AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF DEPRESSION (UNMADA): A CASE STUDY

Amitava Acharyya, Shrawan Kumar Sahu, Rahul D. Ghuse and Ashok Kumar Sinha*

Journal Title:World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Abstract

Depression is a disorder of major public health importance, in terms of its prevalence, suffering, dysfunction, morbidity, and economic burden. It is estimated that if current trends for demographic and epidemiological transition continue, the burden of depression will increase to such an extent that it would be the second leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), second only to ischemic heart disease. Although, there are many Allopathic medicines available for its management but these are not free from their adverse/side effects. Further, their efficacy and effect is not sustainable unless the real cause of the disease is not rooted out. People are now looking for alternative medicines to avoid adverse effect of chemical medications. In this paper, a case study of a 39 years old patient suffering from moderate depression is being presented which was successfully controlled by adopting Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine. The management comprised of Shirodhara (ayurvedic treatment procedure of slowly and steadily dripping lukewarm medicated oil on the forehead of the person, resting quietly on a comfortable bed in a pleasant ambience) with Til taila coupled with oral administration of Ayurvedic formulations viz. Brahmi vati, Saraswatharista and Ashwagandha Churna for a period of 7 days. There was a drastic decline in the scores of Backs depression Inventory scale (BDIS) and Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HDRS) and no any adverse effect of the adopted management was seen during treatment and even after the 1 month of follow-up.

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