Ayurveda, a ray of hope for Alzheimer’s disease

Bhadrapad Krushnapaksha 14, Kaliyug Varsha 5116

Even as the Alzheimer’s Disease International is observing September as the World Alzheimer’s Month and September 21as World Alzheimer’s Day, Natural News, a health portal dedicated to wellness, has come out with the news that herbals and plants found in Indian subcontinent are capable of reducing the chances of Alzheimer’s disease. Along with herbs and plants, it is India’s traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda, the West sees as a ray of hope.

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What is Alzheimer's disease ?

Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease, is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death. It was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him. Most often, AD is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, although the less-prevalent early-onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier. In 2006, there were 26.6 million people worldwide with AD. Alzheimer's is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050.

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There are 44 million patients suffering from Alzheimer’s all over the world and this figure is all likely to double in the next 15 years, according to the ADI. Though there is no medicine to cure the Alzheimer’s disease, the findings of various research groups offer hope for reducing the chances of this disease, described as one of the biggest global public health challenges.

According to Natural News, edited by activist-turned-scientist Mike Adams, three herbs offer protection from the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease. Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi), Ginkgo biloba and Gotu kola are the three plants projected by the portal as natural barrier against AD.

Quoting from three scientific research papers published in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, Toxicology and Industrial Health and Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the portal says our brain is capable of creating new brain cells at any given age and the diet plays an essential role in it.

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), a plant common in India, is known for its brain boosting properties. It has been prescribed by traditional physicians for brain fog, poor memory, poor concentration and depression. “Brahmi is capable of improving attention, cognitive processing and working memory,” says the Natural News. The article cites a study by Neuropsychopharmacology which found that brahmi could improve memory and recall abilities.

Prof BM Hegde, eminent medical researcher and former Vice-Chancellor of Manipal University, said that the findings by the portal need serious discussion. “This is yet another proof that Indian system of medicine has ever lasting solutions to all kind of medical disorders. Brahmi, Ginkgo biloba and Gotu kola all find detailed mention in our system of medicine,” said the professor.

Dr M Prasad, Ayurvedic physician and research scientist said Ginkgo Biloba is a fossil plant found in Japan and China. Extracts from the leaves of Ginkgo have been found to improve the memory of middle-aged persons.

Gotu kola, found in Himalayas, along with other herbs within the Medhya rasayana group, are quick in action and bring about improvement in memory faster when compared with Yogic practices,” says the article. Researchers have found that gotu has neuroprotective properties and was reported to treat deficits associated with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and oxidative stress.

Prof Hegde and Dr Prasad are of the view that though there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, it is possible to prevent the disease from striking if  extracts from these herbs are used under medical supervision well  in advance.

Source : Daily Pioneer