Management of Parkinson's disease through Ayurvedic approach: A case report

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a disease with insidious onset and slow progression. It is a neurologic condition that causes motor manifestations, namely, bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor, flexed posture, and nonmotor symptoms such as depression and dementia. PD can be correlated with Kampavata in Ayurveda based on similar symptomatology. The modern treatment provides some symptomatic relief but no proven means of slowing progression have yet been found. This present case is of a 72-year-old male patient who presented with complaints of tremors in both hands, and difficulty in speech and movement for 11 months which was increasing progressively and was hindering his routine activities. He was administered Kapikachhu and Ashwagandha for 60 days with follow-up after every 20 days. In every follow-up, the patient reported significant relief in his symptoms and after two months, he was able to perform his routine activities without any help. Kapikachhu and Ashwagandha are two easily available, noncontroversial Ayurvedic herbs, which can be used in the management of PD.