Abstract

A REVIEW ON TRADITIONAL HERBS USED IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE (NADUKKU VATHAM)

J. Nisha*, N. Anbu and Indu Purushothaman

Abstract

Parkinson‟s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system commonly found among the elderly. The disease is characterized by tremor, bradykinesia (lethargic movement), rigidity and postural instability. Medical research has yet found no complete cure for this disorder although many treatment options and surgical methods are prescribed depending on the severity of the disease. The ancient Siddha system of medicine describes the disease as Nadukkuvatham. Herbal medicines for Parkinsonism have been used worldwide. In conventional therapeutics, the symptoms of Parkinsonism can be ameliorated through the use of levadopa and dopamine agonists. In Siddha system of medicine, most of the diseases of the Vatham are degenerative diseases of the nervous system. The herbs in the present review have been selected for scientific evaluation based on their neuroprotective action indicated in the Siddha Materia medica. The current review focuses the efficacy of herbs such as Curcuma longa, Mucuna pruriens, Bacopa monneri, Withania somnifera, Centella asiatica and Hyoscyamus niger for the management of Parkinsonism.

Keywords: Siddha, Herbal Medicine, Traditional Medicine, Parkinsonism, Nadukkuvatham.