What Is Medhya Rasayana? The 4 Classical Ayurvedic Brain Herbs, Explained
Long before "nootropic" was a marketing word, Ayurveda had its own category for brain-supporting herbs: Medhya Rasayana. Four classical herbs make up the core group. Here's what each one actually has — and doesn't have — behind it.
Article Credibility
Written by: Swayam Loya, Pharmacist
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Annie Jain
Last reviewed: August 2026
Content standard: This article is educational and does not replace medical advice.
The Short Answer
Medhya Rasayana ("medha" = intellect, "rasayana" = rejuvenation) is a category of Ayurvedic herbs specifically classified in the classical text Charaka Samhita as promoting memory, intellect, and mental clarity. Four herbs make up the core group: Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica), Yashtimadhu (licorice), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), and Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis). Modern research on these varies a lot by herb — Mandukaparni and Yashtimadhu have some human clinical trial data, while Guduchi and Shankhapushpi are currently supported mostly by animal and lab studies, not human trials.
Key Takeaways
- Medhya Rasayana is a classical Ayurvedic category, not a single herb — four herbs traditionally make up the core group.
- Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) has the most human clinical trial data of the four, though a meta-analysis found mixed results overall.
- Yashtimadhu (licorice) has small clinical studies in children and teenagers showing memory and cognition improvements.
- Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) and Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) currently have no published human RCTs on cognition — their evidence is preclinical (animal/lab) only.
- "Mandukaparni" is sometimes locally called "Brahmi," which causes real confusion with Bacopa monnieri — a completely different plant, also called Brahmi, that we've covered separately.
- Yashtimadhu (licorice) has known interactions and isn't suitable for everyone, particularly people with high blood pressure.
In This Article
Ask an Ayurvedic practitioner about brain herbs and you'll likely hear the phrase "Medhya Rasayana" before you hear any single ingredient name. It's not one herb — it's a classification, a category the classical text Charaka Samhita uses for substances believed to promote medha: intellect, memory, and mental clarity.1
Four herbs traditionally anchor this category. Modern research has caught up with some of them more than others — and being honest about that gap is more useful than treating all four as equally proven.
What Is Medhya Rasayana?
Medhya Rasayana combines two Sanskrit concepts: "medhya," relating to intellect and cognitive function, and "rasayana," Ayurveda's broader category of rejuvenative therapies meant to slow aging and restore vitality. Substances classified as Medhya Rasayana are described as having dual properties — general rejuvenation (rasayana) plus specific mind-promoting effects (manas-vardhana).1 Traditionally, this includes supporting memory, comprehension, reasoning, and emotional stability, not just "sharper thinking" in a narrow sense.
Simple Definition
Medhya Rasayana: A classical Ayurvedic category of herbs described in the Charaka Samhita as supporting memory, intellect, and mental clarity. Four herbs make up the traditional core group: Mandukaparni, Yashtimadhu, Guduchi, and Shankhapushpi.
It's worth separating the traditional classification from the modern evidence question. Being listed in a centuries-old text tells you this herb was valued and observed by Ayurvedic physicians over a long period — it doesn't by itself tell you what a randomized controlled trial in humans would show today. Both pieces of information matter; they're just not the same thing.
What Does Each of the Four Herbs Actually Have Behind It?
1. Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica)
Verdict: The most human-studied of the four, with genuinely mixed results.
Also known internationally as Gotu kola, Mandukaparni has more human clinical trial data than the other three herbs in this group. A double-blind randomized controlled trial in 28 healthy elderly adults found that 750mg/day for two months enhanced working memory, measured partly through brain electrical activity (event-related potentials).2 A separate study found improvements in memory and speaking skills in older women with dementia after 20 weeks.2 However, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available clinical trials found that, overall, the evidence did not clearly demonstrate cognitive benefits — individual positive studies exist, but the pooled picture is inconsistent.2
Evidence strength: individual trials show promise, particularly for memory in older adults, but a meta-analysis pooling multiple studies did not find a consistent overall effect — a useful reminder that one good study and a "proven" ingredient aren't the same thing.
2. Yashtimadhu (licorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Verdict: Small studies, mostly in children and teens, show a mild positive effect.
A clinical study in teenagers (13–16 years) found that a Yashtimadhu-based formulation, combined with yoga, improved cognition and memory over 90 days, with a more significant improvement than yoga alone.3 A separate study in younger schoolchildren found mild memory improvement compared to placebo, along with better performance on a non-verbal intelligence test.3 These are genuinely useful early signals, though the studies are small and specific to younger populations rather than broad adult samples.
3. Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
Verdict: Promising in animal studies; no human cognitive trials yet.
Guduchi has a reasonably large body of preclinical research: in sleep-deprived rats, pretreatment with a Tinospora cordifolia extract improved exploratory behavior and recognition memory, reduced anxiety-like behavior, and affected markers of brain plasticity.4 Other animal studies suggest neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects relevant to cognitive decline. But as of current research, there is no published clinical evidence that Tinospora cordifolia improves cognition or prevents cognitive decline in humans — the studies simply haven't been done yet.4
4. Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)
Verdict: The most traditionally famous "memory herb" with the least human trial evidence.
Shankhapushpi is widely used in Ayurvedic memory formulations and has a substantial body of preclinical research showing memory-enhancing, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective effects in cell and animal studies.5 However, a comprehensive review specifically looking for human evidence found that no randomized controlled trials have tested whether Shankhapushpi improves cognitive function or prevents age-related cognitive decline in people.5 This is a genuine research gap, not a red flag about the herb itself — it simply means the traditional and preclinical picture is well ahead of the human clinical evidence.
