Indigenous Therapeutics of Alzheimer: A Review of Ayurvedic Herbs from its Ethnobotany to Phytotherapy

Abstract

Ayurveda, often known as Ayurvedic medicine, is a customized system of the traditional system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. This alternative medicine system has been used for more than 5,000 years in India, and it is grounded on a holistic view of treatment that stimulates and supports equilibrium in diverse facets of human life: the body, soul, and mind. A great variety of herbs and plants are used in Ayurveda for numerous advantages; however, the popular Ayurvedic medicinal plants and formulations that are used to delay the aging of the human brain and improve memory consist of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis, Evolvulus alsinoides, and other species), gotu kola (Centella asiatica), and guggulu (Commiphora mukul and correlated species) and a preparation identified as Brāhmī Ghṛita, containing Brahmi, Vacā (Acorus calamus), Kuṣṭha (Saussurea lappa), Shankhpushpi, and Purāṇa Ghṛita (old clarified butter/old ghee). One of the extremely common progressive neurodegenerative disorders is Alzheimer s disease (AD), which is characterized by profound memory loss ample enough to hinder social and occupational functioning. Globally, more than 20 million people are affected by this most common form of dementia. AD is characterized by a stealthy loss of memory, allied functional decline, and behavioral disturbances. With modern scientific methods, it is anticipated that this description can be further explored to disclose novel therapeutic pointers and push-start additional studies on the use of Ayurvedic medicine to prevent and treat AD. This paper reviews the clinical effects of a number of generally used types of herbal medicines to treat AD.