Concepts of Mental Health in Ayurveda


The ancient system of Ayurveda (science of life) offers a holistic approach to mental health that integrates the mind, body and soul. Sushruta defines health as a state of total biological equilibrium, where the sensory, mental, emotional and spiritual elements are harmoniously balanced. Ayurvedic theory of health is based on tridosha (primary life forces or biological humours). The five elements (panchamahabhuta) combine in pairs to constitute the three doshas-vata (ether and air), pitta (water and fire) and kapha (water and earth). The combination of these doshas inherited at birth indicates an individual's unique constitution. The dynamic balance of tridoshas creates health.
Ayurveda defines mental
health as a state of mental, intellectual and spiritual well-being. The concept of health encompasses not only the physical and mental aspects but also the spiritual aspect, which is missing in the modern psychological discourse," The ancient classical Ayurvedic expert Charaka, places the mind in the heart though other texts locate it at the head and the navel. These various views are considered complementary rather than contradictory.
The three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) are connected to tridosha in Ayurveda. The three gunas together are responsible for the existential, experiential, evaluative and transactional dimensions, each of which may serve as a motivational source of stress.
Ø Sattwa is responsible for knowledge, acquisition, distribution and reasoning or analyzing.
Ø Rajas is the initiator and provides the impetus essential for initiation of thought. This gets converted to a deed or word after a judicious use of desire, effort and memory.
Ø Tamas due to its occluding nature it provides a calming, soothing effect and in a normal stage becomes the brake which controls the overactive rajas and reasoning satwa.
A balance of these three is essential for a healthy state of mind. When this balance is lost totally we have mental disorders, or if it tilts in any one direction we have conditions like anger, anxiety and trepidation, which are normal emotions but exhibited in an intensive manner.
Charaka described eight essential psychological factors that are negatively affected in various ways in all psychiatric disorders. The psychopathological condition is a function of these factors, which are manas (mind), buddhi, smriti (memory), sajna jnana (orientation and responsiveness), bhakti (devotion), shila (habits), cheshta (psychomotor activity) and achara (conduct).
Primary psychological conditions caused purely by mental disorders are kama (lust), krodha (anger), lobh (greed), moha (delusion), irshya (jealousy), mana (pride), mada (euphoria), shoka (sorrow, grief), chinta (anxiety), udvega (neurosis), bhaya (fear), harsha (happiness). The psychiatric conditions caused by a combination of physical and mental (psycho-physical) disorders are unmada (psychosis), apasmara (convulsive disorder), apatantraka (hysteria), atattvabhinvesha (obsession), bhrama (illusion, vertigo), tandra (drowsiness), klama (neurasthenia), mada-murchha-sanyasa (loss of sensory perception leading to coma), madatyaya (alcoholism), gadodvega (hypochondriasis).

Ayurveda treatment for mental disorders
Ayurveda seeks to remove the root causes of mental illness in a holistic way. Its focus is on prevention through correct diet, exercise, meditation and cultivation of the right attitude. It offers a complex array of therapeutic techniques and natural medicines to restore balance and harmony.The modality of treatment for the management of manasroga has been classified into three categories:- Daivavyapashraya, Yuktivyapashraya and Satwavajaya.
Ø Daivavyapashraya includes chanting of mantras, performances of various homas (sacrifices) prescribed where herbs along with various ingredients like rice, ghee and raisins are offered to fire. Also upavasa (fasting), niyama (strict behavioral regimen like observance of celibacy, eating certain things while avoiding others), pranipata (offering salutation or prayers to the deities and penance) and prayaschitta (atonement) play an important role in controlling the tamas and rajas activity of the mind, establishing a sattwa predominant state which is essential for the normal and healthy functioning of the mind.
Ø Sattwavajaya involves efforts to control the abnormal mental activity).
Ø Yuktivyapashraya, this modality involves the judicious use of medicines and diet. It is broadly classified into two groups namely shodhana and shaman with oral medicines including herbal powders.:--
ü Vamana-induced therapeutic vomiting.
ü Virechana-purgation through therapeutic laxative, providing symptomatic relief of mental illness.
ü Vasti-enema therapy. Nirooha Vasti cleanses toxins from the dhatus and removes naturally accumulated body wastes from the colon.Anuwasana Vasti is to be retained in the body for a longer period for effectiveness.
ü Nasya-Nasal medication acts as a purificatory aid to the head where major sensory faculties are located. The clarity of these faculties (indriyaprasada) leads to clarity of mind.
Special Techniques used Include:-
ü Shirodhara-medicated water, herbal oils and medicated milk are poured on the forehead through a special method for 30 to 45 minutes. It reduces anxiety, depression and mental stress and rejuvenates the central nervous system.
ü Shiro Vasti-keeping herbal oil in a cap fitted on head.
Panchakarma therapy is followed by samana or purification treatment with oral medicines including herbal powders.like 'medhya rasayanas'. These herbs promote the intellect and deeply nourish the neurological tissues. They are nervine tonics... Ayurveda favors the use of combinations of herbs that meet the specific needs of each patient as no two patients present exactly the same condition.These medicines act as specific molecular nutrients for the brain, promoting better mental health that leads to the alleviation of behavioral disorders. The medhya rasayanas enhance biological nourishment of the brain, producing tranquility of mind, concentration and improved memory. Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Jatamaansi, Sarpgandha, and shankhapushpi have a secondary mild sedative effect. Others like calamus have a mild stimulating effect.

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