Ageing &  Rasayana According to Ayurveda

CONCEPT OF PREMATURE AGEING:

                                     

                                The word Prakriti here denotes to both the nature of particular specie and nature of the individual within the specie, further within one specie the nature of an individual varies according to Desha, Kala, Prakriti and heredity and accordingly ageing may appear early, timely or late with less, moderate or more symptoms. Sushruta has divided Svabhava Bala Pravritta Vyadhies into two groups viz. Kalaja(natural) and Akalaj(unnatural). in this way jara can be divided in to two types Kalaj Jara and Akalaj Jara .  

Natural aging

            The jara appearing at or after the proper age defined for it. That means one person getting old age, after sixty or Seventy years is known as Kalaj Jara. This type of jara is Pariraksanakrita, which means that it occurs at the proper age, after following the seasonal and daily routine described in Svasthavritta and use of Sodhana at proper time. This aging may be of less intensity and slow progressing and thus may not be very troublesome.

 Unnatural aging

            When the signs and symptoms of jara are present before its prescribed time it is called as Akalaj Jara. This type of Jara is said to be due to Aparirakshanakrita, which means that it occurs before the prescribed age due to not taking the proper care of personal hygiene (Svasthavritta) and not getting Shodhana done at proper time. This type of ageing may be of greater intensity and rapidly progressing, if no care is taken to check it through proper treatment.

                         There is no medicine for Kalaja Jara and considered as Yapya i.e. by the treatment with Rasayana, the ill effect of ageing can be checked for some time and its progress may be slowed down or be halted to some extent. The second type i.e. Akalaj Jara is curable and should be treated according to the Dosha and the complaints of the person.

WHEN TO CALL natural ageing

                        According to Charaka the age above sixty years may be taken as old age, but Sushruta increases this limit to seventy years. This difference of Charaka and Sushruta may be due to the reason that every phenomenon has got its starting point at which it may not be very obvious but after some time when the phenomenon advances sufficiently its effects are clearly visible. In this way there is always a gap between the starting point and the complete manifestation of every phenomenon, which may be short and long depending upon the various conditions. For instance this gap is very short in acute poisoning and is long in the conditions like chronic poisoning (Gara Visha) etc.

            In case of ageing the phenomenon generally progresses slowly and starts at the age of about sixty and its effects are quite visible at the age of seventy years. Charaka being a physician might have appreciated the changes of ageing at their starting point and therefore he has taken 60 years and above as the old age. On the other hand Sushruta might have thought it safer to take the limit of ageing as 70 years when most of the symptoms of ageing are quite visible. Hence, premature ageing is that which occurs before the age sixty years.

IS AGEING REVERSIBLE?

                        The question arises here that whether the ageing process is reversible or not?  In this regard following facts mentioned in Ayurveda may be taken in consideration.

                        As mentioned earlier Jara (ageing) is a naturally occurring disease. Charaka has considered as  by nature they are incurable or having no treatment. Chakrapani says ordinary treatment has got no effect on ageing. Rasayana is the treatment of ageing as it has been clearly mentioned in Charaka that the old Cyavan Rishi became young after the use of Rasayana.

                        Here Dalahana‘s view is that, out of two types of ageing, the natural ageing is incurable and unnatural ageing can be treated with Rasayana treatment.

Yapya is partial amenability of disease to treatments. Rather a person lives with the disorder without cure but without disturbed by the diseases if proper treatment is taken. It is said that in difficult stage, the disease recurs immediately after the treatment is withdrawn. This explanation goes in hand with the Chakrapani’s commentary as noted above. This means, a timely senescence can be manipulated with measurement by dietics and Rasayana, so that its ill effects are controlled. Rasayana is not the complete treatment for ageing, as it can just check or delay the process of ageing for some time, but it cannot be retarded and as soon as the effect of Rasayana finishes the process of ageing starts again to march to the forward.

 Two points are very clear at this stage of discussion that.

(1) The effects of ageing can be checked by using appropriate measures even though in timely aging.

(2) Premature ageing can be cured by direct encounter with underlying pathology.

                        This can be easily understandable by following example. In Charaka Samhita it is stated that by using “Chyavanaprasha” in proper way and dosage Saint ‘Chyavana’ who was very old turned young. Further it is said that consumption of Chyavanaprasha not only eradicates the signs of old age (Jarakrita Rupa) but also superimpose the youthful appearance. 

Whether Aging starts simultaneously in all tissues?

                        Another question arises here about the changes in to body tissues. Astanga Sangraha has mentioned some view about these Phenomena. Accordingly something is being lost at the end of each decade of life, beginning from birth.

