In first of its kind of efforts, Pune based Dr. Manisha Joshi has scientifically proved the effectiveness of the Ayurvedic drug by `brain wave testing', which is mainly identified as the indirect index of intelligence.

Dr. Joshi who is a director of Ayurbrain Arogyashakti Kendra has proven the efficacy of the Ayurvedic (Himalayan) drug in her research of more than 10 years, called - The study of `Medhya' rasayan in pranvayu moolsthan (brain) with special reference to Nardostachys Jatamansi ''. Dwelling on the herb, she said that N. Jatamansi belongs to the herbal group of Medhya, which finds a brief mention in the shastra as one of the best memory boosters and as a good stress reliever, too. And in her exclusive research, Dr. Joshi found this herb extremely useful for the school students who face tremendous academic competition and need stress relievers and memory boosters.

Elucidating on her research she said, "The medicine was prepared out of the extracts of the herb and given in different forms like tablets, placebo and in the form of ghee." The trial was done on 4000 children for eight weeks, who were divided in three groups. Before the medicine was administered to the students, they were subjected to pre- testing of brain waves and intelligence. The intelligence test was done with the help `Guilford testing kit' developed by Gyanprabodhini Sanstha of Pune, wherein 180 parameters of intelligence were tested. After eight weeks of medication the students were subjected to post -testing of Guilford test and brain wave test. ``The post -test results were astonishing as the students showed tremendous improvements with the ghee and tablet form of medicine. It produced a state of relaxed alertness, when both hemispheres of our brain become active. It also increased the cognition and concentration level. While no effects were shown by the placebo medicine,'' she explained. Dr. Joshi is also in the process of filing a patent for its research. She has explained the study on brain wave tests on her website www.ayurbrain.com.

Dwelling in depth on brain wave, she elucidated, "At any instant brain cells are generating millions of nerve impulse (nerve action potentials) in individual neurons. These electrical potentials added to catheter called brain waves and reflect electrical activity of cerebral cortex.'' She further added that these brain waves pass through skull and can be detected by sensors called electrodes. A record of such waves is called an electroencephalogram, which records four kinds of waves for normal individuals viz. alpha, beta, theta and delta waves.

Elaborating on the relation between alpha waves and intelligence she said that in the `creativity' encyclopaedia under the research topic of brainwaves and creativity has been clearly mentioned that those student who are having alpha stage in brain are more efficient to do higher brain function such as solving difficult sum of mathematics or difficult principle of physics or sciences. Also they can digest difficulties and fundamentals of sciences. Their brain is creative and such students can achieve success without exhausting their brains.

And with her herbal formulation Dr. Joshi has proved that it can help achieve alpha stage of brain by improving alpha wave frequency. "This herb has shown the rare phenomena of crossing the lipid brain barrier thus exhibiting excellent results in improving the brain capabilities of the students,'' she reasoned.

Stressing on the need for a modern approach towards Ayurveda , she said, "There is a need to do more research in Ayurveda and provide people with drugs which can show instant and fast relief.'' Dr. Joshi revealed that at her R&D centre she is developing different forms of Ayurvedic medicine, which she has developed, for instant effect of the medicine on students.

In her concluding remarks she urged, "In the existing era it becomes mandatory for everyone to lead `Ayurvedic Lifestyle' to combat stress and newly emerging diseases."