What Are The Benefits Of Cymbalta? - What Are Its Equivalents In Ayurveda?

ABSTRACT

According to the World Health organization (WHO), Mental disorders are on the rise in this era, every one in eight individuals is suffering from a mental disorder. There are a variety of mental health disorders. These have been seen to increase specifically during and post the covid pandemic. However, there are people who still consider it a myth. The ones suffering, know the battles they have to fight with themselves. To deal with these kinds of conditions, various therapies and medicinal treatments are given. One such medication used for managing mental disorders is Cymbalta. Details regarding this drug will be provided in this article. There are a number of ayurvedic herbs available to deal with such conditions which will also be described later.

INTRODUCTION - CYMBALTA

Cymbalta is the brand name of duloxetine. It is categorized under the class of antidepressants and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). Duloxetine is used to manage anxiety and depression. Along with these, it is also used to manage nerve pain usually associated with other health conditions such as diabetes, chronic back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.  It is seen to improve the mood, energy, appetite, and sleep levels of the patient. It acts directly on the brain. The use of Cymbalta can present a variety of side effects also such as -

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy or tiredness
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Excessive sweating
• Dry mouth
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea, etc.

So, the use of Cymbalta can lead to these above-said side effects, then what should one do to improve the state of his/her mental well-being without compromising the general health of the body? Are there any better ways to manage this condition? Yes, the answer is Ayurveda. Ayurveda describes a variety of herbs that can improve the mental state of the individual. Let us learn about these in detail through the following article.

EQUIVALENT HERBS IN AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is an age-old science with enormous medicinal information. Even owing its origin to so many years back, it has not lost its relevance even a bit. This is a result of the vast medicinal theories, facts, and remedies described in the ayurvedic literature. Ayurveda presents a very unique explanation regarding each health topic.

Regarding the various mental disorders, the ayurvedic literature considers them to be a result of the vitiation of the Vata dosha and the Nadi vaha sansthan (nervous system). To manage this condition, a variety of medicinal herbs are mentioned such as Mandookparni, Shankhpushpi, Mulethi, Guduchi, jatamansi, brahmi, Ashwagandha, kushmand, etc. All of these possess various medicinal properties and possess a variety of health benefits for the body.

Let us learn more about these herbs through the following explanation

1. Mandookparni

Mandookparni is also known as Centella asiatica. It derives its name from Sanskrit origin, mandook refers to frog and parn means leaves, translating to the similarity of the leaves to frog. It is tikta or bitter in taste and madhur or sweet in vipaka (post digestion effect). Mandookparni is cool in potency and possess medhya (neuro tonic) and rasayan (rejuvenating properties), etc. It is tridosha shamak, mainly kapha pitta shamak. Mandookparni is known to be very beneficial for the intellect (medhya), it enhances the memory power. Mandookparni and its formulation can be used to manage a variety of nervous system disorders such as weakness of the brain, hysteria, epilepsy, etc. 

2. Mulethi

Mulethi is a very effective ayurvedic herb. It is also known as Glycyrrhiza glabra or yashti madhu. It is madhur or sweet in taste and sheeta or cool in potency. Mulethi is also known as liquorice. It is guru or heavy in nature and thus helps to pacify the excessive vata dosha from the body. This, in turn, will help to improve the nervous system of the body. Mulethi provides strength to the nerves, therefore, it is very useful in vata vyadhi and amavata. It also promotes healthy hair growth and is beneficial for the eyes. Mulethi has other health benefits also such as managing fever, cold, cough, etc.

3. Shankhpushpi

Shankhpushpi is also known as Convolvulus pluricaulis. It derives its name from Sanskrit origin,shankh pushpi which means the flowers are similar to that of shankh or shell. It is kshaya (astringent), katu (pungent), and tikta or bitter in taste and madhur or sweet in vipaka (post digestion effect). Shankhpushpi is cool in potency and possess medhya (neuro tonic) properties. It is a brain tonic and is sedative in nature. Shankhpushpi is very useful in managing a variety of nervous disorders such as epilepsy, insomnia, and giddiness. Shankhpushpi is known to improve the somatic and psychological functioning of the body.

