Dr A R V Murthy
Vol. No. 21, Special Issue No 2 2026
Abstract:
Rasayana the science of nutrition is counted among the eight disciplines or branches in Ayurveda. Rasayana covers such wider areas such as nutrition, therapeutics, and aging in it’s ambit. Literally translated to mean acquisition of excellence of tissue elements, the scope of Rasayana as proposed by caraka operates at two different levels – Physical and Psychological. On the physical sphere it’s health, youth, longevity with excellence of luster, complexion, voice and strength that are achieved. On the mental sphere, Rasayana aims to promote excellence of intellect, brilliance of memory and extraordinary psychosensory perception.In this context Rasyana drugs assume the nomenclatutre as Medhyarasayanas and promote mental faculties and are aso involved in treating mental illnesses. Ayurveda has discussed at length the concept of promoting mental faculties and treating psychiatric disorders. The concept of promoting cognitive functions like Reception (Grahana), Retention (Dharana) and Recollection (Smriti) is something unique and they can be equated to nutropic drugs that are currently in use. Caraka Samhita the most ancient extant text on medicine has discussed four such drugs which are known to improve cognitive functions of human beings and aptly named them Medhyarasayana-s in view of their specific property of promoting higher mental functions. Susruta Samhita an ancient text on surgery also discusses eight drugs under the head Medhakamya Rasayana group.. Though these drugs are basically aimed at promoting intellectual functions, they have been consistently and repeatedly employed to treat psychological ailments which add to their nutropic actions thus significantly promoting the armory of management of psychological disorders as pronounced in Ayurveda literature.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.37648/ijrmst.v21i02.003
Disclaimer: Indexing of published papers is subject to the evaluation and acceptance criteria of the respective indexing agencies. While we strive to maintain high academic and editorial standards, International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences and Technology does not guarantee the indexing of any published paper. Acceptance and inclusion in indexing databases are determined by the quality, originality, and relevance of the paper, and are at the sole discretion of the indexing bodies.