A unique element of Ayurveda is the concept of Rasayana or Rejuvenation Therapy.  Although detoxification and cleansing therapies are growing more and more popular each year, the equally essential Rejuvenation Therapy is not as well known.  In this article, I will take you through the theory of Rasayana (rejuvenation) according to Ayurveda, along with the benefits, techniques, indications, and contraindications that go with it.

What is Rasayana?

Yat Jara Vyadhi Nashanam Tat Rasayanam:  “Rasayana is that which negates old age and disease.”

Rasayana, termed Rejuvenation Therapy here in the West, is an anabolic therapy that focuses on restoring, rejuvenating, and rebuilding the system on a cellular level.  The therapies tend to include specific diet, herbs, and lifestyle practices that focus on nourishing and nurturing the body and mind, especially when they are in a state of depletion.  Rasayana can be used to prevent illness, restore the system after illness, or maintain optimal health.  When administered properly, Rasayana promotes longevity, strength, and immunity.  When it is misused, Rasayana can clog the channels of the system, increase toxic build-up, and promote heaviness of the body and mind.

Indications for Rasayana Therapy

Rejuvenation Therapy is the life-promoting, anti-aging jewel of Ayurveda.  It can be the “nectar of youth” with the proper knowledge, and should be a routine part of one’s health maintenance regimen.  Here are some common indications of when Rasayana should be practiced:

• After a severe illness
• After a cleanse or detox program
• Nervous system exhaustion
• Mental exhaustion
• Physical exhaustion
• Vata disorders (insomnia, weakness, debility, emaciation…)
• Anemia
• Weakened immunity
• Chronic fatigue
• Before age 18
• After age 40
• Sexual debility
• Infertility
• During pregnancy (Antepartum)**
• After pregnancy (Postpartum)**
• While breastfeeding**
• After chemotherapy (with doctor’s permission)**

**Perform under a knowledgeable Ayurvedic physician’s direct care

Contraindications for Rasayana Therapy

Although Rasayana Therapy is the essence of nourishment in Ayurveda, if used at inappropriate times, this nectar becomes toxic.  If you have any of the indications above but find you have contraindications as well, you must first treat these factors before administering Rasayana.  Otherwise, conditions may increase and cause more harm than health.

As a general rule, Rasayana is indicated only when the system is relatively clean and free of heavy toxins.  As Dr. Vasant Lad clearly states, “Performing Rasayana while toxins are present is like dying a dirty cloth.  If you want to dye a cloth, you must clean it first to allow the dye to shine.”

Here is a list of symptoms indicating that you should NOT be using Rejuvenation Therapy:

• Toxins in the system
• Coating on the tongue
• Dull appetite
• Slow metabolism
• Kapha imbalance
• Congestion in the system
• Excessive phlegm
• A chronic sense of heaviness
• Excessive weight/obesity
• Parasites in the system
• Candida overgrowth
• Fever, flu, or acute illness
• Kapha mental toxins, such as depression, sadness, and a dull/foggy mind

Benefits of Rasayana Therapy

When used at appropriate times and with the appropriate administration, Rasayana is indeed nectar to the essence of life.  Here are some of the juicy benefits of this Ayurvedic therapy:

• Anti-aging
• Increases energy and vitality
• Promotes intellect and memory
• Repairs and rebuilds tissues
• Increases strength
• Builds and repairs muscle tissue
• Increases immunity and resistance to disease
• Reverses free-radical damage
• Increases Ojas
• Nourishes and calms the nervous system
• Improves the complexion
• Nourishes and lubricates the skin
• Maintains a healthy physical, mental, and emotional state

How to Perform Rasayana Therapy

Rasayana is all about nourishing and rebuilding, and therefore, the treatment therapies need to be the same.  There are many ways to put Rasayana into practice; however, they tend to fall under these four categories:

1. Ahara (diet)
2. Vihara (lifestyle)
3. Aushadha (herbal medicine)
4. Acharya (behavioral medicine)

If you feel that Rejuvenation Therapy is needed at this point in your life, take a couple of options from each category and incorporate them into your daily routine.  Remember that to obtain the greatest health benefits, you must give focus to each category, as they are all important to allow a full range of healing.

Ahara Rasayana: Rejuvenating Foods  

Proper food choices are a powerful way to invoke healing and restoration into your Rejuvenation Therapy.  The foods listed below should be incorporated into the daily diet, although in moderate amounts, to avoid toxic build-up and clogging of channels.  Rasayana foods tend to be building, nourishing, unctuous (oily), and heavy by nature, making these foods healing in proper amounts and toxic when in excess or when the vital channels are clogged.

