Ayurvedic management guide to major Neurological Disorders, covering:Cerebrovascular Disease, (Stroke), Headache, Dementia and Coma

Ayurvedic management guide to major Neurological Disorders, covering:

  • Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke)

  • Headache

  • Dementia and Coma

Each includes Ayurvedic correlation, Samprāpti (pathogenesis), Chikitsā Sūtras, key formulations, Panchakarma, and classical references.


🧠 1. Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke / CVA)


🔹 Ayurvedic Correlation:

Modern Term Ayurveda Equivalent
Ischemic Stroke Pakṣāghāta (पक्षाघातः)
Hemorrhagic Stroke Raktavata, Sirābhisyanda, Raktapitta janya Pakṣāghāta

📜 Classical References:

  • Charaka Cikitsā 28

  • Suśruta Uttara Tantra 63

  • Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya Uttara 23

"Vātaḥ śarīrasya balasya kāraṇaṁ, tan mārute vyāpadeśaḥ pakṣāghātaḥ smṛtaḥ"


🔹 Samprāpti (Pathogenesis):

  • Vāta prakopa due to stress, trauma, age, vega dhara, etc. → occlusion/rupture of Sirā (vessels)Ruk, shosha, stabdha, kampana

  • In hemorrhagic stroke: Rakta + Vāta dushti → Raktapitta lakṣaṇas


🔹 Chikitsā Sūtra:

"Pakṣāghāte snehanaṁ swedanaṁ bastiḥ… vātaśāmakaṁ prayojayet" – C.S. Cikitsā 28


🔹 Treatment Strategy:

Phase Management
Acute Vāta-shāmaka, Mṛdu Snehapāna, Niruha/Anuvāsana basti, Nasya
Chronic Br̥ṃhaṇa, Medhya Rasāyana, Strengthening of Dhātu, Rehabilitation

🔹 Key Formulations:

  • Maha Mashadi taila (Basti + Abhyanga)

  • Ashwagandhādi churna, Bala taila, Ksheerabala taila

  • Ekāngavīra rasa, Dashamoola kvātha, Rasnā saptaka kvātha

  • Brahmī vati, Saraswatarishta, Abhraka Bhasma (Jīrṇa pakva)


🔹 Panchakarma:

  • Basti – Primary (especially Mātrā basti, Anuvāsana)

  • Nasya – with Brahmī taila, Ksheerabala taila

  • Shirodhāra – for improving neural communication

  • Abhyanga & Swedana – for stiffness and motor rehab


🤕 2. Headache (Primary Headaches & Migraines)


🔹 Ayurvedic Correlation:

Modern Type Ayurveda
Tension headache Suryavarta, Shirashoola
Migraine Ardhāvabhedaka (अर्धावभेदकः)
Cluster headache Anantavāta, Karnashoola with Shirashoola

📜 Classical References:

  • Mādhava Nidāna 53, A.H. Uttara 23

“Tīkṣṇaṁ tīvraṁ ardhamukhe bhedanaṁ dāhaṁ cha darśayet।
Tam ardhāvabhedakaṁ proktaṁ vātabhūyastvāt॥”


🔹 Samprāpti (Pathogenesis):

  • Vitiation of Vāta-Pitta (migraine), or Vāta-Kapha (tension headache) in Śiras marma

  • Results in bheda (splitting pain), photophobia, nausea


🔹 Treatment Strategy:

Type Approach
Ardhāvabhedaka (Migraine) Snehapāna, Nasya, Deepana, Virechana
Suryavarta (Tension) Shiro-abhyanga, Pachana, Rasāyana
Kapha/Vāta dominant Lepa, Nasya, Dhumapāna

🔹 Formulations:

  • Godanti bhasma, Sootashekhar rasa, Mahāvatavidhwansa rasa

  • Pathyādi kwātha, Dashamoola kwātha, Triphala guggulu

  • Brahmi vati, Ashwagandhādi lehyam, Shirashulādi vajra rasa


🔹 Nasya & External Therapies:

  • Anutaila, Shadbindu taila, Brahmi taila

  • Lepa: Dashamoola + Eranda moola paste on forehead

  • Takradhārā for chronic migraines


🧓 3. Dementia & Coma


🔹 Ayurvedic Correlation:

Modern Ayurveda
Dementia Smṛtikṣaya, Buddhi mandya, Jīrṇa Unmāda, Ojokṣaya
Coma Mūrcchā (मूर्छा) / Sannyāsa (सन्न्यास)

📜 Classical References:

  • Suśruta Uttaratantra 62

  • Charaka Cikitsā 10 (Unmāda), A.H. Uttara 7–8


🔹 Samprāpti:

🔸 Dementia:

  • Gradual depletion of Medhā, Smṛti, and Ojas

  • Mānasika doṣa (Rajas–Tamas) along with Vāta–Pitta dushti

🔸 Coma:

  • Sudden loss of consciousness due to doṣa avarana of Prāṇa Vāta, Hridaya dushti, Ojas kṣaya


🔹 Treatment Approach:

Condition Strategy
Dementia Medhya Rasāyana, Br̥ṃhaṇa, Oja vardhaka, Mānasika chikitsā
Coma Prāṇa vātānulomana, Ojovardhana, Nasya, Kriyākāla based reversal

🔹 Formulations:

📘 For Dementia:

  • Saraswatarishta, Brahmī vati, Vachā + Yashtimadhu churna

  • Medhya Rasāyana: Mandukaparni, Shankhapuṣpī, Jyotiṣmati taila

  • Abhraka bhasma, Swarna bhasma (microdose)

🛏️ For Coma (Mūrcchā/Sannyāsa):

  • Rājata bhasma, Abhraka bhasma, Mahānārāyaṇa taila (abhyanga)

  • Nasya: Brahmī taila, Kshirabala taila


🔹 Panchakarma:

Procedure Use
Nasya Regain consciousness, improve memory
Basti Chronic Vāta kopa in dementia
Śirodhāra Anxiety, confusion, emotional calmness
Shirobasti Useful in long-term cognitive degeneration

📘 Summary Table

Disease Ayurvedic Name Doṣa Management
Stroke Pakṣāghāta Vāta + Rakta Basti, Nasya, Br̥ṃhaṇa
Headache Shirashoola / Ardhāvabhedaka Vāta-Pitta/Kapha Nasya, Lepa, Deepana
Dementia Smṛtikṣaya / Medhākṣaya Vāta + Rajas-Tamas Medhya Rasāyana
Coma Mūrcchā / Sannyāsa Vāta + Ojas kṣaya Ojovardhana, Prāṇa shāmaka

🔬 Scientific Integration

  • Brahmi, Mandukaparni – Cognitive enhancers (published in IJAR)

  • Ashwagandhā – Neuroprotective, supports GABA pathways

  • Ksheerabala Basti – Promotes neuro-regeneration in stroke rehab

  • Shirodhāra – Reduces cortisol, improves quality of life in chronic headache and dementia


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