Rasayana chikitsa Types - part 2

By: Prof.Dr.Subhash Ranade

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Types of Rasayana

1. Dravya & Adravya : Dravya means substance hence the rasayana done using various substances like herbs, minerals, food etc. is called as Draya Rasayana. Adravya consequently means where no substance is used hence when modalities like good behavior, meditation etc. are used its called as Adravya Rasayana. This is generally done for the mind.

2. Geriatric and Disease specific : Procedures, food and herbs that keeps away old age and which prevents the diseases can be included in this type. ii) Body and Mind Specific- Those rasayana procedures used for nourishing the body is called Sharira rasayana. Healthy mind is as important as a healthy body. Ayurveda has prescribed specific Rasayana for nourishing mind which are also called as Manas rasayana. Manas means mind.

3. Kamya, Naimittik & Ajasrika :
i) Kamya -Kamana means a definite aim. These are promoters of normal health. They boost body energy levels, immunity and general health hence the rasayana. They can be further divided in following types -
Pranakamya – Promoter of vitality and longevity
Medhakamya – Promoter of intelligence.
Srikamya – Promoter of complexion.
ii)Nimitta means things used for a short and specific period. This type is used for treating diseases also. Hence rasayana done for only a specific period (e.g. Use of Tinospora cordifolia after cure of fever) is called as Naimittik Rasayana.
iii) Ajasrika rasayana is using food substances on regular basis for nourishment of body e.g. daily usage of cows milk, ghee etc.

4. Vardhaman Rasayana : Unit increase and Unit decreasing method. Vardhamana means increasing. Hence the rasayana in which the dosage is increased periodically (and reduced periodically) is called Vardhamana Rasayana. This is generally done for improving immunity of certain organs or channels with herbs like Piper longum or pippali- for lungs and for rasavaha srotas.

5. Kutipraveshik & Vatatapik : kuti means chamber, hence in this form of rasayana the person is made to stay in a specially designed chamber for a certain period and is given rasayana preparations (Non-ambulatory method). His body is purified first by Panchakarma and then he is subjected to Rasayana. In the Vatatapik form the person can carry out his normal work and still undergo rasayana (Ambulatory method). Charaka, Sushruta and Vagbhata all have described some specific Rasayana for this purpose :
Amalaki - Chyavanaprasha
Haritaki - Abhayavaleha
Pippali - Vardhaman Pippali Rasayana
Brahmi - Brahma Rasayana
Bala and Nagbala - For Children Shilajit ( Black bitumen),Vidang ( Embelia ribes), Bhallatak (Semicarpus anacardium),Triphala

6. Achara Rasayana : This means how the person should behave while moving in the society. If he follows following type of behavior, naturally he will have peace of mind and can have healthy and long life. Keeping cool mind, avoiding misuse of alcohol & sex, nonviolent and calm behavior, Sweet by speech, having lot of patience, generous, preferring cleanliness, sincere, worshipping gods and teachers, sensible, having equal sleep & work, egoless, well-Mannered, spiritual, serving elderly people, preferring religious sayings.

7. Medhya rasayana : Charaka has mentioned specific rasayana for increasing medha or intelligence and memory. Brahmi- Bacopa monnieri. Leaves are used. Bitter, astringent, sweet/ pungent/cool. Prabhava useful in unmada and apasmara. Increases memory and intelligence. Tridosha -
Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica). Leaves. Similar action.
Jatamansi- Nardostachys jatamansi. Roots are used. Bitter, astringent, sweet/ pungent/cool. Reduces psychological stress and strain. Increases memory and intelligence. Tridosha -
Jyotishmati- Celastrus panniculatus. Pungent, bitter /pungent/ hot++. VK-P+ Seed powder and seed oil is used.
Shankhapushpi- Convolvulus pleuricaulis. Whole plant is used. Astringent /sweet/hot. KV- P+

Rasayana according to Srotas :

For giving strength and increasing immunity of the Srotas or channel systems following herbal, mineral or metallic preparations can be given.

Pranavaha - Piper longum, black Pepper and mica oxide – 1000 times potentised abhrak bhasma.
Annavaha - Ginger, garlic, black pepper, ash of conch.
Udakavaha - All fruit juices, coconut water.
Mutravaha - Punarnava, Varuna, Gokshura, coconut water.
Purishavaha - Bilva, Haritaki, Triphala.
Swedavaha - Dhatura, Sandalwood
Rasavaha - Shatavari, Guduchi -Tinospora cordifolia, Dates etc.
Raktavaha – Manjishtha -Rubia cordifolia, Sariva-Hemidesmus indicus, Dhamasa –Fagonia arabica,
Mamsavaha -- Ashwagandha, meat soup, Gold oxide, etc.
Medovaha ---Guggul, shilajeet, exercise.
Asthivaha ---Resin of Acacia, coral, pearl.
Majjavaha --- Yashtimadhu, Brahmi, Shankhapushpi, Jatamansi, Silver oxide, walnut, almonds, saffron.
Shukravaha --- Kapikacchu, ghee, milk
Manovaha – Medhya rasayana- Brahmi, Gotukola, Shankhapushpi –Convolvulus pleuricaulis, Jatamansi –Nardostachys jatamansi, Vacha –Acoras calamus
Artavavaha – Ashoka, Lodhra, Shatavari.
Stanyavaha – Fenugreek, Shatavar.

