Unlocking the potential of Ayurveda and medicinal plants in deaddiction: A scientific exploration

This review explores the integrative potential of Ayurveda and medicinal plants in managing addiction, synthesizing traditional Ayurvedic principles with modern scientific evidence. The manuscript highlights detoxification, withdrawal symptom management, relapse prevention, and psychosocial support as core components of addiction recovery, proposing an integrative framework for holistic and sustainable treatment. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Ayush Research Portal, DHARA, Google Scholar, and classical Ayurvedic texts. Keywords included “Ayurveda and addiction,” “medicinal plants for deaddiction,” and “integrative addiction management.” Studies focusing on Ayurvedic and contemporary approaches to managing addiction were included. Relevant articles were screened based on inclusion criteria, prioritizing peer-reviewed clinical trials, experimental studies, and systematic reviews on addiction management. Ayurveda detoxification therapies, herbal formulations, and psychosocial practices were categorized and analyzed alongside conventional pharmacological approaches. Emphasis was placed on efficacy, safety, mechanisms of action, and potential for integration. Ayurveda offers a scientifically grounded, holistic approach to addiction management , addressing detoxification, stress resilience, and long-term relapse prevention. Medicinal plants such as Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal and Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst demonstrates neuroprotective and adaptogenic properties, while Panchakarma (bio-purification procedures) provides effective detoxification. Integrative strategies incorporating Ayurveda and conventional medicine have the potential to deliver better outcomes, offering a complementary solution to the limitations of conventional therapies. Future research should focus on well-designed clinical studies and interdisciplinary collaborations to validate and expand the scope of these integrative approaches.