Efficacy Of Jatamansi Arka And Sarpagandhaghana Vati In Major Depressive Disorder - A Randomized Controlled Trial

According to  WHO’s the definition of health goes like this : Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease. And when mainly emphasizing on , Mental health refers to behavioral, cognitive and emotional well being. any changes in this well being can be considered as mental disorder ,which includes most commonly mood disorder, GAD, personality disorder, sleep disorders. Mental health is an integral part of our general health and well being and a basic human rights.

Depression being a very common disease is a major cause of suicidal death and disability. It commonly presents with symptoms like fatigue, worthlessness, guilt, loss of interest in daily activities,  afflicting the person’s mental, physical and social life. It is estimated that 3.8% of world population is afflicted with depression out of which 5.0% are among adults and 5.7% are among the adults more than 60yrs. In India 45.7 million people are suffering from this disorder out of  which 3.9% is contributed by female population and 2.7% by male population. People exposed to unfavourable circumstances like poverty, violence and inequality are at high risk of experiencing mental health conditions  which are also reported to be a risk factor for several secondary disorders. These people are prone to have recurrence of depression episodes. Conventional practice of oral medicines include SSRI & Anti-depressant group of drugs which are having adverse effects varying from simple dry mouth to many cardiovascular risks .

Similarly in the context of ayurveda, manas is made of  3 doshas i,e satva, rajas and tamas and alteration of these mano doshas causes manovikaras like atatvabinivesha, unmada, apasmara vyadhis, avasaada, vishada chittodwega - which are nothing but abnormal condition related to mental function.

In Ayurveda the above said condition can be correlated  with Kaphaja unmada [Mano vikara] .Classically Jatamansi arka and Sarpagandhaghana vati are being used to treat manovikaras. Having this idea as a whole, plan for further study is made for the better outcome in patients health.