Sanjnasthapana Gana – Consciousness Restoring Herbs Review, Benefits

By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD.
A day with loss of memory itself appears horrible. Then, how can assume the moment without consciousness? Ayurvedic texts specify the deranged conditions of consciousness which is leading to various diseases like Unmada (mania), Apasmara (Epilepsy), Atatwabhinivesha (schizophrenia) etc. 

Even though the exact co relation is not possible they can be recognized by the nearer terms. However it is very clear that in most of these health complaints the consciousness is deranged significantly. Hence in all such psychological disturbances there is a need of the drugs which help in restoration of the consciousness.

Sanjnasthapana drugs are work effectively in this respect. They are having their direct effect over the mind followed by indirect effect over the neuro – muscular system as well.

As they are deep penetrative and severe in action they impart drug action instantly. Hence these drugs are having much validity in ascertaining the drug action while treating several such psychological as well as psycho somatic disorders.

Sanjansthapana Gana

Let us review the quality and action of these drugs one by one in brief –

1. Hingu – Asafoetida narthex – Resin/ Exudates
Deep penetrative, stimulant, appetizer, carminative, digestive, deciongestant, anti flatulent etc.

2. Kaitarya – Myrica nagi – Stem bark or Leaves
Carminative, digestive, appetizer, decongestant, detoxifier, soothing etc.

3. Arimeda (Acacia farnesiana Willd. ) – Stem bark or Heart wood
Blood purifier, detoxifier, wound healing, anti tussive etc.

4. Vacha (Acorus calamus Linn. ) – Rhizome
Stimulant, restorative, decongestant, anti spasmodic, memory enhancing etc.

5. Choraka (Angelica glauca) – Whole plant
Anti flatulent, stimulant, antipyretic, bitter tonic etc.

6. Vayastha – Brahmi (Bocopa monnieri Pennel.) – Whole plant
Memory enhancer, soothing, anxiolytic, diuretic, restorative etc.

7. Golomi (a variety of Acorus calamus Linn.) – Rhizome
Memory enhancing, stimulant, restorative, decongestant, etc.

8. Jatila (Nardostachys jatamansi DC.) – Roots
Anxiolytic, sedative, soothing, memory enhancive, hair tonic etc.

9. Palankasha (Commiphora mukul Engl.) – Resin
Conscious restorative, anti inflammatory, analgesic, wound healing, anti microbial, scraping, anti lipidemic etc.

10. Ashokarohini (Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth.) – Roots
Cholegogue, laxative, bitter tonic, scraping, anti lipidemic etc.

Qualities, Therapeutic uses

Qualities in general and actions of Sanjnasthapana gana drugs:
These ingredients are hot in potency and are penetrative – hot – minute – light – motile in quality. Major number of the ingredients is pungent while undergoing metabolic change (Katu vipaka). They act as carminative, digestive, stimulant, conscious restorative, scraping, anti hyperglycemic and alertness imparting agents.

Therapeutic uses of Sanjnasthapana gana drugs:
They are useful in irregular sleep or sleep disturbances, concentration deficiency disorders, memory disorders, loss of conscious or attention like epilepsy – mania – schizophrenia etc.

Ayurvedic medicines

Formulations containing Sanjnasthapana drugs :
Hingwadi vati, Hingutriguna taila, Arimedadi kashaya, Hinguvachadi taila, Hinguvachadi kashaya, Guggulupanchapala choorna etc are the important formulations containing the ingredients referred under the heading of Sanjnasthapana gana.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Sanjnasthapana gana drugs:
The drugs referred under this Gana are hot – penetrative – severe – minute and strong in nature. So they should be prescribed with utmost caution or else it may cause Paittic problems like head ache, mouth ulcer, gastric irritation, bleeding disorders, constipation, haemorroids, loss of sleep etc.

Simple formulations

Simple formulations that can be made from the above drugs and their application in routine practice:
Fine powder of Vacha or Katphala is used as stimulant of the mind. In such cases its fine powder is administered in the dose of 500 mg – 1 g along with ghee or honey.
Guggulu as well as Vacha are used as fumigating agents in few of the idiopathic psychological disorders.

Formulation development opportunities

As Restoring consciousness is important therapeutic entity needed in psycho somatic disorders and less known drugs are existing from modern perspective which too are known for their side effects much is expected and eagerly waiting for such molecules from safe and effective sectors like Ayurvedic therapeutics. So if effective formulations are derived from above said ingredients much awaited herbal formulations will fulfill the need of such patients. In this respect the formulations can be designed in the form of capsules, syrups and concentrated herbal extracts.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD