elements (Zinc and Copper) which act as
antioxidants and protects cells from the
damaging effects of oxygen radicals generated
during immune activation.
• Tinospora cordifolia has been claimed to
possess learning and memory enhancing,
antioxidant and anti-stress activity.
• Useful Parts: Stem
• Dose: Churna(powder) 3-5 gm
• Important Formulation:
• Amritarishta
• Giloy satva
• Chemical composition:Terpenoids and
alkaloids.
MANDUKAPARNI
• Mandukaparni is a prostrate, perennial herb
rooting at nodes.
• Fresh whole plant juice is used for therapeutic
purposes as Medhya (cognitive enhancer).
• The proven clinical efficacy of Centella asiatica
selected triterpenes has led to its incorporation in
numerous cosmetic products
Mandukparni: Centella asiatica

Family:- Umbelliferae
Ayurvedic properties:
• Rasa :- Tikta
• Guna:- Laghu
• Veerya:- Seeta
• Vipaka:- Madhur
Medicinal Properties
• Nervine tonic
• brain growth promoter
• Centella asiatica showed highest free radical
scavenging activity
• hair growth promoter & prevent hair fall
• ant wrinkle, Rasayana - rejuvenator.
• Neuroprotective in nature
• Shows improved learning and memory.
• Anti seizure activity
• Antistress effects.
• It also exhibits DNA damage protection activity.
• Extracts of Centella are used in a herbal
cosmetic cream for the improvement of skin
viscoelasticity and hydration.
• Administration of Centella asiatica at 1,000
mg/kg b.wt for a period of 30 days in albino rats,
showed organ specific toxicity.
• The potential Major constituents are saponin
(medacoside, asiaticoside, medacassoside,
asiatic acid, a new triterpenic acid.[
 • Useful Parts:Whole plant
• Dose: Churna (powder) 1-3 gm
• Important Formulation:
• Ratnagiri rasa
• Smritisagar rasa

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ASHWAGANDHA
Ashwaganda

• Ashwaganda is reputed as a
rejuvenative, aphrodisiac, alterative
and nervine tonic in Ayurveda.
• It is useful in emaciation, senile
debility, rheumatism. It is also
suitable as a geriatric tonic. Further
it also has an adaptogenic property
and hence prevents the harmful
effects of stress.
• It is the best Stress alleviating and Rejuvenative
herb.
• It helps in increasing immunity.
• It increases physical endurance and promotes
Ojas.
Synonyms
• Sanskrit : Ashwagandha , Vajigandha
• English : Winter Cherry
• Latin : Withania Somnifera
• Family : Solanaceae

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Pharmacodynamic Properties
• Rasa: Tikta(bitter),Kasaya(astringent)
• Guna: Laghu(light)
• Virya : Ushna(hot)
• Vipaka :Madhura(sweet)
• Doshakarma :Kaphavatashamak(alleviates K
and V dosha), Balya, Rasayana, Vajikarna

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Medicinal Uses
• It regenerates the hormonal system
• Promotes tissue healing
• Improves memory
• Medhya Rasayana
• Improves physical strength
• Cures ulcers
• Useful in stress, anxiety, depression, Rheumatism,
Dropsy,Impotency,Leucoderma,Cough

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Chemical Constituents
• Alkaloids like betasitosterol,
• Chlorogenic acid,scolpoletin and
• Withaferin.

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 • Useful Parts:Roots and Leaves
• Dose: Powder 3-5 gm
• Important Formulation:
• Ashwagandha Churna
• Ashwagandha Tablets
• Ashwagandhadyaristha
• Ashwagandha lehya

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JATAMANSI
• Jatamamsi (Nardostachys jatamamsi) is an
erect perennial aromatic herb with long, stout,
woody, greyish, rhizomatous, tail-like rootstock
covered with reddish-brown hairs or tufted
fibrous remains of the petioles of withered
radical leaves and belongs to Valerianaceae
family.
Synonyms
• Sanskrit : Jatamansi, Mansi, Bhutajata
• English : Indian nard , Nardus root
• Latin : Nardostachys jatamansi
• Family : Valerianaceae

