Ayurveda, the science of life emphasizes the health of a healthy individual on one hand whereas on the other side is enriched with scientific and fundamental principles of treatment. Among the 8 branches of Ayurveda, the 7th one is rasayana chikitsa or jara chikitsa which deals with rejuvenation, nutrition, immunology and geriatrics. Rasayana therapy is a part of preventive health care in Ayurveda where it helps to slowdown the ageing process and allows the individual to live long with good strength and immunity.
So in total if we take the concept of rasayana in Ayurveda there comes the concept of digestion and metabolism, balancing tridoshas ( three humours which sustain life), maintaining a well sustained form of dhatus (tissue elements).
Rasayana therapy includes both medicines and non medical approach which includes conduct, behaviour and lifestyle changes to maintain an optimum quality of disease free life.
Need of Rasayana in Present Era
In the present world where the life is moving fast forward stress has become an in escapable part of personal and professional life. In order to meet up with the daily needs there is hardly any time for exercise .
Dietary habits have become very unhealthy since most of the population is dependent on fast food. Irregular eating habits and use of fast foods with preservatives is affecting the health very badly causing early onset of non communicable diseases. Addictions like smoking, alcohol and drugs are carving the health on other side. All these factors are primarily affecting the digestion and metabolism this causing improper transport of nutrition at cellular level which ultimately leading to low immunity and and premature ageing.
The prime aim of rasayana is to re establish the tissue damage by correcting metabolism at tissue level, this it forms and integral part of anti ageing treatment in Ayurveda. Rasayana, by improving digestion and metabolism and enhancing the bio availability of nutrients at cellular level helps in attaining long life, intelligence, youthfulness, lusture, complexion, development of good physique, clarity of senses etc.
Ageing starts right from the birth. Cell repair is a constant process where the old cells will be continuously replaced by new cells. When the catabolic process overtake the anabolic process ageing starts and old age begins. In today’s world, since stress is an inevitable part, degeneration begins early which can be prevented by rasayana usage in right time and right dose.
Now the next question will be, what is the appropriate time to start rasayana. According to Acharya susrutha, the best time to advise and administer rasayana is in the late adulthood or middle age that means during the 3rd -5th decade of life. During the selection of rasayana it depends upon various factors like age of the individual, place, time of administration, tissue elements of the body, digestion of the individual, prakriti (body constitution), stage of doshas, diseases condition etc. These many factors should be properly examined before the administration of rasayana.
Ayurveda believes that with each decade of life some important aspects of life are lost. Hence, the administration of rasayana will depend upon these damages happening at tissue level.
Decade Wise Specific Loss and Usage of Rasayana
During 1-10 years of life balya (childhood) is lost where Vacha and swarnabhasma is used as rasayana. During 11-20 years of life the vriddhi/ the growth and development is losing where the usage of Ashwgandha and bala is advised. At 21-30 years of life Chavi / complexion is lost which is the best time to start Amalaki and Lauhabhasma as rasayana. During 31-40 years medha/ intellect is diminishing, so that Shankhapushpi and brahmi is advised as rasayana which comes the medhya (which will improve intellect) category of dravyas. At the time of 41-50 years of age twak (skin) will be damaged where Bhrigaraja and priyala is indicated as rasayana. At 51- 60 years of life drishti/ vision is damaged where triphala and shatavari is used for preventive purpose. At the age of 61- 70 shukra/ fertility is affected, so to prevent the damage Atmagupta and ashwagandha is used as rasayana. During 71-80 yrs of age vikram/ valour is lost where Amalaki and bala is the rasayana of choice. During 81-90 years of age buddhi or memory is getting diminished where bhrahmi is the choice of rasayana drug. During 91-100 years of age karmendriya / motor activities are affected where Bala and ashwagandha comes as the rasayana drug of choice.
Discussion
Globally there is an appropriate estimation of 605 million people aged above 60 years. From morbidity point of view almost 50 percent of Indian elderly have chronic diseases and 5 percent suffers from immobility. Here comes the need of healthy ageing where diet and exercise plays an important role. The concept of Ajasrika rasayana (daily usage of drugs) where the daily use of ghee,milk etc will help to overcome the daily wear and tear of physical body.
Also Triphala powder a mixture of 3 Ayurvedic herbs Amalaki, Haritaki and Bhibhitaki which can be consumed daily which will improve vision, complexion,gut activity etc is one among the best and easy available rasayana option.
Ayuveda also emphasizes the importance of shodhana (cleansing the body with Panchakarma procedures) before the administration of rasayana, so that the benefit of rasayana will be completely absorbed by the body cells. By detoxifying the bodyfirst, rasayana ensures deeper absorption of nutrients, promoting longevity and vitality.
Since we all know ageing cannot be cured but the main aim of geriatric care in Ayurveda is healthy ageing with less morbidity, which can be completely attained through wise administration of rasayana from registered healthcare Ayurveda practitioners.
