Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Volume 84 August 1991 491

Treatment of Parkinson's disease in 'Ayurveda'

(ancient Indian system of .medicine)-: discussion paper

M Gourie-Devi MD DM' M G Ramu HPA2 B S Venkataram MSAM2 'Department of Neurology

and 2Ayurvedic Research Unit (CCRAS), National Institute of Medical Health & Neurosciences,
Bangalore 560 029, India

Keywords: Ayurveda; Parkinson's disease; historical neurology; Indian

The identification of 1-methyl4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetra- 'vishada' (depression) may also be considered relevant

hydropyridine MP ), the recognition. that it produces to the present context of parkinsonism.
a clinical picture similar to Parkinson's disease and The treatment of 'kampavata' consists of both
higher prevalence of Parkinson's disease in internal and external administration of drugs in
industrialized countries, may give rise to speculations different formts aimed to reverse the 'vata' imbalance
that the disorder is a malady of the era of industrial- caused by either 'depletion of sustenance factors' or
izationl2. The earliest reference to 'shaking palsy in 'obstruction of pathways'. Seven 'dhgttus' reco6pized
the Western medical literature is by Galen (AD 138- in Ayurveda as sustenance factors are 'chyle, blood,
201) and only centuries later, a comprehensive muscle,. fat, bone, bone marrow and reproductive
description was published by James Parkinson in element'. The treatment advocated for all 'vata'
18173. The present authors were stimulated to explore di&rders including 'kampavata', consist of general
the literature in Ayurveda to compile the information ,line of treatment administered before or concurrently
about the existence of Parkinson's disease in ancient with specific medicines.
times. Ayurveda, the quintessence of ancient systems General measures include judicious combination of
of health care, known to be practised in India from oral ingestion of medicated edible fats, sudation,
5000 to 3000 BC (exact period not known), is still in, medicated enemas, massage with medicated oil,
vogue. With Governmental patronage, Ayurveda laxatives, and nasal instillation of medicated
occupies an important place in health care as an solutions. Some of the important plant drugs used
alternative system. Even in other neighbouring are (i) Aswagandha (root of Withania somnifera,
countries in Asia including Nepal, Tibet, Sri Lanka, (ii) Atmagupta (seed of Mt(cuna prureins, (iii) Bala
Burma, Malaysia and Indonesia, the Ayurvedic (root of Sida cordifolia) and (iv) Paraseekayavanee
system effectively supplements the allopathic (modern (jry fruit of Hyocyamus reticulatus). In addition,
medicine) system of medicine4. there are a variety of medicated oils, decoctions and
In this communication comprehensive information -drugs in powder form.
relating to Parkinson's disease as recorded in In the recent years, there has been renewed interest
renowned Ayurvedic treatises in Sanskrit and some among the modern doctors in India in herbal drugs.
English translations is reported5-7. In Ayurveda te,. Vaidya et cd.10 found that oral admiTitration of
pivotal concept is the theory of Tridosha signifying powdered seeds of Mucuna pruriens Bak (cowhage
the three bioentities (viz) 'vata', 'pitta' and 'kapha' plant) resulted in significant improvement in 23
which forms the basis for understanding the disease patients of Parkinson's disease10. Further, the side
process and for evolving treatment strategies. These effects were mild and infrequent and the drug was
entities are collectively responsible for the overall well tolerated and accepted by the patients. The
physical, physiological, psychological and in fact therapeutic effect was attributed to the L-Dopa
all types of activities of man. Generally 'vata' is content and possibly some other constituent, as yet
considered to represent psychomotor activities, 'pitta' unknown.
the digestive and metabolic activities and 'kapha' Although it is difficult to interpret precisely the
the growth aspects. Although- there is an apparent ancient texts in Ayurveda and relate the information
association of a bioentity with a specific body function, to modern understanding of medicine, none the less
it should be emphasized that all the three moieties it is important to realise that Parkinson's disease has
participate in almost all types of functions. However, been known for thousands of years as evidenced by
'vata' enjoys a suprenie position as 'life-force' and the the documentation of symptoms and the remedies
other two are considered subordinate. used in Ayurveda.
Although generalization is hazardous, neurological
disorders, as understood in the modern medicine, References
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9 Acharya JT. Charaka Samhita. Bombay: Nirnayasagar
Press. 1941 (Sanskrit)
10 Vaidya AB, Rajaglan TG, Mankodi NA, Antarkar DS,
Tathed PS, Purohit AV, Wadia NH. Treatment of
Parkinson's disease with the cowhage plant - Mucuna
pruriens Bak. Neurology (India) 1978;26:171-6
(Accepted 4 October 1990)
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