Ayurvedic principles of healthy ageing

(Rasayana Therapy)

DR. BHEEMA BHATTA, M.D. (Ayurveda)

Senior Ayurvedic Consultant & HOD,

Department of Ayurveda,

Holy Family Hospital,

New Delhi – 110 025.

INDIA

Phone : 91-11-2684 9231

Mob : 91-11-98101 13902

e-mail : drbbhat@yahoo.co.in

Ayurveda

· Ayurveda is the science of life which deals with body, mind and soul

in health and disease.

· Ancient Indian, holistic, traditional medical knowledge.

· Art and science of health and healing which gives the knowledge about how to lead a healthy, meaningful long life.

· Ayurveda defines health as a total physical, psychological, social and spiritual well being.

· Ayurveda is based on the theory of Pancha Mahabhoota and Tridosha.

· Ayurveda has explained the measures for preservation and promotion of health and prevention of diseases by means of following appropriate physical and mental discipline/principles in life (Dinacharya, Ritucharya, Sadvritta). It has also described various diseases, their causes, signs and symptoms, treatment, diet, etc.

· Jara Chikitsa or Rasayana Therapy is one among the 8 branches and also one of the specialties of Ayurveda.

Healthy Ageing - Rasayana Therapy

* The therapy which cares and cures the problems of aged is called

Rasayana Therapy. It deals with promotion of positive health and

longevity. It may be compared to Geriatrics in modern medical science.

· It is one of the major clinical branches and specialities of Ayurveda.

· It improves the best qualities of tissues by optimum

nourishment.

· It enhances the natural immunity and anti-oxidant property.

· It reduces the ageing process and prolongs lifespan.

· Rasayana therapy is applicable to all age groups as it acts as a prophylactic measures against mechanism of degeneration and ageing.

What is Ageing ?

* Ageing is progressive loss, degeneration and deterioration of

of physical, physiological and mental capabilities and

functions with increased vulnerabilty to diseases leading to

death.

* It is complex, multifactoral, universal, inevitable and

irreversible process.

* Ageing gradually and delaying that process is something

that one can achieve in ones own lifetime.

Types of Ageing

1. Chronological

2. Biological

3. Psychological

1. Chronological Ageing : Measurement of time since birth

Childhood (up to 16 years)

Middle age (17 to 60 years)

Old age (above 60 years)

2. Biological Ageing :

- External appearance – look, hair, skin, gait, etc.

- Measurement of structure and function of body tissues, organs, systems viz., Respiratory, Digestive, circulatory, Nervous, Excretory, Sense organs, Muscular and skeletal system, etc.

- Homeostasis of biological humors - Vata,Pitta, Kapha.

- Blood chemistry – CBC, ESR, Sugar, Lipid profile, LFT, Thyroid function, Hormonal level, enzymes, Calcium, iron, etc.

- Height, weight, temperature, Blood pressure, BMI, body fat, skin thickness, Bone density, etc.

- Sense organs and their thresholds

3. Psychological Ageing :

- Measurement of development of mind according to age

- Balance of the qualities of mind viz., Satwa, Rajah, Tama.

- Power of grasping, memory, intelligence, thinking, concentration, attitude, approach,

- Tension, worries, anxiety, depression,

- Capacity to handle the situation

Factors responsible for ageing

· Hereditary factors

· Environmental factors - climate, altitude, pollution, etc.

· Diet - Ayurveda advocates food according to the individual physical and mental constitution, suitability, quality & quantity of food, balanced diet

· Life-style, physical exercises/Yoga, meditation, sleep/rest, sex, habits like addiction to alcohol, smoking, drugs, etc.

· Socio-economical factors

· Psychological factors – Tension, worries, fear, depression, stress of life accelerates process of ageing.

Changes due to Ageing

* External : Those which are visible – hair, face, skin,

stature, posture, gait, imbalance, shaking,

bones and joints, mobility, shortening of the

body height, thinning.

* Internal : Those which occur in the internal organs of

the body.

* Sense organs : Diminution of vision, hearing, smell, taste,

touch.

* Psychological changes : Forgetfulness/Loss of memory, anxiety, tension, depression, nervousness, sleep disturbances, social problems.

Common features of Old age

· Multiple pathology, low immunity, less energy reserve

· Fatigue, poor physical capability, low vigor – vitality

· Poor appetite, gas, indigestion, constipation

· Poor sensibility to pain

· Sleep disturbance, low memory power, nervousness, stress

· Breathlessness on exertion, vertigo,

· Increased frequency of urine, hesitancy, urgency, incontinence

· Pain in joints, difficulty in movements, shaking, imbalance in walking,

· Weakness in vision, hearing,

· Vulnerable to many diseases like Hypertension, Diabetes, heart diseases, paralysis, Arthritis, Spondylosis, Parkinson’s disease. Psycho-somatic problems, Alzhimer’s disease, etc. (Few slides will be shown here)

