A CONCEPTUAL APPROACH TO CHARAKOKTA VAYASTHAPANA DASHEMANI W.S.R TO ANTI-AGIENG ACTIVITY

Abstract

Living longer has been a goal of human mankind since antiquity. Age is period of time a person has existed since birth and Ageing is gradual biological impairment of normal function which is under polygenic controls, whose chemistry is still mystery. Vayasthapana dashemani of Charaka emphasizes about prevention of ageing & restoration of youth for longer period. Drugs of Vayasthapana mahakashaya are –Amruta( Tinospora cordifolia), Abhaya (Terminalia chebula), Dhatri ( Phyllanthus emblica), Mukta( Pluchea lanceolata), Shweta(Clitorea ternatea), Jivanti (Leptedenia reticulata), Atirasa( Asparagus racemosus), Mandukaparni( Centella asiatica), Sthira( Desmodium gangeticum), Punarnava( Boerhavia diffusa). The objective of this paper is to analyze the rationality of inclusion of these drugs in Vayasthapana gana & substantiate their properties based on Treatment principles employed in old age according to Ayurveda. On screening Properties of Drugs it was found that majority of drugs having Medhya, Rasayana & Tridoshagna effect , which comprehensively improves & restores(Sthapana) the impaired body functions of most commonly affected systems during old age & justifies their inclusion in that group.