Changes

Rasayana is one of the 8 main branches of Ayurveda. This branch deals with use of various pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures to prolong and provide positive health. Rasayana can also be considered as the rejuvenation therapy, wellness therapy and preventive healthcare treatments to confer health and longevity. various modern research studies have reported the anti-oxidant, anti-inflamamtory, Adaptogenic and Immunomodulator activities of herbs used as Rasayana in Ayurveda. Thus, Rasayana treatment is also popularly known as Anti-ageing therapy.

Rasayana (रसायनम्।) is one of the 8 main branches of Ayurveda. This branch deals with use of various pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures to promote positive health. Rasayana treatment also acts as the rejuvenation therapy, health & wellness promoting therapy and preventive healthcare regimen to confer health and longevity. Rasayana treatments are primarily aimed at providing essential nourishment to all the body tissues and enhancing their strength.

 

Various modern research studies have now reported that, traditional [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurveda]] Rasayana treatments work as rejuvenating therapies by offering effective anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, Adaptogenic and Immuno-modulator activities. Thus, Rasayana treatment is also popular as an Anti-ageing therapy.

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Rasayana is defined as the means of procuring the best qualities of different dhatus (tissues). Rasayana therapy also improves longevity, memory, intelligence, health, youth, complexion, voice, motor, and sensory strength

Rasayana is defined as the means of procuring the best qualities of different [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]] (धातवः। body building tissues) in [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|sharira]] (शरीरम्।). Rasayana therapy also improves longevity, memory, intelligence, health, youth, complexion, voice, motor power and sensory responsiveness<ref>Vidyanath R, Nishteswar K. A handbook of history of Ayurveda. Varanasi: Chowkambha Sanskrit Series Offi ce;2006:1-386</ref>. According to Ayurveda, the body fluid named 'Rasa' is responsible for transport of nutrients to all other tissues that hold the entire body and give its necessary strength. Disease develops in body only when the Dhatus (body tissues) lack strength and thus create seat for vitiated [[Doshas (दोषाः)|Doshas]] ultimately leading to development of disease. Thus, proper nourishment, strength and quantity of Dhatus in one's body is essential in order to combat diseases. Rasayana therapies are designed with this aim to improvise the strength of body tissues. Supreme quality Dhatus in addition to provide defense against diseases, help to enhance the other faculties like cognition, complexion, immunity, physical strength etc. Thus, Rasayana is also recognized as rejuvenation therapies that include use of herbs, food, specialized dietary regimen, special health-promoting conduct/behavior and other drugs.

 

 

Acharya Sushruta has defined Rasayana on the basis of end results obtained with this treatment. He defines Rasayana as a measure, which prolongs and provides positive health. improves mental faculties and provides resistance and immunity against diseases.<blockquote>रसायनतन्त्रं नाम वयःस्थापनमायुर्मेधाबलकरं रोगापहरणसमर्थं च । (Sush. Samh. 1.7)<ref>Sushruta Samhita ([http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutram 7])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>rasāyanatantraṁ nāma vayaḥsthāpanamāyurmedhābalakaraṁ rogāpaharaṇasamarthaṁ ca ।</blockquote>Sharangadhara Samhita explains the term 'Rasayana' as that which prevents ageing as well as diseases. <blockquote>रसायनं च तज्ञेयं यज्जराव्याधिनाशनम् । (Shar. Samh. Purva Khanda 4)<ref>Sharangadhacharya. Sharangadhara Samhita, Edited: Pandit Parashurama Sastri Vidyasagar with Adamalla Dipika and Kashirama’s Gudartha Dipika, 7th edition, Chaukambha Orientalia, Varanasi. 2008:37</ref></blockquote><blockquote>rasāyanaṁ ca tajñeyaṁ yajjarāvyādhināśanam ।</blockquote>

 

 

Rasayana tantra is a specialty of Ayurveda. It is also known as Jarachikitsa (जराचिकित्सा।). Various methods to prevent jara (जरा। Premature ageing), achieve longevity (by preventing diseases and preserving the health), increase the strength, endurance and immunity are discussed under this branch of Ayurveda. The word ‘Jara’ (जरा।) means Ageing or senility. Thus, Jarachikitsa also signifies the specialty treatments in Ayurveda for diseases occurring in old age. Therefore, this branch is commonly referred to as Geriatrics but its scope is not limited only to the diseases of old age. In fact, Rasayanas are recommended in young and middle age!

(Vidyanath R, Nishteswar K. A handbook of history of Ayurveda. Varanasi: Chowkambha Sanskrit Series Offi ce;2006:1-386)

Ayurveda has considered Jara or vardhakya (वार्धक्यम्।) as a natural and inevitable process. Ayurveda acharyas have also considered it as a Swabhavaja vyddhi (स्वभावज व्याधिः। natural disease).

Rasayana thantra is a specialized practice in the

The term Jara has been explained as the state of [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|sharira]] (शरीरम्। physical body) wherein muscles and other tissues are loosened under the influence of aging. Few other words  used synnonymously with Jara also indicate a state of degradation / retardation in the physical, physiological and psychological well-being.  

form of rejuvenative recipes, dietary regimen, special

health-promoting conduct/behaviour and drugs.

