Brahmyadiyoga In The Management of Schizopherenia
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterised by specific psychological symptoms and leading to disorganisation of the personality of the patients, distortion of thinking and disturbed perception etc. The disease has been discussed in Ayurveda from the earliest times and the practitioners of Ayurveda have been successfully treating such patients. The Council has established an Ayurvedic Research Unit at NIMHANS, Bangalore since 1971 for research on various mental diseases. The formulation, Brahmyadiyoga, was developed by the Council for management of Schizophrenia, wherein both acute and chronic stages of the disease have been managed.
Composition of Brahmyadiyoga
i) Brahmi (Centella asiatica Linn.) (Urban).
ii) Vacha (Acorus calamus Linn.).
iii) Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina Benth ex Kurz).
iv) Kusta (Saussurea lappa C.B. Clarde).
v) Tagara (Valeriana wallichi D.C.).
vi) Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi D.C.)
Clinical studies
i) Double blind clinical trial was taken on 108 patients divided into 4 groups. The affect of trial drug of Brahmyadiyoga and Tagara were compared with the placebo and known anti-psychotic drug chlorpromazine. The results were evaluated on the basis of clinical symptoms, psychological assessment and multiphasic questionnaire. The data were statistically analyzed and it was concluded that the Brahmyadiyoga has statistically significant effect in comparison to placebo and Tagara. The effect is also comparable to chlorpromazine.
ii) A double blind controlled study was carried out on 65 patients of chronic schizophrenia to study the efficacy of Brahmyadiyoga in comparison to chlorpromazine and placebo in three groups. Psychiatric diagnosis was made on the basis of the WHO glossary of mental disorder and guide to this classification. Assessment of therapeutic response was done by using psychiatric symptoms rating scale and by Testing Reaction Time, Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold and Vigilance test and Ferguse Falls Behaviour Rating Scale. Ayurvedic assessment was done by examination of mental status and laksana. The total duration of treatment was 75 days.
Dose
8-12 gms. daily in divided doses.
Conclusion
The study concludes that Brahmyadiyoga is better than placebo although Chlorpromazine stood out to be significantly better than both Brahmyadiyoga and placebo.
i) Brahmyadiyoga is an anti-psychotic herbal compound.
ii) It is free from toxicity or side effects, however, on
long term use, Blood Pressure and Liver function should be assessed.
iii) It can be used as an add-on treatment to modern
anti- psychotic drugs.
source http://ccras.nic.in/Research_Actvities/20081015_schizo.htm
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