Rasayana chikitsa Herbs- part 3

Rasayana Herbs

Herbs for Pranavaha srotas Rasayan Chikitsa

Pranavaha srotas- Gives strength to the Pranavaha srotas and Avalambaka. For Vata type asthma, chronic cough and bronchitis, unit increase and unit decreasing method of rasayana (Vardhamana rasayana) should be used. The procedure for this is as follows - Take half cup of water and half cup of milk. Add 1 Pippali on first day. Boil the mixture for 5 minutes, take out the Pippali and drink the mixture early in the morning. Later on each day increase 1 Pippali till 3, 5 or 7 according to Pitta, Vata and Kapha constitution and diseases. After reaching the maximum limit start reducing and come back to 1. Continue this upward and downward trend for one month. By this method all the tissues in the Pranavaha get saturated with the Pippali and thus the immunity of channel increases.
The rasayana action of Pippali on Pranavaha is very unique. It gives strength to all the alveoli and the mamsa Dhatu of Pranavaha, thereby avoiding the recurrence of diseases like asthma, cough and rajayakshma.

Annavaha srotas- Stimulates jatharagni.

Rasavaha srotas -Vardhamana pippali rasayana is used for Jeerna jwara or Pyrexia of unknown origin and also for Vata type of asthma. This should be given as follows- It stimulates dhatu agni of rasa. Chausatha Pippali 25 mg. with mica oxide 10 mg. is very useful in hridroga, tuberculosis and chronic cough and asthma conditions. Take this mixture two times day for 1 month.

Chemical composition - It contains Volatile oils like B bisabolene, B carophyllene and Alkaloids like Piperine, piperlongumine, piplartine.

2. Yashtimadhu – Glycyrrhiza glabra –Radix (Leguminoseae). Root and stem is used.
Rasa – Sweet, bitter, (It is 40 times sweeter than sucrose), Veerya –Cooling, Vipaka –Sweet.
Effects on Dosha –Balances all dohsas. In excess Kapha ++
Action on Dhatu / Channels – Pranavaha, Annavaha, Raktavaha, Mutravaha, Shukravaha and Majjavaha.
Actions – Vrushya, Medhya, Jivaniya, Chakushya and Kanthya.

Pranavaha srotas- It has excellent rasayana action in diseases like asthma, bronchitis and chronic cough. Licorice has demulcent action and hence it is more useful in dry –Vata type of diseases of Pranavaha.

Annavaha srotas– It is specific rasayana for amlapitta and parinam shula – peptic ulcers. Its rasayana action on the gastric mucosa helps to avoid the recurrence of peptic ulcers. This action has been proved by double blind clinical trials.

Raktavaha srotas – It has also rasayana action on this channel as it is liver protective.

Mutravaha srotas- If given with shatavari has best rasayana action in diseases like cystitis.

Majjavaha srotas – Charaka has mentioned it as important rasayana for nerves and brain.

Eye – It has rasayana action on eyes and hence it is known as chakshushya. It has beneficial action on Alochaka Pitta.
Dose – 250 mg. two times day.
Contraindications – Hypertension. CCF, edema and during pregnancy.

Chemical composition – It contains, Volatile oils – Anethole, estragole, eugenol. Flavinoids – Liquiritin, isoliquiritin. Triterpenoid saponins – Glycerrhizin.

Herbs for Annavah srotas Rasayan Chikitsa

1. Ginger – Zingiber officinale, (Zingiberaceae), Rhizome is used.
Known as Vishvabhesaja – This means it is medicine for the entire world or medicine for all diseases.
Rasa – Pungent, sweet; Veerya – Fresh is warm and dry is Hot, Vipaka – Sweet.
Action on Dosha – VK – P +
Action on Dhatu /Channels – Rasayana for Annavaha, pranavaha and rasavaha srotas.

Annavaha srotas -It increases digestive fire and hence acts as appetizer. Dry ginger is useful for removing ama. Rasayana action is seen in diseases like agnimandya. It prevents side effects of chemotherapy like nausea and vomiting.

Pranavaha srotas– Rasayana for frequent cold and flu types of fever. Use ginger jam in dose of 5 gm per day for 1 month.

Udakavaha srotas -For chronic edema, it is an excellent rasayana. Give mixture of ginger 1gm and jaggerey 5 gm. daily for 1 month.