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

== रसायनस्य महात्म्यम्॥ Benefits of Rasayana ==

The word "Rasayana" means the pathway for essence of nutrition (Rasa-) towards all body tissue elements (-ayana) to nourish and replenish them.

It was well known to Ayurveda physicians that, the delicate cellular machinery of the body suffers from constant stress, trauma and environmental insults, resulting in wear and tear of different body structures and deterioration of the functional capacity. For this, procedures of Rasayana were adopted to increase the strength of body and power of resistance to disease, these procedures retarded advancement of aging also.  

== रसायनस्य परिभाषा ॥ Rasayana Definition ==

Acharya Charaka has stated the multidimensional benefits of taking Rasayanas. He described this as,<blockquote>दीर्घमायुः स्मृतिं मेधामारोग्यं तरुणंवयः| प्रभावर्णस्वरौदार्यं देहेन्द्रियबलं परम्||</blockquote><blockquote>वाक्सिद्धिं प्रणतिंकान्तिं लभते ना रसायनात्| लाभोपायो हि शस्तानां रसादीनां रसायनम्|| (Char. Samh. 1.7)<ref name=":0">Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Rasayana#Benefits_of_Rasayana Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutram 7-8])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>dīrghamāyuḥ smr̥tiṁ mēdhāmārōgyaṁ taruṇaṁ vayaḥ| prabhāvarṇasvaraudāryaṁ dēhēndriyabalaṁ param||</blockquote><blockquote>vāksiddhiṁ praṇatiṁ kāntiṁ labhatēnā rasāyanāt| lābhōpāyō hi śastānāṁ rasādīnāṁ rasāyanam||</blockquote>Meaning: By Rasayana treatment, one attains longevity, memory, intelligence, freedom from illness, youthfulness, radiating complexion and excellence of lustre, complexion and voice, optimum strength of physique and sense organs, perfection in deliberation, respectability and brilliance. Rasayana is the means of attaining excellent qualities of rasa etc. dhatus i.e. body cells and tissues.<ref name=":0" /> These qualities naturally make such person respectable, successful and popular. the person attains physical and mental strength of such a nature that whatever he decides can achieve without any obstruction caused my health of body and mind.  

Caraka states that, the means of obtaining optimum nourishment to the Dhatus are called Rasayana. [Bull.lnd.lnst. Hist.Med. Vol.XXXI-200 1]

Susruta defines Rasayana as a measure, which prolongs and provides positive health. improves mental faculties and provides resistance and immunity against diseases (su. suo 17. 7).

== Who can take Rasayana? ==

Acharya Sushruta has clearly mentioned that, Rasayanas can be used in either young age or middle age.<ref>Sushruta Samhita ([http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 27 Sutram 30])</ref> although Rasayana branch of Ayurveda is correlated with Geriatrics in the conventional medicine, it is necessary to understand the target age group of these correlated branches. Rasayans are administered to arrest the progression towards ageing thus need to be utilized in early age before the the senility sets in completely.  

== Benefits of Rasayana ==

== Pretreatment for Rasayana ==

Person taking Rasayana therapy attains longevity, enhanced cognitive functions specifically related to memory and intellect, radiating complexion and luster, good quality voice, superior strength of body and sense organs such that /what he says comes true. These qualitites naturally make such person respectable, successful and popular. the person attains physical and mental strength of such a nature that whatever he decides can achieve without any obstruction caused my health of body and mind.  

‘Rasayana’ enhances the functions of the whole body system. ‘Rasayana’ treatment for rejuvenation is done after the system is thoroughly cleansed by ‘Panchakarma’ therapy. ‘Panchakarma’ is essentially a pretreatment equipping the body tissues for ‘Rasayana’ therapy. Shushruta observed that a person, whose system is not been previously cleansed by proper purification remedies, cannot expect good results with ‘Rasayana’ treatment. [Needs editing]

== Historic considerations of Rasayana ==

== Historic considerations of Rasayana ==

== रसायनस्य भेदाः ॥ Classification of Rasayanas ==

== रसायनस्य भेदाः ॥ Classification of Rasayanas ==

Rasayanas are classified on the basis of the purpose behind its usage as follows:

Classification on the basis of the purpose behind its usage as follows:

# Naimittika Rasayna

# Naimittika Rasayna

It is used to improve a specific function (kama desire). It also improves prana (life energy),  

It is used to improve a specific function (kama desire). It also improves prana (life energy),  

==== Medha kamya; ====

==== Medha kamya ====

used for enhancing the memory and intellect. e.g. Shankhapushpi.  

The type of Rasayana therapy used for enhancing the memory and intellect is called as Medha kamya rasayana. e.g. Use of Shankhapushpi as a rasayana in an individual willing to enhance the congnitive and intellectual abilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

''Rasayana'' drugs are proposed to promote tissue longevity through some more novel mechanisms likeReduction of toxin/ metabolic waste load within the cell through their reduced production or increased scavenging, ensuring efficient use of energy within the cell, thus requiring less substrate consumption leading to reduced energy requirement and reduced waste production, initiation of micro-repair by providing essential nutrients by participating in regeneration directly or through promotion of latent enzyme systems.[Needs editing] <ref>Rastogi S. Building bridges between Ayurveda and Modern Science. ''Int J Ayurveda Res''. 2010;1(1):41–46. doi:10.4103/0974-7788.59943</ref>

==== Ayush Kamya; ====

== References ==