This document discusses memory and memory enhancement. It begins by defining memory as a phenomenon controlled by the central nervous system that allows for thinking, learning, and information storage and retrieval. It then discusses various parts of the brain and central nervous system involved in memory. Several Ayurvedic plants and herbs traditionally used to enhance memory are then outlined, including their botanical names, parts used, and some research on their memory-enhancing effects. Ideal diets and lifestyle practices for boosting memory are also presented. The document concludes by listing several memory-enhancing drugs currently available in India.

1. Presented by
Dr. Sudhakar Kokate
Director PPRC, India

2. What is memory ??
 Memory is a natural complex phenomenon which is
controlled by the Central Nervous System
 The ability to think logically
 To learn
 To store and retrieve the information
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3. Human Brain
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4. Central Nervous System
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5. Central Nervous System
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6. Cerebral cortex
 Cerebral cortex ….a part of CNS
 Concerned with functions like
….Judgement
MEMORY
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7.  If CNS is undeveloped
Or
 If CNS is impaired for any reason
 Fine control of movements
 Memory
Is first to be affected
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8. Ayurvedic drugs
 Ancient
 From plant sources
 Effective
 Less side effects
 Easy to prepare or
handle
 Known in traditional
practices
 If excess no side effect
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9. Ayurvedic drugs
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10. When Ayurvedic drugs..Effective??
 Regular intake initially minimum for 40 days
 Diet, intake procedure, exercises, psycho-health to be
followed / maintained strictly
 Positive attitude towards life
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11. Memory enhancement is needed for??
 For everybody, anytime, to all human beings on the globe
 All categories MUST
 Student, professional, farmer, worker, household women
and others
 If not – work, career everything gets AFFECTED :
stunted growth
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12. Ideal diet plan
 Liquid, nutritious diet
 Avoid excess sweet, oil, carbohydrate, salt, spicy,
non- veg, roadside food, tea, coffee, cold drinks,
chocolate, etc
 Stop smoking and drinking
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13. Avoid….
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14. Stop….
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15.  Consume daily milk, yoghurt, fruit juice, lemon, ginger,
garlic, tomato, salad, sprouted pulses
 Also intake of green leafy vegetables, fruits esp.
oranges, moringa pods is beneficial
 Be positive, happy and help others
 Maintain psychological health
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16. Consume daily….
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17. Consume daily….
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18. Memory degeneration….
 Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease
 Loss of short memory and permanent memory
 In case of Accidents where memory suddenly gets
disturbed
 Persons suffering from mental retardation
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19. Memory enhancing plants
General name
Botanical name
Part used
Vacha
Acorus calamus
Rhizome
Shatavari
Asparagus racemus
Root
Brahmi
Bacopa monnieri
Herb, leaf
Sankha pushpi
Canscora decussata
Herb
Kanguai
Celastrus paniculatus
Seeds
Mandukaparni
Centella asiatica
Herb, leaf
Aparajita
Clitoria ternatia
Root, bark
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20. Vacha
Acorus calamus
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21. Vacha
 Semi-aquatic perennial plant cultivated in damp
marshy places in India
 The rhizome, strong smelling acrid and bitter useful in
cleaning speech and for treating epilepsy, delirium,
hysteria and loss of memory
 4 mg / gm rhizome powder in female rats improved
learning performance (Choudhari 1996)
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22. Vacha
 According to Dr. Jain 1968, Vacha oil from the rhizome
is good nervine stimulant
 Essential oil free alcoholic extract showed marked
sedative and analgesic properties
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23. Brahmi
Bacopa monnieri
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24. Brahmi
 Plant grows throughout India in wet damp marshy
places
 Major constituents are:
- saponins
- monnierin
- hersaponin
- baccoside A
- baccoside B
R & D work on alcoholic extract of Brahmi
Commercial preparation of drugs available in market
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25. Brahmi
 Effective in anxiety neurosis (Singh et. al 1970)
Revitalizing intellectual faculty (Sharma et. al 1987)
Treatment of this extract for 30 days brought about
reduction in anxiety, adjustment disability leading to
improved mental functions (Rastogi & Mehrotra 1995)
 10 mg / kg oral administration for 24 days showed
maximum improvement of albino rats (Day et. al 1976)
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26. Mandukaparni
Centella asiatica
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27. Mandukaparni
 Occurs throughout India in marshy places
 It is considered as a tonic in nerve and blood diseases
(Chopra et. al 1956)
 In India spl. status in the treatment of amnesia and
hysteria, behaviour learning and memory
 In the west it is recognised as anti-dermal and wound
healing effect
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28. Mandukaparni
 Contains 2 saponins with sedative effect
 Leaf powder of C. asiatica + equal quantity of cow’s
milk daily will strengthen brain nerves and promote
memory power (Kirtikar & Basu 1998)
 Appa Rao (1967) conducted a double blind clinical trial
on 30 mentally retarded children who were free from
epilepsy and neuro-disorders
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29. Memory enhancing plants
General name
Botanical name
Part used
Vishukranti
Evolvulus alasinoides
Herb, leaf
Yashti madhu
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Root
Jatamanasi
Nardostachys jatamansi
Root
Pippali
Piper langum
Fruit
Kushtha shilajit
Saussurea lappa
Root
Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
Root
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Herb
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30. Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
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31. Ashwagandha
 Occurs in dry regions of India
 The plant is extensively studied
 Root: Used in nervous exhaustion, brain fatigue and loss
of memory (Nadkarni 1976)
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32. Ashwagandha
 Highly esteemed Ayurvedic drug capable of imparting
long life, youthful vigour and intellectual powers
 It is a good tonic for brain
 Effective in anxiety neurosis (Singh & Tripathi 1982)
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33. Shilajit
Saussurea lappa
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34. Shilajit
 Shilajit – a panacea of oriental medicine
Exudate from rocks of the Himalayas & hills of
Afghanistan
 Considered as an anxiolytic and to improve memory
 Used as restorative and geriatric tonic
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35. Shilajit
 Contains number of organic constituents, minerals and
trace elements
 Major constituents:
- albumin
- benzoic acid
- hippuric acid - fulvic acid
- gums
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36. Maidenhair tree
Ginkgo biloba Linn.
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37. Maidenhair tree
 Ancient Chinese medicinal plant
 Now well cultivated in India
 Scientific and popular vast literature available about this
plant
 Leaves contain 24% flavonoids – flavonoid glycosides
and quercetin and 6% terpenes - ginkgolides
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38. Maidenhair tree
 It increases cerebral blood flow in geriatric patients
suffering from short term memory loss (Tyler 1993)
 Dr. Racogini 1996 showed stimulation of brain beta
drenergic receptors in albino rats
 Short term memory loss improved in normal women one
hour after taking 600 mg of Ginkgo biloba extract
(Hindmarch 1986)
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39. Memory enhancing drugs in market
Brand Name
Botanical name
Memory + Capsule
Bacopa monnieri extr
TECA Capsule
Menrat Tablets
Brain Tab. tonic
Shankhapushpi tonic
Company
Nirvan Herbal
Pvt. Ltd.
Juggat Pharma
Brahmi Leaf Powder
Brahmi, Mandukaparni,
Himalaya Drug
Vishnukrant, Jatamanasi, ext
Co.
powders
Brahmi, Shankhapushpi,
Baidyanath
Bhringaraj
Shankhapushpi
Baidyanath
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