Keywords:
cognitive
herbs
IQ
nootropic
memory
medha
medhya rasayana

  • Abstract

    Intelligence refers to the capacity to acquire and understand knowledge. Owing to hypoxia, genetic, metabolic, or hormonal disorders, stress, and other factors, children's IQ may be diminished. It is essential to identify it promptly in infancy or earlier for effective treatment. Ayurveda encompasses various modalities, including medhya rasayana (nootropics), herbo-mineral and metallic formulations, and procedural techniques. The primary aim is to investigate and evaluate individual herbs in the care of children with low IQs, while the objectives focus on pursuing evidence-based roles of herbs in enhancing quality of life.  A comprehensive search was performed utilizing various search phrases across multiple research databases, including PubMed, DHARA, Ayush Research Portal, and Google Scholar. Subsequent analysis of pertinent papers was conducted to examine the evidence for the utilization of specific herbs for enhancing cognitive function. This comprehensive study examines the evidence-based efficacy of Ayurveda IQ booster herbs in enhancing cognitive function and improving quality of life in children with low IQs. Numerous herbs have been identified as possessing traits that enhance intelligence, mostly due to their katu (pungent) and tikta (bitter) rasa (taste), sheeta (cold) veerya (potency), madhura (sweet) vipaka (post digestive effect), antioxidant, neuroprotective, neurodevelopmental, and neuroplasticity attributes, along with numerous phytochemicals and other compounds. In conclusion, individual herbs such as Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Mandookaparni (Centella asiatica), Shankapushpi (Convolvulus prostrates), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Kushmanda (Benincasa hispida), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) effectively enhances children's IQ. Relevant randomized controlled trials on these nootropic substances have provided evidence that IQ, medha (intellect), buddhi (the process of acquiring knowledge), smriti (memory), and pragnya (intelligence or wisdom), which function collaboratively inside the brain, are enhanced.

  • References

    1. Acharya, R., Sojitra, N. H., & Buha, M. M. (2021). A comprehensive review of Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia (Wild.) Miers), the ambrosia of Ayurveda: A classical memoir. Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine, 10(2), 148–148. https://doi.org/10.5455/aam.113287
    2. Agarwal, D. K., Upadhyay, S. K., & Agarwal, K. N. (1989). Influence of malnutrition on cognitive development assessed by Piagetian tasks. Acta Paediatrica, 78(1), 115–122. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.1989.tb10897.x
    3. Amin, H., & Sharma, R. (2015). Nootropic efficacy of Satvavajaya Chikitsa and Ayurvedic drug therapy: A comparative clinical exposition. International Journal of Yoga, 8(2), 109. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.158473
    4. Bhanumathy, M., Harish, M. S., Shivaprasad, H. N., & Sushma, G. (2010). Nootropic activity of Celastrus paniculatus seed. Pharmaceutical Biology, 48(3), 324–327. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880200903127391
    5. Binorkar, S., & Nandvadekar, V. (2016). Intelligence quotient and concept of Deha-Mānasa Prakṛti in Ayurveda. Ancient Science of Life, 35(4), 201. https://doi.org/10.4103/0257-7941.188184
    6. Cascio, C. N., O’Donnell, M. B., Tinney, F. J., Lieberman, M. D., Taylor, S. E., Strecher, V. J., & Falk, E. B. (2015). Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is reinforced by future orientation. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 11(4), 621–629. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsv136
    7. Devi, P. (2021). An updated review on Shankhpushpi- As Medhya Rasayana. Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine, 7(2), 119–123. https://doi.org/10.31254/jahm.2021.7210
    8. Dhingra, D., & Valecha, R. (2007). Evaluation of the antidepressant-like activity of Convolvulus pluricaulis choisy in the mouse forced swim and tail suspension tests. Medical Science Monitor: International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research, 13(7), BR155–BR161.
    9. Dhuri, K. D., Bodhe, P. V., & Vaidya, A. B. (2013). Shirodhara: A psycho-physiological profile in healthy volunteers. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 4(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-9476.109550
    10. Gohil, K., Patel, J., & Gajjar, A. (2010). Pharmacological review on Centella asiatica: A potential herbal cure-all. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 72(5), 546. https://doi.org/10.4103/0250-474x.78519
    11. Gupta, A., Mishra, A. K., Bansal, P., Singh, R., Kumar, S., & Gupta, V. (2010). Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Haritaki-A review. Journal of Pharmacy Research, 3(2), 417–424.
