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Ayurvedic Rasayana Therapy: A Rational Understanding Necessary for Mass Benefits

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Translational Ayurveda

Abstract

Rasayana is a branch of Ayurveda (Oriental health-care system originated in India) which deals with drugs, formulations, food, and lifestyle suggestive of anti- or rather delaying aging effects. Such approaches, collectively called as Rasayana, are proclaimed to induce qualitative improvements at cellular and probably at molecular levels eventually leading to a delay in aging process. Delayed aging resulting as a consequence of Rasayana intake is reflected through sustained youthfulness both in perceptible and functional terms. In the process of delaying the aging, Rasayana may eventually reduce the incidence of morbidities which are degenerative in nature and hence are related to aging. Seeing the global interest toward antiaging, delaying aging, and healthy aging and also seeing the globally increasing proportion of elderly population by virtue of increasing life span, Rasayana proposition of Ayurveda seems highly promising as a measure to reduce the burden associated with increasing age. To achieve this objective, however, this ancient science is required to be evaluated and tested rigorously in tune to current scientific understanding in order to make it applicable for the mass benefits. This chapter reviews in depth the concepts of Rasayana, as are ingrained in Ayurveda, looks critically at the gaps in the existing knowledge, and suggests the quest for the knowledge which is required to translate this wisdom into an understanding which is dependably and reproducibly applicable in terms of its desired outcomes.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Long life, memory, intellect, health, young age, improved glow, voice and strength of the body, flexibility and shine are the benefits of rasayana. Methods of procuring improved quality of body tissues are called rasayana (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana, Rasayana Paad 1/7–8).

  2. 2.

    Rasayana is the one which eliminates aging and its related diseases.

  3. 3.

    For three to seven days yava along with ghee should be given till the cleaning of the body from old excreta. Upon complete cleaning, Rasayana should be used on the basis of age, Prakriti and suitability (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana Rasayana Paad 1/27–28).

  4. 4.

    If any complications occur due to improper intake of Rasayana, it should be stopped immediately and the disease should be treated properly (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana Rasayana Paad 1/29).

  5. 5.
  6. 6.

    A practice of consuming milk and ghrita on daily basis is like Rasayana (Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana 25/40).

  7. 7.

    The one who adheres to truth, does not get angry, has abandoned alcohol and sexual indulgence, nonviolent, calm and pleasing in speech, has spiritual interests, clean, donor, respectful to elders, teachers, Brahmins and deities, empathetic, has a balanced sleep and awake cycle, consumes milk and ghrita routinely, does carefully as per the need of season, and place, careful in behavior, has a control on sensual desires, interested in reading spiritual texts gets all the benefits of Rasayana even if he does not consume any Rasayana (Charak Samhita Chikitsa Sthaan 1 Rasayan Paad 4 / 30–35).

  8. 8.

    Until a person is clean externally as well as internally, physically as well as mentally, Rasayana never gives its desired effects. Those who have a control on their desires, and those who have a clean mind and body, if use Rasayana for curing a disease or for delaying aging, get all the benefits of Rasayana. Those who do not have a self-control, are not sick, not respectful to elders should not be given a course of Rasayana (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana 1, Rasayana paad 4/ 36–38).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kaya Chikitsa, State Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Lucknow University, Lucknow, India

    Sanjeev Rastogi

  2. Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

    Subhash C. Lakhotia

  3. Department of Kaya Chikitsa, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

    Ram H. Singh

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  1. Sanjeev Rastogi
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  2. Subhash C. Lakhotia
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  3. Ram H. Singh
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kaya Chikitsa , State Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Lucknow University, Lucknow, India

    Sanjeev Rastogi

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Rastogi, S., Lakhotia, S.C., Singh, R.H. (2019). Ayurvedic Rasayana Therapy: A Rational Understanding Necessary for Mass Benefits. In: Rastogi, S. (eds) Translational Ayurveda . Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2062-0_6

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