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RASAYANA
- REJUVENATION
The
urge to live, the fear of death, the desire
for youth, the distaste for old age and the
quest of rejuvenation have always interested
mankind from antiquity to modern times. Men
seek rejuvenation chiefly with the object of
reactivating their sexual vigour, and women
to restore their youthful beauty. Essentiallly,
all rejuvenation processes are concerned with
the prolongation, as far as possible, of the
period of greatest maturity between puberty
and old age. The subject is connected with logevity
(as distinct from senility) since those who
are naturally long-lived are thought not merely
to live long but to retain their vigour as well.
The aim is ' TO ADD LIFE TO YEARS, NOT MERELY
YEARS TO LIFE'.
Ayurvedic
Approach to Rejuvenation:
The
criterion of ideal health in Ayurveda is the
best mood in the working of the body, mind and
spirit. Ayurveda defines a happy life as well
as a good life.
"The
life of such a man is called happy, as is not
afflicted with either bodily or mental ailments
, is endowed with youth, strength, virility,
reputation, enterprise and boldness befitting
his abilities, is actuated in deeds by the continued
urge of knowledge, science, the senses and sense
objects, is possessed of multifarious and delightful
amenities accruing from great wealth, and who
can plan as he likes. A life that is contrary
to this is deemed unhappy life".
"The
life of that man is said to be good who is a
well wisher of all creatures, who does not covet
other people's goods, who is a teller of truth,
who is peace-loving, who acts with deliberation,
and is not negligent".
"The
mental impulses of greed, fear, anger, melancholy,
vanity, hatred, harsh speech and evil thoughts
are as injurious to the body as to the mind".
The
qualifications of a person suitable for rejuvenation,
according to Charaka are as follows: "A
man who has fortified himself with resolution
and purpose, full of faith and single-mindedness,
having cast off all sins of the heart, and cherishing
goodwill for all creatures".
"No
man who has not rid himself of the evils both
of mind and body, beginning with the gross ones,
can never expect to get the benefits resulting
from vitalization".
RASAYANA
THERAPY:
Rasyana
therapy increases the effectiveness of panchakarma's
rejuvenating processes.
Rasayana
means "that which increases the essence
of each dhatu, starting with rasa".
Process:
Digestion must be strengthened, doshas balanced
and ama eliminated from the dhatus through panchakarma
therapy for rasayanas to work.
Certain
rasayanas like vajikarana karma increase physical
vitality, energy and virility and generate the
reproductive health necessary to bear healthy
offspring. They also enhance spiritual vitality
and mental strength.
Examples
of Rasayana herbs are:
1.
Ashwangandha (Withania somnifera)
2.
Aparajita (Clitoria ternatea)
3.
Bhibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica)
4.
Daruharidra (Berberis aristata)
5.
Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
6.
Haridra (Curcuma longa)
7.
Ishwarimul (Aristolochia indica)
8.
Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi)
9.
Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata)
10.
Katuka (Picrorrhiza kurroa)
11.
Kumari (Aloe vera)
12.
Lashuna (Allium sativam)
13.
Nimba (Azaridachta indica)
14.
Shatawari (Asparagus racemosus)
15.
Shirisha (Albizzia lebbek).
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