Rasayana a Multidimentional Therapy: a Review R.B

Review Article International Ayurvedic Medical Journal ISSN:2320 5091

RASAYANA A MULTIDIMENTIONAL THERAPY: A REVIEW R.B. Patil1, R.R. Gayal2 1Lecturer Department of Panchakarma, Shri.A.D.A.M.C. Ashta, Maharashtra, India 2 Professor and HOD Department of Kayachikitsa, B.S.D.T.Wagholi, Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT Rasayan chikitsa (Rejuvenation therapy) is a glorious part of ayurveda. It is beneficial to maintain the health and to treat the diseases. In ayurvedic classics plenty of rasayanas are explained for longevity as well as management of diseases. In present era the medical science has developed in various directions, newer technique, different diseases are being invented. The different researches have been conducted in the field of rasayan. So here an effort is made to review the classical knowledge and applicability of rasayan in healthy and diseased condition. Along with this the role of rasayan in succession of stem cell therapy, genome stability, tuberculosis, avoidance of hazards effect of radiation therapy in cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, in social health etc. has been reviewed. In this way the different dimensions of rasayan has been reviewed in this article. Keywords: Ageing, Vaya, Ahara-Vihara, Rasayana

INTRODUCTION The Rasayan tantra (science of reju- Rasayana chikitsa (Rejuvenation venation) has for its specific objects the pro- therapy) is one among the eight branches of longation of human life and the invigoration ayurveda.1 Rasayana chikitsa (Rejuvenation of memory and the vital organs of man. It therapy) deals with healthy life and longev- deals with recipes which enable a man to ity of human being. It plays vital role in pre- retain his youthful vigour good up to an old servance of health and equally important in age and which generally serve to make the treating diseases. In last few decades the human system invulnerable to disease and medical science has developed in various decay.3 The Rasayan is beneficial to treat the directions. The plenty of techniques have disease and prevention of early aging.4 The been incorporated and many diseases are rasayan is classified as: being invented. Along with its classical im- a) Kutipraveshik and vatatpika.5, 6 portance and utility this therapy is useful in b) Kamya, Naimittik, Ajasrik.6 different medical problem of present era. c) Samshodhana, samshanan.6 This rejuvenation therapy is very essential to d) Aachar rasayan7 human being for both healthy and diseased. Benefits of rasayan: Rasayan therapy is use- There are many dimensions of this therapy ful to attain longevity, memory, intelligence, in which it is boon to mankind. health, youthful age, excellence of lustre, Classical view: Rasayan means the way for complexion, voice, strength of physique, attaining excellent rasa etc. dhatus.2 sense organ good speech brilliance.8 R.B. Patil& R.R. Gayal: Rasayana A Multidimentional Therapy: A Review

The rasayan indicated for longevity of life Rasayan in cancer: Administration of and prevention of diseases: rasayanas was found to enhance the prolif-

