Rasayana Therapy: What is Rasayana in Ayurveda?

Rasayana Chikitsa is one of the unique rejuvenation therapy of Ayurvedic system. According to Ayurveda, anything which has Rasa, i.e., efficiency to nourish the blood and to support and strengthen the dhatus and immune system, is called a Rasayana therapy. Thus Rasayana can be defined as any herb, tonic, specific diet, or activity which confers youthfulness, promotes longevity and provides immunity against diseases. 

Rasayana chikitsa or Rasayana therapy takes care of four most important components of body – Agni, rasa, Srotas and Oj/Ojas. These have the power to reduce the pace of aging. Rasayana drugs are commonly used to improve health and longevity by balancing between Tridosha, Saptadhatu and Trimala. 

Rasayana treatments are generally done after Panchakarma detoxification therapy or just after a disease to regain health and strength. This is the most ancient and reliable anti-aging treatment available to the world.

Benefits of Rasayana Therapy:

1. Increases the Rasa dhatu, which in turn nourishes all the other saptadhatus.

2. promotes longevity

3. provides immunity against diseases

4. increases strength of the body

5. delays aging process

Classification of Rasayana

Rasayana can be classified into two categories: 

1. Dravya Rasayana and 2. Adravya Rasayana.

1. Dravya Rasayana: 

Dravya rasayana includes all the herbs and food to promote optimum functioning of body and mind. 

It includes:

a) Kamya Rasayanas: These are age-promoting rasayanas. These also increase strength, vigour, vitality and glow of a person. Example: Chyavanprash

b) Naimittika Rasayanas: These are disease combating Rasayanas. Example: Pippali is used in respiratory diseases.

c) Medhya Rasayana: These are mental activity enhancing Rasayanas. These help in increasing memory, concentration and intelligence. Example: cow’s milk and ghee, brahmi, shankhapushpi, vacha etc.

d) There are other Rasayanas specifically for a particular organ. For example: , Hridya Rasayana is for strengthening heart, Chakshusya Rasayana promotes eyesight.

2. Adravya or Achara Rasayana: 

“Achara” factually means “discipline”. it is a regular ethos-process, which makes the rasayan work more effetively. Adravya Rasayanas are genral mental and physical practices to be followed to improve and maintain health.

a) Truth and fair speaking

b) following the rules of seasons

c) wholesome eating

d) avoiding anger and stress

e) restraining from alcohol

f) practice self-control

g) practice spiritual practices – meditation

h) living in generosity & kindness and respect  for  Dev( deities), Gau( cow, dhenu) , Brahmin, Acharya, Guru, elders.

i) applies the principles of proper sleep & awakening

j) living in harmony with the nature

k) practicing non-violence,

Some important Rasyanas:

Digestive spices  [pic credit: Pixabay]

A total of 63 combinations of various rejuvenation formulae are described in the Charaka samhita.

• Digestive spices: cumin, coriander and Fennel seeds.

 • Herbs and medicinal plants: Amla, Harad, Peepal, Tulsi, Brahmi, Aswagandha, Asparagus, Mulethi, Vacha, Giloy, Punarnava, Sontha, White Musli, Shankhpushpi, Rasna, Jivanti, Asthavarga.

 • Ayurvedic medicinal formulations: Example: Chyavanprash, Amrita rasayana.

•     Vitamin D •     Restorative Yoga: Example: Yoga nindra •     Aroma therapy •     Natural resources: Gold, silver, mukta, shilajit, tamra(copper)

Essential oils- Aromatherapy [Pixabay]

But Ayurveda puts a condition !

It is necessary to purify the body by using Panchakarma- technique  before the use of rasayan.

Following these principles leads to formation of high quality dhatus (tissues) and increases Oj/Oja/Ojas, a vital factor for health and immunity. Thus a person can get the same benefits as accomplished by internal administration of rasayana.

Ref: 
1) https://pharmascope.org/ijrps/article/view/3216/716
2) https://medwinpublishers.com/JONAM/JONAM16000112.pdf
3) http://www.ccras.nic.in/content/rasayana-ayurvedic-rejuvenation-therapy