Rasayana

Rasayana means revival, rejuvenation of the body cells and systems. It is a unique concept and specialty treatment in Ayurveda.

The treatments that boost rasa, all the other dhatus, Ojas, strength, complexion, immunity, vitality, intelligence, memory and longevity and keeps one younger for longer time are called Rasayana.

How did Rasayana come to existence?

We all like stories and this story about origin of Rasayana is from Charak Samhita, an ancient text of Ayurveda. Long long ago, there were two types of sages in Indian continent. Shalin and Yayavar. Yayavar sages used to travel from place to place. While traveling and educating people, they encountered local people. Urban lifestyle and food disturbed their health. They became overweight and sluggish so much so that they were unable to perform their spiritual Sadhana. At the foothills of Himalayas, greatly compassionate King of Gods, Indra received the sages and taught them everything about anti-aging, antioxidant, Ojas boosting, longevity boosting Rasayana treatments. Bhrigu, Angira, Atri, Kashyap, Agastya, etc all sages learned, used and spread the knowledge about Rasayana.

The story of ancient Sages that had to revive their body systems after indulging in unhealthy foods and lifestyles matches so closely with us modern day humans, don't you think?

What does the word Rasayan mean?

The Rasayan word is made from joining two words Rasa and Ayana. Here Rasa indicates Rasa dhatu and all seven dhatus and Ayana- Apyayan-means nourishing- promoting- enhancing. Rasayana treatments are for promoting and rejuvenating body tissues.

Definition of Rasayana:

-Swasthasyorjaskaram yattu tadvrushyam tadrasayanam/ Cha.Chi.1/1/5

-Labhapayo hi shastanam rasadinam rasayanam/- Cha. Chi. 1/1/8

Charaka Samhita says-’

Those(herbs, treatments) which invigorate a heathy person are called aphrodisiacs and Rasayanas.

The means by which one gets excellence of Rasa dhatu is known as Rasayana or rejuvenation therapy.

-Rasayanam hi tjdneyam yat jaravyadinashanam/- Shrangadhar Samhita

Sharangadhar says, ‘The one that keeps disease and old age away is Rasayana or rejuvenation therapy.

-Rasayanam naam vayahsthapanam ayurmedhabalakaram rogharansamartham cha/ Su. Sa. 1

Rasayana is the one that gives power to speech, gives anti-aging effect, longevity, intelligence, memory, strength, complexion, vitality and resistance to disease.

Rasayana boosts strength of rasa and ultimately other dhatus. Stronger dhatus make strong Ojas and good immunity. That is how Rasayana boosts vitality and longevity.

Important types of Rasayana:

1. Anti-aging overall and immunity boosting against particular disease -

E.g. Shatavari powder or Ashwagandha powder taken with milk, ghee or warm water

Use of Vardhaman Pippali rasayan to make lungs stronger after a respiratory disease.

2.Rasayan for body and rasayan for mind-

Brahmi is Rasayan for nervous system whereas good behavior, regular meditation, music, silence, mantra are Rasayana for the mind.

3.Kamya, Naimittik and Aajasrik rasayan

Kamya- Kamya Rasayan is designed with a specific goal(Kamana) e.g. Loha Bhasma( iron) used to boost iron levels in the body. These Rasayanas are used until the goal is achieved.

Naimittik- Naimittik Rasayan is used for a short while to reduce weakness and get strength back after recovery from a disease. E.g. use of Guduchi after recovering from fever or flu

Aajasrik- Ajasrik Rasayana is for using all the time without any time limit. E.g. healthy diet, regular exercise, good behaviour, use of ghee or milk to boost dhatus, etc

4.Vatatapik rasayan and Kuti praveshik rasayan-

These are types of anti-aging, antioxidant Rasayana methods

Vatatapik Rasayan- In this method a person can live a normal life, work, keep a normal diet and lifestyle and take Rasayana herbs. Vatatapik Rasayana herbs need to work on various dhatus and they revive the body cells. The duration of these Rasayana can be from 21 days up to 1 year.

This method might give less results than Kuti Praveshik Rasayana but it is practical and convenient for most of us and is used more commonly.

Kuti Praveshik Rasayan- This is a unique Rasayana program. Kuti means hut or a small house. A person enters into this specially designed hut and lives there for several weeks and consumes Rasayana.

