OA01.01. Role of Shwetashankhapushpi (Clitoria ternatea) and clinical yoga techniques in the management of generalized anxiety disorder

PURPOSE: The burden of modern lifestyle leads to many mental disabilities like Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It is necessary to find safer and simple regimen for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Traditionally Swetashankhapushpi (Clitoria ternatea) is being used in Kerala to treat mental disorders including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Chittodvega). Relaxation Techniques of Yoga are one of the tools to treat Anxiety Disorder. METHOD: The present work was done to study efficacy of Swetashankhapushpi and Clinical Yoga Techniques on 30 patients of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. These patients were randomly divided into A, B and C groups, consisting 10 patients in each group. Patients of Group A were given Swetashankhapushpi root powder 2 gm orally b.i.d. with milk as anupan for 1 month. Patients of Group B were on Clinical Yoga Techniques for 1 month. And patients of Group C were given both Swetashankhapushpi and Clinical Yoga Techniques for the period of 1 month and results were assessed by using Hamilton's Anxiety Rating Scale. RESULT: Combination of both Swetashankhapushpi and Clinical Yoga Techniques showed highly significant relief (P<0.001) than single therapy, providing overall improvement in Generalized Anxiety Disorder. CONCLUSION: Swetashankhapushpi (Clitoria ternatea) and Relaxation Techniques of Yoga in combination showed significant relief in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Chittodvega).