Mamsavaha and Asthivaha srotas -Reduces muscular stiffness and aching. For arthritis the fresh juice should be applied over the affected joints.
Dose – Dry ginger which is known as shunthi should be taken in dose of 125 mg. two times day after food.

Chemical composition – It contains volatile oils like zingiberine and pungent principle like gingerol.

2. Maricha – Piper nigrum, Black Pepper. Fruit is used. (Piperaceae)
Rasa –Pungent, Veerya –hot (Maricha is synonym for Sun), Vipaka- Pungent.
Action on Dosha – P+ VK-
Action of Dhatu / Channels – Rasayana for Annavaha, Pranavaha and Rasavaha channels.
It contains essential oils like myrcene, piperonol. Alkaloids like -piprettine and piperidine. Also has fixed oil.
Actions –Deepana, Pachana, Shirovirechana, Krimaghana, Shulaghna and Swasahara.

Annavaha srotas –It increases jatharagni and hence it has specific rasayana action in diseases like agnimandya. It has also action as anthelmintic. Pranavaha srotas -Vardhamana Maricha rasayana should be used for Kapha type asthma and sinusitis, because it has dry and hot qualities. The process for this unit increase and unit decrease rasayana has been described above. Bhavaprakasha has mentioned that it should also be used in chronic bronchitis.
Dose – 100 mg. twice day for 7 days.

Chemical composition – It contains Essential oils –Camphene, Sabinene and Alkaloids like piperine and piperidine.

3. Amalaki – Emblica officinalis, Indian gooseberry (Euphorbiaceae)
Rasa – It has five tastes excluding salty, but mainly Sour, sweet and astringent: Veerya – cold, Vipaka – Sweet.
Action on Dosha –Balances all doshas but mainly PV – K +
Action on Dhatu /Channels- It is excellent rasayana for channels of annavaha, medovaha and raktavaha.

Annavaha srotas– Its rasayana action is prominent in diseases like amlapitta and parinam shula (hyperacidity and peptic ulcer). It alleviates high Pitta and protects gastric mucosa against all acid secretions.

Raktavaha srotas -It stimulates liver and gives strength to it. Amalaki is excellent antioxidant and removes free radicals form the body. This action is very potent for cardio vascular system.
Internal Bleeding and improving complexion - It pacifies hot and penetrating quality of rakta - Pitta by its cold potency, purifies rakta and improves complexion. Though sour taste excites Pitta, this fruit pacifies Pitta being cold. It has styptic action by its sweet, astringent, and cold qualities.

Adaptogenic- It increases body's resistance against stress, trauma, anxiety and fatigue. It also cleans all the channels and improves the circulation of rasa so that all tissues are properly formed. Thus, amalaki acts as life enhancer.

Medovaha srotas – It has specific rasayana action in Prameha or diabetes. It digests kleda and improves the function of pancreas also. Hence amalaki juice 1 part should be given with turmeric paste ¼ part to eliminate turbidity in urine and to treat diabetes. Amalaki also reduces AGE's (advanced glycation end products) that have been implicated in many age related diseases.

Dose – 1 to 3 gm. per day. Popular preparation is Chyavanaprasha – 5 gm. Per day for 3 months as rasayana.

Chemical composition – It contains highest amount of Vitamin C which is heat stable. In 10 gm. of fresh fruit there is 750 mg. of Vit. C. Along with tannin it also has Bioflavonoids like quercetin and Polyphenols like gallic acid.

Herbs for Rasavaha srotas Rasayan Chikitsa

Rasavaha srotas – The rasayana action can be seen in diseases like Jeerna Jwara- PUO or Pyrexia of Unknown origin. It can be given in the form of Tab. Samshamani (250 mg. 4 times day), Guduchi ghruta (5 gm. Per day) or Amrutarishta (30 ml. twice day).

Raktavaha srotas – Its liver protective action is the proof of its rasayana action.

Pranavaha srotas -Upper Respiratory Tract Infections – It an excellent rasayana for preventing and curing all these types of Pitta condition in diseases like tonsillitis, pharyngitis, hoarseness of voice and cough and cold. Guduchi ghana tablets of 250 mg. should be given 3 times day for 21 days and after giving a gap of one week can be repeated again.

Gout – It is specific rasayana in Gouty arthritis. It should be given in combination with Guggulu. This preparation is known as Kaishor guggul or Guduchi Guggulu. Dose - 500 mg. twice day for one month.

