Guest guest Posted September 14, 2003 Report Share Posted September 14, 2003 Hi, I have a question about rasayanas. What exactly is a rasayana? What are they used for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2003 Report Share Posted September 19, 2003 Rasayana is a branch of Ayurvedic medicine that concerns itself with the rejuvenation of the body, the lengthening of life, and the creation of ojas, the vital energy of the body. Within this field there are different approaches taken, depending upon the need. Rasayana therapy typically follows shodhana karmas like pancha karma, once ama is removed and the excess doshas are eliminated, to restore health and strength to the body. Some techniques like kutipraveshikam ("to enter into the hut") involve sequestering oneself away in a specially constructed hut away from wind, rain, sun, noise and people for a significant duration and subsisting on certain herbs or herbal formulas (often with milk and/or rice) that have rejuventating properties. This latter technique is used not just for physical rejuvenation but a complete overhaul of the spirit, essentially re-entering the womb - its not something that is practiced much or there's much practical knowledge of - more a discipline of yogis. More commonly used are techniques described under vattathapittakam rasayana ("wind and sun"), more orientated to every day people (ie those that are allowed to be exposed to wind and sun), in which the medicament is taken on a daily basis without any special requirements on behalf of the patient (except eating well and getting enough sleep, following the three aims of life, ie. dharma, artha and sukha, etc.). Another related branch are the use of vajikarana ("to do like a horse") agents which promote fertility. Many vajikarana agents are rasayanas and vice versa. The agents used as rasayanas vary to a great degree, but there are some which are used for all three purposes, like Amalaki, but in different amounts. Some like Ashvagandha and Shatavari are best used for vajikarana. Other rasayanas include Punarnava, Haritaki, Brahmi, Mandukaparni, Bala, Gokshura, Guduchi, Guggulu, and Shilajitu, as well as formulae like Triphala, Yogarajaguggulu, Chyavanaprash, Agastya rasayana etc. You can find specific rasayanas to treat specific organ systems, e.g. Gokshura for urinary system, Haritaki for the bowels, etc. In Chinese medicine these herbs might be called "Fu Zheng" (Superior Herbs), which do things like augment the Qi (e.g. Ginseng, Codonopsis, Astragalus), nourish the Blood (e.g. Chinese Angelica, White Peony, Polygonum), supplement the Yin (e.g. American Ginseng, Asparagus, Dendrobium) and supplement the Yang (e.g. Cordyceps, Horny Goat Weed, Eucommia). In Western herbal medicine rasayanas are called trophorestoratives, e,g, Milky Oat seed, Damiana etc., but neither Chinese medicine or Western herbal medicine maintain the same sophisticated protocols to replenish the body as Ayurveda, although the herbs can be used more or less interchangeably. Caldecott, Cl.H., AHG Clinical Herbalist Wild Rose Clinic ******************************************* of Clinical Herbal Studies Wild Rose College of Natural Healing ******************************************* 400 - 1228 Kensington Rd. NW Calgary, AB T2N 5P6 CANADA tel: (403) 270-0891 ext 315 fax: (403) 283-0799 email: phyto http://www.wrc.net/phyto ******************************************* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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