                        At the end of first decade childhood is gone, after second decade growth is stopped, after third decade luster is lost, in the fourth decade intellect  starts declining and at the end of fifth decade skin’s property is lost. Similarly at the end of sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth decades of life reproductive function, Vision, hearing), Mind, Sense organs and motor organs are lost respectively.

Changes in every decade of the life

Decade	Sharangdhara Samhita
1st	Childhood
2nd	Growth
3rd	Complexion
4th	Memory
5th	Skin
6th	Vision
7th	semen
8th	Valour
9th	Intellect
10th	Motor organs
11th	Mind
12th	Life

                        Hence, it can be stated that the changes in the body tissues are slow and continuous during whole life. The process of Aging according the Ayurveda begins at the fourth decade of life and the effect of Aging is more visible at the fifth decade of life where the skin changes are visible. And slowly this process affects to the other organs of the body.

CAUSES OF PREMATURE AGEING:

CAUSES OF PREMATURE AGEING:

                        The various causes of premature ageing are being discussed as here under.

1. Not following of the advised regimens by ayurveda

            This means those who have not followed the Dincharya(daily regimens) and Ritucharya (seasonal regimens)properly. And not did body cleaning at proper time and proper way. Dincharya is described in such a way that the adverse changes in the energy and tissue level. may be maid reversible or minimized as per circadian rhythm. The same is about the Ritucharya. If one is not following Dincharya and Ritucharya properly he may get disturbance in his homeostasis. If this process continues for some time, then the person may get ageing earlier then prescribed time. Some of the factors are as follows:

            ABHAYANGA(oil massage)

                        The regular practice of oil massage alleviates ageing .oil applied to the skin may protect it from the effect of senescence. Such references are available in texts. This suggests the importance of daily oil massage in presentation of ageing.

            NASYA (nasal drops)

                        The use of nasal drops daily prevents the ageing changes. Daily use of nasal drops stops grey hairs and hair falling which are the signs of ageing

                        The causes mentioned for the conditions are consuming of sour, salt, pungent, and alkaline articles. dried vegetables, flesh, sesame , sesame -paste, eating of grains and pulses that either have began to sprout or are very new, or of other foods that are either disagreeable, non homogenous, dry, alkaline and deliquescent,  heavy, putrid or steal foods, or meals at irregular times or in irregular quantities or too frequently. Addict of day sleeping, sex pleasures and consumption of wine consumption have been strained by faulty and inordinate indulgence in exercise and victims of fear, anger, grief, greed, infatuation and over work.

Diet articles and habit:

                        As mentioned earlier, urban dietetics has been considered as the cause of all the ills of the body by Charaka. This dietary habit includes the excessive taking of sour, salt, pungent and alkaline articles, dried vegetables, flesh, Tila, Tila-paste and pastries; eating of grains and pulses that have either began to sprout or are very new or of other foods that are either disagreeable, non-homologous or dry, alkaline and deliquescent and partaking of softened, heavy, putrid or stale foods. In addition, the dietary habit of taking meals at irregular time or in irregular quantities or too frequently i.e. over a stomach that has not yet recovered from the last meals are also harmful to the body 

Salt and Ageing

                        Charaka mentions that if a pregnant lady eats excessive salt, then her child will suffer from wrinkles, grey hair and baldness which are also the external sign of aging 

                        Excessive use of salt, by a person also leads to wrinkling, hair fall and graying . Similarly the excessive use of alkaline also leads to graying and hair fall

                        As wrinkles, grey hair and baldness are the important signs of old age, so, possibly there may be any relation of excessive tacking of salt and alkaline substances with ageing. Vagbhatta has mentioned the use of incised salt is harmful for eyes.

Habits and ageing:

                        There are few habits relating to town dwellings, which have also been held responsible for ill-health and ageing. These habits are addiction to delay sleep, excessive sex pleasure and wine bibbing giving strain to the body by faulty or inordinate indulgence in exercise and over work 

Mental factors and ageing:

            Factors like fear, anger, grief, greed and infatuation have also been considered responsible of ill-health including ageing 

Ill-health and ageing:

                        Charaka clearly mentions that if one follows the rules of Svasthavritta (daily and seasonal routine for health) then Tissues remain in healthy conditions, thus there will be no disease. In this way the tissues will grew or regenerate in proper manner which result in delaying the ageing

                        From the above observation it may be said that the remaining of bodily tissues in the healthy condition delay the ageing. On the other hand if the bodily tissues frequently suffer from ill-health or remain in unhealthy state, then aging may come earlier.

