Veda means knowledge or science. Ayur means life. It is the Indian teaching of medicine. Ayurvedic medicines are used all over the world and worldwide we see the interest in Ayurveda increasing. This may be due to the increasing need for holistic medicine (attention for the whole person, body, mind and soul). What can ancient medicine do for a modern ailment such as stress? During stress, blood sugar levels rise and the hypothalamus becomes extra active via the sympathetic nervous system. There is also an increase in blood pressure, fatty acids, heart rate, breathing rate and the production of catecholamine and epinephrine. In Ayurveda, all these factors fall under Prana Dusthi, ie a pathological disturbance of Prana, linked to the biochemistry of stress, which seriously burdens a large number of people today. In Ayurveda, the hypothalamus is connected to the seat of Prana in the head. Prana can be affected by physical and psychological stress. Exposure to stressors decreases Prana.

Physical stressors:

• Infection
• Injury
• Excessive noise

Psychological stress:

• Sadness
• Fury
• Depression
• Changes in personal privacy
• Lack of social interaction
• Debt

Ayurvedic Remedies for Treating Hypothalamus and Prana Dusthi

• Brahmi / Bacopa Monnieri / Water Hyssop / Asiatic Pennywort. Brahmi means ‘consciousness’ or ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, the plant is a nerve tonic, stimulates the learning ability. It is useful for behavioral disorders and forgetfulness
• Jatamamsi / Spikenard (Nardostachys grandiflora or Nardostachys jatamansi), a plant in the honeysuckle family, grows in the Himalayas in China, Nepal, Afghanistan, and northern India. The oil of this plant is used, among other things, as an ingredient in perfumes, incense, and as a sedative.
• Shankhapushpi / Convolvulus pluricaulis.
• Valerian / Valeriana is also a well-known and widely used sedative plant in Europe.
• Vanari, Cowhage / Mucuna pruriens protects against signs of aging and helps with loss of vitality. This leguminous climbing plant has a nourishing and strengthening effect on the muscles.

Pituitary gland and Ayurvedic herbs

The pituitary gland is a hormone-producing gland located at the bottom of the brain (also called the ‘brain appendage’), which controls the functioning of other hormone-producing glands in the body (including the ovaries) through the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). . The pituitary gland is called Vishnu Granthi in Ayurveda. Herbs in Ayurveda are not only recommended for an ailment but are also linked to a constitution (Vata, Pita or Kapha).

• Ashwagandha / Withania somnifera – for Vata-related complaints.
• Jatamamsi – for Vata and Pitta related complaints.
• Brahmi / Bacopa – for Pitta-related complaints.
• Vacha / Acorus calamus – for Kapha-related complaints. In Ayurveda it is valued as a rejuvenating agent for the brain and nervous system. Best known in Western medicine as a digestive tonic.
• Vanari – for Kapha-related complaints.
• Punarnava / Boerhavia diffusa – for Kapha-related complaints. Punarnava means ‘always new’ and refers to its purifying, diuretic effect.

Via the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, herbs and other measures have a regulating effect on the hormonal system and the nervous system, making us increasingly better able to handle stress.