A Conceptual Study on Role of Rasayana in Geriatric Health Care

[[[ p. 1 ]]]

[Find the meaning and references behind the names: Heena, Fiaz, Shamsa]

Review Article This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License International Research Journal of Ayurveda & Yoga Vol. 6 (5),144-147, May,2023 ISSN: 2581-785 X : https://irjay.com/ DOI: 10.47223/IRJAY.2023.6523 A Conceptual Study on Role of Rasayana in Geriatric Health Care. Heena, 1 Shamsa Fiaz 2 1.PG Scholar, Department of ShalakyaTantra National Institute Of Ayurveda (De-Novo), Jaipur , Rajasthan- 302002 2. HOD & Prof. Department of ShalakyaTantra National Institute Of Ayurveda (De-Novo), Jaipur , Rajasthan- 302002 INTRODUCTION Aging is characterized by a progressive loss of physiological entity, leading to impaired function and increased vulnerability to death. This deterioration is the primary risk factor for major human pathologies including cancer, diabetes, cataract, cardiovascular disorders and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson disease (PD). One in ten individuals aged ≥65 years has AD and its prevalence continues to increase with increasing age 1 In addition to it, due to the demographic transition, rapid industrialization and urbanization, westernization of Indian culture and disintegration of joint or extended family structures will leads to nuclear ones 2 causing psychological stress in elderly people. Several concepts including cellular and molecular basis, network theory, theory of ageing has been given to enlighten the changes observed during ageing 3 Ayurveda also considers elderly people having debridement of dhatu (tissue) 4 So in order to keep dhatu in its equilibrium state, age specific rasayana & specified panchkarma therapeutics as well as yoga or self care may be integrated in their lifestyle. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ayurvedic texts including Charak , Sushruta and Ashtanga Hridaya samhita are considered and equated for complete analysis of doshas which causes disease in old age and Rasayana ,as a solution for the debility caused by those doshas , has been reviewed thoroughly with modern Article Info Article history: Received on: 08-04-2023 Accepted on: 22-05-2023 Available online: 31-05-2023 Corresponding author- Heena, PG Scholar, Department of Shalakya Tantra National Institute of Ayurveda (De-Novo), Jaipur, Rajasthan- 302002 Email: - nagwanheena 95@gmail.com> ABSTRACT: Introduction -Aging refers to degeneration at tissue level. It leads to a gradual decrease in physical and mental capacity. The concept of antiaging is described in Ayurveda as Rasayana , which aims at maintaining excellent physical and mental health in old age through a combination of nourishing diet, wholesome activities and gentle herbs. Material & methods –All classical texts and modern texts including paper, articles were reviewed. Results -The fundamental tissues like Dhātu, Agni, Srotas etc. of human body leading to prevention of aging, improvement in bodily strength, mental ability and hence providing resistance against diseases . One can attain not only longevity alone through Rasayana but also memory, intelligence, youthfulness, excellence of lusture, complexion, mastery over phonetics, resistance and immunity against diseases. Discussion - As elderly people are more susceptible to several chronic diseases also, therefore it is need of study on rasayana therapy for improving the expectancy and quality of life in geriatric health. Keywords- Rasayana, Dhatukshyaya, Agni,Vridhaavastha.

[[[ p. 2 ]]]

[Find the meaning and references behind the names: Bala, Ayu, Mala]