Environment and Allied Factors: 

                        Charaka is of the view that life span of an individual is determined by the two factors viz. Daiva (action of the previous life) and Purushakrita (action of the present life). A weak Daiva get subdued by a strong Purshakara. Similarly a strong Daiva subdued Purushakara and because of this it is said that the span of life is invariably predetermined. Effect of strong action of the previous life is invariably manifested, but the time of this manifestation is conditioned by the availability of a congenial atmosphere 

                        Time of manifestation of the effect of divine action is, however, conditioned by the availability of congenial atmosphere. For instance people who go in for a battle are more likely to be killed with deadly weapons in comparison to others. Similarly an earthen jar of water is exposed to damaging forces and is likely to get destroyed sooner than an ornamental vessel which is not exposed to such damaging forces. In this way the span of life depends by and large to favor and unfavorable conditions 

                        On this basis, it may be stated that favorable and unfavorable circumstances also plays very important role in aging processes. If one is living under unfavorable environment, he is likely to develop ageing earlier.

                        Charaka has given also some other factors which are considered as promotive of growth. These include opportunity, favorable disposition of the nature, excellence of properties of food and absence of inhibiting factors. According to Chakrapani youth is the proper time of opportunity for the growth of an individual. During young age it is the specificity of time which is responsible for the growth of individual. Favorable disposition of the nature or results of the unseen (past) actions are also responsible for the growth of individual’s body. Similarly excellence of properties of food and absence of inhibiting factors e.g., absence of excessive indulgence in sex and mental affliction are also responsible for the growth 

                        The factors like birth in a country where people are naturally strong, birth at a time when people gain strength, favorable disposition of time, excellence of the qualities of the seed (sperm) and ovum and uterus of the parents etc. are also considered as promotive of health 

                        Indirectly it may be said that the absence of the above factors or unfavorable environment may retard the growth and decrease the strength. So the factors opposite to the above mentioned circumstances and environment may be taken as causes responsible for the aging or old age where the growth is retarded and strength of the body becomes less.

SYMPTOMS OF UNNATURAL AGEING

                        As discussed above the unnatural aging is that which occur before its prescribed time, so the signs and symptoms of unnatural aging are same as that of Jara.

                        Charaka says that in the old age there is diminution in the Dhatus and the functions of the sense organs occur. Reduction in the strength, energy, manliness, velour, power of understanding, retention, memorizing and analyzing the facts occurs. During the old age the diminution of the tissues (Dhatus) occurs with dominance of Vata.

                       

                        According to Sushruta, during the old age there is diminution in the tissues and the functions of the Indriyas occur. There is marked reduction in the strength, energy, manliness and enthusiasm. The aged person develops Vali, Palita and Khalitya. They suffer from cough and asphyxia. Aged is unable to perform his regular works. The old man is said like an old and weared house which may collapse during any rainy season that means he is unable to bear physical or mental stress.

                        Vagbhata again mentions the gradual decline in the tissues and the functions of the sense and motor organs. Aged suffers from cough, dyspnoea, hairfall, graying,. Reduced appetite is added as a symptom of ageing which means the diminished function of the digestion and metabolism. There is looseness of muscle and joints, the skin becomes rough and worse, the body bents forward and the patient develops tremors.

                        Some other symptoms are mentioned by Charaka, in the chapter of Rasayana. These symptoms were so evident that the sagas have to take medicine from lord Indra. These symptoms include loosening of the muscles, looseness of joints, malfunction of the blood, liquefaction of the adipose tissue, improper function of morrow, diminished semen, exhaustion, languid, excessive sleep, torpor, sluggishness(absence of enthusiasm), incapable of doing physical as well as labour work, loss of memory, intelligence and body luster. The man suffers from diseases frequently.

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TREATMENT FOR WOMEN INFERTILITY

Treatment for infertility
 
          SAMANYA CHIKITSA :

 
          After using Snehana, Swedana, Vamana, Virechana, Asthapana & Anuvasana (Basti) in consecutive order, the man should be given milk & medicated ghrita with sweet drugs & the woman should be given medicated taila with masha, is opinion of few authors.
 

  VISHISHTA CHIKITSA:

          Various types of churna, kalka & swarasa etc. are mentioned in  the text which can be used orally & locally. A small list of which is given below:

FORM	NAME OF YOGA
1.Gutika	Yogaraj Guggulu
2.Kwatha	Maharasnadi
3.Taila	Narayana taila Shatavari taila, Bala taila Shatpushpadi taila
4. Ghrita	Laghuphal ghrit Phala ghrita Paniyakalyanaka ghrtia Shatavari ghrita Kashmaryadi ghrita Lasuna ghrita
5. Arishta	Dashamularishta
6.Rasa	Khandakadya lauha
7. Paka	Pugapaka

1.  

