Ayurveda

S B Erickson et al. (2011) · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

This small randomized trial with 10 people explored whether Cystone, an Ayurvedic herbal tablet sold for kidney stones, changes the urine chemistry that drives stone formation or reduces the amount of stone in the kidneys. Kidney stones are painful and often recur, and the available prevention options (diet changes and medicines such as thiazides, potassium citrate and allopurinol) have drawbacks. Cystone is a blend of seven plants plus purified Shilajeet and a mineral preparation (bhasma), traditionally used for urinary problems, but the authors say earlier studies of it were small and poorly controlled. Ten adults from the Mayo Stone Clinic who repeatedly formed calcium oxalate stones took two Cystone tablets twice a day, or matching placebo, for six weeks each in a crossover design, switching after a one-week break. All then took Cystone openly for another 48 weeks. Urine collected over 24 hours measured how saturated it was with stone-forming minerals. CT scans at the start and after a year, scored with the same method used for heart-artery calcium, measured stone volume, and a radiologist reviewed them without knowing the timing. Cystone did not change urinary measurements in the short term (6 weeks) or the long term (52 weeks). Average stone burden per kidney actually rose from 93 to 114 cubic millimetres (P = 0.07) and from 108 to 136 on the Agatston scale (P = 0.10), neither statistically significant. The radiologist counted 8 kidneys with more stone, 8 unchanged and 2 with less, and four kidneys passed stones spontaneously. No participant described side effects they attributed to Cystone. The authors conclude the trial does not support Cystone for preventing calcium oxalate stones, while noting the sample was tiny, participants had stones that standard treatment had not controlled, and some factors that inhibit stone formation were not measured. They say a longer study with more patients would be needed to look at stone passage or other stone types.

Lei Yi et al. (2022) · Journal of translational medicine

This randomized controlled trial with 94 women explored whether a 12-week yoga program could ease symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, a condition marked by intrusive memories, avoidance of reminders, and heightened arousal following a traumatic event) after a motor vehicle accident. All participants had PTSD tied specifically to a car, motorcycle, or pedestrian accident that occurred at least three months earlier. The intervention used Kripalu yoga, a style emphasizing gentle self-observation and the connection between mind and body rather than intensive physical exertion, compared against an active control condition built around social conversation and board games. Ninety-four women were randomly assigned to a yoga group (47) or control group (47); 37 and 39, respectively, completed the trial through a 3-month follow-up. The yoga group attended six 45-minute sessions across 12 weeks, practicing breath awareness, body-focused attention during postures, and tolerance of physical discomfort under a yoga instructor's guidance. The control group met on the same schedule for daily-life conversation and games. Psychological distress was measured with two self-report instruments, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), completed at baseline, immediately after the program, and three months later. After the program, the yoga group's total IES-R score, covering intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal symptoms, was significantly lower than the control group's (p = 0.01, meaning the difference was unlikely due to chance), with the difference concentrated in intrusion (p = 0.002) and avoidance (p < 0.001) rather than hyperarousal, which did not differ significantly. Intrusion and avoidance remained significantly lower in the yoga group three months later (p = 0.037 and p = 0.005). On the DASS-21, total distress scores were significantly lower in the yoga group both immediately after the program (p = 0.043) and at three-month follow-up (p = 0.024), with depression (p = 0.033, then p = 0.004) and anxiety (p < 0.001, then p = 0.035) each significantly reduced compared with control. The stress subscale of the DASS-21 showed no significant difference between groups at either timepoint. Both groups improved somewhat over time, including the control group, which the authors attribute partly to the social contact built into the comparison condition. The authors describe the results as preliminary evidence that a structured yoga program reduced depression, anxiety, and the intrusion and avoidance symptoms of PTSD in women following a motor vehicle accident, while finding no measurable effect on stress or hyperarousal. The trial enrolled a relatively small, single-site sample of Chinese women, tested only one yoga style, and relied entirely on self-report questionnaires rather than clinician-rated diagnostic measures. The authors point to comparing yoga styles and isolating which specific session components drive symptom change as directions for future research.