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Pharmacodynamic Properties
• Rasa: Tikta(bitter),Kashaya(astringent)
• Guna: Laghu(light)
• Virya : Shita(cold)
• Vipaka :Katu(pungent)
• Doshakarma :Tridoshashamak (alleviates V
Pand K dosha), Medhya, Varnya, Nidrajanan,
Kusthaghna

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Medicinal Uses
• Sleep disorders
• Medhya Rasayana
• Manasroga : Unmada (Insomnia),
Apasmar(Epilepsy)
• Blood disorders
• Improves digestion
• Improves Memory

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• Rhizome is used for medicinal purposes as it
is Bhutaghna or Manasa Doshahara (relieves of
psychiatric problems) and Medhya.
• Roots and rhizomes of N. jatamansi are used to
treat hysteria, epilepsy, and convulsions.
• The decoction of the drug is also used in
neurological disorders, insomnia and disorders
of cardiovascular system.
Chemical Constituents
• Rhizomes contain a terpenoid ester,
nardostachysin I.
• An acetone extract of N. jatamansi has shown
significant inhibition of benzoyl peroxide-induced
cutaneous oxidative stress, toxicity, and ear
oedema in mice.
 • Useful Parts:Root
• Dose: Churna(powder) 2 -4 gm
• Important Formulation:
• Mansyadi kwath
• Kumaryasava
• Chemical composition:Essential oil and
resinuous matter.

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SHANKHAPUSHPI
• Shankhapushpi is a perennial, prostate or sub
erect spreading hairy herb found throughout
India.
• Recommended therapeutic form is fine paste of
whole plant.
• Highly regarded as Medhya (intellect promoter).
Shankhapushpi
• Shankha means conch and so Shankhapushpi
means the herb which has conch shaped flowers.
• It is also one of the known nervine rejuvenator
ie: medhya rasayana.
• It helps in calming down the brain and thus
helps in relieving tension.

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Synonyms
• Sanskrit : Shankhapushpi
• Latin : Convolvulus pluricaulis
• Family : Convolvulaceae

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Pharmacodynamic Properties
• Rasa: Tikta(bitter),Kashaya(astringent),
Katu(pungent)
• Guna: Sara(unstable)
• Virya : Shita(cold)
• Vipaka : Katu(pungent)
• Doshakarma: Kaphapittashamak(alleviates
Kand P dosha),Rasayana , Medhya, Balya

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Medicinal Uses
• It is a memory boosting herb hence used in
Nervous debility and memory loss.
• Syphilis

• Reduces Triglycerides and serum cholesterol

level
• Dysentery

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• It is effective in relieving signs and symptoms
of Chittodvega(anxiety disorders).
• Shankhapushpi significantly reversed the social
isolation stress-induced sleep.
• reported to be effective on Manasa-
mandata(mental retardation).
• Shankhpushpi calms the nerves by regulating the
body's production of the stress hormones,
adrenaline and cortisol.
Chemical composition

• Important chemical principles are microphyllic

acid, shankhapushpin, kaempferol-kaempferol-
3-glucoside, 3, 4 dihydroxycinnamic acid,
sitosterols.
• Alkaloids.
 • Useful Parts: Whole plant
• Dose: Churna (powder) 3-5 gm
• Important Formulation:
• Agastyaharitaki rasayana
• Brahma rasayana

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VACHA
• Vacha (Acorus calamus) of Araceae family is a
semiaquatic, perennial, aromatic herb with its
rhizome being horizontal, rounded, somewhat
vertically compressed, spongy and leaves grass
like and sword shaped; grown all over India.
• Rhizome is useful part having Medhya quality.
• It has been used in Indian and Chinese system of
medicine for hundreds of years to cure diseases
especially the central nervous system (CNS)
abnormalities.
Vacha
• It is also a memory boosting herb.
• It helps in improving speech of children who are
not able to speak clearly.
• It also acts as a tonic for general arthritic pains,
cold, cough.

