There is a story in Mahabharata illustrating the aversion of human beings to old age. King Yayathi, by committing adultery, incurred the wrath of his father – in – law, Guru Sukracharya. The Guru cursed him “Let you become old and feeble instantly”. The kind known for his virile youthful exuberance, suddenly becomes a shrunken and shrivelled old man. He falls at the feet of the Guru begging forgivenness. The Guru relents and says that Yayathi could transfer his old age to any one willing to accept it. The king request his four sons, one by one to accept his senility. The first three sons flatly rfuse. The fouth one accepts and Yayathi embraces him and transfers his old age. Gaining back his youth. Yayathi continued his romantic life, it is said, for 60,000 years! Even then he is not satiated. Ultimately accepting that it is difficult to fully quench the fire of youth, he gets back his old form his son.
 Old age is, no dowbt, a degenerative phase of life. The young, forgetting, that they also will become old one day, views old men with polite derision. There is a saying – No fool like old fool.
 With age, the body visibly changes. As years progress we lose physical and mental abilities. Intellect, vision, memory, body movements, the luster and smoothness of skin – all these decline. Diseases invade the body.
What causes ageing?
1. Heridity, Genes – these decide whether an individual will contract a disease or not.
2. Degeneration of cell, destruction of cells, abnormal growth of cells, faulty cell division.
3. Exposure to environmental toxins
4. Faulty life style – smoking, drinking, use of narcotic drugs
5. Progressive accumulation of free radical, accumulation of toxins and waste in the body
6. Obesity
7. Stress
8. Hormone deficiencies
Effects of Ageing
1. Nervous functions slow down. There is a decreased blood flow to the brain.
2. Eyes and Ears are affected.
3. Heart muscles stiffen. Blood flow decreases.
4. Lungs deliver lesser oxygen to blood.
5. Liver and kidneys shrinks because of decreased blood flow.
6. Prostate enlarges
7. Skin – Underlying fat begins to thin. Wrinkles form on the skin. Hair loss in women and baldness in men occur.
8. Immune system progressively loses its strength.
9. Ability to pass stool decreases
10. Male prostate gland enlarges. Sexual dysfunctions occur.
Geriartic diseases
1. Dementia and Alzheimer disease.
2. Parkinsons disease
3. Heart diseases and stroke
4. Urinary Incontinence
5. Cataracts, glycoma
6. Osteo – arthritis, osteo – porosis
7. Respiratory problems
8. Prostate cancer.
Ayurvedic approach:
 Ayurveda has excellent formulation and therapies to combat old age. Formulations like Triphala, Chayavana prasa enhance immunity and metabolism. In Ayurvedic system of medicine, several natural herbs are used to modify the brain dysfunctions and to enhance body immunity. Besides the herbs, the rejuvenation therapy ” Rasayana” is highly beneficial to the elderly. If this therapy is adopted regularly from the early age of life then senility and occurrence of diseases could be retarded. Scientific studies have proven the efficay of Rasayana theraphy in dealing with age related diseases and degeneration.
 Rasayana is normally advised during the degenerative phase, which starts around 45 years of age, both in men and women. The Rasayana therapy was administered in two modes – kutipraveeshika Rasayana and Vataatapika Rasayana. The latter mode is more popular now and suits the modern life style.
 In Rasayana therapy, formulations made with Vacha, Bala, Amlaki, Sankhpushpi, Jyothishmati, Kapikachu, Guduchi, Brahmi, Jatamansi, Aswagandha, Shatavari, Haritaki, Pippali etc are used according to age.
 Rasayana becomes more effective if it is preceded with Panchkarma (Purification therapy). The five fold measures comprehended in this therapy are – Vamana (Therepeutic Emesis), Virechana (Thereapeutic Purgation), Asthapana Vasti (Therapeutic Decoction Enema), Anuvasana Vasti (Therapeutic oil Enema), Nasya Karma (Nasal administration of medicaments).
 Panchakarma procedures are preceded by Snechana (therapeutic Oleation) and Swedana (Sudation) applications to make the body system conducive for elimination of bio – toxins and cleansing of channels. This is effective in managing autoimmune, neurological, psychiatric and musculoskeletal diseases of chronic and metabolic origin.
Advantages of Rasayana
1. It curtails the process of ageing and brings about rejuvenation
2. It improves mental & physical health
3. It increases tissue resistance to diseases. It delays onset of diseases, it reduces the severity of diseases and during convalescence, it speeds up recovery.
The world population of the elderly is increasing, and by the year 2050,
adults above 65 years will comprise 1/5th of the global population. In India 3.8% of the population are above 65 years of age. According to an estimate the likely number of elderly people in India by 2016 will be around 113 million.
 Ayurveda could benefit these elderly people with its holistic approach. All it needs is the support from the Government.