Sudesh Prabhakar et al. (2020) · Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology

This trial put Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi), a traditional Ayurvedic memory herb, head-to-head against donepezil, the standard prescription drug for Alzheimer's disease, in people already diagnosed with Alzheimer's or the earlier-stage memory decline called mild cognitive impairment. The goal was to see whether a natural alternative could match the drug doctors currently rely on, since no treatment yet slows the underlying disease. The trial planned to enroll 48 adults over age 50 with brain-imaging-confirmed diagnoses, giving half 300 mg of Bacopa daily and half 10 mg of donepezil daily for a full year, then comparing memory and thinking-skills tests (governing recall, word-finding, and daily-living ability) at regular checkpoints. Because recruitment was slower than expected, the study ran for nearly four years but still only enrolled 34 of the planned 48 participants before it had to close early. On the main measure of cognitive decline (ADAS-Cog, a standard Alzheimer's test), Bacopa and donepezil performed statistically the same at every checkpoint through one year. A second memory test (the PGI Memory Scale) also showed no difference at 3, 6, or 9 months, though the total score did differ significantly between groups at the final 12-month assessment, favoring donepezil, while the individual parts of that same test showed no difference. Because the trial closed early with roughly a third fewer participants than planned, its ability to detect a real difference between the two treatments was limited, and the one late significant result should be read cautiously alongside the many outcomes that showed no difference. The findings suggest Bacopa performs comparably to donepezil on most measures over one year, but the authors themselves call for larger, multi-site trials before drawing firmer conclusions about how the two options truly compare.

Aneesh Basheer et al. (2022) · Interactive journal of medical research

This systematic review pooled the human clinical trial evidence on Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi), a plant long used in Ayurvedic medicine and studied in animal models for its potential to protect brain cells, to ask whether it actually helps people with Alzheimer's disease or the memory decline that often precedes it (mild cognitive impairment). The comparison point was donepezil, the standard prescription drug for Alzheimer's, which modestly eases symptoms but does not slow the underlying disease. The review searched five major databases and trial registries through January 2021 and found only 5 trials, involving a total of roughly 200-plus participants, that directly tested Bacopa in people already diagnosed with Alzheimer's or mild cognitive impairment (most prior Bacopa research had studied healthy adults instead). The trials varied widely in dose, length (2 to 12 months), and whether Bacopa was given alone or mixed with other herbs and nutrients, so the researchers could not statistically combine the results and instead described each trial's findings individually. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and graded overall with the GRADE system. The five trials told an inconsistent story. The largest head-to-head comparison against donepezil found no difference between the two through nine months, with donepezil only pulling ahead at the one-year mark in a trial that had to stop early due to poor participant recruitment (34 of a planned 48). Two other trials reported improvement, but Bacopa was just one ingredient in a multi-herb blend in both, so the benefit cannot be pinned on Bacopa specifically. A fourth trial had questionable methods, including dropping 15 participants from the analysis after the fact without explanation. None of the five trials reported serious safety concerns with Bacopa. Overall, the reviewers found no solid evidence that Bacopa monnieri outperforms placebo or donepezil for Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment, rating the certainty of the existing evidence as very low. This does not mean Bacopa definitely does not help, only that the trials done so far are too few, too small, and too inconsistent to say either way. The authors call for larger, well-designed trials testing Bacopa on its own before any conclusion about its use in dementia can be drawn.

