A polyherbal formula is a combination of herbs. These herbs are usually selected because they share properties that make them useful against a particular disease or condition. Ayurvedic medicine uses combinations of herbs as polyherbal formulas because traditionally they have been shown to be more effective in certain conditions compared to administration of single herbs. The advantages of polyherbal formulas is that synergism between the herbs may exist, and this provides a more effective treatment to the patient. However, while traditionally polyherbal formulas are favoured for their superior therapeutic effects, the combinations of herbs present in many polyherbal formulas makes their testing and evaluation by scientific studies quite difficult because it can be problematic to identify the active principle in the formulas. However, a number of studies have been published that have investigated the effects of polyherbal formulas on mental function and these studies have shown polyherbal formulas to be effective.
Polyherbal formulas can be effective at providing treatment for mood disorders. Herbs often work synergistically when combined and this can provide beneficial treatment outcomes. Brahmi is often found in polyherbal formulas alongside other Ayurvedic herbs. These herbs tend to be high in antioxidant phytochemicals, and this may provide one mechanism by which they are effective against disease.
Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri) is a herb commonly found in polyherbal formulas. Brahmi is a herb obtained from a perennial creeping vine belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family, that thrives in marshland of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Brahmi has been shown to have effects on the central nervous system that include improvements in cognition and mood disorders. One group of researchers assessed the effects of polyherbal formulas containing brahmi through a literature review of previously published studies. The authors found nine studies that had investigated the effects of brahmi polyherbal formulas that involved human subjects. The results of this study showed that branhmi containing polyherbal formulas caused significant improvements in cognitive function, particularly in visual perception, impulsivity and attention. This supports evidence from single herb studies that shows that brahmi has effects on the central nervous system that may cause improvements in cognitive function.
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