 
 
  SHODHANA CHIKITSA:
          Panchkarma therapy, especially BASTI should be done because of its wide ranged and effective use for vata dosha.
 
  UTTARABASTI:
 
                    Basti which is given through the vaginal route & results are marvelous is termed as uttarabasti.
 
          All the Acharyas have advised to administer it during the “RUTUKALA” because at that time yoni mukh is opened.  But in emergency conditions like Asrugdara, yonibramsha, shula etc. it is indicated on other days also.
 
 
               According to Acharya Charaka and Vagbhatta the uttarabasti should be given consecutively for three days. But in this context, it has been said that sneha should be increased day by day for three days. There after, it should be stopped for 3 days then again the uttarbasti should be repeated for 3 days continuously.
 
                             Patient should lie in lithotomic position.
 
Effect of Uttarabasti :
          We can assume the benefit of uttarabasti targeted on four factors of fertilization.
(i)           Ovulation time or period indicates proper hormonal functions necessary for fertilization; uttarabasti may correct the abnormal functions.
(ii)         Internal genital organs, many organic and pathological conditions of internal genitelia may not be favorable for fertilization so uttarabasti may be correct in condition.
(iii)       Proper nutritional substance for the uterine mucosa, through the systemic circulation of the yoni.
(iv)        Ovum. Uttarabasti may act on ovarian hormones and correct dysfunctions of ovary.
 
Diet
 
Do’s
   Garlic is beneficial. The woman, who using garlic never remains infertile.        Milk is beneficial. Use of milk helps in achievement of pregnancy.
  Meat increases shukra (Artava) gives nourishment & else in getting pregnancy. Root of surana, vandhyakarkotaki, langali, katutumbi, devadali, both bruhatis, suryabali & bhiruka are congenial.
     coitus during ovulation is beneficial 
 
APATHYA :
  Food :  alcohol, sour, kanji etc. curd, cheeses , hot and spicy foods are contra-indicated.
 

OLIGOSPERMIA

OLIGOSPERMIA

Oligospermia or synonymously oilgozoospermia higlhy resembels khina shurka vyadhi. However Kshina – Shukra is a condition in whih shukra dhatu is quantitatively and quatitatively reduecd. Etimologial origin of the world OILGOZOOSPERMIA is as

Oilgo ( few)  + zoo ( live) + Sperm + ia ( Condition)

So, this is a condition in which sperm count is reducced. WHO (1992) describes the conditoin as the one in which total sperm count will be less than 20 million / ml.

MAJOR CAUSE OF OILGOSPERMIA

The major etiologial factors causing oilgospermia has been described here as under.

CONGENITAL

Cryptorcchidism or undesended testis incidences about 0.2 % of male population. It causes permanent irreparable of testies (Berodafa 1974). They are also hormonally defective ( Gendod et at 1978). Unilateral Cryptorchidism even when corrected prior to puberty is assocaited with abnormal semen in many males ( Harrison 1994)

THERMAL

Scrotal temperature should be less than 2^o F from the core body temperature Raised scrotal temperature may depress the seprmatogenesis because it is sensitive process. Which alters with alternations in temperature. The temperature of scrotum will be raised in conditions like Verticocele, Hydrocele and Filariasis. Vericocele causes disruption in later stages of sperm maturation (Alvin & Paulser 1976). Moreover working near hot zone and wearing of tight undergarment more than 15 hours / day may also depress the spermatogenesis.

INFECTION

Infections like Syphilis, non-specific urethritis, Mumps Orchitis after pubertal period may permanently arrest spermatogensis. Mumps architis arrests the maturation process and also arrest the androgenic function of leydig cells (Adamopoulous et at 1978) systemic infectoin like bacterial or viral affect the spercount. Chlamydia trachomatis or T. Mycoplasma infection lead to defective spermatogenesis.

GENETIC

Klinefelter’s syndrome and xx Male syndrome are two genetic defect which lead to defective spermatogenesis. (Palsen 1974) somally abnormed spermatozoan, such conceptions end in spontaneous abortions or assocaited with chromosomal abnormalities.

