title: Ayurveda and botanical drugs for epilepsy: Current evidence and future prospects.
abstract: The understanding of epilepsy has progressed since its earliest impression as a disease associated with paranormal and superstitious beliefs. Landmark advances have been made in deciphering the pathophysiological substrates involved in the disease process, and treatment advances have contributed significantly to ameliorating the seizures. However, disease-modifying agents are yet to be discovered. Ayurveda is a system of medicine that stresses a holistic approach to disease, and treatment is focused on disease modification and symptom management. Herbs form the core of Ayurveda medicine; though many of them have been studied for their anticonvulsant activity, very few actually mention the reference of these herbs in Ayurveda literature. Other therapeutic interventions used in Ayurveda are relatively unexplored, and future research will need to focus on this. The current manuscript briefly discusses the understanding of epilepsy as per Ayurveda and reviews herbs that have been studied for their anticonvulsant activity mentioned in Ayurveda literature. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Botanicals for Epilepsy".
authors.affiliation: MS Ramaiah Indic Center for Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, New BEL Road, MSR Nagar, Bengaluru 560054, India. Electronic address: drsriranjini@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sitaram Jaideep
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sriranjini
authors.affiliation: Ramakrishna Ayurvedic Medical College, Ramagondanahalli, Yelahanka, Bengaluru 560064, India.
authors.forename: Kumar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sandhya
authors.affiliation: MS Ramaiah Indic Center for Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, New BEL Road, MSR Nagar, Bengaluru 560054, India.
authors.forename: Vernekar Sanjeeva
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Mamta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Apasmara; Ayurveda; Epilepsy; Whole systems research