3. INDICATION OF RASAYANA
Rasayana cannot be administered to all the individuals. (Ca.Chi 1:4/27-29 &
AH.U.39/179)
INDICATIONS
1. whose bodies are free from disease
2. who are endowed with intellect
3. who are self-controlled
4. who have sufficient time to spare, who have adequate wealth
5. To the person who speak the truth
6. who does not become angry
7. who engages his sense organs (and mind) in the pursuit of knowledge of soul etc.
8. who is calm and who indulges in good activities
4. CONTRAINDICATION OF RASAYANA
यथास्थूलमननवााहा दोषाच्छरभीरभमानसान् । रभसायनगुणैजृन्तुयुज्यते न
कदाचन:। तदेतन्न भवेदवाच्चं सर्व्मेह हतात्मसु । अरुजेभ्यो अदद र्व्जानतभ्यः
शुश्रूषा नास्स्त च । Ca.Chi1:4/36-38
1. Charaka mentioned that, if a person who is not free from the mental and
physical defects, does never gets the effects of Rasayana therapy.
2. The physician should never describe or speak anything about these recipes
to a person with evil designs, who is not free from disease, who is not a
dvijati (Brahmana, Kshatriya, and Vaisya) and who has no faith in this
therapy.
5. TIME OF TAKING RASAYANA THERAPY
Different Acharya’s have different opinion (Su.Chi 27/3)
Susruta - Either Poorva vaya or Madhya vaya.
Poorva vaya(period of growth for individual, so give proper nourishment
to body & help in the normal growth of tissue, organs)
Madhya vaya(there starts decrease in amount & quality of different dhatu
& there is much need of rasayana drugs to improve dhatus during this
stage)
Sarangadhara samhitha - Madhya vaya
Charaka -Doesn’t mentioned any restriction on age
6. PURVAKARMA OF RASAYANAM
1. Person after snehana & svedana should take bath with hot water, the
powder of Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula), + Rock Salt, Amalaki
(Emblica Officinalis), Turmeric, Guda, Vaca (Acorus Calamus),
Vidanga, Long Pepper & Dry Ginger.
2. After the body is cleansed and the rehabilitatory diet is administered,
the individual should be given barley gruel + ghee as diet for 3,5 or
7nights/days, till his body is cleansed of all the old accumulated
doshas.
7. IMPORTENCE OF SHODHAN BEFORE RASAYANAM
A wise physician should (invariably) prescribe some sort of Rasayana
(vitalization procedure) for his patients in their youth and middle age
after having their system (properly) cleansed (shodhana) by the
application of sneha (oleation) and purifying remedies (emetics and
puragatives). A person whose system has not been (previously) cleansed
with proper purifying remedies should not, in any case have recourse to
such rejuvenators/vitalizers in as much as they would fail to produce the
wished - for result, just as the application of a dye to a piece of dirty
cloth will prove non-effective.
8. FREE REDICLE AND RASAYANA
Definition
A free radical has been defined as “any species capable of independent
existence that contains one or more unpaired electrons.” If these are not
removed from tissues they have potential to demage tissues and cause
premature loss. As the body ages or is subjected to environmental
pollutants, such as cigarette smoke, over exposure to sunlight, or smog,
stresses and strains, phases of anaerobic metabolism, excessive production
or delayed excretion of metabolic wastes, Inadequate sleep leading to poor
repair time, the body become overwhelmed by FR’s. Rasayanas acting as
Free Radical scavengers help removal of these free radicals from the body
there by protecting body tissue from any possible damage.
9. BENEFITS OF RASAYANAM
Maintains proper balance among vata, pitta & kapha, maintains health
Cures morbid sleep, drowsiness, physical and mental fatigue,
laziness& weakness • Produces stability,Cures slothness of muscle.
Stimulates enzyme responsible for digestion & metabolism • Brings
excellence in luster, complexion as well as voice
Become free from the bondage of birth & death, enjoys long life in
this life & also in the next. The doshas & dhatus become cleared of
their wastes, the body becomes steady and stout
(Benefits Ca.Chi.1/7-8 & Ca.Chi.1:2/1-2, Ah.U 49/410,Ah.U 49/411)
10. RASAYANAAS ANTI-OXIDENT
Anti oxidants can be defined as substance whose presence in relatively low
concentrations significantly inhibits the action of free radicals. All the Rasayana
drugs are having anti oxidant property. Identified anti oxidants are:
• Vitamin C
• Tocopherol
• Retinol
• Selenium
• Lycopene
In addition Rasayana drugs provide specific tissue nutrient which helps
preserve the health of specific tissue like brain, skin, etc.
