A Review on Medhya Karma of Selected Ayurvedic Drugs Based on Dravyaguna Principles
Keywords:
Medhya Karma, Dravyaguna Vigyan, Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica, Cognitive function, Ayurvedic Pharmacology, NootropicsAbstract
Medhya Karma, referring to the enhancement of intellect, cognition, and memory, is a fundamental therapeutic category in Ayurveda. Several Medhya Dravyas are traditionally recognized for their efficacy in promoting mental functions and neuropsychological health. This review critically analyzes the Dravyaguna aspects (Rasa, Guna, Veerya, Vipaka, and Karma) of selected Medhya herbs including Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), and Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus), correlating classical Ayurvedic principles with contemporary neuropharmacological research. Emphasis is placed on their nootropic, adaptogenic, and antioxidant properties that align with the concept of Medhya Karma. This integrative analysis provides a deeper understanding of these herbs and promotes their rational application in managing cognitive disorders and enhancing mental performance
Downloads
Metrics
References
World Health Organization. Dementia [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2023 [cited 2025 Aug 7]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
Sharma PV. Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol. 2. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2003. p. 115–117.
Charaka. Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana, Chapter 1, Verse 64. In: Acharya YT, editor. Charaka Samhita of Agnivesha with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surbharati Prakashan; 2014. p. 9.
Panda S. Textbook of Dravyaguna Vigyana. Delhi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2011. p. 58–61.
Singh RH. Foundations of Ayurveda: Ancient Insights and Modern Discoveries. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Visvabharati; 2005. p. 142–147.
Singh HK, Dhawan BN. Neuropsychopharmacological effects of the Ayurvedic nootropic Bacopa monnieri Linn. (Brahmi). Indian J Pharmacol. 1997;29(5):359–65.
Wijeweera P, Arnason JT, Koszycki D, Merali Z. Evaluation of anxiolytic properties of Centella asiatica extracts in animal models. Phytother Res. 2006;20(3):254–60. doi:10.1002/ptr.1844
Lyle N, Bhattacharyya D, Sur T, Munshi S, Paul S, Chatterjee S, et al. Neuropharmacological assessment of Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis). Indian J Tradit Knowl. 2009;8(2):237–42.
Sharma PV. Dravyaguna Vijnana. Vol 2. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2003. p. 115–17.
Wijeweera P, Arnason JT, Koszycki D, Merali Z. Evaluation of anxiolytic properties of Centella asiatica extracts in animal models. Phytother Res. 2006;20(3):254–60. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1844
Singh HK, Dhawan BN. Neuropsychopharmacological effects of the Ayurvedic nootropic Bacopa monnieri. Indian J Pharmacol. 1997;29(5):359–65.
Calabrese C, Gregory WL, Leo M, Kraemer D, Bone K, Oken B. Effects of Bacopa monnieri on cognitive performance in healthy older adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2008;14(6):707–13. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0018
Panda S. Textbook of Medhya Rasayana. Delhi: Chaukhamba Orientalia; 2011. p. 94–97.
Lyle N, Bhattacharyya D, Sur T, Munshi S, Paul S, Chatterjee S, et al. Neuropharmacological assessment of Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis). Indian J Tradit Knowl. 2009;8(2):237–42.
Chunekar KC, Pandey GS. Bhavaprakasha Nighantu. Haritakyadi Varga. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2009. p. 299–301.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.