Vayasthapana Gana – Rejuvenating Group Of Herbs: Review, Benefits

By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD.
‘Anti aging’ is the recent trend in modern medicinal world and people are anxiously watching to achieve this by various means. The drugs which are rejuvinating, aphrodisiac, improve the wellbeing, upgrade the health status, improves the intellect, makes one look handsome altogether are referred by the name ‘Vayasthaopana’ in Ayurveda. 

In fact the Rasayana concept further substantiates the same view whereas Vayasthapana emphasizes more physical well being.

The derugs referred under this heading are free from toxicity and they are free radical scavenging agents which facilitate the free movement of the nutritional factors. Also they moderate the bodily functions as well as the specific functioning of various vital organs as well as metabolic tissues or cells. Thus they are unique while upgrading the physical and mental entities by all means.

Vayasthapana Gana

Let us review the quality and action of these drugs one by one in brief –
1. Amruta (Tinspora cordifolia) – Stem
Anti pyrertic, rejuvenating, blood purifier, liver stimulant, bitter tonic, detoxifier etc.

2. Abhaya – Terminalia chebula – Fruit rind
Laxative, rejuvenating, eye tonic, scraping etc.

3. Dhatri (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) – FRuits
Rejuvenating, restorative, anti oxidant, eye tonic, tissue replenisher, cardiac tonic, hemetenic etc.

4.  Mukta (pearl) – Organic ash/Bhasma
Coolant, blood purifier, calcium supplement, antacid, alkalizer etc.

5. Shveta (white variety of Clitoria ternatea Linn.) – Roots
Memory enhancer, restorative, liver stimulant, stabilizer etc.

6. Jivanti – Leptadenia reticulata – Roots
Galactogogue, soothing, eye tonic, nutritive etc.

7. Atirasa – Shatavari – Asparagus root – Asparagus racemosus – Roots
Galactogogue, rejuvenating, aphrodisiac, soothing, nervine tonic, bulk enhancer, nourishing etc.

8. Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica Urban) – Whole plant
Memory enhancer, soothing, coolant, anxiolytic, hair tonic etc.

9. Sthira – Desmodium gangeticum – Roots
Anti inflammatory, analgesic, coolant, nervine tonic etc.

10. Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. ) – Roots
Diuretic, rejuvenating, lithotripsic, replenisher, uterine tonic etc.

Qualities,Therapeutic uses

Qualities in general and actions of Vayasthapana gana drugs:
The drugs explained under this heading are sweet or astringent in nature and hence they are stabilizers of the body tissues. Most of them are hot in potency and pungent in metabolic change or cold in potency and pungent in metabolic change; this gives us inference that the Panchabhoutic configuration of the ingredients is in favor of stabilizing the body and vital organs.

Altogether the drugs enumerated here are rejuvinative, carminative, digestive, liver stimulants and tissue replenishers.

Therapeutic uses of Vayasthapana gana drugs:
The formulations prepared out iof the drugs of Vayasthapana gana are effective in various geriatric health issues and in degenerative joint disorders as well as neuromuscular disorders. Few of the drugs are capable of managing the blood borne diseases, bone and marrow related disorders, diseases of the urogenital system too.

Ayurvedic medicines

Formulations containing Vayasthapana gana drugs :
The important formulations derived out of the drugs of Vayasthapana gana are Guduchi satwa, Amalaka rasayana, Brahma rasayana, Chyavana prasha, Shatavari rasayana, Shatavaryadi choorna, Saraswata choorna, Punarnavasava, Punarnavadi kashaya, Punarnavashthaka kashaya, Jeevantyadi yamaka, Mukta bhasma, Muktapanchamrita, Pravala panchamrita etc.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Vayasthapana gana drugs:
As the drugs referred here are rejuvenating in nature no absolute contra-indications can be pointed out. However specific drug allergy or intolerance should be taken care while prescribing such drugs.

Simple formulations

Simple formulations that can be made from the above drugs and their application in routine practice:
Regular practice of Guduchi – Amalaki – Hareetaki etc are helpful to control the sugar level as well as cholesterol levels in the body. Dose and vehicle can be determined as per ones constitution and body weight. Mandukaparni being a well known memory enhancer can be used while preparing the side dishes which can be used regularly along with food or else its fresh juice can be taken in empty stomach.

Formulation development opportunities

Kamya Rasayan is the unique concept of Ayurveda where by the regular intake of particular drugs or combinations the individual can strengthen the particular body parts or systemic functions. In tis respect if the above said drugs are incorporated with suitable adjuvants or other apt herbal ingredient, desired health benefit can be obtained and this will surely open a new avenue in health care. So suitable formulations can be made for the respective targets like promotion of the eye sight(by netrya rasayana), promotion of the hearing ability(by Karnya rasayana), enhancing the glow and luster of the skin (Twachya Rasayana), enhancing the memory and intellect(Medhya rasayana) etc. In this regard the drugs referred under the heading of Vayasthapana will surely facilitate the desired health benefits in various respects and entities.
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