EKALA AUSHADHA PRAYOGA, AUSHADHA KALPA & RASAYANA IN JARAJANYA VIKARA

EKALA AUSHADHA PRAYOGA, AUSHADHA KALPA AND RASAYANA IN JARAJANYA VIKARA

• "Jara" refers to the natural degenerative changes in the body occurring due to aging.

• Jarajanya Vikaras are age-related diseases that manifest due to dhatu kshaya (tissue depletion), agni dushti, and vata prakopa.

• Aging is a vata-dominant condition.

• Common age-related diseases include:

  • Sandhigata Vata (Osteoarthritis)

  • Kshaya Rogas (Degenerative diseases)

  • Smritibhramsha (Dementia)

  • Timira (Senile Cataract)

  • Bhrama (Vertigo)

  • Jara janya Prameha (Type II Diabetes Mellitus)

  • Jara janya Hridroga (Ischemic Heart Disease, Hypertension)

EKALA AUSHADHA PRAYOGA IN JARAJANYA VIKARA

• Ekala Aushadha means use of a single drug with potent action to manage specific pathology.

• Ekala aushadhas are simple, affordable, and effective with minimal processing.

Examples of Ekala Aushadha Prayoga

• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – Rasayana, balya, medhya, vatahara

  • Indications: General debility, fatigue, memory loss

  • Reference:

    • अश्वगन्धा बल्या वृष्या मेध्याऽस्थिसन्धिसुखप्रदा।

    • – Bhavaprakasha Nighantu

• Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) – Rasayana, jwaraghna, agnivardhaka

  • Indications: Immune support, age-related fever, metabolic disorders

  • Reference:

    • गुडूची तिक्तका शीतास्तिक्ता कटुका लघुः।

    • – Charaka Samhita

• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) – Rasayana, vatahara, agnivardhaka

  • Indications: Constipation, neuroprotective, digestion

  • Reference:

    • ह्रदयायुष्यमारोग्यं बलं मेध्यं च दीपनीम्।

    • – Ashtanga Hridaya

• Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) – Chakshushya, rasayana, tridoshaghna

  • Indications: Timira, gastritis, aging-related inflammation

• Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) – Mutrala, vatahara, rasayana

  • Indications: Prostate issues, urinary tract degeneration

• Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) – Balya, madhura, medhya, rasayana

  • Indications: Female reproductive aging, general rejuvenation

• Pippali (Piper longum) – Deepana, medhya, rasayana

  • Indications: Respiratory aging, low digestive fire, immune support

AUSHADHA KALPA IN JARAJANYA VIKARA

• Aushadha Kalpa refers to formulations of drugs in various forms – churna, kashaya, avaleha, ghrita, taila etc.

Formulations Useful in Jarajanya Vikaras

• Brahma Rasayana – Promotes longevity, intelligence, and memory

  • Indications: Cognitive decline, fatigue, age-related memory loss

• Chyavanaprasha Avaleha – Rasayana, vyadhi kshamatva vardhaka

  • Reference: Charaka Samhita

  • Indications: Respiratory degeneration, skin aging, general debility

• Ashwagandhadi Churna / Leha – Strength, semen quality, mental health

• Amritaprasha Ghrita – Medhya rasayana

  • Indications: Nervous system decline, fatigue, forgetfulness

• Triphala Churna – Mild laxative, rasayana

  • Indications: Constipation, eye diseases, general detox

• Vidaryadi Ghrita – Balya, medhya, rasayana

  • Indications: Cachexia, neural weakness, geriatric syndrome

• Punarnavadi Kashaya – Mutrala, anti-inflammatory

  • Indications: Cardiac edema, renal weakness

• Yogaraja Guggulu – Vatahara, deepana, anti-inflammatory

  • Indications: Osteoarthritis, neuromuscular pain

RASAYANA IN JARAJANYA VIKARA

• Rasayana therapy is the cornerstone of preventing and managing aging.

• Promotes ojas, agni, dhatu-pusti, and delays age-related degeneration.

Types of Rasayana Therapy

• Kutipraveshika Rasayana – Intensive, in isolation, time-consuming

• Vatatapika Rasayana – Practical for day-to-day use

• Aushadha Rasayana – Herbal formulations

• Ahara Rasayana – Diet-based rejuvenation

• Achara Rasayana – Code of conduct for mental and physical wellness

Key Rasayana Dravyas

• Amalaki – Anti-oxidant, vrushya, chakshushya

• Haritaki – Agnivardhaka, vairechika

• Guduchi – Immuno-modulator

• Shilajit – Yogavahi, rejuvenator

• Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) – Medhya, stress reliever

• Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) – Enhances cognitive function

• Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra) – Soothing, anti-aging

• Pippali – Enhances bioavailability, acts as rasayana

• Draksha (Vitis vinifera) – Balya, hritya, rejuvenative

Achara Rasayana Practices

• Satya, Ahimsa, Brahmacharya

• Respect elders and teachers

• Balanced lifestyle and regulated sleep

• Emotional balance and compassion

Reference:
अहिंसासत्यशौचानां इन्द्रियजयो, द्विजोपासना।
आचारः शुद्धिसंधानं, आचारः शुद्धिदायकः॥
– Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, 1/4

MODERN MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE ON AGE-RELATED DISEASES

• Common degenerative conditions:

  • Osteoarthritis – Cartilage degeneration

  • Alzheimer’s Disease – Neurodegenerative, dementia

  • Parkinson’s Disease – Dopaminergic neuron loss

  • Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 – Insulin resistance

  • Hypertension and Ischemic Heart Disease – Vascular degeneration

  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) – Hormonal aging changes

• Management Approaches:

  • Nutritional supplements – Vitamin D, B12, Omega-3

  • Physical therapy and exercise

  • Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant medicines

  • Cognitive enhancers (donepezil, memantine) in dementia

  • Hormonal therapy for postmenopausal or andropause-related decline

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT APPROACH

• Combining Ayurvedic Rasayana and Ekala Aushadha with modern geriatrics improves quality of life in elderly.

• Rasayana herbs improve mitochondrial health, modulate immune function, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

• Preventive and promotive care through lifestyle management, Panchakarma, diet, and mental hygiene.