Many who are past their prime find themselves suddenly staring at
illnesses. Unfortunately the diseases that come with old age like arthritis,
osteoporosis, cataracts, alzheimer’s disease, depression, urinary problems,
prostate enlargement and the like have no substantial remedies yet. While
conventional therapy fails to come up with effective management plans,
Ayurveda, the age-old medical practice, suggests rasayana chikitsa as
the realistic answer for all such conditions.
Ayurveda is perhaps the only science which explains how to slow down the
ageing process. The geriatric care in Ayurveda has effective procedures in
managing age-related disorders, that too with medicines which are natural and
free of side-effects. In Ayurveda, geriatric care is synonymous with rasayana
chikitsa as it helps prevent diseases or make effective intervention in
degenerative conditions, thereby improving the health of an individual.
Rasayana therapy is classified into two types – vata-athapika and kuti-praveshika.
Kuti-praveshika should be done in a specially made kuti or
shelter without direct exposure to light and wind. Vata-athapika can be
done without much compromise to one’s lifestyle. This hassle-free method of rasayana
is meant for people who can’t undergo the strenuous kuti-praveshika.
Spring and autumn are the suitable seasons for rasayana therapy. Unlike vata-athapika,
which will be completed in a month, it requires at least four-and-half months
to complete kuti-praveshika treatment. (The time duration varies
according to the patient’s physical conditions and requirements.)
Prior to main treatment, purification therapy i.e, panchakarma
should be done. About two months may be required for this. One month should be
spent in shelter for administering rasayana followed by one more month
of strict regimen. It will take another 15 days for the person to come back to
normal routine life. So kuti-praveshika is not a widely practiced
treatment method as the process is very laborious.
The complete result of rasayana cannot be expected unless the
patient undergoes proper panchakarma purification prior to kuti-praveshika.
Rasayana treatment would be incomplete without panchakarma, however,
all the five therapies of panchakarma are not required for every
individual. The best suited to the person needs to be done.
Almost all regimens of kuti-praveshika are to be followed in vata-athapika
too, but in a lenient manner. Though vata-atapika is less strenuous
compared to kutti praveshika, the rules and disciplines of medicine are
common for both. For eg) in brahmarasayana, it is prescribed that a
special rice called “shastika” should be taken along with milk at one
food timing and rasayana at the other. This should be followed in kuti
praveshika and vata-athapika procedures for complete results.
Whereas, in certain other formulae, like narasimharasayana, where no
special instruction of food is given, one can undergo the procedure of
observing habitual diet and deed.
Based on the purpose for which the rasayana therapy is done, it’s
classified into kamya rasayana, administered for youthfulness and
increased intellect, naimithika rasayana, administered for curative
purposes, and ajaswika rasayana, which brings the benefit of rasayana
by regular and long term use.
In geriatric care, wise administration of kamya rasayana/ naimithika
rasayana is the solution that Ayurveda recommends. People in their late
fifties are often prone to mental morbidities due to factors such as ageing of
the brain, problems associated with physical health, socio-economic factors
such as breakdown of the family support systems, and the lack of economic
independence. Dementia and mood disorders are also frequently encountered by
them.
Kamya rasayana drugs such as shankpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) and brahmi
(Centalla asiatica) are highly beneficial in these cases. A majority of the
old-age disorders like respiratory ailments and arthritis can be managed by pippali
rasayana (Piper Longa) and Type-11 diabetes– like disorders with shilajith
rasayana (asphaltam). Ajaswika rasayana prayogas are done with long
term intentions. One can have it in his younger years to have a trouble-free
old age.
To put in a nutshell, one can attain longevity, improved harmony,
intelligence, freedom from disease, youthful vigour, complexion and voice,
physical strength and good sensory functions through rasayana chikitsa.
But the aim of rasayana chikitsa is not conquering time or arresting
death, but to lead one’s life comfortably with respect to his age and health.
(The author Dr Syyed Mohammed Jalaludheen is a seasoned Ayurveda Surgeon
and well-acclaimed academician. He has authored the ayurvedic book ‘Outline of
Salyatantra’)
