Featured In: Nnuffoods Spectrum
By: Mr Chintan Gandhi, Director & CEO – Millennium Herbal Care
Despite the fact, that there is much advancement in medical science with invention and pioneering investigative tools plus deep knowledge of human structure and its physiology, there has been no significant control over diseases chronic disease.
Rather, our society is witnessing a rise in various lifestyle disorders, chronic diseases and increasing resistance to the existing remedies. Human immunity is at an all-time low, considering the way the corona pandemic has engulfed the entire world population.
Therefore, it is time to reanalyze the system of health management and look back at the philosophy of prevention of disease and preservation of health as the first step to the treatment. Every system of medicine emphasizes on treating the disease but in Ayurveda, treating a disease is always secondary.
In this natural medical stream, maintaining and preserving health is the first objective. To achieve this objective, daily and seasonal regimen, code of conduct of diet and social behavior are mentioned in Ayurveda along with implication of Rasayana.
Rasayana is one of the comprehensive disciplines of Ayurveda, which comprises a specialized use of herbs, minerals, food items and lifestyle along with self-discipline with social etiquette to achieve the optimum state of tissues and systems of the body so that there is the least effect of etiological factors on the body.
In other words, it can be boldly stated that Rasayana is a way to achieve homeostasis and thus retarding the process of aging phenomenon and prevention of diseases.
Rasayana in the form of food: As per Ayurveda food plays major role in the health preservation. Considering this fact, healthy and nutrition rich food have been considered as Ajasrika Rasayana (Rasayana in the form of food) which includes nourishing suitable healthy food.
Thus, awareness among the humans about role of healthy food and food habits has to be reintroduced keeping in mind the present lifestyle of the people. As per Ayurveda, milk, ghee (clarified butter), honey etc. are few examples of such Ajasrika Rasayana, and this can be consumed in judicious manner by healthy individuals.
Rasayana for specific diseases: Some Rasayanas are also disease specific and are used in specific disease states as they induce specific immunity and bio-strength to combat a particular disease. Such Rasayana is called as Naimittika Rasayana.
The disease and tissue-specific Rasayana drugs are administered along with the treatment of the underlying disease to enhance the tissue strength and disease-combating power so that the individual recovers from the diseases as earliest as possible. For eg; person in pre-diabetes state can be given simple herbs like Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) that can help to prevent diabetes.
Rasayana for boosting immunity: With a specific aim of boosting body energy levels, immunity and to promote vitality, longevity, intelligence and complexion the practice of Kamya Rasayana can be implemented.
The organ and tissue specific Rasayana drugs are administered to healthy individual to get the desired result. For eg; If a person is desirous to have high intellect can be given simple Medhya Rasayana herbs like Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) that helps them to enhance their cognitive functions like memory, concentration, learning and recall.
There are many types of Rasayana herbs and innumerable combinations according to the specific need of the individual mentioned in Ayurveda classics. The Rasayana herbs like Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Amalaki (Embelica officinalis), Kumari (Aloe barbadensis), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Brahmi (Centella asiatica), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) can be regularly consumed by healthy individuals to prevent lifestyle and age-related diseases.
Living a good quality of life is important for every individual and Rasayanas have a very significant role in preventing disorders related to sedentary life style, work related stress, improper food habits and infective diseases, especially in this modern era. Rasayana is a big entity in Ayurvedic medicine, Rasayana form a comprehensive package of healing, preventing and maintenance of health. Appropriate use of Rasayana can help to bring down the prevalence of many diseases, ultimately reducing health-care burden. It’s the time for the world to therefore to take notice of the magic of Rasayanas.
Reference: Shrivastava Shailja, editor. Sharangdhar Samhita of Acharya Sharandhar, Jiwanprada, Hindi Commentary (Purvakhand Chapter 6th Verse 11) Varanasi: Chukhambha Orientalia; 1999. p. 54.