• Ghee
• Dates
• Almonds
• Cashews
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sesame seeds
• Tahini
• Avocado
• Healthy oils such as coconut, olive, sesame, and almond
• Coconut meat, coconut water, coconut milk
• Organic, whole milk (warmed and spiced)
• Whole grains (brown rice, buckwheat groats, oats, whole wheat…)
• Figs
• Raisins
• Sweet, juicy fruits such as peaches and mangos
• High anti-oxidant foods such as blueberries, cacao, and beets
• Sweet potato
• Rice pudding
• Bone broth
• Meat broth
• Ojas Drink

Here are a couple of recipes to utilize during your Rasayana therapy:

• Rejuvenation Kitchari
• Vata-Reducing Kitchari
• Ojas Increasing Oatmeal
• Ojas Increasing Energy Balls
• Golden Milk
• Rejuvenating Ojas Drink
• Vata-Reducing Smoothie
• Badam Pak (Sweet Almond Bars)
• Homemade Ghee Recipe

Since each food possesses its own unique qualities, it may be best to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner to establish which rejuvenating foods are best for your body-type and healthcare needs.

Vihara Rasayana: Rejuvenating Lifestyle

Our daily lifestyle choices make a huge impact on the state of our health and can be a powerful tool for Rejuvenation Therapy.  Here are some lifestyle practices to integrate into your daily schedule during Rejuvenation Therapy:

• Abhyanga Oil Massage 
• Warm baths with essential oils
• Oiling the feet and scalp with a medicated massage oil before bed
• Restorative Yoga
• Meditation
• Deep belly breathing
• Gentle Pranayama (i.e. deep belly breathing, nadi shodhana)
• Gentle exercise (swimming, walking, mild/low-impact cardio)
• Taking peaceful walks in the fresh air
• Being in nature
• Observing celibacy (when appropriate)
• Journaling
• Art therapy
• Taking time off from work
• Avoiding stressful situations
• Focusing on Self-love and Self-care

These activities are great during Rejuvenation Therapy, but are also essential for incorporating into the daily routine each week.  Consistent practices of self-nourishment and self-care are imperative in sustaining health, vitality, and longevity!

Aushadha Rasayana: Rejuvenating Herbs

Ayurvedic herbs are an amazing support for Rejuvenation Therapy.  There are so many options, with each herb possessing different actions and benefits.  Some herbs rejuvenate a targeted system of the body, such as the nervous system or respiratory system; some target a specific tissue or organ, such as the blood, liver, or skin; some herbs target the entire body.  Most of the “rasayana herbs” are sweet in taste since sweet is building by nature; however, there are many exceptions to this rule.  Here is a large list of the most commonly utilized rejuvenating herbs in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia:

• Triphala Churna
• Amalaki
• Bibhitaki
• Haritaki
• Ashwagandha
• Shatavari
• Guduchi
• Punarnava
• Bala
• Bhringaraj
• Brahmi
• Guggulu 
• Shilajit
• Shankapushpi
• Aloe
• Pippali
• Yasthimadhura (Licorice)
• Vidari
• Kapi Kachu (Atma Gupta)
• Gokshura
• Jatamansi
• Ginger
• Neem
• Turmeric
• Manjistha
• Chitraka

To prepare a potent rejuvenating formula that is unique to your needs, it is important to consider the constitution (prakriti), current state of imbalance (vikriti), season, climate, and digestion type (Agni type) of the individual.  Each herb possesses different healing actions and focuses on different areas of the body, so it may be necessary to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner to establish a well-rounded rejuvenating formula to complement your Rasayana Therapy.

Try our Rasayana Ghrita (Rejuvenation Ghee)!

Acharya Rasayana: Rejuvenating Behaviors

Behavioral medicine focuses on a person’s mental state, stress reactions, communication skills, relationship conduct, work habits, and other areas of behavior.  This is imperative for mental rejuvenation, which will soon lead to physical rejuvenation.  If one does not heal their mental state, true health will never manifest.  Health is not just a physical state, but a mental, emotional, and spiritual state as well!  Here are some effective methods for rejuvenating your subtle body:

• Keep good company
• Avoid negative influences
• Try to be positive, even during stressful situations
• Do not repress emotions; instead, feel them, process them, and let them go
• Journal and release thoughts, emotions, and experiences
• Avoid conflicting situations
• Be truthful in words and actions
• Meditate
• Communicate with awareness
• Act with awareness
• Breathe with awareness
• Do what you love to do in all of life
• Make sure your work aligns with your passion and values
• Make time to lie in the grass
• Make time for Nature
• Make time for family and friends
• Make time for your-Self

Rasayana Therapy is an essential tool for sustaining health at all stages of life.  Establish a complete rejuvenation routine that is most effective for you and your needs!

Continue Reading

• 7 Steps to Rejuvenation after a Cleanse

Try our Rasayana Ghrita (Rejuvenation Ghee)!

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Try our Triphala Churna!