Heena et.al , “A Conceptual Study on Role of Rasayana in Geriatric Health Care .” : 2023; 6 (5):144-147 145 medical science literature, journals, previous research articles. Literature review Concept of Vridhavastha and Doshavastha- Acharya Sushruta gives an elaborate and systemic classification of age, where he described old age as above 70 years 5 .On the other hand Acharya Charaka mentioned old age as 60 years above 6 Acharya Sushruta has defined health as a state of samya/ equilibrium of doshas,dhatus,agni and malas along with mental and spiritual well being.In addition every living organisms has to undergo through three phases in his life span with predominance of vata , pitta , kaphadoshas in vridhayuva , baalyaavastha respectively. Vata , which is drying and decaying force and the predominant dosha in vridhaavastha 7 (old age) Predominance of vata in body will leads to balabhransha (depletion or loss of immunity ), nidrabhranshas (reduced or loss of sleep)and indriyabhransha 8 (improper or loss of functioning of sensory organs) Beside this Acharya charak states vayu is ayu and bala of body. Prakupitavata in old age may cause decay of bala, varna, and ayu. 9 With the advancing age, the depleted agni leads to decrease in the vigor and vitality with decay and atrophy due to defective metabolism. Along with this there is gradual decline of all the dhatu (tissue), virya (potency), indriya ( sensory orga n), ojas, bala (strength) and utsaha (enthusiasm)along with loss of hair, wrinkling of skin, chronic and recurrent cough, shortness of breath, inability to perform regular activities 10 Sharangdhar describe an unique scheme of biological ageing in ten decade frame speculating the specific sequential loss of certain bio values specific to respective decades of life 11 Physiological changes in old age 12 - Ageing is svabhavajanyavyadhi 13 i.e. inherent nature of the living being to get old, thus during this period body undergoes progressive involution and decay physically as well as mentally which can be summarized as follows- 1)Cardiac reserve decreases 2)Lung vital capacity get reduced 3)Creatinine clearance decreases 4) Loss of muscle mass 5) Altered motility patterns of GI system 6) Enlargement of the prostate 7)Impaired Glucose Homeostasis All these physiological changes along with mental changes will cause certain diseases like hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, BPH, Osteoporosis, dementia and depression .According to the World Health Organization, dementia and depression are the most prevalent mental and neurological conditions in the elderly. Rasayana –A Treasure Of Ayurveda Although ageing is a natural inevitable phenomenon but rasayana therapy can be incorporated in order to slow down the progression of decay. Ayurveda , the science of life and longevity has been practiced in India since inception in an ashtanga form through its eight special branches. Rasayana tantra , one of the eight branches is not merely includes any remedy but routine positive life style in the form of achararasayana optimal diet,herbs and minerals too. Yajjaravyadinashanama tad rasayanam 14 i.e . rasayana will helps to attain longevity by curing disease. It also plays a preventive role against all diseases through improved immunity. Rasayana is the way of attaining excellent ras and other dhatus 15 As per Acharyasushruta ,A measure which enhance longevity, intellect, strength or immunity and cures the disease too is known as rasayana . Mode of action of Rasayana 16 - Rasayana performs its action by directly acting as a nutrient and enriches poshakarasa i.e. nutrient rich plasma. By aggravating the agni i.e. biofire system, rasayana helps in promoting nutrition through enhancing metabolism of the body. Also ,through acting on strotasa and induces inner transport system. As many rasayanas are mentioned in our texts under the name of kamya,naimitika and ajasrikarasayana. 17 Changes observed in old age are at tissue level as well as at organ level. So Rasayana can be instituted depending upon the need and feasibility of the person. Although rasayana in general is a holistic restorative and rejuvenative modality one can visualize some rasayana approach. for promotion and protection of certain specific tissues and organ . Concept of disease specific rasayana therapy has been projected by Acharya Sushruta and commentator Dalhana under the name of naimitikarasayanai. evyadhinimita rasayana namely shilajit and tuvrakaraayana for prameha (diabetes)and kushtha (leprosy) .Few more disease specific and organ specific rasayana drugs can be used promotion of health in old age which are summarized as below 18 - DISCUSSION Ageing is a natural phenomenon for every living organism.

[[[ p. 3 ]]]

[Find the meaning and references behind the names: Real, Man, Sharma, Nil, Med, Prakashan]