Vayasthapana – It has excellent rasayana action in all autoimmune diseases. It should be given in any form like powder, tablets or Ghana, in dose of 500 mg. two times day for six months.

Chemical composition - It contains Gilonin which is glucoside, some bitter principles and alkaloids like tinosporin.

2. Arjuna -Terminalia arjuna, (Combretaceae). Bark is used which is shining or white.
Rasa –Astringent, bitter Veerya –Cooling, Vipaka – Pungent.
Action on Dosha – Balances all doshas, in excess V +
Action on Dhatu /Channels – Specific rasayana action on heart muscle.
Actions – Hridya, varnya, sandhaniya, raktastambhaka and raktashodhana.

Rasavaha srotas - It is excellent rasayana for heart. It has specific property to increase the resting period of heart muscle and to give strength to the same due to presence of prostaglandins and metalo enzymes. Hence it is useful after myocardial infarction to give strength to the heart muscle. Dose – 500 mg. three times day.

Chemical composition – It contains tannins and saponins like arjungenin, arjunglycosides. Also has flavonoids like arjunone and phytosterols.

Raktavaha Srotas
1. Bhumiamalaki – Phyllanthus amarus/neruri. (Euphorbiaceae), Whole plant is used.
Rasa – Bitter, astringent, Veerya –Cooling, Vipaka – Sweet.
Action on Dosha – PK - V +
Action on Dhatu /Channels – Specific rasayana action on liver.
Action – Yakrut uttejaka and kushthaghna.

Raktavaha srotas -Rasayana action is specific on liver as it acts on ranjaka Pitta and regenerates the liver cells. It is extremely useful in hepatitis (specially in viral hepatitis B type) and removing gall bladder stones.

Mutravaha srotas – The neruri variety has rasayana action for preventing stones in the urinary tract.

Dose – 500 mg. three time's day.

Chemical composition – It contains Flavinoids like astragalin, Triterpens like luepol and sitosterol, Tanin like geranin and Lignans like phyllanthin.

Mamsavaha srotas
1. Ashwagandha -Withania somnifera, Also known as winter cherry and the root is used in medicine (Solanaceae)
Rasa – Bitter, astringent and sweet; Veerya –Hot, Vipaka – Sweet.
Action on Dosha – VK – P +
Action on Dhatu /Channels – It is specific rasayana for mamsa and Shukra dhatu. The name has two meanings – the root smells like horse and its aphrodisiac action is compared to that of horse. It is also rasayana for asthi and majja dhatu and Vata dosha prakruti persons. It stimulates tissue fire of these tissues by its bitter taste and hot potency.
Actions – Balya, Vrushya, Vedanasthapana.

Mamsavaha srotas- It tonifies weak muscles and increases their strength. The action is specific for muscles of male person. However it is not contraindicated in females. It is rasayana for sports persons as it increases the endurance, strength, stamina and flexibility of the person. It also reduces inflammation and reduces pain in muscles.

Shukravaha srotas- It is powerful aphrodisiac. If given with mucuna the action is enhanced. Dose should be 500 mg. per day for 30 days.

Majjavaha srotas – It has strange dual action of calming the nerves and at the same time giving energy to them. It is therefore useful in stress as well as in conditions like depression. Also its rasayana action is seen in diseases like ADD or ADHD. Dose in children 250 mgm. twice day. Also shows that constant use is beneficial in Autistic children. Dose 150 mgm. twice a day.

Rasavaha srotas -The recent research shows that it can stall necrosis of heart muscles and can even prevent the chemical injury due to death of the heart muscles during heart attack.

Asthivaha srotas – It has rasayana action on this channel and hence it is useful in diseases like arthritis and for relieving pain and inflammation of joints. Should be given in dose of 1 to 3 gm. Per day for 1 month.
Rasayana for Spring allergies.

Dose – Powder and Tablets - 1 to 3 gms.

Chemical composition – Contains Alkaloids like ashwagandhine, withanine, has also Phytosterols like sitoindosides and Saponins.
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CHYAVANPRASH: is an ancient and most popular rejuvenator tonic of Ayurveda.
Chyavan-Prash enhances body metabolism and immunity and considered to be one of the most health promoting product of Ayurveda.
Have a big spoonful of this Chyavan-Prash with milk everyday morning. This diet is a powerful tonic.

• Rasayana
• Amalaki
• Chyavan Prash
• Shatavari
• Vajikarana