Abstract

HERBAL MEDICINES USED IN EPILEPSY: AN OVERVIEW AND EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON EPILEPTIC PATIENTS

Megha S. Shah*, Bansode S. S., Gangarde S. B., Nandedkar M. A. and Dr. Oswal R. J.

Abstract

From the times immemorial plants have been used by mankind for their relieving and therapeutic abilities and still we rely on their healing properties. Plants having active constituent have a direct pharmacological action on our body including various organs. One such major organ is brain, so complex that still only few drugs are approved by drug authorities for ailments like epilepsy. The term epilepsy is collectively designated for a group of chronic central nervous system disorders characterized by spontaneous occurrence of seizures generally associated with the loss of consciousness and body movements (convulsions). More than 70 million people suffer epilepsy worldwide. Low availability of anti-epileptic drugs, side effects anddrug-resistant epilepsy affect the quality of life of persons with epilepsy in countries with a poorly developed health system. Herbal medicine is frequently used for this neurological condition. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is on the rise, among patients with epilepsy. Herbal medicine, one of the most popular forms of CAM, is considered to be both safe and effective by most consumers. There are number of synthetic drugs available for treatment of epilepsy in modern therapy, but the major disadvantage being faced is their chronic side effects. Treatment of epilepsy with herbal drugs as adjuvant seems to be more beneficial and is gaining more popularity due to their fewer side effects. This review focuses on the extent and patterns of use of herbal therapies by patients with epilepsy, regulatory considerations for dietary supplements, safety issues, specific herbal therapies that have been used and evaluated for epilepsy and a bench-to-bedside approach to herbal therapy research for epilepsy.

Keywords: Herbs, Epilepsy, Complementary and alternative medicine, COVID-19, Seizures.