ENDOCRINAL

Hyperprolectinaemia can lead to hypogonadisim and has been associated with impotence (franks et at 1977), effect on testosternone and dihydrotestosterone levels ( Margini et al 1978) and a reduction in sperm count and volume of semen. (falaschi et at 1978). Hypopituitarism, Hypothyriodism, Adrenal hyperplasia can also cause the disease – Oliogospermia.

SEXUAL

Too frequent intercourses decrease the spermatogenesis and sperm cell activity (Paul 1950)

OCCUPATIONAL

Evnironmental hazards like chemicals such as nematocide, dichloropropane, lead, microwaves and ultrasound are responsible for the disease, oilgospermia. Prolonged physical exertion and steep deprivations lowers the semen testoternone level in man. ( opstand and Avkrary 1982)

SYSTEMIC DISEASES

AIDS lowers the degree of spermatogenesis ( De Poepe & Waxman 1989). Renal failure and ( irrhosis of liver cause low leels of testoterone ( chen,. Et al 1970, Bannister et al Lumen feld, 1993). Some inverstigations reveled that Diabetes Malitus, low sperm count and low volumes of ejaculates were also found in some men. (Klebanow 1960, Rubin 1962, Schoffling 1971, Bartale 1975). Protein deficienty and malnutrition can cause the reduced response of male accessory glands to testoerone stimulation (Bielaneki et al 1969, Lazerka et al 1965, Mann 1974). Vita A deficiecy also cuases reductoin in seprmatogenesis ( Moustguard 1969)

Some times after acute febrile illness, temporary decrease in sperm density occurs.

ADDICTIONS

Alcholol is the most important leydig cell toxin. (Lipsett 1980, Van Thiel et at 1983.) As may as 80% of these men are sterile seminiferous tubles atrophy, loss of sperm ornormal sperms. ( Morrie 1944, Bennett et at 1950). Excessive intake of alcohol may decrease the semen quantity ( Henny – 1995) Tobacco addicts like smokers, chewers and multiple addict will have below normal sperm count. (Benarjee 1993)

ITROGENIC

Surgical operations, which have been done improperly like urethral stricture or diverticullum, Prostactomy may cause defective spermatogenesis. ( Inter and Lunen field 1993)

DRUGS

Antibiotics like Ampiciline, Erythromycine and cephalexin causes oilgospermia ( Malmbong et at. 1974, m symes et a. 1974). Spirnonolactone induces oilgospermia ( caminos Torres et at 1977, sperm count ( Levi et at 1979). Cyproteroneacetate reduced the sperm count and motility (Koch et al 1976 Moltz et al 1978). Antipsycotic drugs reduces sperm count (Blair and simpson 1966) cimetidine reduces sperm count (Van Thiel et al 1979)

IMMUNOLOGICAL

Testicular failure occurs in autoimmu nity (hendry et al 1979) Mancini 1974) in which endocrine deficiencies co – exists.

PSYCHOLOGICAL

Increased stress conditions also produces low quality of semen (Inster and Lumen feld 1973)

IRRITABLE LEG SYNDROME.

Irritable Leg Syndrome.

Clinical Notes:  Irritation of left leg at bed time. So delayed sleep

History:   Irritation of left leg at bed time started since childhood, so delayed sleep. He consulted allopathic doctors and suggested as Irritable Leg Syndrome.

Medicines at the time starting treatments:

1.      Shaddharanam churnam 5g added with takram at noon and night before food

2.      Dasamula hareetaki leham 1 tsp   Taken at night bed time followed by a cup of boiled water

3.      Prabhanjanam tailam +sahacharadi tailam + mahanarayana tailam to be applied on the body   

Treatments:

1.      Takradhara(head):

2.      Matravasti : Pippalyadi Anuvasana tailam

3.       Podikizhi : kolakulathadi churnam

4.      Snehavasti: Pippalyadi Anuvasana tailam

5.      Kashayavasti: Ksheera vasti,  Madhutailikam vasti

6.      Udwarthanam:Grihadhumaadi Udwarthana churnam+ dhanyamlam+Takram

7.      Bashpaswedam :Dasamoolam Kasayam

Condition after treatments:     Irritation of left leg at bed time reduced occasionally. Sleep improved

DIET FOR HYPER ACIDITY

DIET FOR HYPER ACIDITY

Indicated food	Contraindicated
§  Rice	§  Acidic food
§  Green gram	§  Salty food
§  Ghee, milk	§  Sour
§  Meat	§  Alcohol
§  Pom granatum	§  Heavy food
§  Goosberry	§  Horse gram
§  Cold water bath	§  Sun bath
§  Rest	§  Intientional constipation
§  Mental relaxation	§  Mental stress