Ayurveda for Anti-aging
In this article we explain everything about how to preserve your aging through Ayurveda or some techniques of Ayurveda for anti-aging. From ancient period, humanity has been concerned with development and preservation of youthful vigor, and extending longevity by delaying the process of aging. Longevity and old age are accompanied with a variety of health challenges. Thus, every individual is now looking forward to a youthful, productive lifespan of 100 or more years filled with unlimited health and opportunities.
Ayurveda has a holistic approach towards all the miseries of man and aging is one of these. It is classified as one of the natural and Yapya (palliative) diseases. It is the process of becoming old and decaying. As age advances, several changes take place in the body, in the external appearance, in the condition of Dosha, Dhatu, Mala, Agni, Oja, and so on, as well as in the mental and cognitive functions. Elderly people are susceptible to several chronic diseases also. So Ayurveda Ayurveda for anti-aging therapy can act effectively in your aging process.
Causes of aging:
- Kala Parinama (time and transformation): the physical and mental transformation that occurs as an effect of time.
- Prakriti (the biological constitution): The Prakriti which is unique to each individual reflects the basic characteristics of the individual including metabolism, immunity, inherent strength and mental status.
- Doshas (biological humor)
- Ahara (diet)
- Achara (habitual action): sleep, physical exercise
- Dhatu kshaya (loss of bodily tissue)
Sleep, physical exercise, depression and certain gene mutation leds to premature aging.
Preventive measures of Ayurveda for anti-aging
1. Diet and conscious eating
The philosophy of conscious eating (Ahara Vihara) is emphasized in the Ayurvedic texts. According to Ayurveda, our personality is determined by what, when, where and how we eat. Ayurveda insists that conscious eating favors optimal digestion that directly and swiftly corrects imbalances and, in doing so, prevents diseases, ends suffering and delays the aging process. Ayurveda recommends the importance of eating a wholesome, constitution-specific diet and being in tune with nature while eating, as it influences and impacts our digestion, metabolism and lifespan.
2. Sleep
Sleep (Nidra) is one of the three main sub-pillars of good health. Sleep can be influenced by age, lifestyle, daily routines, diet and environment. Ayurveda cautions that poor sleep patterns can be debilitating as it triggers age-associated pathological conditions that can hasten the aging process.
Different meditating techniques as pranayama as anuloma viloma, bhramari, yoga –asana as savasana, makarasana, siddhasana, padmasana, yoga-nindra. Use of siro-dhara, murdha taila are very effective for maintaining good sleep.
3. Regular routines
Ayurveda recommends a set of daily routines (morning, noon and night) of self-care. These guidelines include proper time of waking and sleeping, elimination, hygiene, massage, mindfulness practices, diet, work, and travel all during the course of the day and night. Routines also include cleansing procedures, bowel habits, yoga, breathing practices and massage. These daily observances maintain the synchronicity of circadian rhythms with time of the day, night and seasons and help in anti-aging process.
4. Panchakarma
While talking about the Ayurveda for anti-aging, Panchakarma detox is a very effective technique. Periodical detoxification provide the strength and nourishment to the deeper tissues (Dhatus) and pacifies age-associated health issues.
Oleation and fomentation therapies are important as they neutralize the Vata-triggered coldness and dryness that accompany aging.
5. Abhyanga
Regular oil massage (Abhyanga) with warm oil that is often infused with the individual’s constitution-specific herbs is beneficial for maintaining good health and to delay age-associated pathological changes.
6. Mindfulness practices
Daily practice of yoga, meditation and pranayama (breath practices) acts as anti-aging process. Yogic practices enhance muscular strength and body flexibility, improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, promote recovery from addiction, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance overall well-being and quality of life. These practices sustain balance of the physical, mental and emotional body, so promote longer health span.
7. Sadvritta
Sadvritta indicates moral reasoning, code of ethics or good conduct, required to guide daily living and maintain a balanced state of mental and physical life. Sadvritta allows the individual to examine one’s values, interpersonal and social behavior. Cultivating these ethical regimens help to strengthen mental health and sustain the balance between an individual’s mind and body and helps to overcome life’s challenges that accompany the aging process.
Treatment:
- Use of anti-oxidants: Amala(Phyllanthus emblica) is the best anti- oxidant prescribed in Ayurveda for anti-aging.
- Purificatory measures : Yapana Basti
- Use of Rasayana therapy:
Mode of administration
- Intra mural therapy: in house rasayana therapy.
- Extra mural therapy: use of formulation as Chawanprasha rasayana, Silajatu Rasayana.
According to Achievable outcome
- Ajasrika Rasayana: Promote longevity and is an effective therapy in Ayurveda for anti-aging.
Use of milk, ghee, food, fruits etc. as therapy.
- Kamya Rasayana: Helps in achievements of specific benefits as promotion of intelligence, strength etc.
Shankhapuspi Rasayana, Gudichi Rasayana, Triphala Rasayana etc.
- Naimittika Rasayana: Hastens the recovery from prevailing diseases and reduces cell degradation.
Pippali rasayana, Bhallataka Rasayan etc.
- Use of Virile therapy
Virile therapy increases libido, sexual potency and decrease anti- anxiety. So, all bodily elements gets rejuvenated thus acts as anti-aging therapy.