ROLE OF RASAYANA CHIKITSA IN PANDEMIC SITUATION

Taken from the slides of the conference of Dr. Chandrakala S., BAMS, MD

What are Viruses?

• Living organisms that require a host body to survive. They feed off the nutrients of the host and weaken it's immunity.
• A virus is a sub-microscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism.

Pandemic    

• pan – all
• Demos – people or population
• A pandemic is an epidemic occurring on a scale usually affecting people worldwide.  i.e whole region, continent or the world due to susceptible population.

What is CoronaVirus?

• Corona: It is named because it's structure resembles a crown.
• COVID19: Corona Virus disease reported in December 2019
• As per WHO coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illness ranging from a common cold to the more severe MERS and SARS .There are different corona viruses 229E, NL63, HKU1 right now we are fighting against the latest strain COVID19.
• As it is Pandemic no known cure or Vaccine as yet and experts race to find vaccine.

JANAPADODWAMSA

• JANAPADA – large number of human beings.
• UDWAMSA – to be affected / destroyed
• The Charakasamhita devotes an entire chapter to this topic in Vimanasthana as to why people of different constitution, lifestyle, diet and genetic inheritance become afflicted with the same disease.
• JANAPADODWAMSA literally means destruction of communities due to 4 primary components that is VAYU, UDAKA, DESHA and KALA {cha.vi 3/6}
• Resulting in simultaneous outbreak of diseases having similar symptoms.

RASAYANA

• Etymologically the term “RASAYANA” comprises of 2 words – RASA and AYANA.
• RASA – Derived from the root 'Ras' 'Gatau' which means to move.
• Tatra rasa gatau dhatuhu aharahragachhati {Su.su 14/13} 
• Ayana means: 
• Gnana, gamana, prapthi 
• The combination of the words 'Rasa' and 'Ayana' conveys the meaning of Rasa prapthi 
• 'Rasasya agamatwat ayanam prapti rasayanam'

PARIBHASHA OF RASAYANA

• Acharya Charaka defined Rasayana as the procedure or treatment which imparts superior type of Rasa i.e PrashasthaRasa and promotes the strength of dhathus.
• “Laabhopayo hi shastaanam rasadeenam rasayanam” {Cha chi 1/1} 
• “Vyasthapanamayurmedhabalakaram rogaapaharanam samartham cha” {su.su 1/8} 

Rasayana - Chronological review

• Atharvaveda explains “jeevam sharadaha shatham” as living 100 years without ailments and attatchments  - {A.V.19|67|21} 
• Obvious from the references that Shathavari and Durva were used as Rasayana. 
• ''ayane te parayane doorvam rohitum pushpini'‘ – {R.V 10|11|143.} 
• Chavana maharshi bestowed with longlife, due to a receipe given by ashwini kumaras.
• Hence the name chyawanprasha – {R.V 1|117|13} 

CLASSIFICATION OF RASAYANA

REFERENCES - CHA.CHI 1/16  A.H.U.39/5  SU.CHI

• Kuti Praveshikam 
• Vatatapika 
• Aachara/Nitya Rasayanam 
• Droni Praveshika Rasayanam 
• Kamya Rasayanam 
• Naimittika rasayanam 
• Ajasrika Rasayanam 

According to Sushrutha:

• Sarvopaghata shamaniya 
• Medhayushkamiya 
• Swabhavavyadhi Prathishediya 

Nivrutta Santapiya

BENIFITS OF RASAYANA

• Rasayana therapy is very comprahensive descipline of positive health medicine.
• Rasayana deals with the science of nutrition through proper metabolism which may be applicable to all age groups from Paediatrics to Geriatrics.
• “Dheerghamayu smruti medhamaraogyam tarunam vaya...Prabha varna swaroudarya dehendriyam balam param...Vaaksiddi pranati kanti labhate naa rasayanam..Labhopaayo hi shastanam rasadeenam rasayanam {Cha.chi 1|1|78..A.H.U 39} 
• Appropriate and accelerative nutrition leading to improved biological competence.
• Rasayna is nutritional transportation in the body it refers to acquisition, circulation of nutrition to nourish the body and enhance tissue perforation.
• Rasayanas primarily enriching Poshaka rasa which  maintains and increases the optimum level of all the body elements
• Promotes agni {Digestion and Metabolism}
• Improving srotas and Microcirculation 
• Longevity
• Improvement of 3 mental faculties Dhi,Dhriti and Smriti  
• Better bio availability effect
• Anti – stress
• Immuno stimulation and immuno modulation
• Rejuvenation
• It increases intellectual power, stamia and vigour
• Subdues some odiuos disease conditions
• Restorative
• Promotive 
• Curative and many more