Jitesh Verma et al. (2025) · Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

This 90-day randomized trial with 180 boys compared two classical Ayurvedic memory herbs, Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Mandookaparni (Centella asiatica, also known as Gotu Kola) head-to-head, using an individualized approach based on Ayurvedic constitution (Prakriti) — the framework describing a person's inborn balance of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, the three governing principles Ayurveda uses to explain bodily and mental tendencies. Both herbs belong to a class Ayurveda calls Medhya Rasayana, or intellect-enhancers, traditionally used to support learning and memory since antiquity. Boys aged 8-10 with a clearly dominant Prakriti type were randomly assigned to receive either Brahmi or Mandookaparni as a traditional honey-and-ghee electuary, 20 grams daily for 90 days. Memory was measured with the PGI-CMS (a 10-part children's memory scale covering things like recall, attention, and recognition), and IQ was estimated with a drawing-based test, both given before and after the 90-day period. Both herbs meaningfully improved memory: the Brahmi group improved on 9 of 10 memory subsets and total memory score rose about 9% (p<0.01 throughout), while the Mandookaparni group improved on 8 subsets plus attention, with total memory score rising about 13% (p<0.01). Head-to-head, Mandookaparni edged out Brahmi on remote memory, delayed recall, visual recognition, and overall memory score. The advantage was strongest in boys with a Pitta-dominant constitution, where Mandookaparni outperformed Brahmi on nearly every measure, while Vata- and Kapha-constitution boys showed little difference between the two herbs. No side effects were reported with either treatment. The findings suggest both herbs are safe and effective memory-enhancers in healthy children, with Mandookaparni showing a possible edge in retaining and recalling older information. Because the trial compared the two herbs directly rather than against a placebo, it cannot say how much benefit either provides over no treatment at all. The single-center, boys-only design also means the results may not generalize to girls or other populations, and the authors call for larger, multi-site trials.

Galib Ruknuddin et al. (2026) · JMIR research protocols

This paper is not a study of a treatment — it is a detailed, PROSPERO-registered plan (protocol) for a future systematic review that will evaluate India's AYUSH traditional medicine systems (Ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa/Tibetan medicine, and homeopathy — governing prevention and personalized care) for managing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes affects roughly 537 million people worldwide, a number expected to more than double by 2050, and India alone had over 74 million cases in 2021 — with about half going undiagnosed — making a clear-eyed evidence review of its traditional treatment options a genuine public-health priority. Once underway, two independent researchers will search major databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase) plus AYUSH-specific sources, screening for studies conducted in India that test any of these six systems — whether used alone or alongside standard diabetes care — measuring outcomes like blood sugar levels (fasting and after meals), long-term blood sugar control (HbA1c), and insulin resistance, alongside safety data. As of this publication, there are no results to report (the review had not yet started; database searching was planned for September 2025). What the protocol does establish is exactly how quality will be judged: each study will be scored with standard tools (from the NIH, and the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials) and then sorted into a visual "evidence map" — graded green, yellow, or red by the World Health Organization's A/B/C evidence-quality scale — showing at a glance where each traditional system has strong support and where the gaps are. The completed review and its findings are expected around December 2026, with publication in early 2027. For now, the practical takeaway is that this protocol tells us what will be studied and how carefully, not what was found. Until the finished evidence map is published, none of the six systems named here has established evidence for diabetes management; the protocol itself states upfront limitations even for the eventual review: English-language sources only, India-based studies only, and no pooled statistical meta-analysis planned.

Janmejaya Samal (2015) · Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology

This systematic review pooled published research on using Ayurveda, India's traditional medical system, alongside standard drugs for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) — a bacterial lung infection that remains one of India's leading causes of death. The review searched PubMed through April 2015 and found six studies worth including: four human trials testing Ayurvedic herbal formulas as add-ons to standard anti-TB drugs (ATDs), and two lab studies testing plant extracts directly against the TB bacterium. In Ayurveda, PTB is traditionally understood as Rajayakshma, a wasting condition tied to depleted bodily tissues (dhatu) and vital reserve (ojas) — explaining why many of the formulas studied are rejuvenative "Rasayana" tonics rather than antibiotics. The four clinical trials enrolled 30 to 133 PTB patients each, all in India, and ran from 28 days to 6-8 months. Participants took Ayurvedic formulas — a nine-herb Rasayana capsule, a liquid tonic called Bhringarajasava, Ashwagandha with Chyawanprash, or a hepatoprotective blend called Liv-600 — alongside their prescribed drug regimen (DOTS). Researchers tracked symptoms like cough and fever, body weight, X-ray changes, drug blood levels, and liver enzymes. The two lab studies tested leaf and plant extracts against TB bacteria in culture, measuring the lowest concentration that stopped bacterial growth. Across the trials, Ayurvedic add-ons consistently eased symptoms and supported weight gain more than standard treatment alone (p<0.001 in the largest trial). One striking finding: Ashwagandha plus Chyawanprash raised blood levels of two key TB drugs, isoniazid and pyrazinamide, by 7-10% (meaning the body absorbed more of the medicine that actually kills the bacteria) — potentially valuable given rising drug resistance. The hepatoprotective blend showed no harmful rise in liver enzymes, suggesting it may guard against the liver damage these drugs can cause. In the lab, extracts from four of five tested legumes completely stopped bacterial growth at a low concentration (50 micrograms per milliliter), and extracts from five other plants inhibited even drug-resistant TB strains by up to 95%. These findings position Ayurvedic formulas as promising supportive care — easing symptoms, protecting the liver, and possibly boosting drug absorption — rather than replacements for standard TB treatment, which no study tested. The evidence base is thin: only six studies total, all small, mostly from India, with just one describing blinding and none pooling results statistically. The authors call for properly designed clinical trials of the lab-active plants, especially against multidrug-resistant TB. The evidence reviewed concerns Ayurvedic preparations as adjuncts to prescribed drug therapy; none of it addresses their use instead of it.

Saylee Deshmukh et al. (2025) · Frontiers in pharmacology

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether Ayurvedic treatments — herbs, traditional formulations, and purification procedures — can genuinely lower blood pressure in essential hypertension, the symptomless condition that drives much of the world's heart disease and stroke. Researchers screened over 22,000 records from six databases, including India's AYUSH Research Portal, and included 44 studies, with ten randomized controlled trials (524 participants) providing data strong enough to pool statistically. The interventions ranged widely: single herbs like Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna, Ayurveda's principal heart remedy), Rudraksha seed powder, and Eclipta alba extract; polyherbal and herbomineral formulations; and Panchakarma purification procedures such as therapeutic purgation. Treatment durations ran from 10 days to a full year. The meta-analysis compared Ayurveda against two benchmarks — placebo and standard blood-pressure drugs — using Cochrane methods with formal risk-of-bias assessment. The pooled answer was no significant difference either way. Versus placebo, systolic pressure fell a non-significant 2.63 mmHg (95% CI −6.04 to 0.79, p=0.13); versus standard drugs the gap was essentially zero (−0.22 mmHg, p=0.47) — Ayurveda neither beat the drugs nor clearly lost to them. Heterogeneity was extreme (I² up to 98%), meaning the trials disagreed sharply: two of three placebo-controlled and five of eight drug-controlled trials individually favored Ayurveda, while others favored the comparator. Uncontrolled before-after studies showed large drops of 16–29 mmHg, but those designs cannot separate treatment effects from regression to the mean. No adverse events were reported where safety was tracked. The honest takeaway on Ayurvedic care for high blood pressure: the tradition's safety record in these studies was good and some individual trials are promising, but pooled controlled evidence does not yet show blood-pressure reductions beyond placebo or medication. Given the risks of unmanaged hypertension, the review's own conclusion is that the evidence does not yet justify Ayurvedic approaches standing in for proven treatment.

