A Scientific Review on Selected Herbal Medhya Rasayanas from Sushruta Samhita

Background: Ancient Acharyas have well documented Medhya Rasayanas (Ayurvedic Nootropics) for neurocognitive enhancement. An elaborated reserve of herbs indicated as Medhya (intellect promoting), Buddhivardhak (wisdom gaining), Smritisheel (memory generating), Smritivardhak (memory enhancing), etc. can be traced from Sushruta Samhita, a classical textbook of Ayurveda. Aim: This review study delves into the documentation and therapeutic attributes of Medhya Rasayanas (Ayurvedic Nootropics) explained by Sushruta in the light of recently reported contemporary proof. Materials and Methods: Sushruta Samhita was reviewed in terms of description of herbs/ compounds possessing nootropic potential. Important Medhya Rasayanas (Ayurvedic Nootropics) mentioned by Sushruta were reviewed. The electronic database such as Google Scholar and PubMed was searched for related literary published from time of their launch to April 2025. Results: Documenting the scattered knowledge on herbs or compounds assigned with Medhya (nootropic) effect is a key for further research & development. These herbs/drugs have a positive effect on memory, intellect, learning, language, and speech. Furthermore, these drugs have shown potential therapeutic actions on cognition, sedation, depression, stress, antiepileptic effect, antianxiety effect, antioxidant, adaptogenic and tranquilizer effect. Clinical significance: Medhya Rasayanas (Ayurvedic Nootropics) mentioned by Sushruta are having evidence for providing better mental health and neurocognitive increase. Conclusion: An alarming rise in cases of mental upset & unmet medical necessitates, there is a need felt to augment the mental health resources. Medhya Rasayanas (Ayurvedic nootropics) mentioned in Sushruta Samhita is a unique endowment towards cognitive betterment and in recent times these drugs are scientifically justified in pre-clinical and clinical trials.