Physical/Psychological/Metabolic Aspects of Jara and
Care Through Rasayana
Prof. Y. K. Sharma
Professor Kayachikitsa , Former Principal Cum Dean
Rajiv Gandhi Govt Post Graduate Ayurvedic College Paprola- Himachal Pradesh

Definition:
Jara is state of becoming “ksheen” (debilitated), physically and psychologically
weak as a result of old age usually after 60 years of life. The word geriatrics too is
derived from latin word “geras” meaning “to grow old”
Aging is described as a progressive loss of adaptability with passage of time so
that individual is less and less able to react abruptly to challenges from the external
or internal environment. With time the individual becomes progressively more frail
and in need of increasing support to maintain his or her autonomy.

Difference Between ?
AYU and VAYA
 Biological age and chronological age ?
 What is line of demarcation between middle and old age?
 What is individual aging and population aging?
 Mlsp : maximum life span span period

Aging a Continuous Process – Sharangdhar
DACADE WISE AGING
1. Balyam – childhoot
2. Vriddhi – growth
3. Chhavi – lusture
4. Medha – sharpness in perception
5. Twak – skin and appendages
6. Drishti – visual acuity
7. Shukra – fertility
8. Vikram – valour and courage
9. Buddhi – commulative intellect
10. Karamindri – physical capacities
Finally there is loss of ultimate that is functions of mind life substance.

Phenomenon of Life
Birth
Maturity scenence decay/death
Procreation
Continuity of life and species
Evolution
New species

Jara Hetu
Kalasya parinam – swabhawaja or essential by Charak
other ayurvedic literature mentions few specific factors for jara esp Aakaljara
1. Pantha : excessive travelling or physical activities
2. Sheetam : taking unwholesome or chilled food
3. Having sexual desires for olderwomen or to remain sexually active even
after onset of oldage.
4. Kaddana : taking tubers in excess in food.
5. Manaspratikoolta : to remain under continuous mental stress.

Charak In Description of Rasayana
Describes that indulgence in “gramya ahara” leads to agnimandya, vataprakopa and
dhatukshaya thus it is important factor for premature aging
Two major factors responsible for aging are:
1.Srotorodha
2.Agnimandata.

What The Modern Science Concludes Regarding Factors Of Aging:
1. DNA Cross Linking Theory : failure to manufacture essential enzymes/proteins
2. Random Damage Theory- free radical damage
3. Somatic Mutation Theory- death in groups
4. Pacemaker Theory or Organ system : decay of endocrinal and immunological potentials
5. Death hormone
Aging is gene/environmental controlled phenomenon.

Dosha kshaya
Dhatu kshaya
Mala kshaya
Ooja kshaya
Mano karya kshaya
That is deterioration of Shareerika, Vachika and Manasika functions. All
these are reflected in features of aging.
Onset Of Jara Is Accompanied By

Presence of inclusion bodies in cells like metabolic debris, lipids, calcium, cholesterol
Intracellular sodium increases and potassium falls.
 Ph and intracellular water contents decreases.
Total body water decreases
Fat accumulates in body leading to fall in specific gravity of body from 1060 to even 1036
Cellular metabolism suffers due to altered DNA, RNA and enzyme systems
Oxygen uptake and utilization decreases
Body temperature falls
Etc.
Major Metabolic Changes in Geriatric Patients:

 Sharirshaktiheena – regression of physical capacities
 Smiritinasha – diminishing memory
 Manasik glani – loss of cheerfulness and alertness
 Balinam – appearance of wrinkles
 Palitya – greying of hair
 Dantashaithilya – loosening of denture
 Swabhava vaipparya – change in personality components.
 Kasa swasa pravritti – proneness to repeated coughs and dyspnoea on effort
 Sarvakriya asamarthata ; loss of physical, perceptual and mental faculties
Sushrut Sutra Sathana
Features of jara

 Vakayaparushta
 Karshya
 Gatrasfurana
 Nidranasho
 Alapbalatvam
 Ghadvirchissaya
Features of Vatavriddhi are Found as Permanent Features In old E.G.

