Abstract

ROLE OF HRIDYA MAHAKASHAYA IN MANAGEMENT OF STRESS

Dr. Satyapal Sharma* Dr. Sudipta Kumar Rath and Dr. Mita Kotecha

ABSTRACT

Ayurveda defines health as a state of physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual well-being. Today‘s life has become so erratic that everybody is just found in hurry and worry with their activities. This life style has direct impact on health and leading to generates various types of mental disorders like stress. Stress may be classified as physical, emotional and social etc. where short term stress period are beneficial for growth of an individual but long time stressful condition lead to various complications like hypertension, atherosclerosis and other similar disorders which can be compiled under life style disorders. Acharya charaka mentioned some herbs like those in Hridya Mahakashaya and others which are beneficial to increase the threshold of stress as well as reduce the hazardous effects of stress in the body. Hridya group of drugs are Amla Rasa Pradhana and rich source of vitamin c. Vitamin c is proved to be a potent antioxidant as well as good stress buster. The aim of this article is putting forward the probable mode of action of Hridya drugs mentioned in Charak Samhita in eliminating or reducing stress.

Keywords: Hridya, Hridya mahakashaya, Stress, Vitamin c, Cortisol.