RASAYANA & COVID 19 - SINGLE  HERBS

Amruta/ Guduchi – Tinospora cordifolia:

• According to Ayurveda:
• deepana, chakshushya, medhya, vatahara, kaphahara, rakthapittahara, dahaprashamana, vayasthapana, sthanyashodhana and jwaragna.
• Scientific studies evaluate and confirm insight beneficial properties.
• Antiviral, Immunomodulatory, Hepatoprotective, Anti-inflammalatory, Anti-oxidant and Analgesic effect.
• Effective against respiratory infections.It pacifies the mucus membrane of you respiratory system there by making effective against bronchitis
• The water soluble fraction 95% ethanolic extract  of T.cordifolia has shown significant anti-pyretic activity.

RASAYANA & COVID 19 - SINGLE  HERBS 

• Tinospora differentially regulate elevation of cytokines as evidenced by the increased production of anti-angiogenic agents.
• Aqueous extract also induced an increase in anti-body production in vivo.
• Tinospora extract treatment caused significant reduction in eosinphil count and improved Hb in  HIV
• Its potent anti-viral activity is proved in HSV-1 {herpes simplex virus}.
• At least 4 natural compounds of Tinospora showed high binding efficacy against SARS-COV 2.

RASAYANA & COVID 19 - SINGLE  HERBS 

Pippali-piper longum: 

• Prayojya madhusamishra rasayana gunaishana...jetu kasam kshayam shosham shwasam hikka galamayan {Cha.Chi 1} 
• Pippali Deepani vrishya swadupaaka rasayani.........Shwasa kasodara jwaran. {B.P 53—58}
• The specific and non  specific immunomodulatory actions have been evaluated by Macrophage migration and Phagocytic index.
• Pippali has Anti microbial,Larvicidal, Anti Inflammatory ,Anti cancer and Bio enhancing activity.
• The Primary constituents isolated from various parts of piperlongum are Piperine,sylvatin...commonly used to treat Chronic Bronchitis.
• Piperine from root decrease LipidPeroxide and maintain Glutathione content demonstrarting anti oxidant activity 

RASAYANA & COVID 19 - SINGLE  HERBS 

• The specific and non  specific immunomodulatory actions have been evaluated by Macrophage migration and Phagocytic index.
• Pippali has Anti microbial, Larvicidal, Anti Inflammatory, Anti cancer and Bio enhancing activity.
• The Primary constituents isolated from various parts of piperlongum are Piperine, sylvatin...commonly used to treat Chronic Bronchitis.
• Piperine from root decrease LipidPeroxide and maintain Glutathione content demonstrarting anti oxidant activity.

Ashwagandha – Withania Somnifera 

• Aswagandhanilashleshmashwitrashoyha kshayapaha.....Balya Rasayani TiktaKashayoshna ati shukrala {B.P190} 
• Biological active chemical constituents include Alkaloids,anaferine,withaferins and withanolides.These have shown significant anti stress activity also support immunomodulatory actions.
• Ashwagandha”s activities in the inhibition and reduction of tumour growth have shown encouraging evidence.It also improves the white cell count and function.Withaferin A and 3b hydroxy show promising anti bacterial,anti inflammatory properties.

Tulasi – Ocimum sanctum (Elixir of life) 

• Tulasi Katutiktoshna tualsi shlaishma vatajit 
• Janturbhuta krimiharaRuchikrutvata shantikrut 
• Tulasi is packed withstrong anti inflammatory activities. 
• Contains enzyme inhibiting oils including Eugenol, citrenellol and linalol.
• It contains two water soluble flavanoids and antioxidants Orientin and viceninare that strengthen the immune system
• Has the ability to fight Free radical damage while protecting DNA and cellular structure.
• Tulasi is tonic for Body mind and Soul.
• The medicinal properties of Tulasi have been studied in hundreds of scientific research, including In vitro and In vivo.
• Studies reveal it is Anti microbial {anti bacterial, Anti viral, anti fungal, Anti protozoal, anti malarial, Anti helmimthic}, anti inflammatory, Hepato protective, Anti pyretic, Anti asthamatic, and Anti tussive.
• Anti oxidant molecules such as Glutathione which protect cellular organelles and membranes by mopping up damaging free radicals caused by lack of oxygen and other toxic agents.

