Elevates depressed brain centres and mind (mano‐balyam) by – (1) Promoting the generation of cAMP by activating the enzyme adenylate cyclase in the brain; and (2) Lowering AChE activity from hypothalamus, frontal cortex, and hippocampus leading to increased cholinergic activity in the brain.

• Strengthens the nerves (nadi‐balyam).

• Strengthens the heart and the blood circulation (hrid‐balyam).

1.Jyotishmati is nootropic (medhya, mastishka-balya, buddhi-prada) and memory enhancing (smriti-prada). It is used for the management of various neurological and psychiatric disorders esp. mental depression (mano-avasada, mastishka-daurbalya). Jyotishmati has been widely used in the indigenous medicinal systems to treat brain related disorders. In an experimental study, it showed a decrease in AChE activity from hypothalamus, frontal cortex and hippocampus in the treated rats leading to increased cholinergic activity in the brain. Jyotishmati is also known as Celastrus paniculatus.

2.Akarkara is nootropic (buddhi-vardhak, nadi-balya) and nervine stimulant (nadi-uttejaka). It is used for the management of various neurological disorders including depression (nadi-daurbalya). An experimental study revealed improvement of learning acquisition and antidepressant property of Akarkara. Akarkara is also known as Anacyclus pyrethrum.

3.Vacha is nootropic (medhya), sedative (shamak), anti-depressant (sangya-sthapana), and brain stimulant (teekshna). It is used for the management of various neurologic (apasmara) and psychiatric disorders (bhuta-badha), including anxiety neurosis (chinta), depression (shoka, mano-avasada) etc. In an experimental study in rats, vacha was seen to possess sedative effect. Vacha is also known as Acorus calamus.

4.The diterpene derivative forskolin in Gandira (Coleus forskohlii), increases swimming activity in rats and delayed immobility in the same way as the tricyclic drug amitriptyline. It seems to act by activating the enzyme adenylate cyclase that in turn promotes the generation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The same may exert an antidepressant effect. In addition it decreased locomotor activity, reduced body temperature, and increased grooming activity and head twitches. In another study, it decreased the immobility time of rats subjected to FST. The antidepressant action of forskolin was more potent than that of amitriptyline. Gandira is also known as Coleus forskohlii.

Dosage:

• Adults: 1‐2 tabs 6‐8 hourly. Taper off on improvement.

• Children (6‐9 yrs): 1⁄4‐ 1⁄2 of adult dose, in crushed form.

• To be taken just after meals.

Precautions:

Avoid in pregnancy.

Available as:

Box containing 4 strips (blister packing) of 10 tablets (40 tablets).