Phytochemical Insights into Ayurvedic Taila Therapy for Spasticity in Cerebral Palsy: A Narrative Review with GC-MS Support

Sahacharadi Taila, a classical Ayurvedic medicated oil, is traditionally prescribed for neuromuscular stiffness and Vata-dominant disorders. Understanding its pharmacological relevance through modern analytical techniques can bridge Ayurvedic principles and biomedical science, particularly in the context of spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP). A narrative review was conducted integrating Ayurvedic literature, contemporary biomedical evidence, and phytochemical data derived from documented GC-MS analyses of Sahacharadi Taila and comparable oils. The author’s unpublished analytical dataset (2025) was cross-referenced with PubMed- and Scopus-indexed studies to validate constituent profiles. Comparative analyses included Ksheerabala Taila, Mahamasha Taila, Balaswagandhadi Tailam, and Dhanwanthari Taila. GC-MS profiling of Sahacharadi Taila revealed the predominance of lauric, oleic, and linoleic acids, eugenol, sterols, and tocopherols-compounds known for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuromodulatory actions. Similar lipid-sterol-phenolic motifs were observed across other tailas, supporting their therapeutic roles in rigidity, spasticity, and neuromuscular dysfunction. These bioactive groups correspond to the Snigdha (unctuous), Mridu (soft), and Sukshma (penetrative) qualities described in Ayurveda, reflecting their potential to pacify aggravated Vata and restore tissue flexibility. The convergence of GC-MS findings and Ayurvedic theory provides a strong mechanistic rationale for the use of Sahacharadi Taila in spastic CP. Shared phytochemical patterns across related oils affirm the scientific plausibility of medicated oil therapy as an integrative, evidence-based approach to managing neuromuscular disorders.