INTRODUCTION:

Anxiety is a one of the most common and disabling mental disorder, anxiety presents an urgent problem that affects people of all ages. Anxiety is often accompanied by stress, which is the body's physiologic response to mental or physical threats. Treatment protocols for the management of anxiety and the reduction of stress are continuously being sought to mitigate the effect of these prevailing health risks. Alternatives to benzodiazepines and other prescription medications are of great interest, with intentions to lessen exposure to harmful adverse effects affiliated with these drugs ,Bacopa monnieri widely known as Bhrami, is an Ayurvedic herb which is beneficial in treatment for anxiety and stress .Although used as a broad-spectrum remedy in India for centuries.

Chittodvega: We can corelates anxiety with chittodvega.There are two types of doshas in our body responsible for various activities- Sharira doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha); Manas Doshas (Satva, Rajas, Tamas). Usually, sharira and manasikadoshas are interrelated with each other, hence the concept of pschychosomatic disorder is well accepted in ayurveda of the three humors Vata (especially Prana, Vyana and Udana Vata) is mainly responsible for the activities of the mind i.e. it is the controller and stimulator of mind and is responsible for enthusiasm. Sadhaka Pitta is directly related to the function of mind.It is responsible for intelligence, memory and intellect, self-esteem, enthusiasm .Kapha (Tarpaka and Bodhaka Kapha) is responsible for  patience, courage, knowledge, learning, wisdom, cognition, perception, comprehensiveness, understanding, talent,stability, enthusiasm etc.

Signs and Symptoms 

Feeling nervous, restless or tense ,Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom, Having an increased heart rate ,Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation),Sweating, Trembling, Feeling weak or tired, Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry, Having trouble sleeping, Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems, Having difficulty controlling worry, Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety.

Samprapti-Pathophysiology:

Nidan seven-Asatmyaindriyasmyoga,pragyapradh-Dosha prakopa-vitiation of Pran,Vyan,Udan vata+Sadhaka pitta+Tarpaka and Bodhaka Kapha and manas dosa Rajas and Tamas leeads to-Hrudya dusti-Manovaha sroto dusti-Manshika symptoms appears-Anxiety.

Samprapti Ghataka:

Dosha–  Manasa– Raja, Tama        

Sharira– Vata – Prana, Udana and Vyana;Pitta – Sadhaka;Kapha– Tarpaka;

2.Dusya– Mana, Rasadidhatu;

3. Agni– Jatharagni – Manda, Visama;

4.Srotas– Manovaha, Sarvasrotodusti;

5. Udbhava Sthana- Hridaya; Mastishka

6.Vyakti Sthana – Mana; (Hridaya and Mastishka)

Effect of Bhrami:

Brahmi has antioxidant and stress relieving action, it reduces lipid peroxidation in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum in rats, aids in recovery of the derangements in neurotransmission and neuronal function and has antidepressant activity. There is evidence which suggests that Bacopa, by the virtue of containing active constituents like bacosides, influences the synthesis and availability of the neurotransmitter, Serotonin; therefore, Bacopa helps to maintain neurotransmitter balance .

Brahmi - medicinal properties 

Rasa- (taste) - Tikta - Bitter, Kashaya (astringent),

Guna -(qualities)-Laghu (light to digest),

Vipaka - taste conversion after digestion- Madhura - sweet

Veerya - Sheeta - cold in potency

Effect on Tridosha - Balances Vata and Pitta.

Prabhava - Medhya (improves intelligence)

Dosage: Fresh juice of Brahmi - 10-20 ml, Brahmi powder - 5-10 grams in divided dose per day, is the adult dose Bacopa monneiri extract capsules in 25 mg - 500 mg size is also available. The dose of such capsules vary from 250 mg to 1 g per day. In terms of leaves - leaf juice - 10-20 ml once or twice a day is the adult dose.

Some formulations:

Bhrami vati-250mg to 1g 

Bhrami Ghrita/Saraswata Ghrita- Can be use for nasal drops under ayurveda physician and recommendation and for drink after food.

Bhrami churan-With honey as recommended dosage.

Swarana Bindu Prashan: Boosting children's immunity and for brain improvement.

Bhrami syrups and arista are also available.

By: Dr. Nitin Kumar. 

MD.BAMS,PGDEMS,DIHM,CCPT.