Depression: An Ayurvedic Review

Abstract

Among the dreadful psychological disorders, depression occupies the lion share. It is a common mental illness that causes you to feel sad, to lose interest in activities that you have always enjoyed, withdraw from others, to feel lethargic and become irritable. These problems can become chronic or recurrent and can lead to a substantial impairment in the individual's ability to take care of his or her daily activities. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. According to WHO, globally about 350 million people are affected with depression. In Ayurveda Vishada and Avsada are two conditions which have close resemblance to depression. Even though this particular problem is not narrated under a single chapter or heading. In classical literature, we come across scattered references in various texts. Acharya Charaka has described the term Vishada in different contexts like Cause of a disease, Symptoms of a disease, as a Disease itself and Examination of mental factor. Vishada is defined as the condition of persistent sad mood, feeling of incompetence due to apprehension of failure resulting into incapability of mind and body to function properly. Charaka quotes "Vishado Rogavardhananam" i.e. it is the foremost factor to worsen the condition of any disease. This suggests that there may be a relationship between Immunity and Vishada. Vishada is one of the eighty Vataja Nanatmaja Vikaras which indicates that it cannot occur without the involvement of vata dosha.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Flora Used in Maasai Food System and Traditional Medicine against Gout-related and Other Human Ailments in Monduli, Arusha, Tanzania

“…Amongst species the most commonly used diuretic agent was Withania somnifera, followed by Rhamnus Prinoides, Rapanea melanophloeos, Rhamnus staddo, Chenopodium schraderianum, Piper capense, Helinus mystacinus and Acacia nilotica. The observation that some MPs were used as diuretic agents and in treatment of joints' pain and inflammation could be supported by the fact that diuretics have the capacity of removing edema or fluid retained in the body as well as some have uricosuric properties which remove uric acid from the body [87]. Moreover, irrespective of the use of the MPs as diuretic agents, no side effects associated with diuresis were reported in this study as compared to those possessed by the conventional diuretics.…”

“…Conversely, natural diuretics particularly veggies and fruits are high in water and potassium (and some in magnesium and calcium) which help to offset the constriction of blood vessels that makes one feel bloated in case of excess sodium [85,86]. Furthermore, natural diuretics have been used in treatment of swelling and rheumatism as well as some have properties of reducing uric acid in the body [87].…”