9 eration of spleen cells significantly espe- Brahma rasayana cially in the presence of mitogen. A similar Dwitiya brahma rasayan10 11, 12 result was also seen with bone marrow Chyavanaprasha cells. However mitogenic stimulation could Chaturtha amalaka rasayan13 14 not be observed .Esterase activity was Amalaka ghrita found to be enhanced in bone marrow cells Amalakavaleha15 16 indicating increased maturation of cells of Nagabala rasayan 29 17 lymphoid linkage. Abhayamalaka rasayan Oral administration of rasayan significantly The rasayan indicated in management of increased total WBC count, bone marrow diseases: cellularity, natural killer cell and antibody Bhallataka Rasayana: Kaphaja roga (The 18, 19 dependant cellular cytotoxicity in gamma diseases of kapha dosha ). radiation (4Gy) expose mice. Rasayanas re- Endra Rasayana: shwitra (leucoderma), duced radiation induced perioxidation in kushtha (skin diseases), pleeha 30 20 liver. Rasayan avaleha gave better results (spleenomegaly) vishamjwara (fever). in controlling the adverse effect of chemo- Pippali Rasayan: kasa(cough), therapy and radiotherapy such as nausea, shwas(dysponea), hikka(hiccup), ar- vomiting, mucocitis, fatigue, xerostomia, sha(haemorrhoids), grahani(digestive dis- alopecia. 31 orders), pandu(anaemia), peenasa(coryza), 21 Rasayan in Tuberculosis: Rasayan com- shopha(oedema). pound is beneficial in the management of Vardhaman pippali rasayan: 22 tuberculosis with anti-Koch’s treatment. It pleeha(spleenomegaly) udar(ascites) significantly decrease cough, fever, dysp- kasa(cough) shwas (dysponea) gra- noea, haemoptysis, and increased body hani(digestive disorders) pandu(anaemia) weight.32 shopha(oedema) pleeha(spleenomegaly) 23 Rasayan in rheumatoid arthritis: Vard- vatashonit(gout) haman pippali rasayan is effective in the Shilajatu Rasayan: Useful in multiple dis- 24, 25 management of Aamavata (rheumatoid ar- orders with proper adjuvant thritis). A significant decrease in erythrocyte Tuvaraka Rasayan: Kushtha roga (skin 33 26 sedimentation rate was also noted . diseases) Rasayan in geriatrics: In senile memory Medhya Rasayana: These rasayanas are impairment guduchyadi medhya rasayan beneficial to improve the intellectual which showed memory enhancement, antistress, are mandukparni swaras, yashtimadhu antidepressant and anxiolytic properties.34 churna with ksheer, guduchi swaras, and 27 Rasayan in intelligence: centella asiatica shankhapushpi kalka. fresh leaf extract showed a significant in- Aachar Rasayan: Social conduct and eth- 28 crease in the dendritic length (intersection) ics which works as a rejuvenation. and dendritic branching points in amygda- RESEARCHES IN THE FIELD OF loidal neuron of the rats, one of the regions RASAYAN: 434 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 2; Issue 4; July-August-2014 R.B. Patil& R.R. Gayal: Rasayana A Multidimentional Therapy: A Review concerned with learning and memory.35 Rasayan miscellaneous: The Rasayana Rasayan in Genome stability: As per the herbs are having tissue protective effects studies on molecular correlates of genomic such as, chondroprotective activity stability in rat brain cells following aamalaki of Phyllanthus emblica inhibiting the activi- rasayan therapy, the result convincingly in- ties of hyaluronidase and collagenase type dicate that, in control animals there was a 2 in vitro.41 distinct increase in DNA damage with age in Amalaki Rasayana has effectively demon- neurons and astrocytes. But the animals strated increase in median lifespan and star- treated with rasayan showed significantly vation resistance in Drosophila less DNA damage in brain cell demonstrat- melanogaster mode.42 ing beneficial effect of rasayan therapy to- Rasayana drugs are rich in antioxidants and wards maintenance in genomic stabil- are good hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, ity.DNA damage may be proximal cause of and immunomodulating agents.43 aging.36 Rasayan in stem cell therapy: Re- It has also been reported that Rasayanas generation of tissues after the disease condi- have immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and tion like osteoarthritis, age related macular antitumor functions.44, 45 degeneration (AMD), Alzheimer's, injuries, Rasayan in infectious disease: Rasayan is trauma, heart attack, stroke, accident, or ag- used to prevent the infection and to arrest ing remains a challenge to modern medicine. the infective diseases promoting the immu- Tissue-specific Rasayanas could be tried for nity of the vital essence of the respective differentiation of stem cells and regenerate body tissue as being affected and break the specific tissue of choice. Rasayanas known intensity of the processing of interaction be- for their tissue specificity could also be tween the micro organism and body resis- tested in stem cells to reveal their differen- tance with the programmed theism. tiation inducing activity. In preliminary ex- The significance of the chronology of the perimentation on Medhya Rasayana, there rasayan has assumed greater importance as a was a expression of nestin an early marker cause of serious and fatal infections in im- of neuronal stem cells differentiation when munocompromised patients. The uses of stem cells were treated with Rasayana ex- embelica officinalis and samecarpus anacar- tracts3 The vitamin C can regulate prolifera- dium enlighten the views of immunopromo- tion as well as differentiation of stem cells tion and immunosuppressant quality respec- depending upon its concentration.38 tively in different infection. Aamalaki is rich source of vitamin C and In almost all infective diseases are prevented may be acting through similar pathways. to the practice of achar rasayan as it regu- Ayurvedic preparations like Rasayanas lates the neuro transmitters to maintain the could be explored for their role in potentiat- psychological threshold so that the individu- ing stem cells for clinical applications.39 als are kept themselves alert from the source Piper longum volatile oil extract improves of infection.46 the proliferation on mesenchymal stem Rasayana for social life: In modern civili- cell.40 sation and competitive world the psychological and social life of person is disturbed. 435 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 2; Issue 4; July-August-2014 R.B. Patil& R.R. Gayal: Rasayana A Multidimentional Therapy: A Review

