PHYTOMEDICINES AND COGNITION

Learning is the process of acquisition of information and skills, while subsequent retention of that information is called memory. Learning and memory together called as cognition. Also, memory is a process involving encoding, storing, and recalling information. Thus, memory records various facts and events, make it available for further use, and hence can be considered as most valuable health asset. To elucidate the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory could be considered as one of the challenging tasks for neuroscientists. Poor memory, lower retention, and slow recall are common problems in today’s stressful and competitive world, especially with associated ageing process. Furthermore, the drugs currently available in market for the treatment of various learning and memory disorders are associated with several side effects indicating need of substitute medication from alternative system of medicine. On the other hand, several medicinal plants, designated as ‘‘Rasayan Drugs’’ in Ayurveda, are supposed to have specific influence on brain functions, and could be effectively used to treat such disorders without the associated side effects. In light of this, the present review encompasses the brief descriptive information about various herbal drugs used in the alternative system of medicine to treat the diseases related to cognition with the view to aid the further research to prepare an ideal medicine for its use in learning and memory processes.