The biology of aging (JARA): an ayurvedic approach

Abstract

Ayurveda considers Rasāyana as one of the foremost branches of Astānga Ayurveda and have rightly justifies its status by the place its given in the Ayurvedic treatises. The word Rasāyana should not be mistaken as a therapy exclusively related to old age. It can be applied from pediatrics to geriatrics. Suśruta defies Rasāyana as a measure, which prolongs and provides positive health, improves mental faculties and provides resistance and immunity against diseases. Caraka states that the means of obtaining optimum nourishment to the Dhātus are called Rasāyanas. This paper is dealt in two ways - components, which accelerate or trigger an early onset of aging and measures adopted to reverse them.