    12. Hosseinzadeh, H., & Nassiri-Asl, M. (2015). Pharmacological effects of Glycyrrhiza spp. and its bioactive constituents: Update and review. Phytotherapy Research, 29(12), 1868–1886. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5487
    13. Husain, M., & Mehta, M. A. (2010). Cognitive enhancement by drugs in health and disease. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 28–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2010.11.002
    14. Japang, I., Rathi, R., Rathi, B., Verma, J., & Pandey, V. B. (2021). Evaluation of comparative efficacy of Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus Wild) and Yastimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn) in enhancing IQ and memory of different Prakriti school going children-A study protocol of double blind randomized clinical trial. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, 33(52B), 236–244. https://doi.org/10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i52b33622
    15. Karande, S., & Kulkarni, M. (2005). Poor school performance. The Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 72(11), 961–967. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02731673
    16. Kaushik, R. (2017). Studying the pharmacological basis of an antiepileptic ayurvedic formulation-Sarasvata churna. International Journal of Green Pharmacy (IJGP), 11(02), 62–63.
    17. Khedekar, N. S., Rathi, N. R. B., Rathi, N. B. J., & Deshmukh, N. A. (2020). The rationale behind Ayurveda Codes of Conduct (Aachar Rasayana) in COVID-19 like new disorders. International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 11(1), 391–395. https://doi.org/10.26452/ijrps.v11ispl1.2733
    18. Khosrozadeh, M., Ghadimi, S., Gharghabi, M. K., Kharrazifard, M. J., Hamrah, M. H., & Baghalian, A. (2022). The correlation between children’s intelligence quotient and their behavior in dental setting: A cross-sectional study. BioMed Research International, 2022(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2299215
    19. Kl, N., & Adiga, M. (2019). A critical analysis of Medhya Rasayana. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.21760/jaims.4.1.8
    20. Kulkarni, R., Girish, K., & Kumar, A. (2012). Nootropic herbs (Medhya Rasayana) in Ayurveda: An update. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 6(12), 147. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.99949
    21. Kumar, N., Abichandani, L. G., Thawani, V., Gharpure, K. J., Naidu, M. U., & Venkat Ramana, G. (2016). Efficacy of standardized extract of Bacopa monnieri (Bacognize®) on cognitive functions of medical students: A six-week, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, 4103423. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/4103423
    22. Lynch, G. (2002). Memory enhancement: The search for mechanism-based drugs. Nature Neuroscience, 5(S11), 1035–1038. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn935
    23. Malík, M., & Tlustoš, P. (2022). Nootropics as cognitive enhancers: Types, dosage and side effects of smart drugs. Nutrients, 14(16), 3367. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163367
    24. Mathew, M., & Subramanian, S. (2012). Evaluation of the anti-amyloidogenic potential of nootropic herbal extracts in vitro. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 3(11), 4276.
    25. Nalini, K., Aroor, A. R., Kumar, K. B., & Rao, A. (1985). Studies on biogenic amines and their metabolites in mentally retarded children on Celastrus oil therapy. Alternative Medicine, 2(3), 125–130.
    26. Negi, V., Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Anju, V., Kumari, V., Parvat, S., Sharma, O., & Sharma, S. K. (2018). Marma and Marma Therapy: A review. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 7(15), 258–271. https://doi.org/10.20959/wjpr201815-12973
    27. Neto, L. J. V., De Araujo, M. R., Moretti, R. C., Junior, Machado, N. M., Joshi, R. K., Buglio, D. D. S., Lamas, C. B., Direito, R., Laurindo, L. F., Tanaka, M., & Barbalho, S. M. (2024). Investigating the neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects of Bacopa monnieri: A systematic review focused on inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. Antioxidants, 13(4), 393. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13040393
    28. Pandey, V. B., Rathi, R. B., Rathi, B., & Verma, J. (2021). Evaluation of comparative efficacy of Brahmi vs. Haritaki extract in the management of academic stress in adolescent students- A Prakriti based double-blind randomized controlled trial. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, 33(48A), 159–169. https://doi.org/10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i48A33233
    29. Parthasarathy, A., Menon, P., & Nair, M. (2019). IAP Textbook of Pediatrics. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers.