The quarrel and crime rate is also signifi- 1) Bhishagacharya Harishastri Paradakar cantly increasing. In such conditions incor- Vaidya Ashtanghradayam composed by poration of achar rasayan in lifestyle will Vagbhata sutrasthana chapter 1 verse 5 p.n. definitely helpful for personal as well as so- 5 chaukhambha orientalia Varanasi edition cial life to control these hazards. 2005 DISCUSSION: 2) Prof priyavat Sharma charaka samhita Rasayan therapy is a boon to man- text with English translation volume II kind. Different rasayan has been explained chikitsasthana chapter I pratham pada verse in the classics which are helpful not only to 8 p.n. 4 chaukhambha orientalia Varanasi 4th preserve the health but also to get rid of dis- edition 1998. eases. 3) Dr. Jyotir Mitra (I.M.J. B.H.U.) sushrut The newer diseases and treatment are being samhita by kaviraj kunjalal bhishagratna invented continuously. The clinical trials M.R.A.S. (Lond.) volume I sutrasthan chap- and animal experimentation in the field of ter I verse 10 p.n. 4 Chowkhamba Sanskrit rasayan in concern with different diseases series office Varanasi. have shown a very encouraging result such 4) Pandit parshuram shatri vidyasagar. Sha- as minimizing radiation hazards, efficacy in rangdhara samhita by pandit sharangdhara- tuberculosis, in rheumatoid arthritis. Apart charya with the commentary adhamallas from this it has shown its utility in genome dipika and kashirams gudharthdipika stability, improvement of intelligence, senile prathama khanda chapter 4 verse 13 p.n. 37 memory impairment. This is also useful to chaukhambha orientalia Varanasi edition improve the social health by which social 2002. peace will improve and the crime rate will 5) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak decrease. In this way the rasayan therapy is samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka useful in different dimensions to mankind. and drudhabala with ayurved dipika com- The further clinical trials and experimenta- mentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana tion in broader aspect is needed so it will be chapter I prathama pada verse 16 p.n. 377 definitely create new dimensions in the field chaukhambha surbharati prakashana Vara- of medicine. nasi edition 2005 CONCLUSION: 6)Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya and  The rasayan therapy is having multiple Nayanram acharya kavyatirtha sushrut sam- dimensions. hita of suhruta with the nibandhasangraha  In classics rasayan is indicated not only commentary of shri dalhanacharya and for maintenance of health but also to nyayachandrika panjika of shri gayadasa- treat the disease. charya on nidansthana chikitsathana chapter  In today’s medical practice it has vital 27 verse 2 p.n. 498 chaukhambha Sanskrit role to serve mankind. sansthana Varanasi edition 2009  Rasayan therapy is useful to achieve the 7) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak physical mental and social well being. samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka REFERENCES and drudhabala with ayurved dipika commentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana

436 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 2; Issue 4; July-August-2014 R.B. Patil& R.R. Gayal: Rasayana A Multidimentional Therapy: A Review chapter I chaturth pada verse 30-35 p.n. 14) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak 388,389 chaukhambha surbharati praka- samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka shana Varanasi edition 2005 and drudhabala with ayurved dipika com- 8) Prof Priyavat Sharma charaka samhita mentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana text with English translation volume II chapter I dwitiya pada verse 5-6 p.n. 381 chikitsasthana chapter I pratham pada verse chaukhambha surbharati prakashana Vara- 7, 8 p.n. 4 chaukhambha orientalia Varanasi nasi edition 2005 4th edition 1998. 15) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak 9) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka and drudhabala with ayurved dipika com- and drudhabala with ayurved dipika commentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana mentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana chapter I dwitiya pada verse 7 p.n. 381 chapter I prathama pada verse 41-57 p.n. chaukhambha surbharati prakashana Vara- 378 chaukhambha surbharati prakashana nasi edition 2005 Varanasi edition 2005 16) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak 10) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka and drudhabala with ayurved dipika com- and drudhabala with ayurved dipika commentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana mentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana chapter I dwitiya pada verse 11 p.n. 382 chapter I prathama pada verse 58-61 p.n. chaukhambha surbharati prakashana Vara- 379 chaukhambha surbharati prakashana nasi edition 2005 Varanasi edition 2005 17)Bhishagacharya harishastri paradakara 11) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak vaidya ashtang hradayam composed by samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka vagbhata uttarsthana chapter 39 verse 24-26 and drudhabala with ayurved dipika com- p.n. 925 chaukhambha orientalia Varanasi mentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana edition 2005 chapter I prathama pada verse 62-74pn 379 18) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak chaukhambha surbharati prakashana Vara- samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka nasi edition 2005 and drudhabala with ayurved dipika com- 12) Bhishagacharya harishastri paradakara mentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana vaidya ashtang hradayam composed by chapter I dwitiya pada verse 17-19 p.n. 382 vagbhata uttarsthana chapter 39 verse 33 chaukhambha surbharati prakashana Vara- p.n. 925 chaukhambha orientalia Varanasi nasi edition 2005 edition 2005 19)Bhishagacharya Harishastri Paradakar 13) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak Vaidya Ashtanghradayam composed by samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka Vagbhata uttarsthana chapter 39 verse 81- and drudhabala with ayurved dipika com- 82 p.n. 929 chaukhambha orientalia Vara- mentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana nasi edition 2005 chapter I prathama pada verse 75 p.n. 381 20) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak chaukhambha surbharati prakashana Vara- samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka nasi edition 2005 and drudhabala with ayurved dipika com-