Heena et.al , “A Conceptual Study on Role of Rasayana in Geriatric Health Care .” : 2023; 6 (5):144-147 146 Physiological changes observed with ageing in the form of decrease in cardiac reserve, less blood flow to cerebrum, impaired glucose homeostasis or many more. Ayurveda also considers these debridement at organ as well as dhatu (tissue) level. Hence with the ageing, older individuals represent multiple chronic conditions and heterogeneous group that is challenging to treat and whose disease burden is difficult to characterize with a common metric. Being a heterogeneous group, simple & specific solutions will not help us to achieve appropriate solution for them. Therefore combination of medicines targeted to specific disease should be given. Hence this study was done to analyze age related physiological debridement in the form of physical as well as psychological. Planning age specific rasayana, disease specific diet and yoga will provide older individuals a healthy and better life against this bereavement. Although ageing is inevitable, but it can be regressed or reserved to some extent by incorporating Ayurvedic modulations in the form of rasayana therapy, panchkarma , dietetics, yoga and ayurvedic life style. CONCLUSION Healthful longevity has ever been the cherished desire of man. Man finds the real pleasure of life with full of activity in young age. Acharya Sushruta has beautifully defined the old age by giving it a simile of decaying old house which may collapse during rainy season 19 Hence declining tissues of the aged persons are unable to tolerate the physical, environmental and mental pressure. Planning age specific rasayana will also help to restore the likely losses of particular decade. As aged persons require more attention and care which will be possible only by following Rasayana therapy alone or in combination with proper diet planning, practicing yoga Vyayama a nd Achara Rasayana . In addition Government of India has also launched a national campaign to popularize the strength of Ayurveda and Yoga in geriatric health care. Though it is a conceptual study but the information provided can be used for further experimental and clinical study. Acknowledgment - Nil Conflicts Of Interest- Nil Source of finance & support – Nil ORCID Heena , https://orcid.org/ 0009-0001-4459-3800 REFERENCES 1 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures. Alzheimer's Dement., 16: 391 460. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12068 2 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314782584_Nuclearisat ion_of_Household_and_Family_in_Urban_India 3 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249656683_Manua l_on_Geriatric_Health_Care_Through_Ayurveda 4 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249656683_Manua l_on_Geriatric_Health_Care_Through_Ayurveda 5 Shastri K,Sushruta Samhita, Sushruta sutrasthana 35/3 chaukambha Sanskrit sansthan;2018; p.174. 6 Sashtri K, Charaka samhita, Chaturvedi Gorakhnath, Charaka Vimanasthana,8/122; Chaukambha Bharti Academy;2015. 7 Shastri AD, Sushruta Samhita, Sushruta sutrasthana 35/38 chaukambha Sanskrit sansthan; 2018.p.174 8 Tripathi B, Ashtanga Hridayam, Ashtanga Sutrasthana 11/6 Chaukambha Sanskrit Pratisthan; 2015.p 161. 9 Sashtri K, Charaka samhita, Chaturvedi Gorakhnath, Charaka Chikitsasthana,28/3; Chaukambha Bharti Academy;2015. p.775. 10 Sashtri K, Charaka samhita, Chaturvedi Gorakhnath, Charaka Chikitsasthana,35/36; Chaukambha Bharti Academy;2015. p.174. 11 Sharangadhara, Sharangadhara Samhita,Choukhambha Surbharti Prakashan, Varanasi, Reprint 2013, purvakhanda 6/19 p 54 12 Boss GR, Seegmiller JE. Age-related physiological changes and their clinical significance. West J Med. 1981 Dec;135(6):434-40. PMID: 7336713; PMCID: PMC 1273316 13 Shastri AD, Sushruta Samhita, Sushruta sutrasthana 24/8 chaukambha Sanskrit sansthan; 2018.p.131 14 Sharangadhara, Sharangadhara Samhita,Choukhambha Surbharti Prakashan, Varanasi, Reprint 2013, purvakhanda 4/13 p 32. 15 Sashtri K, Charaka samhita,Chaturvedi Gorakhnath, Charaka chikitsaasthan 1/8 Chaukambha Bharti Academy;2015. P 5. 16 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249656683_Manua l_on_Geriatric_Health_Care_Through_Ayurved. 17 Shastri AD, Sushruta Samhita, Sushruta chikitsasthana 27/3-4 chaukambha Sanskrit sansthan; 2018.p.151 18 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249656683_Manua l_on_Geriatric_Health_Care_Through_Ayurveda 19 Sharma AK, Elements Of Rasayana Therapy In Ayurveda Ayu.2005 5.p. 97-100 How to cite this article: Heena, Fiaz S “A Conceptual Study on Role of Rasayana in Geriatric Health Care ”IRJAY. [online]2023;6(5);144-147.Available from: https://irjay.com. DOI linkhttps://doi.org/ 10.47223/IRJAY.2023.6523

[[[ p. 4 ]]]

[Find the meaning and references behind the names: Rasa]

Heena et.al , “A Conceptual Study on Role of Rasayana in Geriatric Health Care .” : 2023; 6 (5):144-147 147 Table 1 Represents Treatment Disease Suggested Naimitka Rasayana Specified area Suggested Rasayana i Diabetes mellitus Shilajita, Haridra Medhyarasayana Brahmi,sankhpushpi,mandu kaparni ii Hypertension SarpagandhaArjuna Hridyarasayana Arjuna&pushkarmoola iii Neurodegeneration BrahmiAshwagandha Chakshushyarasayana Triphala, jyotishamati iv Arthritis Bhallataka,Guggulu Kanthyarasayana Vacha, yashtimadhu v Dementia Brahmi,shankhpushi Nasyarasyana Apamarga ,katphala At the level of rasa At the level of agni At the level of strotas