    30. Pase, M. P., Kean, J., Sarris, J., Neale, C., Scholey, A. B., & Stough, C. (2012). The cognitive-enhancing effects of Bacopa monnieri: A systematic review of randomized, controlled human clinical trials. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18(7), 647–652. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0367
    31. Pawar, M., & Magdum, P. (2018). Vachadi Ghrita, a medicated ghee formulation on healthy individual’s cognition. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 9(8), 3408–3413. https://doi.org/10.13040/ijpsr.0975-8232.9(8).3408-13
    32. Rathi, R., & Rathi, B. (2020). Application of Ayurvedic principles in prevention and management of behavioural problems in children. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 11(4), 636–643. https://doi.org/10.47552/ijam.v11i4.1661
    33. Rathi, R., & Rathi, B. (2020). Role of Ayurveda with multi-modal therapy in prevention and management of autism spectrum disorders (ASD): The whole system approach. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 14(4), 6789–6795. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v14i4.12685
    34. Reale, M., Costantini, E., Jarlapoodi, S., Serra, F., Aielli, L., Khan, H., Belwal, T., & Falasca, K. (2022). Neuroprotective potential of Bacopa monnieri: Modulation of inflammatory signals. CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets, 22(3), 441–451. https://doi.org/10.2174/1871527321666220111124047
    35. Rege, N. N., Thatte, U. M., & Dahanukar, S. A. (1999). Adaptogenic properties of six rasayana herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine. Phytotherapy Research, 13(4), 275–291. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199906)13:4<275::AID-PTR510>3.0.CO;2-S
    36. Roushan, R., Tiwari, S., Gehlot, S., & Gambhir, I. S. (2013). Response of Centella asiatica in the management of age-related problems among elderly with special reference to cognitive problems as per Prakriti. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy, 4(2), 163–167. https://doi.org/10.7897/2277-4343.04215
    37. Schacter, D. L., Addis, D. R., Hassabis, D., Martin, V. C., Spreng, R. N., & Szpunar, K. K. (2012). The future of memory: Remembering, imagining, and the brain. Neuron, 76(4), 677–694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2012.11.001
    38. Sedlmeier, P., & Srinivas, K. (2016). How do theories of cognition and consciousness in ancient Indian thought systems relate to current Western theorizing and research? Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 343. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00343
    39. Sethiya, N. K., Nahata, A., Singh, P. K., & Mishra, S. (2018). Neuropharmacological evaluation on four traditional herbs used as nervine tonic and commonly available as Shankhpushpi in India. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 10(1), 25–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2017.08.012
    40. Shailaja, U., Rao, P., Girish, K., & Raj, G. A. (2014). Clinical study on the efficacy of Rajayapana Basti and Baladi Yoga in motor disabilities of cerebral palsy in children. AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), 35(3), 294. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.153748
    41. Shalam, M. D., Shantakumar, S. M., & Narasu, M. L. (2007). Pharmacological and biochemical evidence for the antidepressant effect of the herbal preparation Trans-01. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 39(5), 231–234.