Rasayana and organs:

Brain –Medhya Rasayana like brahmi, Shankhapushpi etc. Heart – Arjuna – Terminalia arjuna
Kidney – Gokshur –Tribulus terrestris, Punarnava – Boerrhavia diffusa.
Pancreas – Meshshrungi –Gymnema sylvestre, Daruharidra,
Small Intestine – Trikatu, chitraka.
Large Intestine – Parpati preparations
Eye –Triphala.

Criteria for Rasayana:
Ideal age group for receiving rasayana is between 16 yrs to 90 yrs. It is advisable to purify the body with suitable methods of Panchakarma (when necessary) or by mild purification so that the person gets maximum benefit. The person should be of a stable mind, intelligent and should be able to control his desires. He should have belief in the medicines and procedures that are going to be done. While undergoing rasayana treatment, the person should abstain from smoking, alcohol and other bad habits.

Kutipraveshik or Kayakalpa Rasayana:

This is a mode of administering a rejuvenating substance in order to get maximum benefits from the substance. Some of the benefits of this mode of rejuvenation are unbelievable.
This type of administering a rejuvenating substance is believed to be 'totally changing the body' & therefore also termed as 'Kayaakalpa' {Kaya~body, Kalpa~ Change} As explained earlier, Kuti is special house built for this purpose and the person has to take specific type of Rasayana while living in this chamber for specific time. With this method, the entire cells and tissues of the body are restructured and rejuvenated.
Phases of Rejuvenation

I - Selecting the client,
II – Special house,
III – Preparation of the client, and taking Rasayana chosen for him according to his constitution.
IV – Gradual exposure to outside.

Selecting the client: The client must have good control over his will power, sense and motor organs. Required Panchakarma procedures should be done. Once the body is purified properly, the action of rasayana substances have the best effects.

Preparing Kuti or special chamber: The chamber to be built should be at a hygienic and clean place, not too close or too far from civilization. It should have three chambers one inside another (so that no direct contact with wind or sun may take place). He should enter the house after proper rituals. The client must stay in innermost chamber till the administration of Rasayana medicine is done. Then he should shift to Intermediate chamber. At the end of Rasayana he should stay in the outermost chamber before exposing to the outside Sun or wind.

Daily routine in chamber: Getting up at Brahma Muhurta – at least one hour before Sunrise. Then there will be heck up by the Physician every day. Later on he can do Yoga and light exercise. Then he should apply oil as per his constitution and take bath. Whenever he is hungry should take the Rasayana medicine prescribed for him according to his constitution. He should not eat any other food. He can drink cool water and milk. He should spend his time by reading spiritual books and can carry out meditation whenever possible.

Rasayana herbs according to Prakriti : During the stay of 60 to 90 days in the special chamber the client should be given following substances as per his constitution –
Vata Prakruti –Bala, Ashwagandha, Guduchi, Shankhapushpi, Ghee, Milk, Gold.
Pitta Prakruti – Shatavari, Amalaki, Brahmi, Eclipta alba, Chyavanaprasha, Milk, Ghee, Silver.
Kapha Prakruti – Vacha, Bakuchi, Brahma Rasayana – Haritaki, Triphala, honey.

Gradual exposure to outside world: What is probably the most important aspect of this type of rejuvenation is protecting the client from disturbing factors like friends & family members, media and climatic factors like sunlight, wind, dust etc. In order to achieve maximum possible benefits out of this; one must strictly follow the rules.

Benefits: It is supposed to endow an individual with longevity, memory, intellect, youth, strength of sensory and motor organs, even, an excellent complexion and voice.

Rasayana and Stages of Life:

Sharangdhara has explained totally new concept in rasayana. He says that as we grow, all of us tend to loose certain characters and qualities of life and hence during every stage of life all persons must take rasayana to protect these qualities

Years	Quality that is lost	Rasayana substances
1-10	Balya - Childhood	Vacha (Acorus Calamus), gold
11-20	Vruddhi - Growth	Shatavari
21-30	Chavi - Complexion	Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), iron
31-40	Medha - Intelligence	Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)
41-50	Tvak - Skin	Jyotishmati
51-60	Drushti - Eye	Triphala
61-70	Shukra - Sexual capacity	Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
71-80	Vikrama - Courage	Bala (Sida cordifolia), Amalaki
81-90	Buddhi - Intelligence	Brahmi (Bacopa monniera)
91-100	Karmendriya - Motor organs	Bala (Sida cordifolia)