Hysteria is a mental health disorder caused by various motor, sensory, and psychic (a mental or emotional trouble not directly detectable by conventional diagnostic methods) disturbances in the brain. It is characterized by an emotional over-activity where a person reacts inappropriately to the situation.
Hysteria is of two types. Primary hysteria results from a substantial personality disorder, while secondary hysteria is associated with underlying mental health conditions like excess stress, anxiety, and depression. In addition, hysteria can also be caused by severe physical or mental trauma, childhood abuse, or parental neglect during one’s growing up years.
Symptoms of Hysteria
The underlying anxiety, stress, and depression in hysteria can lead to the following sensory, motor, and psychic symptoms-
Sensory Symptoms
- Paresthesia (pricking or tingling due to pressure or damage to the nervous system)
- Complete or partial loss of sensation
- Hypersensitivity due to exaggerated immune response
- Damage to other sensory organs and possibly blindness (in extreme cases)
- Hearing loss
- Loss of taste or smell
Motor Symptoms
- Tremors (a neurological disorder causing shaking in one or more body parts)
- Convulsions (sudden violent movements in the body caused by involuntary muscle contractions)
- Complete paralysis
- Loss of speech
- Nausea/vomiting
- Hiccupping
Psychic Symptoms
- Partial or total loss of memory (amnesia)
- Sleepwalking
- Multiple/split personalities
- Identity disorders/fugue
- Being emotionally overcharged
- Behaving out of control
Hysteric individuals can become overly aggressive and sometimes even be harmful to themselves and the people around them.
As per modern medicine, no conventional treatment method effectively alleviates hysteria as no significant diagnostic test is available to diagnose the disorder properly. On the other hand, the science of Ayurveda presents a natural and holistic approach to alleviating hysteria and its causative factors.
The Ayurvedic Approach
As per Ayurveda, mental health depends on the balance of the three attributes of the mind- Tamas (heaviness), Rajas (restlessness and activity), and Sattva (clarity, wisdom, and a joyful mental state). When these factors are out of balance, they lead to depression, extreme aggression, loss of focus, stress, and anxiety.
Ayurveda recommends the following ways to avoid the conditions that can trigger hysteria symptoms and prevent the disorder during its onset-
- Yoga
- Guided meditation and mindfulness
- Breathing exercises
- Consistent sleep schedule
- Regular exercise and physical activity
- A balanced and nourishing diet
In addition, this holistic science recommends leveraging classical herbal formulations like the Sarpagandha Ghan Vati to restore balance to the three mental attributes and stabilize the system.
Using Sarpagandha Ghan Vati for Hysteria
Sarpagandha Ghan Vati is a potent Ayurvedic formulation with the herb Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina) being its key ingredient. It has been used for ages by medical practitioners to alleviate conditions like stress, depression, insomnia, and anxiety disorders.
As per a 2022 study, the consumption of Sarpagandha improves the locomotor activity in the brain, reduces anxiety, alleviates stress-induced behavioral symptoms, and reverses the effects of acute stress. This is because the herb reduces the brain’s corticosterone levels, the hormones responsible for elevating stressful responses in the system.
The herb is also effective for other agitated and anxious mental states like schizophrenia (cognitive, emotional, and behavioral breakdown), psychosis, epilepsy, etc.
The Role of Hypertension
Hypertension is one of the main causes of mental health issues. As per a study, patients with hypertension are more likely to develop negative emotions and mental health disorders like stress, anxiety, and depression.
It is because being diagnosed with hypertension can cause anxiety and depression, causing patients to be irregular with their treatment and compounding the problem. Additionally, hypertension can lead to low-grade inflammation.
The chemicals involved in such inflammatory responses can affect one’s mental health and interfere with mood-regulating chemicals in the brain. This further increases stress-related chemicals in the blood, a major risk factor for mental health.
Sarpagandha is a safe and highly effective herb for alleviating hypertension. A recent study shows that the herb exhibits strong antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic properties.
It contains chemical compounds called alkaloids that control the nerve impulses along certain neural pathways, dilate the blood vessels, and reduce the workload on the heart, thus, reducing the blood pressure in the system. They also help reduce the amount of cholesterol and lipids (a type of fat) in the blood vessels to further contribute to one’s heart health.
As a result, Sarpagandha reduces the risk factor of mental health disorders like stress, anxiety, and depression and consequently helps prevent hysteria.
Leveraging the Potential of Bhanga
Sarpagandha Ghan Vati is compounded with another potent Ayurvedic herb, the revered Bhanga or Vijaya. It contains cannabinoids THC and CBD that can effectively alleviate mental health conditions by directly acting upon the brain. A 2021 American study showed that Bhanga helps reduce stress responses and other psychological disorders among patients, including depression and PTSD.
Another 2023 review showed that THC and CBD can relieve anxiety disorders at low doses. It is because these cannabinoids bind with the cannabinoid receptors of the ECS, which are highly concentrated in the brain. It allows the herb to regulate depression, anxiety, and stress responses in the brain and bring balance to the overall system.
In addition, the herb helps reduce blood pressure, especially among older adults with hypertension, as per a 2021 study conducted in Israel. It is because the herb is a natural vasodilator. It opens up the blood vessels in the arteries and veins and prevents the muscles from tightening and increasing blood flow in the vessels.
As a result, it takes the burden off the heart and helps improve one’s overall health and well-being. Thus, the combination of Bhanga and Sarpagandha is incredibly beneficial for alleviating hysteria and its causative mental health conditions and leading a balanced and active lifestyle.
To learn more about how one can benefit from Sarpagandha Ghan Vati, reach out to Hempstreet and discover how to alleviate hysteria and other mental health disorders safely, naturally, and effectively.
References
https://www.icliniq.com/articles/emotional-and-mental-health/hysteria
https://www.keralaayurveda.us/wellnesscenter/ayurvedic-tips-for-enhancing-mental-health-and-immunity/
https://www.planetayurveda.com/library/sarpagandha-rauwolfia-serpentina/
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB09363
https://www.westmedfamilyhealthcare.com/blog/hypertension-and-your-mental-health