Classification of Rasayana

I.Purpose of administration

- Kamya Rasayana : desire of adding extra qualities

To the basically existing good qualities of tissue

- Medhya Rasayana : to improve the quality of mind,

intellect, memory, concentration

- Vrishya Rasayana : General rejuvenation and sexual power

- Balya Rasayana : Improving physical strength

- Vayasthapana : Increasing healthy life span

- Naimittika Rasayana : Treatment of diseases besides

Providing rejuvenative effect

- Ajasrika Rasayana : To enhance the immunity

II.Mode of administration

- Kuti Praveshika (Indoor)

- Vatatapika (Out door)

III.Mode of action

- Samshodhana ( Purification of body by panchakarma

before administration of Rasayana )

- Samashamana (directly using Rasayana medicines)

IV.Modality – ( life style, social and personal conduct)

- Dietary modalities (use of satwik food)

- Behavioral modalities

- Medicines based modalities

Rasayana for different constitution

Vata constitution : Bala, Nagabala, Ghee

Pitta constitution : Amalaki, Shatavari

Kapha cinstitution : Bhallataka, guggulu, pippali, vacha

For maintenance of the psychological balance :

Brahmi, Shankhapushpi, Tulsi, Aswagandha, Jatamansi, Jyotishmati, Tagara.

Rasayana for Dhatus (tissues)

Rasa (Chyle) – Kharjura, draksha,

Rakta (Blood) - Amalaki, bhringaraja, lauha,

Mamsa (Muscle) - Bala, Nagabala, Aswagandha,

Meda (Fat) - Guggulu, Shilajit, Guduchi,

Asthi (Bone) - Laksha, Vamsha, Shankha

Majja (Bone marrow) - Lauha, vasa

Shukra (Reproductive - Atmagupta, Aswagandha,

Tissue) Shatavari

Rasayana for specific diseases

Eye diseases - Triphala, Yastimadhu, Shatavari

Heart diseases - Arjuna, guggulu, Lashuna

Skin diseases - Neem, Karanja, Vidanga

Anaemia - Lauha, Punarnava, Amalaki

Tuberculosis - Nagabala, Aswagandha, Vasa

Asthma - Vasa, Kantakari, Somalata

Arthritis - Guggulu, Nirgundi, Rasna,

Diabetes mellitus - Amalaki, Turmeric, Jambu,

Obesity - Guggulu, vidanga, Ginger

Hypertension - Sarpagandha, Gokshura, Brashmi

Psychiatric problem - Shankhapushpi, Brahmi, Tulsi

General approach of management of old age problems

• Proper discipline in life by following daily regimen, seasonal regimen

and ethical regimen.(Physical and mental discipline).

• Good nourishing food, suitable to ones own constitution,
• Moderate exercises to keep physical fitness, Yoga- asanas, pranayama, meditation, walking, jogging, games, swimming, etc.
• Keeping good social relationship with family members as well as others in the society, recreation, reading, music, etc to prevent mental breakdown, worries, tension, depression, etc. as described in Achara Rasayana.
• Various Panchakarma therapies viz Abhyanga,(medicated oil massage), fomentation, Shirodhara, Shirobasti, Netra tarpana, Vamana (emesis), purgation (purgation), basti (medicated enema), Nasya karma etc. which are beneficial for improving general health and management of diseases. (panchakarma slides will be shown here)
• Beneficial herbs, rejuvenative spices, tonics viz., Amalaki, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Shilajit, Triphala, Brahmi, Pippali, Chyavanaprasha, Brahmi Rasayana, etc.(medicinal plants slides)
• Medical management of aging changes to improve health, physiological and endocrine functions of the body, to retard aging process by improving the quality of Doshas, Dhatus, Agni, Senses, mind, Immunity.

Clinical trials on Rasayana Therapy

1. To improve general health :

No. of patients : 50. 30 males & 20 females

Age group : 50 to 80 years

Signs and symptoms : General weakness, fatigue, tiredness,

Rasayana tonic : Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) + Aswagandha (Withania somnifera) in equal quantity. Half teaspoonful powder once daily with milk or water for 3 months.

Observation : Reduction in weakness, fatigue in 60 %

Feeling of well being in 70 %

2. To improve memory and concentration :

No. of children 28

No. of aged people 30

Signs and Symptoms : Lack of concentration, low grasping power, low memory in children; forgetfulness in elderly people.

Rasayana medicine given : Syrup Shankhapushpi 1teaspoon twice daily in children. Brahmi vati - 2 tablets at night daily for 3 months

Results : Memory, grasping power and concentration improved in 55% of children and their average marks in class subjects improved.

52 % of elderly people showed better memory power.

3. Effect of Vrishya Rasayana on male sexual debility and impotency :

No. males 20

Age group 25 to 50 years

Signs and symptoms : Sexual weakness, loss of libido, poor performance, premature ejaculation, oligospermia.

Rasayana tonic : Aswagandha lehya 1 teaspoon with milk once daily for 2 months.

Results : 15/20 persons reported better results. Desire, erection power and performance improved. Stress, premature ejaculation reduced.

4. Rasayana therapy in diseases :

Along with the specific line of treatment of disease, appropriate Rasayana medicines/tonics is adopted according to ones own age, constitution, mental and body strength, etc. Patient regains good health, strength, vigor and vitality. Such treatment was adopted in Tuberculosis, chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis, paralysis, parkinsonism and the results are quite encouraging.

Sarve Janaah Sukhino Bhavantu

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