Why Should You Consider Ayurveda for Preventing Early Aging?

Gerontologists define aging as a process in which there is a progressive decline in the structure of molecules, cells, tissues, organs, and organisms along with their functions that begin to develop after the attainment of sexual maturity. As per biologists, aging is defined as the total of all changes that occur in a living organism over time and lead to a decreasing ability to survive stress, functional impairment, and death.

In Ayurveda, the concept of aging is named under Jaravastha, Jara, and Vardhakhya. Jaravastha or Jara means becoming old by the wear and tear process. Vardhakhya means increasing age. The lifespan of a human being is divided into three phases:

1. Balavastha (up to 16 years of age),
2. Madhyavastha (16-60 or 70 years) is further classified into phases of growth from 16-20 years, the youth phase is from 20-30 years, the phase of maturity is from 30-40 years, and after 40 years there is progressive declination in the human being until 60 or 70 years.
3. Vruddhavastha (the old age is above 60 or 70 years).

The Jaravastha is divided into two types:

1. Kalaja and
2. Akalaja Jara.

Kalaja jara is the one that occurs after the age of 60 years or 70 years even after following the Dinacharya (daily routine) or Rutucharya (seasonal routine) and is age-related. Akalaja Jaravastha is premature aging when an individual does not follow the guidelines of Dinacharya (daily regimen)and Rutucharya (seasonal regimen) and the improper follow-up of Panchakarma (five purificatory procedures).

Concept of aging in Ayurveda

 Aging in Ayurveda can be understood based on factors like Tridosha, Agni, Dhatu, and Ojus.

Tridosha has a major role in maintaining the health of cells, tissues, and organs. The three doshas are predominant in the respective age of an individual. Kapha dosha is predominant in the Balavastha (childhood), Pitta dosha in the Madhyamavastha (middle age), and Vata dosha is predominant in the Vruddhavastha (old age). The increased Vata dosha in old age is responsible for wrinkles on the skin, loss of luster of the skin, graying of hair, etc.

Agni in old age becomes Vishamagni (the digestion capacity or strength is sometimes slow and sometimes quick, fluctuating). This state of Agni is due to the predominance of Vata dosha. Due to this disturbed Agni, the Ahara rasa is not formed properly and thus, the first Dhatu, Rasa Dhatu is not formed properly and does not even get properly nourished. The successive Dhatus also are undernourished and hence the essence of all Dhatu called Ojas is poorly formed. Ojas is necessary for the strength, compactness, complexion, and luster of the skin, and hence when the Ojas is reduced the bones are fragile, the skin loses its luster, and there are wrinkles of the skin.

Ayurveda for Preventing Early Aging

The measures of aging here are discussed for Akalaja Jaravastha.

Dinacharya – The daily regimen as mentioned in the texts of Ayurveda plays a vital role in maintaining the health of an individual. These include waking up early morning, Kavala and Gandusha (gargling procedures), Abhyanga including Mukha and Shiro Abhyanga (oil massage of the complete body including face and head), Nasya karma (installation of medicine in the nose), Dhoomapana (medicated smoking), Achara Rasayana (code of conduct or the behavior), Nidra (sleeping at proper times and sleeping for optimum time) etc. are some of the regimen procedures to be followed routinely.

Rutucharya – The seasonal regimen that is the diet and lifestyle to be followed in six different Rutu (seasons). Every Rutu has different atmospheric conditions and so does their effect on dosha. Thus, following the Rutucharya keeps the balance between the dosha intact.

Snehana karma – The oleation therapy is very essential to keep the tissues, and skin intact. Both internal and external oleation help in bringing the vitiated dosha from the periphery to the alimentary canal and eliminating them. Thus, the dhatu is nourished properly.

Swedana karma – the fomentation procedure following the Snehana karma reduces the rigidity of the body and hence smoothening the functions. The perspiration that occurs removes the waste products from the body through sweat and helps increase blood circulation.

Panchakarma – The five purificatory procedures viz, Vamana (emesis therapy), Virechana (purgation therapy), Nasya (installation of the medicine in the nose), Basti – Anuvasana Basti (medicated oil/ghee enema) and Asthapana Basti (medicated decoction enema) aim to remove the toxins from the body providing health benefits. Periodical purification is very beneficial in healthy individuals to prevent premature aging.

