Abstract

A REVIEW OF SELECTED CLINICAL STUDIES ON ALCOHOLISM IN AYURVEDA

Jithesh M.* and Jiljith A.

Abstract

Alcoholism is one of the major problems being faced by developing countries like India. The prevalence of alcohol use was found to be 9.4% over the age of 10 in India.[1] 5.9% of all deaths are believed to be due to alcoholism.[2] In Classical text books of Ayurveda, Acaryas elaborately explained the properties, dose and uses of Madya (alcohol), the signs, symptoms and adverse effects of excessive intake of alcohol as well as the management of alcohol related disorders under the context of Madaatyaya.[3] It is being effectively performed in clinical practice by many Ayurvedic practitioners. Quite a few clinical studies were conducted on Madaatyaya related disorders in selected institutions across the country. As our institution is a post graduate institute for Ayurvedic psychiatry, this is an attempt to review the studies conducted, with their available conclusions so as to enhance the available options in the clinical practice of management of alcohol related disorders.

Keywords: Alcohol withdrawal. Dependence, Madatyaya, Sodhana, Rasayana.