Importance of rejuvenation therapy
To prevent or postpone diseases and disabilities related to old age and degeneration of
dhatus, rejuvenation therapy as documented in Ayurveda can prove to be very effective and beneficial for life. The objective of this therapy is to maintain proper digestion and metabolism which provides strength to the tissues and promote the growth of new cells and tissues that give energy to the body. Rejuvenation therapy provides strength to the nerves and overall to the nervous system. It provides lubrication, tenderness and elasticity to the joints, nervous system and body organs. It maintains mental equilibrium and balance of the body. Physical and mental faculties remain strong and coordinate properly. Rejuvenation therapy helps to protect against diseases and disorders of old age and keeps the strength of sensory organs intact which helps to maintain perfect vision and auditory activities as before. The glow of the face is restored and complexion is maintained. The skin remains smooth and maintains the luster of youth. This is the reason why this therapy is very beneficial and is a must for every person. One should necessarily adopt rejuvenation therapy as a part of their lifestyle.
- An appropriate time for rejuvenation therapy
The main aim of rejuvenation therapy is to prevent diseases and disabilities of old age. If this therapy is followed after inevitable old age, it is not proven to be very beneficial. One should adopt rejuvenation therapy as a preventive measure to old age problems before reaching old age, during the youth or the adult phase. Rejuvenation therapy would be completely effective if adopted prior to old age because of the normal functioning of the digestive system and metabolic activities during the youth and adult stages.
The following two conditions should be strictly followed prior to undergoing rejuvenation therapy:
- Purification of the body: The very first thing to do is to purify the body, particularly the digestive system by the expulsion of unwanted and toxic substances from the body. This purification or detoxifying therapy is to be adopted by induced vomiting and purgation. One cannot get full advantage of rejuvenation therapy without detoxifying the body. Hence, removing wastes from the body before practicing this therapy is necessary.
- Positive thinking and conduct: A person practicing rejuvenation therapy should be taught to think positively, talk and perform in a way which helps to develop a good and healthy society. Such conduct and deeds themselves give the effect of rejuvenation by keeping the mind and body young and energetic even without the use of medicines and rejuvenating treatments. Such an optimistic attitude keeps an individual exhilarated, lively, enthusiastic and young. This is the reason why good conduct holds an important place in Ayurveda.
- Indications
An individual can be considered suitable for rejuvenation therapy only if he/ she has a good moral character. In Ayurveda, character plays an important role while selecting a specific line of treatment. While selecting a person suitable for rejuvenation therapy, various characteristics of a person are considered.
- Methods of use
According to Ayurveda scriptures, rejuvenation therapy can be used in the following two ways:
- Indoors or confinement to a cottage: This method involves withdrawal from daily routine activities by being confined to a special type of cottage. It is identical to having indoor patient treatment.
- Outdoors or non-confinement: In this method one can undergo rejuvenation therapy with their normal routine activities. It is similar to having out patient treatment. For most people this method is more appropriate as it is easier to do.
- Incompatible food and habits in rejuvenation therapy
A person undertaking rejuvenation therapy should avoid foods containing salty, sour and pungent tastes; oily foods, contaminated and left-over foods, sour kanji (a fermented appetizer), alcohol, kodo millet (gingelli), wild rice (nivara), cottage cheese, yogurt, fatty foods, mutton, wine, flesh and dishes prepared from them; and habits such as staying away from coitus, wakening up late in the night, anxiety, fear, worry and anger.
- Rejuvenating Medicines
There are many herbs suitable for rejuvenation therapy in Ayurveda scriptures. The most important are Indian gooseberry (amvala), myrobalan (harara), belleric myrobalan (bahera), tinospora (giloya), water hyssop (brahmi), liquorice root (mulethi), bindweed (sankhapuspi), hogweed (punarnava), false pepper (vidanga), Indian pennywort (mandukaparni) and vitality promoting Astavarga herbs. Along with herbal medicines, there are some other medicines which act as good rejuvenators. Besides plant medicines, some mineral and metal based medicines like the ones prepared from pure bitumen (silajita) and gold are also used as rejuvenators. Before using these minerals and metals in medicinal preparations, they are processed so that they become purified and are made compatible with the blood and other body fluids.
Ayurveda explains the processing, quantity, method and time of use of each rejuvenating substance and the compatibility and contra-indications while using rejuvenation therapy, which are different for different medicines. Hence, rejuvenation therapy should be undertaken in the supervision of a skilled physician and according to the scientific procedures mentioned in Ayurveda.
Besides using the above-mentioned medicines independently, there are certain preparations made by combining a mixture of several herbs and medicines having strong rejuvenating properties which are thus popularly used in rejuvenation therapy. Among them the common ones are Cyavanaprasa, Amalaki Rasayana, Brahmi Rasayana and Trifala Rasayana. Out of these, Cyavanaprasa is the most popular and commonly used.
