Introduction:The World Health Organization's 2004 Global Burden of Disease report indicated 3.6 million years of productive, healthy life is lost worldwide as a result of primary insomnia. Approximately 30–35% of people meet diagnostic criteria for primary insomnia characterized by impairment resulting from problems of falling and staying asleep.Aims:To evaluate the effect of Tagara (Valeriana wallichii DC.) and Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi DC.) in the management of Anidra.Materials and Methods:A total of 34 patients were selected fulfilling the criteria for inclusion for primary insomnia were randomly selected from Out Patient Department and In Patient Department of Manasa Roga and assigned into two groups, wherein 30 patients completed the study (15 in each). Tagara Churna (powder of V. wallichii) and Jatamansi Churna (powder of N. jatamansi) in the dose of 4 gm with milk was administered three times a day for a period of 1 month.Results:Tagara provided significant improvement in initiation of sleep (76.00%; P < 0.001), duration of sleep (55.17%; P < 0.001), disturbed sleep (69.58%; P < 0.001), and disturbances in routine work (73.95%; P < 0.001). Jatamansi provided improvement in initiation of sleep (61.34%; P < 0.001), duration of sleep (48.25%; P < 0.001), disturbed sleep (53.08%; P < 0.001), and disturbance in routine works (43.85%; P < 0.001).Conclusion:Both the groups showed good results, but Tagara group showed better results in comparison to Jatamansi group.

Introduction: Cognitive decline associated with aging could be minor or major neuro-cognitive disorder presenting with progressive intellectual deterioration interfering with day to day activities. Behaviour and personality changes may complicate the life in due course. Significant increase in global prevalence of people aged above 60 years has raised concerns on effective management of old age problems. Age related cognitive deficits and dementia raise to the level of epidemics and established management is yet underway. Principles of preventive health and rasayana (rejuvenative) herbs of Ayurveda are being extensively researched up on for their effectiveness in dementia. In this fourteen such herbs with anti dementia property are discussed with relevant research update. Methods: Herbs like amalaki (Emblica officinalis), hareetaki (Terminalia chebula), haridra (Curcuma longa), manduka parni (Centella asiatica), aindri (Bacopa monniera), yastimadhu (Glycirrhiza glabra), guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pleuricaulis), vacha (Acorus calamus), jyotishmati (Celastrus panniculata), kushmanda (Benincasa hispida), Jatamamsi (Nardostachys jatamamsi), ashvagandha (Withania somnifera) and kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens (Linn.)) are already proven of their efficacy in experimental and preclinical levels. The contents and research evidences are collected from ayurveda database on medicinal plants used in Ayurveda and Siddha and other authentic literature, Google scholar, Science direct, online and print journals. Discussion: The herbs in discussion mostly act on reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress injury by antioxidant properties and neuro-

In Ayurveda, the broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders is discussed under Unmada. The affected person has a hampered higher mental function and distorted perception of reality. Among the various herbal and herbo-mineral preparations explained for the treatment of Unmada, majority are made of Ghrita (cow's ghee/clarified butter). Ghrita, the best drug of oleation, assimilates the properties of the substance which accompanies it. Ghrita is capable of treating the disease as a single drug and in combination with several nootropic and mood stabilizing drugs. Ghrita opposes each of the etiology of Unmada at the level of constitution, diet and lifestyle. It is supposed to attenuate each stage of pathogenesis of the disease. It enhances the quality of diet. The anti-oxidant property of clarified butter is able to repair the degenerative changes in brain. The DHA, an omega 3 long chain poly unsaturated fatty acid is abundant in ghee which is seen in retinal and brain cells. The chemical changes in the brain due to the disorder are also corrected by the ghee. So Ghrita and its various combinations can be the appropriate medicine in diseases where higher mental functions and psyche is grossly impaired.

The Ayurvedic literatures emphasize on imbalance in physical (vata, pitta, kapha) and mental (raja and tama) doshas leading t o cause any kind of psychiatric disorder. The major categories of psychiatric disorders described are Unmada (Insanity), Apasmara (Convulsion Disorders), Madatyaya (Alcoholism), Mada-Murcha-Sanyasa (Altered state of consciousness) etc. In the ayurvedic literatures consumption of ghrita is highly recommended in the management of psychiatric disorders as it is having lipophilic action and it acts on brain so; it is well established that it can cross the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB). Multiple clinical and experimental studies have been conducted on Brahmi Ghrita which has shown its results in improved learning and memory, anticonvulsant action, CNS depressant activity, anti-amnestic actions, antinociceptive action, its effect on depression and in ADHD children and many are on its neurocognitive actions.

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