Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease – Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Dementia is a decline in reasoning, memory, and other mental abilities, which together are called cognitive functions. This decline eventually affects the ability to perform daily activities like driving, housework, and even personal care like bathing, dressing, and eating. 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 carry out 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 disease of the brain characterized by impaired memory and eventually by disturbances in reasoning, planning, language, and perception. Old age, genetic factors, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, high cholesterol, a history of head trauma, and poor academic education are listed as risk factors for AD. AD accounts for almost half of dementia cases.

The basic principles of Ayurveda can be used judiciously in the treatment of dementia and AD. Excess protein deposition, dysfunction of brain cell neurotransmitters, and destruction of brain cells are hallmarks of these conditions. Brain damage, which is the main cause of this condition, can be treated with drugs that improve the metabolism of the dhatu “Majja” in the body and help improve the overall functioning and quality of the brain cells. Medicines useful 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 like Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Guduchi, Padma (Nelumbo nucifera), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Vacha (Acorus calamus), and Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis). These drugs 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 investigation is the need of the hour. However, what is definitely known at present is that outcomes are best when treatment is started early in the course of the disease. Therefore, early and specific diagnosis is of paramount importance.