LASUNA – ALLIUM SATIVUM

• Balya, Deepana, Hridaya, Vrushya, Medhya, Jantugna, Varnya, Chakshushya.
• Allicin and other sulphur compounds{like organosulfur and disulfide and trisulphide}are responsible for the anti-microbial effect.It is effective against gram positive, gram negative and acid fast bacteria including staphylococcus and salmonella.
• Allium sativum has been shown to have antiviral activity. Virucidal activity attributed to Ajoene,Allicin, Allyl methyl.
• Among the viruses which are sensitive to garlic extract are HCMV, HSV 1 & 2 and influenza.

Yashti Madhu – Glycyrrhiza Glabra 

• Yashti madhukasya choorna ......medhyani chaitanai rasayanani {cha.chi 1-3-30} 
• The main chemical constituent of liquorice is glycyrrhizin, other active constituents include Isoflavonoids, lignans, amino acids, amines, gums, volatile oils, which are responsible for wound healing, antiulcer, anti-thrombotic, Hepato protective & anti-oxidant activity.
• More than 20 triterpenoids and 300 flavonoids have been isolated from licorice. 
• Recent studies showed anti-viral, anti-microbial,anti-inflammatory activities.
• It exerts its anti-viral activities by inhibiting virus replication, preventing viral attachment or enhancing host cell activity.

Amalaki: 

• Vayahasthapana, Chakshushya, Tridoshagna Rakathapittagna, Pramehagna, Vrishya, Rasayana, Kanthya, Jwarahara, Dahahara.
• The extracts from various parts of emblica especially fruit contains numerous phyto constituents, higher amounts of polyphenols like gallic acid, egalic acid, different tanins, minerals, vitamins, amino acids,fixed oil and quercetin.

Yashti Madhu – Glycyrrhiza Glabra 

• These extracts are attributed to either regulation of various molecular pathway involved in several pathophysiologies or anti oxidant properties which prevents the damage of cellular compartment from oxidative stress.
• It also has Vitamin C ...powerful  Antioxidant...720 mg of vit C per 100 gm of fresh fruit pulp accounts for 45 to 70% of the Anti oxidant activity.

YOGAS

• Chyavana prasha {Cha.Chi 1/64-65} 
• Bilva agnimantha shyonaka .......Ityayam paramukto rasayanaha..

Benefits:

• Kasa shwasa haraschaiva visheshonopadishyate...Ksheena kshatanam vruddanam baalanam cha angavardhane..
• Agastya Haritaki Rasayana {A.H kasa chikitsa}
• Dashamoola, haritaki, Shankha pushpi, apamarga, pushkaraula, yava 

YOGAS 

• Charaka in kasa chikitsa added bharangi, Chitraka, pippali, bala to that formula. 
• Very much useful in Sinusitis, Rhinitis, Bronchitis and intermittent fever.

DASHAMOOLA VIDARYADI RASAYANA: 

• Dashamoola, vasa, shunti, jeeraka, dhanyaka, devadaru, trikatu, trijaataka, nagakesara and Pushkaramoola {Sahasrayogam}. 
• Useful in chronic respiratory problems and fevers.
• Anti inflammatory, bronchodilator and Anti tussive effects.

YOGAS 

BHARANGI GUDA—B.R Hikka shwasadhikara 

• Bharangi, guda, patola, shyonaka, prishnaparni, shalaparni, gokshura, brihati, kantakari, haritaki, trikatu and trijataka.
• Useful in Respiratory infections.
• After going through all these references, Rasayanas act as multi dimensional mechanisms
• Anti inflammatory, anti oxidant, immuno modulator, Stimulation of body's own natural defence system.
• {Cha.su 5/13} tat cha nityam prayunjeeta swastyam yenanuvartahe..ajaatanam vikaranam anutpattikaram cha yat