RASAYANA DRAVYAS

  • TYPES OF RASĀYANA DRAVYAS

    • Based on various classical categorizations, Rasāyana dravyas are classified into several types:

    1. KĀMA (CLASSICAL) RASĀYANA

    • These are herbo-mineral or herbal formulations described in classical texts for rasāyana purposes.

    • They include single drugs and compound formulations.

    • Examples:

      • Āmalakī (Emblica officinalis)

      • Harītakī (Terminalia chebula)

      • Guḍūcī (Tinospora cordifolia)

      • Brahmī (Bacopa monnieri)

      • Śaṅkhu Puṣpī (Convolvulus pluricaulis)

    2. NITYA SEVANĪYA RASĀYANA (DAILY USABLE RASĀYANA)

    • Substances that can be used daily in diet or routine life to promote health and immunity.

    • Examples:

      • Ghee (Ghṛta) – Snigdha, medhya, ojovardhaka.

      • Milk (Kṣīra) – Balya, dhātu-puṣṭikara.

      • Honey (Madhu) – Yogavāhī, lekhanīya, medhya.

      • Āmalakī – Vayasthāpana, dīpana, tridoṣahara.

    Sanskrit Śloka (Caraka Saṃhitā Cikitsā 1/3):
    घृतं कषायोष्णमधु त्रयोऽमी सदा रसायनम्।
    प्रयोज्यास्ते नित्यसेव्या दीर्घायुष्यमभीप्सुभिः॥

    3. MEDHYĀ RASĀYANA

    • These rasāyana dravyas are specifically used to improve intellect, memory, and mental functions.

    • Useful in manasa vikāras, mental stress, insomnia, and degenerative brain disorders.

    • Examples and Guṇas:

      • Brahmī (Bacopa monnieri) – Medhya, śītavīrya, tikta rasa.

      • Śaṅkhu Puṣpī – Balya, dīpana, medhya.

      • Vacā (Acorus calamus) – Uṣṇa vīrya, tikta-kaṭu rasa, medhya.

      • Guḍūcī – Tikta, madhura, medhya, tridoṣaghna.

    Sanskrit Śloka (Caraka Saṃhitā Cikitsā 1/30):
    मेद्याश्चतस्रः श्रेष्ठास्तु ब्राह्मी मण्डूकपर्णिका।
    शङ्खपुष्पी तथावचा मेध्याः स्युर्मनसो रमे॥

    4. AĀJĀŚRIKA RASĀYANA

    • Rasāyana therapy is used based on the age or physiological stage of the patient.

    • Aimed at preventing early aging and promoting longevity.

    • Examples:

      • For Bāla (children): Medhya rasāyana like Brahmī, Śaṅkhu Puṣpī.

      • For Vṛddha (elderly): Rasāyana like Āmalakī, Guḍūcī, and milk products.

    5. PRĀYAOGIKA RASĀYANA (DISEASE-SPECIFIC RASĀYANA)

    • Used as adjuvants in specific diseases to improve outcomes and recovery.

    • Examples:

      • Guḍūcī in Jvara, Prameha

      • Āmalakī in Pitta disorders and raktapitta

      • Harītakī in Anāha, Vibandha, Medoroga

      • Yasṭimadhu in Amlapitta, Kaṇṭha roga

    6. ĀCĀRA RASĀYANA (BEHAVIOURAL RASĀYANA)

    • Not a dravya, but a lifestyle code of conduct which functions like a rasāyana by promoting health and emotional well-being.

    • Includes:

      • Truthfulness (satya)

      • Non-violence (ahiṁsā)

      • Charity (dāna)

      • Respect to elders and teachers

      • Mental and emotional control

      • Clean speech and hygiene

    Sanskrit Śloka (Caraka Saṃhitā Cikitsā 1/4):
    सत्यवागनृशंसश्चानृणी सत्यपराक्रमः।
    आचार्यगुरुवृद्धानां व्रती भूतेष्वनुक्रुधः॥
    शौचं धृतिः स्मृतिः प्रज्ञा दानं तपो बलं क्षमा।
    हरषश्चानहंकारः समो मितभुगेकपत्निकः॥
    अहितानामनुपसेवी हितानां चानुवर्तकः।
    देशकालप्रमाणज्ञो यथाशक्ति च योगवित्॥
    एष आचाररसायनः॥

    GUNAS OF RASĀYANA DRAVYAS

    • Most rasāyana dravyas have the following common guṇas:

      • Madhura rasa – nourishing, ojas-promoting.

      • Śītavīrya or Uṣṇavīrya – depending on the dravya.

      • Snigdha guṇa – unctuous, builds tissues.

      • Balya – strength-giving.

      • Ojovardhaka – enhances ojas.

      • Medhya – enhances cognitive functions.

      • Tridoṣaśāmaka – balances vāta, pitta, and kapha.

    CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF RASĀYANA DRAVYAS

    • Used to promote rejuvenation, immunity, tissue regeneration, memory, fertility, and longevity.

    • Plays an important role in preventive medicine, geriatrics (jārā cikitsā), and neurodegenerative conditions.

    • Also helpful in autoimmune, metabolic, and infectious diseases as supportive therapy.

    EXAMPLES OF CLINICAL USES:

    • Āmalakī

      • Immunity booster, antioxidant, hepatoprotective.

      • Used in Raktapitta, Prameha, and general debility.

    • Guḍūcī

      • Immunomodulatory, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory.

      • Used in Jvara, Prameha, skin disorders, rheumatoid arthritis.

    • Brahmī

      • Memory enhancer, anxiolytic, neurotonic.

      • Used in anxiety, dementia, ADHD.

    • Śaṅkhu Puṣpī

      • Sedative and adaptogenic.

      • Used in insomnia, epilepsy, stress-induced disorders.

    RESEARCH UPDATES ON RASĀYANA DRAVYAS

    • Āmalakī

      • Rich in vitamin C and polyphenols.

      • Studies show antioxidant, anticancer, hepatoprotective effects.

    • Guḍūcī (Tinospora cordifolia)

      • Proven immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory action.

      • Research supports its use in autoimmune diseases and COVID-19 supportive therapy.

    • Brahmī (Bacopa monnieri)

      • Demonstrated nootropic and anxiolytic activity.

      • Used in research for Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive disorders.

    • Yasṭimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

      • Shows anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, and mucoprotective effects.

      • Effective in gastritis, oral ulcers, and respiratory conditions.

    • Harītakī (Terminalia chebula)

      • Research shows antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and mild laxative effects.

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