Ayurveda has recognized the individuality of the psyche and body and their inseparable and dependent relationship in the living body. The ancient physicians of Ayurveda have attributed abnormal conditions related to mental functions as Manovikaras.
What are the symptoms of anxiety according to Ayurveda?
The term Chittodvega has special reference to Manovikaras and can be equated with anxiety. It is commonly observed in people who have instability of the mind, fear, tremor, palpitation, short temper, indecisiveness, pressure in the chest, fainting or sinking, pricking pain in the chest and excessive perspiration.
According to Charaka, the famous physician of ancient times, these symptoms are due to contamination of vata. There is imbalance of two mental doshas (rajas and tamas) and abnormalities vata and/or pitta.
What is the treatment for anxiety?
Ayurveda recommends a combination of medicines for internal administration and external applications. These medicines are in addition to counseling or treatment of the psyche and behaviour. The treatment processes commonly recommended for management of anxiety include purgatives, enema, nasal instillation, streaming of medicated buttermilk, milk, oil or decoctions on the forehead and application of medicated wet cakes on the head.
Listed below are the compound medicines commonly used for management of anxiety.
1. Five grams of any one of the three medicines including Brahmi Ghrita, Kalyanak Ghrita or Pahchagavya Ghrita to be taken twice a day with milk.
2. Twenty to thirty millilitres of either Saraswatarista or Aswagandharista to be taken after meals twice a day with equal proportion of water.
3. One hundred twenty five to two hundred and fifty milligrams of either Smriti Sagar Rasa or Cahurmukha Rasa to be taken with honey two or three times a day.
4. Three to five grams of Saraswata Churna thrice a day with milk.
5. One hundred twenty five to two hundred and fifty milligrams of Manasmitra Vataka to be taken with water or milk thrice a day.
6. Five millilitres of Ksheerbala Tail to be taken orally with milk three times a day.
7. Dhanvantari Tail or Asanvilvadi Tail is recommended for causing profuse sweating, and therefore removal of toxins from the body.
8. Tonics recommended for anxiety include any one of the following medicines: Kusumanda rasayana, Chayavanprash, Brahmi rasayana, Asvagandhavaleha or Shatavari Leha. Depending on the totality of your symptoms, ten grams of any one of these medicines is recommended once a day with milk.