Human data exists
Mandukaparni and Yashtimadhu both have published human trials, with mixed-to-positive results.
Preclinical only
Guduchi and Shankhapushpi have promising animal/lab data, but no published human cognitive RCTs yet.
| Herb | Most Reasonable Claim | Main Caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) | May support memory in some studies | Meta-analysis of pooled trials was inconsistent |
| Yashtimadhu (licorice) | Mild memory/cognition benefit in small studies | Studied mostly in children/teens; not for high blood pressure |
| Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) | Promising neuroprotective research area | No human cognitive trials published yet |
| Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) | Traditionally the most famous "memory herb" | No human cognitive trials published yet |
Why Does "Brahmi" Cause So Much Confusion Here?
This is worth addressing directly because it trips up a lot of people, including in our own earlier coverage of nootropics. In different Indian regions and traditions, the name "Brahmi" gets applied to two completely different plants: Bacopa monnieri (which we've covered in our nootropics articles, with FSSAI-recognized standardized extracts studied at 300mg/day) and Mandukaparni, Centella asiatica — the herb discussed above, sometimes called "Jal Brahmi." They are not interchangeable, they don't have the same active compounds, and the research on one doesn't transfer to the other.2
AEO answer: "Brahmi" is an ambiguous common name in India that can refer to either Bacopa monnieri or Centella asiatica (Mandukaparni), two different plants with different research bases. Always check the Latin/botanical name on a supplement label, not just "Brahmi."
Are These Herbs Safe, and Are They FSSAI-Recognized?
All four herbs are classical Ayurvedic substances documented in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and are commonly used in AYUSH-regulated formulations. For food and nutraceutical products specifically, FSSAI's Nutraceutical Regulations require botanical ingredients to be sourced from recognized compendia like the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia, with standardization and daily-usage limits set out in the regulation's schedules.6 We'd recommend checking that any specific product you're considering lists a standardized extract with a clear daily dose, rather than an unspecified "proprietary blend."
On safety specifically: Yashtimadhu (licorice) is the one herb here with a well-documented caution — its glycyrrhizin content can raise blood pressure and cause potassium loss with prolonged high-dose use, so it's generally not recommended for people with hypertension, kidney issues, or on certain medications without medical guidance. The other three are generally well-tolerated in traditional use, but as with any herbal supplement, it's worth checking with a doctor if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or managing a health condition.
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Related reading: Bacopa Monnieri 101 · Most Effective Nootropics · Do Nootropics Actually Work? What Science Says
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Medhya Rasayana?
Medhya Rasayana is a classical Ayurvedic category of herbs described in the Charaka Samhita as supporting memory, intellect, and mental clarity. It's a classification, not a single herb — four herbs traditionally make up the core group.
Which of the four Medhya Rasayana herbs has the strongest evidence?
Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) has the most human clinical trial data, though a meta-analysis of pooled studies found inconsistent overall results. Yashtimadhu has smaller, positive studies in children and teenagers. Guduchi and Shankhapushpi currently have only animal and lab research, not published human cognitive trials.
Is Brahmi part of Medhya Rasayana?
This depends on which plant "Brahmi" refers to. Bacopa monnieri (the plant we cover in our nootropics articles) is a separate, well-studied herb outside the classical four-herb Medhya Rasayana group. Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) is sometimes also called "Brahmi" regionally and is one of the four classical Medhya Rasayana herbs. Always check the botanical name.
Is Shankhapushpi safe to take even though there's no human trial data?
Shankhapushpi has a long history of traditional use and promising preclinical safety data, but the absence of human clinical trials means we can't point to rigorous human safety or efficacy data specifically. If you're considering it, standardized products from a reputable, FSSAI-compliant brand and a conversation with a healthcare provider are both worth it.
Can I take all four Medhya Rasayana herbs together?
Classical Ayurvedic formulations do sometimes combine these herbs, but combining several herbs increases the complexity of potential interactions, especially with Yashtimadhu's blood pressure effects. This is a conversation worth having with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or doctor rather than self-combining supplements.
The Bottom Line
Medhya Rasayana is a genuinely old, genuinely thoughtful classification — but treating all four herbs as equally "proven" would be dishonest. Mandukaparni and Yashtimadhu have real human trial data, even if mixed. Guduchi and Shankhapushpi are backed by encouraging animal research that simply hasn't been tested in people yet. None of that makes them worthless — it just means the honest claim is "traditionally used and preclinically promising," not "clinically proven," for two of the four.
If you're exploring any of these, check the botanical name carefully (especially with "Brahmi"), look for standardized extracts with clear dosing, and loop in a healthcare provider — particularly if you're considering Yashtimadhu and have blood pressure concerns.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Herbal supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If you take medication, have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have blood pressure concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any of the herbs discussed here.
References and Sources
- The Concept of Medhya Rasayana in Ayurveda.
- Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on Cognitive Function and Mood-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Evaluation of Memory and Cognition Enhancing Activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra Formulation Along with Yoga in Teenage Students.
- Tinospora cordifolia Ameliorates Anxiety-Like Behavior and Improves Cognitive Functions in Acute Sleep-Deprived Rats.
- Role of Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) in Neurological Disorders: An Umbrella Review.
- FSSAI — Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals) Regulations.