4. Guduchi

Guduchi is also known as Tinospora cordifolia. The other synonyms of guduchi are giloy, Madhuparni, Amrita, Amritvallari,etc. It is Astringent, bitter and pungent in taste and its post - digestion taste is sweet. Guduchi contains numerous medicinal properties such as rejuvenating, etc. and also helps in absorption. It is very effective in improving the neurological state of the body. Giloy is a rasayan (rejuvenator) and an effective remedy for improving strength & digestion by relieving toxins (ama). The use of giloy alleviates vata and kapha dosha, also manages constipation and bleeding disorders effectively. Thus, improving the overall state of the body.

5. Jatamansi

The latin name of jatamansi is Nardostachys jatamansi. The roots of jatamansi are used in the preparation of various ayurvedic formulations. Jatamansi is an appetizer, digestive, and laxative. It contains analgesic properties also. Jatamansi is a very effective nervine tonic and is thus, very effective in managing weakness. Jatamansi is useful in various health conditions such as loss of appetite, abdominal distention, abdominal pain, and amoebiasis. It is also useful in liver enlargement and jaundice. It relieves the burning sensation and reduces fever also. Jatamansi shows great results in managing psychiatric conditions and neurological diseases.

6. Brahmi

Brahmi is also known as Bacopa monnieri.  It helps to manage various difficulties such as mood swings, difficulty in sleeping, etc. Brahmi is tikta (bitter) and kshaya (astringent) in taste and is easily digestible. It is cool in potency and possess medhya properties i.e. improves intelligence. It helps to pacify the vata and pitta dosha in the body. It improves memory, intelligence, uplifts mood and helps to sleep better. Brahmi is a very renowned ayurvedic herb for improving the neurological state of the body. It has been used in various forms and doses to ellevate various mental disorders since ancient times.

7. Ashwagandha

The latin name of ashwagandha is Withania somnifera. The term ashwagandha is a combination of two words - Ashwa which means horse and Gandha which means smell, it is named so because its roots smell like horse urine. It is traditionally prescribed to strengthen the immune system. Other synonyms of ashwagandha are Bajigandha, Hyagandha. It is bitter, astringent in taste and the potency of ashwagandha is hot. Ashwagandha contains anti-oxidant properties and it boosts the immune system also. It is known to be a very effective Nervine tonic. Ashwagandha also helps to manage various sexual disorders such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, infertility, etc.

8. Kushmand

Kushmanda is also known as Petha. Its latin name is Benincasa hispida.. It is madhura in rasa and cool in potency. Petha is a brain tonic and it helps to improve the memory of the individual. It acts as a tranquiliser and is therefore also useful in managing schizophrenia, debility and memory loss. Petha also helps to improve the difficulty of general debility and weakness.

All these herbs are very effective in improving the neurological state of the body. So, in place of allopathic medicines such as Cymbalta, one can appropriately manage mental conditions with the help of the above said beneficial ayurvedic herbs. One must always follow a nourishing and healthy diet to stay fit.

As exercise is to the body, meditation is to the mind. The one desirous of a healthy mind must practice meditation, yoga, and pranayam to keep their mental well-being in an excellent state. The ayurvedic herbs will boost the neurological state of the individual and will help to improve mental well-being.

CONCLUSION

In a nutshell, it can be concluded that a variety of mental disorders can be managed very well by following the principles of Ayurveda. Ayurveda believes to rectify the disease right from its roots rather than just managing the symptoms. The Ayurvedic principles consider that vata is the causative factor behind all types of diseases. And as discussed above, the increased levels of vata will result in an imbalance of mental state also.

 So, the target of the treatment of mental disorders will be to reduce the levels of vata dosha. So, by restricting the causative or aggravating factors and following a healthy diet along with the administration of ayurvedic formulations, the condition can be managed well. The mental disorders must be provided with appropriate medical attention to manage the condition properly.