Zeng L et al. (2022) · Frontiers in Immunology

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of curcumin and Curcuma longa extract across five types of arthritis: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and gout/hyperuricemia. Twenty-nine randomized controlled trials involving 2,396 participants were included, drawn from 11 countries. For RA (6 RCTs), curcumin significantly reduced disease activity (DAS28), ESR, CRP, and rheumatoid factor compared to controls. For OA (20 RCTs), curcumin reduced pain (VAS and WOMAC-pain), improved physical function, and decreased stiffness compared to placebo. Notably, curcumin showed comparable efficacy to NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac) with significantly fewer adverse events. For AS, a single RCT of nanocurcumin showed increased regulatory T cells and decreased IL-6. Two JIA trials found curcumin improved disease activity scores in children. Doses ranged from 120 to 1,500 mg daily for 4-36 weeks. The mechanisms of action include inhibition of NF-kB signaling, COX-2 suppression, NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition, and modulation of the RANK/RANKL/OPG system. Safety was favorable across all studies, with no serious adverse events attributed to curcumin. However, the evidence is limited by small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, high heterogeneity, and potential industry funding bias.

M K S Vinushree et al. (2025) · Global advances in integrative medicine and health

This 2024 exploratory pilot study investigated the relationship between the Ayurvedic concept of Tridosha and the perception of Pranic Energy Sensations (PES) among Ayurveda students. In Ayurveda, the three doshas (Tridosha) are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, which govern physiological activity. Vata is composed of space and air elements and governs movement and nervous system functions; Pitta is composed of fire and water elements and governs digestion and metabolism; Kapha is composed of earth and water elements and provides structure and stability. Ninety-one healthy Ayurveda students (mean age 24.86 ± 2.32 years, 68% female) participated in this single-arm study conducted at a Government Ayurveda Medical College in Mysuru, Karnataka, India. Participants engaged in the Energizing Prana Technique (EPT) and reported their experiences of PES, which were measured using a Likert scale. Results indicated that higher Body Vata scores were significantly correlated with stronger PES intensity (ρ = .224, p ≤ .05), suggesting that individuals with Vata dominance may have heightened sensitivity to subtle energy flows. Additionally, Body Pitta scores also showed a positive correlation with PES intensity (r = .209, p ≤ .05). Conversely, higher Mind Vata scores correlated negatively with Positive State of Mind scores (ρ = −.373, p ≤ .01), indicating that elevated mental Vata may be associated with reduced psychological well-being. The study also found significant correlations between Body Vata and physiological parameters, including forehead temperature (pre: ρ = .282; post: ρ = .348, p ≤ .01), and Body Kapha with Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (ρ = .206, p ≤ .05). These findings suggest that biofield therapies such as Pranic Healing may be more effective when tailored to an individual's Ayurvedic constitutional type. However, this was a small pilot study without a control group and utilized convenience sampling from a single institution. Larger randomized controlled trials with diverse populations are needed to validate these preliminary results and establish causality.

Madhu Pandey et al. (2025) · Annals of neurosciences

This study explores the therapeutic benefits of 'Vancharya', a nature-based intervention, on the bio-field of young adults. The research involved 50 participants and aimed to assess the impact of this ancient practice on various subtle energy systems, revealing significant improvements in energy metrics and overall well-being. The findings suggest that 'Vancharya' could serve as a valuable therapeutic option for enhancing mental health among young adults. The study employed a non-experimental single-group pre- and post-research design with a sample size of 50 college students aged 17-19. Participants engaged in a seven-day intervention that included activities such as alternate nostril breathing, tree hugging, and listening to bird sounds, all conducted in a mango orchard setting. Outcomes were measured using a Biowell machine, which assessed parameters like aura field, chakra alignment, and stress levels before and after the intervention. Each session lasted one hour and occurred daily for seven consecutive days. Results indicated significant improvements in the aura field (AF: M pre = 36.94, M post = 44.82, t = −12.40, p < .001), overall chakra alignment (OCA: M pre = 63.52, M post = 79.72, t = −7.44, p < .001), and overall chakra energy (OCE: M pre = 4.16, M post = 5.07, t = −8.44, p < .001). However, stress levels (SL: M pre = 6.79, M post = 5.58, p = 1.000) and overall energy levels (OEL: M pre = 45.61, M post = 49.38, p = .133) did not show significant changes. Participants reported qualitative improvements such as enhanced emotional stability and clarity of thought, with no adverse events noted during the study. The findings suggest that 'Vancharya' may enhance emotional regulation and sleep quality among young adults, making it a potential addition to wellness programs aimed at addressing mental health issues. However, the study's limitations, including a small sample size and the lack of significant changes in stress levels, highlight the need for further research. The authors propose 'Vancharya' as a candidate component of mental health interventions, and call for longer intervention durations and more diverse populations to validate these results and understand the mechanisms involved.

