Dr. Arati Tamta

Ayurveda, one of the world's oldest systems of medicine, is founded on the principle of polyherbalism, which involves the therapeutic combination of multiple medicinal plants to produce synergistic effects greater than those achieved by individual herbs. This concept, described in the Sarangdhar Samhita (1300 A.D.) and supported by modern pharmacological studies, serves as the basis for the present polyherbal formulation. The current review focuses on the formulation and evaluation of a polyherbal syrup containing Rauvolfia serpentina (Sarpagandha) and Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi). Rauvolfia serpentina (Family: Apocynaceae) is widely recognized for its antihypertensive, sedative, tranquilizing, and antipsychotic properties. These therapeutic effects are primarily attributed to indole alkaloids, especially reserpine, which acts through irreversible inhibition of Vesicular Monoamine Transporter-2 (VMAT-2). Ocimum sanctum (Family: Lamiaceae), commonly known as Tulsi and revered as a “Rasayana” herb in Ayurveda, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and adaptogenic activities due to the presence of bioactive constituents such as eugenol, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, and flavonoids. The polyherbal syrup was prepared using the maceration method with sucrose, glycerin, sodium benzoate, citric acid, and distilled water as excipients. Syrup was selected as the dosage form because of its ease of administration, improved patient compliance, flexible dosing, rapid absorption, and suitability for individuals of all age groups. The formulated syrup was evaluated for various physicochemical and microbiological parameters, including pH, viscosity, specific gravity, organoleptic characteristics, microbial safety, and stability. The pH of the formulation was found to be 5.5, and all evaluation parameters complied with the standards prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Pharmacopoeia. The findings suggest that the polyherbal syrup exhibits synergistic antihypertensive, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and adaptogenic effects. Therefore, it may serve as a safe, effective, and cost-efficient therapeutic option for the management of hypertension, stress-related disorders, and immune dysfunction. This formulation represents a successful integration of traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern pharmaceutical science, highlighting the potential of polyherbal medicines in contemporary healthcare. Keywords: Ayurveda, Polyherbalism, Rauvolfia serpentina, Ocimum sanctum, Reserpine, Eugenol, Polyherbal Formulation, Antihypertensive, Adaptogenic, Synergism, Herbal Syrup