Anti Aging Herbs in Ayurveda

Everybody in this world wants to live forever. But it's not possible and is understood by all. Another desire every body want, is to liveyouthfulmentally and physically till they die. Ayurveda has laid stress on two things, one that to attain long life and second is to live like a youth till death. Ancient ayurvedic medical texts Charak samhita mentions in its very first chapter about the techniques by which you can attain long and youthful life. Chapter is named as rasayan. Rasayan are herbs and certain lifestyle techniques by which an ideal condition is attained in the body, so as to minimize the daily wear and tear amongst the cells and tissues to obtain longitivity, rich memory skills, health, youth, efficiency in doing work and vigor. Basically rasayan in a substance that retards aging and makes body strong to fight against diseases.Ayurvedahas mentioned many types of rasayanic herbs like Amla, shilajit, haritaki, guduchi, shankhpushpi, bhallatak, pipilli, and triphala etc. out of these Amla and shilajit are considered one of the best rasayan.

Amla

A heavenly blessed herb with wonderful applications, indicated in almost every disease. Amla is a rasayan mentioned by sage Charak in his golden book Charak Samhita and almost every ayurvedic ancient physician of that era. Amla is considered as a magical herb as it is one herb, which is almost part of every ayurvedic classical preparation. World-renownedayurvedic herbal supplementChyavanprash contains Amla more than 50% of all its bulk. Amla is rich in Vitamin C and is used very commonly in supplementing ascorbic acid. Amla has a small tree, which belongs to Euphorbiaceous family. Amla is known as Emblica officinalis in biological terms. Amla is commonly called as amlaki in Indian subcontinent and as Indian gooseberry in general English people. Amla is a fruit used without seed mostly in dried form but in Chyavanprash fresh Amla is used. Amla consist of sheet (cold) virya potency and is guru (heavy) and ruksh (dry) in property. Amla contains five rasa i.e. madhur, amal, katu, tickt and kashaya. Amla chemically contains ascorbic acid, phyllembin, phyllemblic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, zeatin, Z riboside, Z nucleotide, and tannins.

Pharmacological action of Amla

Amla is rich in tannins which retards the oxidation of Vitamin C therefore helps in restoring the functional element of Amla. Pectin present in it has well-known results in decreasing cholesterol. It inhibits platelets agglutination. Its hematinic and lipalytic function helps in countering diseases like scurvy and jaundice. It regulates digestion and controls over secretions of acids causing hyperacidity. A well renowned herb withanti aging actiondue to presence of properties that regulate vata dosha which plays a major role in aging process of an individual. Due to its sheet virya potency Amla has proven its effectiveness in liver related disorders, premature graying, hair loss, encourages hair and nail growth, improves eyesight, cleanses mouth, nourishes the teeth and bones. A very good intestine and colon cleaner due to it action which promotes peristaltic movement of our gastro intestinal tract. Amla has powerful action on increased glucose level in blood therefore helps in normalizing blood sugar level due to presence of katu, tickt and kashaya rasa and also because it helps in protein synthesis therefore helps in synthesis of insulin, a protein required for balancing glucose levels in blood stream.

Amla has numerous other pharmacological actions. A powerful antioxidant, which helps in retarding preoxidation of our body cells and hence keeps us young and energetic. A well proven anti microbial action like anti bacterial, anti viral, anti fungal, yeast subsidal action, nematacidal and anti protozoal action of Amla is extensively used in ayurvedic line of treatment. Amal is considered as one of the best hypotensive agent and is vastly used by ayurvedic physicians in lowering down the high blood pressure. It gets this property because of its cold potency action. Amla is highly indicated in ulcers, inflammations, constipation, diarrhoea, and heart burns i.e. hyperacidity. An excellent pitta dosha suppressant therefore helps in suppressing disorders caused by pitta dominance. It suppresses burning sensations in palm and soles. It works as antipyretic agent, and makes mind calm and cool.

Due to presence of kashaya rasa Amla is said to enhance red blood cells production. Significant results have been seen in eye inflammations and in improving near sightedness. Amla is also known for its cosmetic values as it helps in hair growth and reduces pigmentation on skin.

Due such actions on our body Amla rejuvenate our whole body system and helps us in regaining the lost energies and enthusiasm in life. It delays aging of our cells and therefore prevents early signs of aging, which easily reflects on our face. It helps in fading away the wrinkles and makes our skin glow which reflects good health. It helps in strengthening our teeth and provide then with the extras strength to last longer then normal.

Shilajit

Another discovery of ayurveda, which has lead to complete change in life of people. An herb obtained from Himalayas, having very diverse mode of action. Shilajit is a resinous matter that oozes out of Himalayan Mountains during summers, which is result of decomposed plant matter dumped in the mountains due to pressure caused by sliding of crusts of mountains. Shilajit is pale brown to black in texture having shiny appearance. It is consumed after purification in milk that helps in detoxifying any toxins present in it. In Sanskrit shilajit means ruler of mountains and suppressor of weakness, so as the name suggest it performs similar action i.e. it helps in subduing weakness and makes our body rule over all the diseases. Shilajit, from very ancient times has been an integral part of ayurvedic medical system. It is a constituent of various ayurvedic classical medicines due to itsrejuvenating powersthat helps to improve our immunity and therefore helps our body fight against the various diseases. Shilajit finds its mention in every ancient ayurvedic texts. It is considered as rasayan. Modern sciences regard it as a powerful antioxidant, which helps in delaying preoxidation process of cells therefore helpful in supporting our body for longitivity.

Its properties like laghu (light) and ruksh (dry) helps and its ushan (hot) virya potency, presence of katu, tickt and kashaya rasa makes it work as a powerful antioxidant and a good health supplement. As per its chemical aspect is considered it contains fulvic acid, which has been of great utility in human body. Besides fulvic acid it contains certain biochemical and photochemical which give it properties to behave like an anti oxidant, and reduces the production of free radicals important for retarding early aging processes of cells and helps them fighting the preoxidation of the cells in the body. It is also very helpful in making bodies immunity strong thus plays a very important role in building our body without making it affected by any disease. Moreover it is very helpful in supplementing our body with important vitamins and minerals thus rendering our body to grow to the fullest. This helps in reducing any wear and tear of the bodies' cells thus is very helpful in avoiding any undue stress on bodies metabolism thus avoiding aging processes. Moreover due to ushan virya potency, shilajit is helpful in suppressing vata dosha, a dosha very much responsible in causing early aging changes and loss of energies in body. Due to its actions shilajit is helpful in avoiding formation of wrinkles and loosening of skin thus helps in retarding early age changes in the body.

Overall we can say that shilajit is very much helpful in rejuvenating our whole body and its systems, thus making it feel young and energized.