    42. Sharma, D., Mangal, G., & Garg, R. (2020). Ayurveda Abhyanga (massage) procedure - A review. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 9(13), 16–28. https://doi.org/10.20959/wjpr202013-18963
    43. Sharma, V., Katiyar, A., & Agrawal, R. C. (2018). Glycyrrhiza glabra: Chemistry and pharmacological activity. In J.-M. Mérillon & K. Ramawat (Eds.), Sweeteners (pp. 87–100). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27027-2_21
    44. Sharma, V., Sharma, R., Gautam, D., Kuca, K., Nepovimova, E., & Martins, N. (2020). Role of Vacha (Acorus calamus Linn.) in neurological and metabolic disorders: Evidence from ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(4), 1176. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9041176
    45. Shashank, D., Rajendra, S. V., & Mistry, A. (2017). An overview of phytoconstituents and pharmacological activities of Celastrus paniculatus Willd. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 16(4), 307–313. https://doi.org/10.18579/jpcrkc/2017/16/4/119582
    46. Sheshagiri, S., Patel, K. S., & Rajagopala, S. (2015). Randomized placebo-controlled clinical study on enhancement of Medha (intelligence quotient) in school going children with Yahstimadhu granules. AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), 36(1), 56. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.169011
    47. Siddiqui, N. A., Ahmad, N., Musthaq, N., Chattopadhyaya, I., Kumria, R., & Gupta, S. (2011). Neuropharmacological profile of extracts of aerial parts of Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy in mice model. The Open Neurology Journal, 8(1), 11–14. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874205x01408010011
    48. Soccalingam, A., Ramanathan, M., & Bhavanani, A. B. (2020). Yoga therapy on cognitive function in neurodevelopmental disorders. In Advances in medical diagnosis, treatment, and care (AMDTC) book series (pp. 14–160). https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-3069-6.ch009
    49. Spreng, R. N. (2013). Examining the role of memory in social cognition. Frontiers in Psychology, 4(437), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00437
    50. Squire, L. R. (2004). Memory systems of the brain: A brief history and current perspective. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 82(3), 171–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nlm.2004.06.005
    51. Squire, L. R. (2009). Memory and brain systems: 1969–2009. Journal of Neuroscience, 29(41), 12711–12716. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.3575-09.2009
    52. Suliman, N. A., Mat Taib, C. N., Mohd Moklas, M. A., Adenan, M. I., Hidayat Baharuldin, M. T., & Basir, R. (2016). Establishing natural nootropics: Recent molecular enhancement influenced by natural nootropic. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, 4391375. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/4391375
    53. Tambakhe, J., Singh, V., Parwe, S., Nisargandha, M., & Asutkar, S. (2023). C.N.S. protective drugs: An overview. International Journal of Life Science and Pharma Research, 13(Special Issue 5), L27–L34. https://doi.org/10.22376/ijlpr.2023.13.3.sp1.l27-l34
    54. Thakur, S., Kaurav, H., & Chaudhary, G. (2021). A review on Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Mind and body rejuvenator. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy, 12(2), 132–139. https://doi.org/10.7897/2277-4343.120263
    55. Tharakan, A., Shukla, H., Benny, I. R., Tharakan, M., George, L., & Koshy, S. (2021). Immunomodulatory effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) extract—A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an open-label extension on healthy participants. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(16), 3644. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10163644
    56. Trikamji, Y. (2014). Charaka Samhita of Agnivesha with the commentary Ayurveda Dipika by Chakrapanidatta. Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan.
    57. Valecha, R., & Dhingra, D. (2016). Behavioral and biochemical evidences for antidepressant-like activity of Celastrus paniculatus seed oil in mice. Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 7(1), 49–56. https://doi.org/10.15412/J.BCN.03070107
    58. Verma, J., Rathi, R., & Rathi, B. (2021). Evaluation of comparative efficacy of Brahmi and Mandookaparni in enhancing memory of different Prakriti healthy male children- a double-blind randomized clinical trial-protocol article. Annals of the Romanian Society for Cell Biology, 25(1), 3320–3329. http://annalsofrscb.ro/index.php/journal/article/view/441
    59. Waghmare, D., Nakade, M. M., & Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune. (2020). Comparative clinical study of Kushmanda ghrita and Yashti ghrita Pratimarsha nasya as memory booster. International Journal of Research in Indian Medicine, 4(2), 1–3.
    60. Youngs, M. A., Lee, S. E., Mireku, M. O., Sharma, D., & Kramer, R. S. S. (2020). Mindfulness meditation improves visual short-term memory. Psychological Reports, 124(4), 1673–1686. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294120926670
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2025 The Authors

How to cite

Sarita, S., Deshmukh, S., Varma, A., & Varma, R. (2025). Systematic review of IQ-enhancing herbs’ effectiveness in improving cognitive function in low-IQ children. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 9(1), 2026001. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2026001
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC
  • Article viewed - 334
  • PDF downloaded - 25