Achara-Rasayan.

Every man want to live long & healthy, for this there are prayers to promote rejuvenation and healing and regenration of living tissues ie, Dhatus in the body.For this there is rasayana therapy in Ayurveda.

Rasayana is one of the eight clinical specialities of classical Ayurveda. Rasayana is not a drug theraphy but is a specialized procedure practised in the from of reguvenative recipes, dietary regimen and special health promoting conduct and behaviour ie, Achara-Rasayan.

Labhopayo hi Sastanam rasadinam Rasayanam.(Cs.ci 1/8)

Rasayana means the way for attaining excellent rasa ie, one attains lonevity, memory, intelligence, freedom from disorder, youthful age, excellence of lusture, complexion & voice, optimum strength of physique and sense organs, successful words, respectability and brilliance.

Historical Aspects - Rasayana is described elaborately in the four padas of the 1st chapter in charaka's cikisthasthana of charak samitha. In Susruthasamitha it is found in 27-29 chapter of chikistasthana & Astangahrdya of Vagbhata of utteratantra.

The effect of Rasayana - Considering the Ayurvedic concepts of physiology Rasayana agent promotes nutrition trough one of the folling three modes :

• By direct enrichment of the nutritional quality of rasa (nutritional plasma) - Satavarai, milk, ghee etc.
• By promoting nutrition through impromving agni (digestion & metabolism) - Bhallataka, pippali etc.
• By promoting the competence of srotas (microcirculatory channels in the body)-Guggulu.

Classification Of Rasayana - The rasayanas may be classified as below :
A - As per scope of use -
1. Kamaya Rasayana - Promotor of normal health.
a. Pranakamya - Promotor of vitality & longevity of life.
b. Medhakamya - Promotor of intellengence.
c.Srikamya - Promotor of complexion.
2. Naimittika Rasayana - Promotes the vitality in specific diseases.
B - As per method of use -
1.Vatatapika Rasayana - Outdoor theraphy.
2. Kutipravesika Rasayana - Indoor theraphy.
C - As per content of Rasayana -
1. Ausadha Rasayana - Drug Rasayana.
2. Ahara Rasayana - Dietary Rasayana.
3. Achara Rasayana - Conduct of Rasayana.

Method of use - Before the use of rasayana theraphy it is very essential that samsodhanna karma is done as a preparatory procedure. Similarly the the patient needs mental purification as well.

ARTHRITIS - AYURVEDIC CONCEPT

The various forms of arthritis are each painful and debilitating. Although arthritis is often attributed to aging, certain types of it can occur at any age.......... The type of arthritis known as rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of the immune system. It most often affects the hands of the patient. Rheumatoid arthritis causes severe inflammation of the joints, leading to great pain.........

ARTHRITIS - AYURVEDIC CONCEPT
Arthritis is one of the most common ailment for which Ayurvedic help is being sought these days. Ayurveda attributes cause of any disease to an imbalance in one or all of the doshas, and hence every disease has a supporting theory by the name of tridosha.

SAMPRAPTI (Pathogenesis) OF ARTHRITIS
Ayurveda suggests that arthritis is caused primarily by an excess of ama and lack of agni. Poor digestion and a weakened colon, resulting in the accumulation of undigested food and the buildup of waste matter can cause this. Poor digestion allows toxins to accumulate in the body, and problems with the colon allow the toxins to reach the joints.Healthy, flexible joints rely on strong digestion and metabolism. Poor eating habits and weak digestion allow impurities to accumulate, circulate and build up in the joints. This inhibits joint function, mobility and comfort.
AIM OF TREATMENT

So, the way to treat arthritis is to stimulate the digestive fire (agni) and to treat the ama.
Ayurvedic approach to Arthritis includes:

1. Strengthening the metabolic pathways that prevent blockage of circulatory channels to joints, by impurities
2. Strengthening of digestion to create nutritional plasma that is pure and easy to assimilate
3. Improving the lubrication of joints
4. Anything that aggravates, or overly activates Vata, will increase the sensitivity and experience of pain in the body.

Therefore an important component in treating arthritic pain is to balance and stabilize Vata. This in turn will balance the nervous system function and its sensitivity to pain.As with almost all diseases Ayurveda distinguishes three categories of arthritis, corresponding to more imbalance of vata, pitta, and kapha. To treat this condition properly, it is vital to carefully diagnose which dosha is more imbalanced.

Vata
Most common type. Severe, throbbing and cutting pain that is variable and migrating. This becomes worse in cold weather or when cold water comes in contact with the affected joints. if arthritis is due to vata, your joints will crack and pop. They become dry and are not swollen as they may be if excess vata is not the cause. Other symptoms include dry or scaly skin, stiff joints, bone deformities, gas, abdominal distension, low back pain, nervousness, fear, anxiety and insomnia. Body types will usually be thin.

Pitta
Second common. There will be a burning sensation with redness and inflammation that becomes worse in hot weather or from hot water. Diarrhea, loose stool, anger, sweating, fever, irritability are usually present. The arthritis is characterized by inflammation. The joint becomes swollen and is painful even without movement. It often looks red and feels hot to the touch.

Kapha
Least common. There will be itching, swelling or loss of movement and edema without inflammation around the joints. It becomes worse in cold, damp or wet weather. Other symptoms may be heaviness, aches, oily skin, congestion or mucus in the stool. Heat or hot-dry weather relieves pain. In kapha-type arthritis, the joint also becomes stiff and swollen, but it feels cold and clammy rather than hot. A little movement, rather than aggravating the pain, tends to relieve it.

Well, no matter which way you look at it, ARTHRITIS HURTS YOU! Emotionally, psychologically, and physically, it hurts on a daily basis.It can and will cause pain at any point in your day, and the more you worry over it, the worse it often becomes. It creates low energy levels and a frustration inside of you, hindering you from enjoying and sharing your talents and abilities with others.It is painful and can cause severe physical and emotional scars, that remain with you for the rest of your life.