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Stage six – rejuvenation therapy (rasayana)
After th e main Panchakarma therapies rejuvenating herbal preparations are prescribed to strengthen the
immune system and increase vitality in the mind and body. Rasayana herbs are often nourishing herbs rather
than cleansing herbs and can be difficult to digest if the body is suffering from an overload of toxins or if the
digestion is weak. Thus, the best time to take these powerful herbal formulas is after a course of Panchakarma
treatments when the body has been cleansed and the digestion is functioning optimally. They are then able to be
fully digested, assimilated and metabolized and able to exert their full potential. Rasayana formulas may be
taken for several months and the specific formulas chosen will depend on your predominant Ayurvedic body-
type or the energy, tissue, system or organ of the body that needs to be strengthened and balanced.
There are many traditional rasayanas; some nourish the tissues, some are rejuvenating, some strengthen the
immune system, some increase strength, vitality and stamina, some balance the nervous system and some
strengthen the reproductive system. Th e most c o m m o n rasayana h e r b s include:
- Ashwagandha which pacifies an d balan ces vata
- Amalaki which improves clarity of mind while also balancing both pitta a n d vata
- Brahmi a n d Manjista which p a c i f y pitta
- Turmeric for purifying the blood, eliminating excess mucus and soothing sore throats
- Ginger, black pepper and Pippali which improve the digestion and pacify kapha
- Aloe Vera which cleanses the liver and blood and is good for balancing pitta
- Licorice for balancing V a t a
- Peppermint for balancing Pitta and Kapha
- Cinnamon, cayenne, ginger and clove for removing ama
However, one of the most truly magnificent Rasayanas is Chywanaprash o r Amrit Kalash which has been used
in India as an elixir of life for thousands of years. Scientific studies have now shown that this amazing formula
has very powerful antioxidants properties and the ability to arrest and improve many of our modern day
diseases such as cancer and auto-immune disorders. Chywanaprash is meticulously prepared with up to fifty
different herbal compounds and has one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C in any natural product. It
balances all three doshas and can be taken on a daily basis to strengthen the physiology and protect the immune
system.