Shamini Jain et al. (2015) · Global advances in health and medicine

This study explores the concepts of consciousness and subtle energy within Indo-Tibetan philosophical and medical systems, aiming to enhance cross-cultural dialogue on the biofield. By examining the similarities and differences among Vedic, Jain, and Tibetan traditions, the research seeks to inform contemporary biofield science and improve understanding of health and healing practices. The integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods is emphasized as a means to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary health sciences. The study employs a descriptive analysis to investigate the relationship between ancient Indo-Tibetan systems and modern biofield science. It does not involve a specific intervention or treatment but rather focuses on the philosophical concepts related to consciousness and subtle energy. The research highlights the importance of introspective inquiry in these ancient systems, paralleling modern scientific findings in health and wellness. The objective is to foster deeper cross-cultural dialogue and enhance understanding of biofields through the exploration of these traditional concepts. The findings indicate that there are significant similarities and differences in the understanding of biofields across the three traditions studied. The authors suggest that integrating traditional diagnostic methods with contemporary biomarkers could inform treatment options and improve health outcomes. However, limitations include the need for more empirical studies to validate the proposed connections and the challenges of integrating diverse methodologies. The study aligns with previous research that has explored genetic and metabolic differences associated with traditional medicine systems, suggesting a valuable intersection between traditional and modern approaches. The implications of this research are significant for practitioners and researchers in health and healing. By incorporating holistic approaches and traditional diagnostic methods alongside modern biomarkers, practitioners may enhance health assessments and treatment options. Key limitations include the necessity for empirical validation of the proposed links and the challenges in integrating methodologies from Eastern and Western perspectives. Future research should focus on empirical investigations of biofield practices and their effects on health outcomes, particularly regarding the mechanisms of subtle energy interactions.

Manasa Belal et al. (2023) · Global advances in integrative medicine and health

This systematic review synthesizes data from studies on perceptions of subtle pranic energy and the effects of biofield therapies, aiming to enhance understanding of their physical and emotional impacts. The research is significant as it bridges traditional healing practices with modern scientific inquiry, potentially benefiting integrative medicine. The study design involved a systematic review of qualitative and mixed-method research, analyzing nineteen relevant studies published between 1990 and 2022. The sample size varied across studies, focusing on individuals who reported experiences with subtle pranic energy. The intervention tested was not a specific treatment but included various biofield practices such as Reiki, Qigong, and Pranic Healing, with outcomes measured through qualitative interviews and surveys assessing physical, mental, and emotional changes. No specific duration or frequency was detailed as this was a review of existing studies. The meta-synthesis revealed significant experiences of pranic energy during biofield therapies, with participants reporting sensations of energy, including temperature variations and positive physical and psychological effects. Primary outcomes indicated that participants experienced awareness of pranic energy sensations, with no specific statistics provided. Secondary outcomes showed improvements in emotional well-being and physical comfort, although cognitive awareness during therapy did not demonstrate significant change. Qualitative findings highlighted participant-reported outcomes such as increased awareness of energy presence, physical sensations like warmth and tingling, and improved emotional well-being. Importantly, no adverse events were reported during the studies reviewed. The findings suggest that individuals across diverse demographics can benefit from biofield therapies, which may enhance mental and physical well-being. Practitioners could consider incorporating these therapies into their practices to improve patient outcomes. However, the study's limitations include a lack of rigorous empirical data to support personal reports of benefits and insufficient exploration of the mechanisms behind the reported sensations. Future research should focus on investigating these mechanisms and the relationships between different experiential themes to substantiate the therapeutic applications of biofield practices.