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Synonyms
• Sanskrit : Vacha , Ugra, Shadgrantha
• English : Sweet flag
• Latin : Acorus calamus
• Family : Arecaceae

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Pharmacodynamic Properties
• Rasa: Tikta(bitter), Katu(pungent)
• Guna: Laghu (light),Tikshna(sharp)
• Virya : Ushna(hot)
• Vipaka : Katu(pungent)
• Doshakarma: Kaphavatahara (alleviates K and
V dosha), Malamutravishodhani, Medhya,
Dipani, Krimihara, Kanthya

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Medicinal Uses

• Medhya Rasayana
• Dysentry
• Cough and asthma
• Clearing speech
• Epilepsy
• Insomnia
• Ear ache
• Constipation
• Colic Pain
• Memory loss
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Chemical composition

• Volatile oils,Tannin, Starch and Acorin glycoside

• Useful Parts: Rhizome
• Dose: Churna (powder) 60-120 mg
• For emesis 1-2 gm
• Important Formulation:
• Vachadi ghrita
• Vacha lasunadi taila
• Hinguvachadi churna
• Sarasvataristha

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YASHTIMADHU
• Yastimadhu is a hardy herb or under shrub
belonging to Fabaceae family
• Fine powder of dried root is used internally with
milk for therapeutic purpose as Medhya.
Synonyms
• Sanskrit : Yashtimadhu
• Latin : Glycirrhiza glabra Linn.
• Family : Fabaceae

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Pharmacodynamic Properties
• Rasa: Madhura(sweet)
• Guna: Guru, Snighda
• Virya : Shita(cold)
• Vipaka : Madhura
• Doshakarma: Vatapittashamak(alleviates Vand
P dosha),Rasayana , Medhya, Balya

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Medicinal Uses
• an efficient brain tonic
• It increases the circulation into the CNS system
and balance the sugar levels in the blood.
• Liquorice has significant action on memory
enhancing activity in dementia
• It significantly improved learning and memory
• Anti emetic
• Good for cough and throat diseases.
• Powerful anti oxidant.

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Chemical composition

• Active ingredients are glycyrrhizine, flavonones,

isoflavones, glycyrrhetenic acid, six phenolic
compounds.
 • Useful Parts: Roots
• Dose: Churna (powder) 5-10 gm
• Important Formulation:Yashtimadhu ghan vati,
• Kasthuryadi vati, Yashtimadhu oil,
• Pranaraksh churna

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SHATAVARI
• Shatavari is a potent Ayurveda herb for female.
• It prommote overall well being and health.
 • It is one of the best female tonic

• Sanskrit : Vari, Shatavari

• English : Asparagus
• Latin : Asparagus racemosus
• Family : Liliaceae

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Pharmacodynamic Properties
• Rasa: Madhura (sweet),Tikta(bitter)
• Guna: Guna: Guru, Snighda
• Virya : Shita(cold)
• Vipaka : Madhura
• Doshakarma: Vatapittashamak(alleviates Vand
P dosha),Rasayana , Balya, Ayusya.

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Medicinal Uses
• supports reproductive health and tonic for
pregnant and nursing women.
• supports normal production of breast milk for
nursing mothers .
• relieves menopausal symptoms

• Traditional uses
• Shatavari has been used for improving women’s
reproductive health with milk. Shatavari also
increases libido
• It is used with sugar, ghee and milk during
pregnancy as a fetal tonic.
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 • Useful Parts: Root
• Dose: Powder 3-6 g with milk and sugar
• Important Formulation:
• Sthree kalp. Phal ghee,
• Shatavari ghee

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Research Conclusions
(review by Murthy ARV, Intl. sem on plant based med. p194-
207,0ct 2004)
• Anxiolytic: Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Jatamansi,
Dhatura
• Anti Depressant: Ashwagandha, Brahmi,
Jatamansi, Vacha, Kapikacchu, Puga
• Tranquilising: Jyotishmati
• Anti convulsant: Shankhapushpi, Shigru,
Ustakhaddus
• Anaesthetic: Ashwagandha
• Adaptogenic: Ashwagandha, Jyotishmati,
Amalaki
• Anti epileptic: Ashwagandha, Brahmi,
Jatamansi, Vacha, Kapikacchu, Jyotishmati
• Anti Parkinsonism: Kapikacchu
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