Rasayana Tantra – The rejuvenation therapy or the use of drugs that rejuvenate the cells, tissues, and organs in the human body. This therapy makes use of the drugs either in single drug form or compound formulations to prevent the symptoms of premature aging like wrinkles on the skin and graying of hair. Besides these benefits, improved appetite, and nourishment of the seven Dhatus. Rasayana in the form of food can also be given and the rasayana in the form of behavioral conduct is advised as well. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Amalaki (Embelica officinalis), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), etc. are some of the examples of Rasayana drugs.

Vajeekarana – The aphrodisiac drugs are the drugs that provide vitality, and strength, nourish all the tissues, and thus help in the prevention of the early aging process.

Vayasthapana – In the classics of Ayurveda, a class of drugs called Vayasthapana is explained which means the drugs that aim to prevent premature aging. These drugs possess the properties like the Rasayana drugs.

Varnya – The drugs of the Varnya group enhance the complexion of the skin and make the person look youthful.

Sandhaniya – The drugs that help in the repair of damaged tissues and regenerate new cells.

Shothahara – The drugs of the Shothahara group protect the skin from allergies, inflammatory substances, etc.

Vranaropana – The deeper wounds in the skin are healed by the Vranaropana drugs.

Tvachya – Tvachya drugs are the drugs that maintain the moisture of the skin and provide nourishment to the skin.

Conclusion

Aging in Ayurveda is classified as Kalaja Jaravastha and Akalaja Jaravastha. Kalaja jara is a natural phenomenon occurring after the age of 60 or 70 years. Akalaja jara is the premature early aging. Kalaja jara occurs naturally even after the person is following the guidelines of Dinacharya, Rutucharya, Panchakarma, Rasayana therapy, etc. Akalaja jara occurs at an early age when the daily and seasonal regimens are not followed properly, improperly administered Panchakarma or not following purificatory procedures. Following Dinacharya, Rutucharya, undergoing Panchakarma at periodical intervals, taking the Rasayana and Vajeekarana drugs, application of drugs possessing Varnya, Sandhaniya, etc. drugs are the measures of prevention of aging according to Ayurveda.

References

1. THEORIES AND MANAGEMENT OF AGING: MODERN AND AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVES, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011 (Jan), page. 1-6.
2. A CRITICAL REVIEW OF CONCEPT OF AGING IN AYURVEDA, Ayu, 2010 (Oct-Dec), Volume 31, Issue 4, page. 516-519.
3. HEALTHY AGING THROUGH AYURVEDA: A REVIEW, International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy, 2017, Volume 8, Supplement 3, page. 93 – 97.
4.  PHYSIOLOGY OF AGING ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA – A REVIEW, International Ayurvedic Medical Journal, 2018 (May), Volume 6, Issue 5, page. 1099-1104.
5. A REVIEW ARTICLE ON FACTORS WHICH DELAY JARA (AGEING) FROM CHARAKA SAMHITA, World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research, 2023, Volume 9, Issue 4, page. 78-82.
6. CARE OF AGEING BY AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE, Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences, 2018 (Mar-Apr), Volume 3, Issue 2, page. 56-61.
7. THE CONCEPT OF AGING IN AYURVEDA, Ancient Science of Life, 1993 (Jan-Apr), Volume XII, No’s 3 and 4, page. 377-387.
8. AGING AND SKIN CARE AYURVEDIC CONCEPTS, World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, 2021, Volume 7, Issue 11, page. 155-158.
9. Rao RV. Ayurveda and the science of aging. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2018 Jul-Sep;9(3):225-232. doi: 10.1016/j.jaim.2017.10.002. Epub 2017 Dec 21. PMID: 29276113; PMCID: PMC6148064.
10. Datta HS, Mitra SK, Paramesh R, Patwardhan B. Theories and management of aging: modern and ayurveda perspectives. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:528527. doi: 10.1093/ecam/nep005. Epub 2011 Jun 8. PMID: 19233879; PMCID: PMC3136561.