 Mandachesta – slowness of physical and mental activities
 Aapraharsh – unsatisfying nature
 Mudhasangyata – slowness of perception and resolution
 Nishprabhava – loss of luster
 Rookshta – dryness and wasting
 Sandhisathalya – instability of joints
 Manoshunyta – lack of ideation
 Shramm – easy fatigability
 Shirashaithilya – prominent and tortuous blood vessels
 Sfeeg, greeva, udar shuskata : wasting of muscles
 Asthi shool – degenerative bone disease
 Klaivya – erectile dysfunctions and sterility
Old People Show Features of Dosha and Dhatu as Well as Mala Kshaya.
The Important Among Them are:

 Durbalata – general debility
 Aabeekashanam – intaking of small quantity of food.
 Yyathitendriya – ailments and diminished capacities of
indriyas.
 Duschaya – lack of lusture
 Durmana – decreased mental capacities
 Rookshta – dryness of skin
Features of Jara Attributable To oja Kshaya:

 It is at physical metabolic and psychological level on once onset uccers it is progressive.
 Every system contributes to these features.
 Only when it hampers the quality of life , threatens life it is usually appreciated.
 Physical incapacities are more complained and attended than mental .
Features of Aging are Due To Anatomical and Physiological
Regressions in Body Over The Years.

General – increased body fat and decreased body water leads to obesity, anorexia
Eyes – presbiopia and lens opacity – blindness.
Decreased testosterone, estrogen – decreased libido, impotence, sterility
Respiratory – decreased lung elasticity and increased lung stiffness – dyspnoea and hypoxia
Cardiovascular- increased arteriosclerosis, decreased autonomic responsiveness – heart failure, lowered
tissue profusion, heart block
Git- decreased liver function – lowered appetite, portal hypertension.
Decreased gastric secretions – poor digestion, anemia
Decreased colonic motility – constipation and impaction of stools.
Selected age Related Changes and Their Consequences:

Haematological and immune system – anaemia, lowered immunity, autoimmune damage
Genito urinary – increased frequency, retention, incontinency, bph
Muskuloskeletal – power, tone , fracture, in-cordination
Nervous system – dementia, delirium and depression. Termers, ataxia.

Major change is loss of neurons leading to dementia resulting
Loss of memory
Deterioration of intellect
Change in behavior
Change in personality
Apathy
Mood instability
Alzheimer's disease leads to early onset of the features with fast progression
mind functioning deterioration is accompanied by proportionate bodily functioning
deterioration
Aging and Mind Functioning:

Why Sudden Interest in Geriatrics?
Economic development of world
Better food, better living conditions, better health care
Demographic transition
Low birth and death rate
Lowered younger and increased older population
Average life expectency over 60 years
High geriatric load
High geriatric care need both domiciliary and hospital

Cataract – IOL
Denture loss – artificial denture
Hearing loss – hearing aid
Osteoarthritis – joint replacement
Ataxia – prosthetic support
Bph – tur
But, what for brain, mind, autonomic and voluntary control over activities ?
Extended physical life may be vegetative in nature with low quality of life without
Emotional component
Memory, insight
Gross ataxia
Incontinence
Unproductively
Common Geriatric Ailments and Remedies:

 Physical wellbeing
 Mental wellbeing
 Spiritual wellbeing
 Social wellbeing
For biological wellbeing : preventive, curative, palliative as well
supportive care is needed
Need Is To Extend Life of Mental or Neurological Components Along With Physical and
Other Biological Components of Geriatric Life For Quality of Life Which Gives

Physical care:
Through proper swasthvritta, dincharya, ritucharya, yoga,
Biological care :
Through required balanced diet, vitamins, essential minerals, specific drugs and rasayanas like
ashwagandha, chyavanprash, amritprash, shilajeet, medhya rasayana, pranakameeya and other
ayushyakameeya rasayana.
Mental and spiritual care:
Mangal, pranipatgamanam, sadvritta, aachar rasayana, aparigrha, family support
Social care :
Government through economic support, old age care home, free travelling and health
insurance, legal support, terminal care. Care trough ngo’s
Geriatric Care Through Ayurveda:

 Screen for hypertension, DM, CAD.
 Prostate and colorectal cancers
 Breast and cervical cancer
 Dental ailments
 Stress
 Depression
 Stroke factors
Secondary Prevention of Old age Related
Disorders:

 Staying in family
 Open life in villages
 Less stress
 Regular physical activity
 Definite purpose of life
 Medical care at hand
Ideal Atmosphere for Aging:

Aahar – milk, snehapana, madhur rasa, low salt, laghu aahara
Rasayana
Avoiding alcohol and smoking
Avoiding fasting
Avoiding sexual activity
Regular exercise
Avoiding hard exercising
Regular cold water bath
Day time sleep
Regular avyanga
Social care
Spiritual care
Factors That Sustains Life and Delay Jara:

THANK YOU