Long before pharmacology became a formal science, communities worldwide were already testing, refining, and passing down knowledge about which plants heal and which harm. That accumulated wisdom, carried mostly through memory, oral instruction, and everyday practice rather than written records, is now disappearing faster than most people realise. Ethnomedicinal plant surveys are among the few practical tools that can slow this loss while also feeding new leads into modern drug research. This review examines why these surveys matter, how researchers conduct them in the field, the quantitative methods they use to interpret what they collect, and the tangible contributions this work has made to pharmaceutical discovery. It also takes an honest look at the difficulties of shrinking pools of knowledgeable elders, unresolved questions about intellectual property and benefit-sharing, and the technical challenge of building databases communities can trust and use. The review closes by considering where the field appears to be heading, particularly as digital tools and interdisciplinary collaboration reshape how ethnobotanical knowledge is recorded and applied.
Urolithiasis is a common urinary tract disorder characterised by the formation and retention of crystalline calculi in the urinary system. Medicinal plants have attracted increasing interest as potential anti-urolithiatic agents because they may act through multiple complementary mechanisms, including inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallisation, enhancement of diuresis, reduction of urinary supersaturation, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects, nephroprotection, and promotion of crystal elimination. This review summarises recent evidence on medicinal plants with anti-urolithiatic potential, with emphasis on experimental findings reported between 2020 and 2026. We consider evidence from in vitro, in vivo, clinical, and computational investigations, including studies on crystal nucleation, growth, and aggregation assays; animal models of urolithiasis; molecular docking; network pharmacology; molecular dynamics; and ADMET prediction. The review also discusses key phytoconstituents, molecular pathways, and emerging therapeutic targets associated with preventing renal crystal formation and tissue injury. Current evidence supports the pharmacological potential of several medicinal plants; however, variability in phytochemical composition, inadequate extract standardisation, limited pharmacokinetic characterisation, and a shortage of well-designed clinical trials limit translation into clinical practice. Future research should prioritise standardised preparations, mechanistic validation, pharmacokinetic and toxicological evaluation, and adequately powered clinical studies to establish the safety, efficacy, and therapeutic role of plant-derived anti-urolithiatic interventions.
Lifestyle disorders arising from irregular sleep, erratic daily routines, poor diet, and chronic stress are among the leading contributors to ill health in the modern era. Ayurveda classifies sleep (Nidra) as one of the three pillars of life (trayopastambha), alongside diet (Ahara) and celibacy/regulated conduct (Brahmacharya), essential for tissue nourishment, immunity, and longevity. This review seeks to understand and bridge classical Ayurvedic descriptions of Nidra with contemporary sleep science to examine how disturbed sleep (Anidra) initiates a cascade of metabolic, immunological, and psychological dysfunction. Findings indicate that inadequate or irregular sleep destabilises digestive fire (Agni), generates metabolic toxins (Ama), and predisposes individuals to obesity, diabetes (Prameha), immune depletion, and cognitive impairment. Restoring and protecting regular, adequate sleep should therefore be regarded as a central, modifiable component of preventive and promotive healthcare strategy.
Manyastambha is a Vata-Kapha-predominant disorder described in Ayurveda and characterized by neck pain, stiffness, and restricted cervical movement. It is commonly correlated with cervical spondylosis based on similarities in clinical manifestations and degenerative changes of the cervical spine. This narrative review explores the Ayurvedic concept of Manyastambha and its correlation with the contemporary understanding of cervical spondylosis. Relevant classical Ayurvedic texts and peer-reviewed literature were reviewed to examine the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, and therapeutic approaches. Ayurvedic management emphasizes Nidana Parivarjana (avoidance of etiological factors), Shamana Chikitsa (palliative management), and Panchakarma procedures such as Abhyanga (oil massage), Swedana (sudation therapy), Nasya (nasal administration of medicated substances), and Basti (medicated enema therapy), along with appropriate dietary and lifestyle measures. These approaches may contribute to reducing pain and stiffness and improving cervical mobility and functional status. An integrative understanding of Manyastambha and cervical spondylosis highlights Ayurveda's potential role in comprehensive management and supports the need for further well-designed clinical research.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Although conventional risk factors are well recognized, psychological and behavioural factors also contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction. Ayurveda describes Hridaya as the seat of Chetana (consciousness), Manas (mind), Prana (vital force), and Ojas, emphasizing the close relationship between mental and cardiovascular health. Classical texts identify Manasika Nidana, including Chinta (worry), Shoka (grief), Bhaya (fear), Krodha (anger), Trasa (terror), and Abhighata (psychological trauma), as etiological factors in Hridroga. This integrative review examines psychological and behavioural determinants of cardiovascular disease and interprets contemporary evidence through Ayurvedic concepts including Hridaya, Manasika Nidana, Dosha Vaishamya, Agni Dushti, Ama, Srotodushti, and Satvavajaya Chikitsa. Literature was reviewed from PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and classical Ayurvedic texts, with evidence synthesized narratively. Contemporary evidence indicates that psychological stress, depression, anxiety, anger, social isolation, and maladaptive behaviours influence cardiovascular health through neuroendocrine, autonomic, inflammatory, metabolic, and vascular pathways. From an Ayurvedic perspective, these factors may disturb Rajas and Tamas, contributing to Dosha Vaishamya, Agni Dushti, Ama formation, and dysfunction of Rasavaha and Pranavaha Srotas, ultimately contributing to Hridroga. Satvavajaya Chikitsa offers a psychotherapeutic framework emphasizing mental regulation, behavioural modification, and stress management. Ayurveda therefore provides a holistic conceptual framework linking psychological, behavioural, and cardiovascular health. Further interdisciplinary clinical research is required to validate this integrative approach.