He follows stricter rules of diet. The Sattvic diet, meditation, staying away from society in silence and Rasayana herbs help in revival of tissues.

Strength, immunity, complexion, memory get stronger. Longevity is increased. A person needs to come out of this controlled environment step by step. There are examples of people who shed their teeth, hair and nails and got new ones after successful use of Kuti Praveshilk Rasayana.

As this method needs a lot of money, arrangements and discipline it is not used very commonly, in recent times.

Who is fit to take Rasayana treatment?

Persons up to 70 years age are most suitable for Rasayana treatments.

Persons with Sattvic mindset are better suited to receive Rasayana

Persons that have a stable mind, capacity to arrange all necessary things and believe strongly in the treatment get good results.

People that have done some detoxification treatments are ready to get Rasyana- e.g. fasting, purgation, Panchkarma, etc

People that have strong Agni, no Ama and have clean system can follow Rasayana treatment.

Who can’t take Rasayana treatment?

Sushruta says Rasayan treatments should not be given to lazy, mentally unstable, alcoholic, addicted and to people with tamasic mindset. These people will not be able to follow the strict rules of diet and lifestyle and won’t get good results from Rasayana and may create ama(toxins) in their body.

Anupana used for Rasayan

Anupana is the carrier that enhances or balances the properties of Rasayana.

Milk, honey and ghee are commonly used as anupana. Honey and ghee in unequal proportions is a very effective anupana.

Sometimes cold water, oil, sharkara, jaggery and cow urine are also used.

Anupana can make strong herbs softer e.g. Milk with Pippali

Anupana can bring Rasayana to a specific system or organ. E.g. Brahmi with ghee easily goes to Majja dhatu

Making of Rasayana

Some Rasayana are used in simple forms such as fresh juice or powder of a single herb used with specific Anupana

E.g. Fresh juice of Brahmi with sesame seeds taken early morning

 Or Haritaki powder taken with honey, dry ginger or Pippali

Whereas some Rasayana have multiple herbs and a complex preparation method.

 E.g. Chavanprash.

Making of Chavanprash?

Chavanprash, a famous Rasayana is made from Amalaki fruit, has 35 different ingredients and has a complex method of preparation. The ancient text of Ashtanga Hridayam explains the recipe in detail.

A decoction is made from Ashtavarga, dashmool, lotus, etc. And Amalaki fruits are cooked in this decoction to make it into smooth pulp. Then Amalaki pulp is roasted with ghee and sesame oil. Sugar syrup is made from leftover decoction and sharkara. The perfect consistency of sugar syrup gives that jam-like form to Chavanprash. Roasted Amalaki pulp is added to the syrup and mixed well. Finally, the ingredients such as cardamom, pippali, vanshlochan, honey, etc are mixed with it and the Chavanprash is ready.

Once we understand the complexity and hard work that goes into making various Ayurvedic Rasayana preparations we respect and appreciate them even more.



Diet for Rasayana treatments-

Sattvic, freshly made, easy to digest, clean foods enhance the effect of Rasayana. Use of ghee, milk, honey, rice and other wholesome foods are good to take during Rasayana treatments.

In some programs, one can eat a normal diet with a few restrictions.

But sometimes, Rasayana is consumed in the morning, until the stomach is full and for the rest of the day only milk or rice mixed with milk is taken.

Some Rasayana have specific food restrictions such as while taking Shilajit one should not eat horse gram, cut down on spicy foods and maintain mild, less spicy diet.

Charaka Samhita  described positive mind, righteous behavior, joyful sattvic lifestyle as Manas Rasayana and says it is ‘Achara Rasayana.’(good behavior has Rasayana effect)

Ashtanga Hridayam mentions, good behavior, sattvic mindset, positivity and joyful mind are the best Rasayana that one can follow for their entire life as self-help.

Can one design his own Rasayana treatment?

When it comes to Rasayana treatments with herbs, there are various points to be considered. Finding dhatus and systems that need Rasayana, selection of suitable herbs for the person according to their prakriti and season, selection of effective anupana, checking level of Ama and to see if the body is clean enough to receive Rasayana. The selection of diet, detox programs, fasting methods and Panchakarma before starting Rasayana is important as well.

For all these reasons it is best to consult Ayurveda professionals and then starting Rasayana treatments is necessary for getting excellent results.