AYURVEDIC AND CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES ON ACTIONS OF MEDHYA DRAVYAS: A SCOPING REVIEW

Developmental disabilities encompass a wide spectrum of disorders resulting from injury to the developing brain during prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal stages, leading to various long-term conditions. Cognitive deficits may occur as part of neuropsychiatric disorders or manifest independently as developmental impairments, thereby necessitating the use of nootropic agents to enhance cognitive function. In recent years, there has been increasing global interest in exploring medicinal plants for cognitive enhancement due to their relatively fewer adverse effects. In Ayurveda, a specific group of herbs known as Medhya Rasayanas are described for their multifaceted benefits, particularly in improving memory and intellect through their unique Prabhava (specific action). Ayurveda thus offers a well-documented list of nootropic herbs with multidimensional therapeutic applications in diverse clinical conditions. This review presents a compilation of selected Medhya (nootropic) dravyas such as Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica), Bhallataka (Semicarpus anacardium), Pippali (Pier longum), Kushmanda (Benincasa hispida) and Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) that are beneficial in managing cognitive deficits associated with developmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, and highlights their role in enhancing memory, intellect, and overall cognitive function.