Open labelled, single arm clinical trial to evaluate the role of yashtimadhu moola churna as a medhya rasayan for improving short term memory in children of Age 12 to 16 years

Ayurveda has duly recognized the individuality of Mana and Sharira and
their inseparable and interdependent relation in living body. Mana, Atma and Sharira together
leads to the Ayu of an individual. One who has
balanced Dosha, balanced Agni, and properly
formed Dhatus; proper elimination of Malas,
well-functioning bodily processes, and whose mind, soul and senses are full
of bliss is called a healthy person. Difference in the human and other
living species on the planet earth is the human brain. The human brain is
also responsible for the development of human in all aspect and for this
memory plays an important role. All living species learn everything by remembering
previous experience but humans are more developed than other because of the
intellect. Memory and Intelligence of human makes them superior in all
aspect, which changes the standard of living of humans from time to time.

Ayurvedacoined the term Medhawhich means Dharana Shakti i.e. Intellectual and / or retention and Rasayanmeans therapeutic procedure or preparations that on regular practice which boost nourishment, health, memory, intellect, immunity and hence longevity.

The Ayurvedictexts describes a set of rejuvenate to impact biological sustenance to the bodily tissues. These remedies are called Rasayan which are claimed to act as micronutrients. Some of these Rasayanasare organ and tissue specific. Those specific to brain tissue are called Medhya Rasayan. Medhya Rasayanis a group of four medicinal plants that can be used singly or in combinations explained by Acharya Charakin first adhyayaof *Charaka Samhita Chikitsasthana i.e. Rasayan Adhyay.*In school life, children are more focused on the study to have the bright future in life. Students may mugging up the definitions, formulae or try to remember it by writing it on a paper so many times to get good grades or marks in the examination. Students will not get good marks by reading a book one day before exam, they need to study for a long period of time with consistency before any examination, and like this long term practice of Medhya Rasayan is required to enhance the memory.

Four medhya rasayan are explained by Acharya Charaka. Yashtimadhu is to taken in the form of churna and aupana is dugdha i.e. cow milk, which is considered to be palatable among all four medhya rasayan. Swaras of Mandukparni and Guduchi, kalka of Shankhapushpi is too explained as a medhya rasayan but swarasa and kalka are not as palatable as churnain children.

Yashtimadhu is commonly known as Kanthya and kanda i.e. bark is used for it in day today practice. So I have choose Yashtimadhu moola churna as a medhya rasayan for research study as the medhya karma of Yashtimadhu is neglected though it is explained in Charaka samhita.

Dhee, Dhrutiand Smruti definitions given by Chakrapanidatta in Ayurvedadipika, ArunadattainSarvangasundaraandHemadriinAyurvedarasayan, the word Smruti is relate with the word memory among Dhee, Dhruti and Smruti. Exam pattern in our education system is completely based on memory i.e. smaranshakti. So Yashtimadhu churnais selected for this research study out of four medhya rasayan dravyas because churna is palatable and anupana for it is milk thus it will be easy for the children to take the medicine on daily basis for 3 months of time period.