Doctor Bon

The average life span of an individual had increased in present times due to better quality of medical help and improved nutrition. Therefore, the number of old people in society has gone up. Rejuvenation or rasayana therapy, prescribed in Ayurveda, is meant to help improve the lives of old people.

Charaka, while defining the scope of this therapy, states that through it, the individual is endowed with longevity; memory; intellect; positive health; youthfulness; memory; excellent complexion, voice, strength of the sensory and ,motor organs and luster. Instead of a society of old and invalid people, it aims at creating a society of aged people with youthful vigour—both physical and mental.

Rejuvenation therapy aims at keeping the enzymes in the tissues cells in their normal functioning condition. These cells are revitalized and their composition is changed. Tranquility of the mind is promoted and the nerves as well as bones kept in good condition. This prevents the process of aging and makes the individual free from any disease even in his advanced years. He is able to see as clearly as before and maintain his hearing abilities, as also the glow on his face and the colour of his skin. The sooner the therapy is administers to the better. As a person grows older, this therapy becomes ineffective.

For rejuvenation, many drugs are described in Ayurvedic classics, and prescribed by Ayurvedic physicians. The most important ones are amalaki, bibbitaki, baritaki, guduchi and brabmi. Drugs of mineral origin like mercury, sulfur, gold and mineral pitch or bitumen are also extensively used for the purpose of rejuvenation. These drugs are detoxicated and assimilated before they are used. The mode of administration, the method of preparation, the dosage diet and the precautions to be taken while administering these drugs, vary from drug to drug. Normally, they require the supervision of experts. To obtain the desired effect, the therapy should be followed for a considerable amount of time. The duration of this therapy depends on the age and other physical and psychological conditions of the individual.