11. RASAYANAAS NUTRICEUTICALACTION
Rasayana therapy which includes ideal dietetics is supposed to provide
best reuquired nourishing fluid to body tissue. It only requires excellent
power of digestion and patency of body channels to achieve this
objectives
12. RASAYANAAS REGENERATICE ACTION
Rasayana has potential to reverse degenerative processes in cells by
their restorative and free radical scangaving properties Rasayana like
Amalaki, Ashwagandha, Shilajeet has this potential.
13. RASAYANAAS IMMUNO-MODULETOR
Rasayana have immunomodulatory potential. Studies have shown that
use of Rasayana modulates immune phenomenon which help in having
appropriate immunological response to a situation. This helps not only
in providing adequate immune response what also avoids autoimmunity.
14. RASAYANAAS ADAPTOGENIC
Rasayanas help maintains the balance between mind and body.This is
based on anti-stress practices in daily life (Aachar Rasayana) and use of
rasayana like Ashwagandha, Amalaki, Brahmi, etc for maximum benefit
Rasayana as Adaptogenics:
15. Decade Loss of features Desirable Rasayanas
First (0-10yrs) Balyavastha (Childhood) Swarna (Gold)
Second (11-20yrs) Vruddhi (growth) Bala (Sida cordifolia Linn)
Third (21-30yrs) Chavi (luster) Amalaki (Emblica officinalis Gaertn)
Fourth (31-40yrs) Medha (intellect)
Shankapuspi (Convolvulus pluricaulis
Choisy)
Fifth (41-50yrs) Twak (Complexion) Jyotismati (Celastrus paniculatus)
Sixth (51-60yrs) Drusti (Vision) Jyotismati (Celastrus paniculatus)
Seventh (61-70yrs) Shukra(reproductive power) Ashvagandha (Withania somnifera L)
Eighth (71-80yrs) Vikram (Courage) Bala (Sida cordifolia Linn)
Ninth (81-90yrs) Buddhi (intelligence) Brahmi (Herpestris moniera HBK)
Tenth (91-100yrs)
Karma Indriya (motor
organs)
Bala (Sida cordifolia Linn)
Eleventh (101-
110yrs)
Chetas/Manas(mind) Rasayana may not be effective
Twelfth (111-120yrs) Jivan (ceasation of life) Rasayana may not be effective
NEED OF RASAYANA MEDICINE ACCORDING TO AGE GROUPS
(SHARANGDHAR SAMHITA)
बाल्यंवृधिश्छववमेिा त्वग्द्रुस्टि: शुक्र ववक्रमो |
बुद्धि: कमेस्न्रय चेतो जीववतं दशतो ह्रसेत || ( शा.स पू.ख 6/19)
17. S.NO DHATU RASAYANA DRUGS FOR SPECIFIC DHATU
OR TISSUES
1. RASA (PLASMA) Kharjura, Draksa, kasmari
2. RAKTA (BLOOD) Lauha, Amlaki, Bhrngaraja, Palandu
3. MANSA(MUSCLES) Bala, Nagabala, Asvagandha,salaparni, Mamsi
4. MEDA(ADIPOSE) Guggulu, silajatu, amrita, Haritaki
5. ASTHI(BONE) Laksha, Vamsalocana, Sukti, Sankha
6. MAJJA(MARROW) Lauha, Vasa, Majja
7. SUKRA(REPRODUCTIVE
TISSUE)
Kapikachu, Asvagandha, Satavari
RASAYANAACCORDING TO DHATU
18. Rasayan specially suited to specific prakriti’s (Constitutions)
(a)Deha prakriti (Body constitution):
1. Vata prakriti- Bala, Nagabala, Ghrita
2. Pitta prakriti : Amalaki, Satavari
3. Kapha prakriti: Bhallataka, Guggulu, Pippali, Vacha
(b) Manasa prakriti (Mental constitution):
Asvagandha, Samkhapuspi And Other Medhya Drugs.
RASAYANAACCORDING TO DHATU
19. SUMMARY
Ayurveda has two motives i.e. prevention and promotion of health.. Every system of medicine emphasizes on
treating the disease but in Ayurveda, treating a disease is always secondary rather, maintaining and preserving
health which is the first objective of health-care plans.
In today's era, human life has been affected by drastic changes in atmosphere, diet and lifestyle and thus, the
biggest challenge for humanity is to survive in this changed environment and compete with the pace of life.
Further, newly emerging infections and metabolic disorders has posed challenges to health-care systems. To
meet this challenge, awareness among mass regarding preventive use of Rasayana as prophylactic can be
introduced.
Rasayana therapy replenishes the body's vital fluids; boosts the ojas (vital life-force) and the immune system,
thus keeping away from diseases and preventing advanced-age ill effects. Rasayana brings about Rasadhatu
normalcy and thus keeps other dhatus(body tissues) in balance for a longer period of time thus improves
strength, immunity, ojus, vitality, longevity, memory, intelligence and excellence of luster.