The Enhancement of Ayurvedic Medicine on the Quality of our Brains

Ayurvedic medicine suggests many labels: dated, popular, ancient, reliable, or trendy. On a recent trip to India, I visited an Ayurvedic spa, and the treatment given was memorable. As warm coconut oil gently dripped onto my head, I experienced a moment of peace. One must understand the practice of Ayurvedic medicine to understand the neurological effects of it.  Exploring the principles of Ayurvedic medicine highlights how its ancient techniques and natural remedies can enhance cognitive function and overall brain health, offering a holistic approach to modern mental and physical health. 

The Roots of Ayurvedic Medicine 

Since ancient times in India, people have relied on natural sciences and traditional knowledge that predates the establishment of modern medicine. Ayurveda, dating back to the second century, has its foundations credited to an ancient school, Vaisheshika, of Hindu philosophical teachings [1]. These practices included dietary changes, personalized exercises, and mindful lifestyle recommendations. Ayurveda practices helped combat diseases originating from stress and hormone imbalances [1]. 

Once exclusive to Kerala, India, Ayurveda has evolved into a global phenomenon. Today, people from the U.S. and Europe seek authentic Ayurvedic treatments in India [2]. Despite this, it is common to see the commercialization of Ayurvedic elements in the Western world. For example, ashwagandha, an evergreen herb known for alleviating stress, has gained popularity in American wellness remedies, with an expected sales growth of $39.2 million [3]. Doctors across America believe that ashwagandha may relieve conditions such as constipation, arthritis, stress, diabetes, and insomnia [4]. 

Similarly, fenugreek (methi), traditionally used as a dietary supplement for managing diabetes, relieving menstrual cramps, and stimulating milk production in breastfeeding mothers, has recently been repurposed for dietary and sports supplements in Western medical practices [5]. Experts estimated that the American fenugreek market would reach $6.8 billion in 2023, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.8%, and project that it will expand at a CAGR of 13.2% through 2032 [6]. 

Practitioners categorize Ayurvedic treatments into the three doshas–components of primary natural energies that guide physiological events: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Vata is the most vital and controls essential functions like heart rate and breathing. Imbalances in Vata, such as stress or heart issues, are treated with meditation, including yoga and improved sleep. Pitta controls metabolism and digestion, with imbalances resulting in anger or impulsivity [8]. Ayurvedic diet changes, such as additional herbs or reduced salt and excess sugar consumption, treat such imbalances. Kapha dosha influences strength and immunity, with imbalances — caused by excess sugar — leading to muscle dysfunction and growth and sleep disruptions [7].

It is common for patients to develop imbalances in multiple doshas, leading to varying treatments. Doctors assess changes in physical appearance, motor function, sleep patterns, body temperature, and metabolism to diagnose these imbalances. Practitioners commonly use herbal medicines derived from licorice, ginger, and turmeric, along with meditation, yoga, and counseling, to restore balance in the doshas [8].

Neurological Components

The Vata dosha functions with the medulla oblongata in the brainstem, which regulates breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure [9]. Vata is also associated with the motor cortex and the cerebellum, which coordinate movement and integrate sensory feedback. A disruption in the Vata dosha may indicate dysfunction in these brain regions, such as the frontal lobe or prefrontal cortex [10]. However, meditation and improved sleep can restore this imbalance [11]. These mindful practices are proven to increase regional brain gray matter density, which is necessary for higher-order processing  [11]. 

Additionally, studies show that practicing yoga for 45 minutes daily stimulates the frontal lobe, cerebellum, and hippocampus [12]. The hippocampus is involved in memory consolidation and emotional processing. As a result, improved hippocampal function positively influences the Pitta, which governs emotional responses such as anger and impulsivity. Sleep can also play a vital role in maintaining a balance of the three doshas. Sleep is the most vital time for the immune system to replenish itself by releasing proteins called cytokines, which are essential for combating infections and stress [13]. A study used the tridosha scale, which calculated the abundance of the doshas in one person using personal and physical attributes and surveys [14]. This study found evidence proving that people of all ages with a higher presence of Vata and a lower presence of Kapha experience poor quality of sleep and increased napping at inconvenient times. Participants with balanced tridosha scores slept at more acceptable times [15]. Sleep disruptions can interfere with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep cycle and cytokine protein production, further damaging Kapha [16]. 

Moreover, there is a strong connection between the gut and the brain. As the human species progressed, the human central nervous system became strongly connected to the digestive system as a means of survival. This gut-brain connection controls many factors, such as hunger, cravings, digestion, metabolism, and stress levels. The enteric nervous system is a specific division in the autonomic nervous system that functions with the gastrointestinal tract to control many of our digestive functions [17]. Vata aids food movement through the digestive tract, while the Pitta, which includes the enteric nervous system, controls the digestive conditions and movements [18].

Conclusion

Ayurvedic medicine’s holistic and preventive qualities have the potential to aid medical improvement globally. Current American medical practices with Ayurvedic medicine emphasize holistic, long-term health management through meditation, therapies, dietary changes, and herbal remedies [19]. Although Ayurveda is considered an ancient medical practice, many components, such as ashwagandha and fenugreek, remain popular in the modern Western world.  Instead of discounting ancient practices, we can build a bridge between old and new by integrating Ayurveda into modern medical practices. Future research could focus on integrating Ayurvedic therapies such as meditation and yoga, incorporating dietary changes in outpatient settings, further validating the effectiveness of the many Ayurvedic medical treatments. 

References

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3. Data Bridge. (2021) North America Ashwagandha Market Report – Industry trends and forecast to 2029. Data Bridge Market Research. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/north-america-ashwagandha-market#:~:text=The%20ashwagandha%20market%20is%20expected,for%20the%20ashwagandha%20market%20growth 

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5. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2020, August). Fenugreek. NCCIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/fenugreek 

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11. Rusch, H. L., Rosario, M., Levison, L. M., Olivera, A., Livingston, W. S., Wu, T., & Gill, J. M. (2019). The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1445(1), 5-16. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13996 

12. Hölzel, B. K., Carmody, J., Vangel, M., Congleton, C., Yerramsetti, S. M., Gard, T., & Lazar, S. W. (2011). Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 191(1), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2010.08.006   

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14. Shilpa, S., & Murthy, C. G. (2011). Development and standardization of Mysore Tridosha scale. An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda (AYU), 32(3), 308–314. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.93905 

15. Telles, S., Pathak, S., Kumar, A., Mishra, P., & Balkrishna, A. (2015). Ayurvedic doshas as predictors of sleep quality. Medical Science Monitor: International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research, 21, 1421–1427. https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.893302 

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19. Levine, S., Malone, E., Lekiachvili, A., & Briss, P. (2019). Health care industry insights: Why the use of preventive services is still low. Preventing Chronic Disease: Public Health Research, Practice, and Policy, 16, 180625. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd16.180625