NEURO-NUTRIENT IMPACT OF KUSHMAND IN MEDHAKSHAYA AND ITS RELATED CHETOROGA (PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS)

Dr. Pooja Panchaware* and Dr. T.A. Pansare

ABSTRACT

According to Ayurveda Buddhi (Medha) includes Smriti (power of recollection), Dhriti (power of retention) and Dhi (power of acquisition). Due to dysfunctioning of Medha or Buddhi various psychiatric disorders can be produced such as Unmad (Insanity), Apsmara (Convulsive disorder), Apatantraka (Hysteria), Atattavabhinivesha (Psychosis), Smritibhransh (Alzheimer’s disease). To overcome this problem Ayurveda provides lots of herbs known as Medhya dravya. Kushmand (Benincasa hispida) belonging to family Cucurbitaceae is the medicinal as well as nutritional herb having properties like Madhura rasa, Laghu, snighdha guna, Madhur vipaka ,and Sheeta virya. The chemical constituents of Benincasa hispida fruits have volatile oils, flavonoids, gyacosides, sachhrides, carotenes, vitamins, minerals, ß-sitosterin and uronic acid. This drug proved for multiple pharmacological activities such as Anti-oxidant, Anxiolytic, Anti-compulsive, Anticonvulsant, Antidepressant, significant action on Alzheimer’s disease etc. Present review draw the attention towards the neuro-nutrient impact of Kushmanda in Medhakshya and its related Chetoroga (psychiatric disorders).

Keywords: Medha (Intellect), Medhakshya (Cognitive deficit), Benincasa hispida, Kushmanda.