437 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 2; Issue 4; July-August-2014 R.B. Patil& R.R. Gayal: Rasayana A Multidimentional Therapy: A Review mentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana 27) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak chapter I tritiya pada verse 24-29 p.n. 385 samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka chaukhambha surbharati prakashana Vara- and drudhabala with ayurved dipika com- nasi edition 2005 mentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana 21) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak chapter I tritiya pada verse 30-31 p.n. 385 samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka chaukhambha surbharati prakashana Vara- and drudhabala with ayurved dipika com- nasi edition 2005 mentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana 28) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak chapter I tritiya pada verse 32-35 p.n. 385 samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka chaukhambha surbharati prakashana Vara- and drudhabala with ayurved dipika com- nasi edition 2005 mentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana 22) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya Charak chapter I chaturth pada verse 30-35 p.n. samhita of agnivesha elaborated by charaka 388,389 chaukhambha surbharati praka- and drudhabala with ayurved dipika com- shana Varanasi edition 2005 mentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsasthana 29) Kumar VP, Kuttan R, Kuttan G. Effect chapter I tritiya pada verse 36-40 p.n. 385 of "rasayanas", a herbal drug preparation on chaukhambha surbharati prakashana Vara- immune responses and its significance nasi edition 2005 in cancer treatment. Indian journal of ex- 23) Bhishagacharya Harishastri Paradakar perimental biology 1999 Jan 37(1) PMID: Vaidya Ashtanghradayam composed by 10355362 Vagbhata uttarsthana chapter 39 verse 98- 30) Kumar VP, Kuttan R, Kuttan G. Radio 102 p.n. 930 chaukhambha orientalia Vara- protective effects of Rasayanas. Indian jour- nasi edition 2005 nal of experimental biology 1996 sept 34(9) 24) ) Vaidya jadavaji trikamji acharya PMID: 9014517 Charak samhita of agnivesha elaborated by 31) Purvi Vyas, A. B. Thakar, M. S. Baghel, charaka and drudhabala with ayurved dipika Arvind Sisodia, and Yogesh Deole Efficacy commentary by chakrapanidatta chikitsast- of Rasayana Avaleha as adjuvant to radio- hana chapter I tritiya pada verse 62-65 p.n. therapy and chemotherapy in reducing ad- 386 chaukhambha surbharati prakashana verse effects Ayu. 2010 Oct-Dec; 31(4): Varanasi edition 2005 417–423. PMCID: PMC3202271. 25) Bhishagacharya Harishastri Paradakar 32) Vyas P, Chandola HM, Ghanchi F, Ran- Vaidya Ashtanghradayam composed by them S.Clinical evaluation Vagbhata uttarsthana chapter 39 verse 133- of Rasayana compound as an adjuvant in the 142 p.n. 933 chaukhambha orientalia Vara- management of tuberculosis with anti- nasi edition 2005 Koch's treatment. AYU 2012 Jan; 33(1):38- 26) Bhishagacharya Harishastri Paradakar 43 PMID: 23049182. Vaidya Ashtanghradayam composed by 33) Soni A, Patel K, Gupta SN. Clinical Vagbhata uttarsthana chapter 39 verse 84-93 evaluation of Vardhamana Pip- p.n. 929 chaukhambha orientalia Varanasi pali Rasayana in the management of edition 2005 Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis). AYU 2011 Apr; 32(2):177-80. PMID: 22408298. 438 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 2; Issue 4; July-August-2014 R.B. Patil& R.R. Gayal: Rasayana A Multidimentional Therapy: A Review

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