Rejuvenation treatment in ayurveda is all about restoring the body’s vitality to its total capacity. According to ayurveda, rejuvenation therapies (Rasayana Chikitsa) are designed to relax, revitalize and strengthen the body’s tissues in order to facilitate longevity. Below is a list of various rejuvenation treatments designed to restore health and balance.
Types of Rejuvenation Treatments in Ayurveda
Consider incorporating one or two practices that resonate with you and build from there.
Self-Care Hygiene
Intentional care and action to personal hygiene are necessary for rejuvenation. We all know it is important to brush our teeth twice a day and floss, but Ayurveda encourages you to take it further with a full dinacharya practice including tongue cleaning, oil pulling, nasya, abhyanga, and dry brushing—these treatments aid in removing toxins from the body and provide nourishment to your system.
- Tongue cleaning is one of Ayurveda’s most well-known practices. By practicing tongue cleaning in the morning before eating or drinking anything, you’re removing toxic buildup from your tongue and cleansing your digestive tract. You are also stimulating the vagus nerve by scarping the tongue.
- Oil pulling removes toxins from your mouth and digestive tract. It’s highly rejuvenating and hydrating to the rasa dhatu or bodily fluids.
- Nasya is the practice of applying medicated oil inside the nasal passageway. Nasya creates a protective barrier from outside pollutants, toxins, and irritants, as well as calms the nervous system and moisturizes the sinuses. Practicing nasya rejuvenation treatment in Ayurveda will help you achieve deep sleep and clear mental fog.
- Abhyanga and all oil therapies are highly rejuvenating because oil is heavy, dense, and moist. These nourishing qualities help restore the body’s vitality, and that’s why abhyanga (self-oil massage) is soothing and a massive act of self-love.
Rasayana Herbs
Rasayana herbs are an important part of rejuvenation treatment. Rasayana herbs are a specific class of herbs that provide impressive improvements in the areas of enhancing vitality, improving longevity, and warding off disease. Below are two of the most popular rasayana herbal blends:
- Chyawanprash is a powerful nutritive tonic in Ayurveda with a base of the superfruit amalaki. Providing 30+ herbs, Chyawanprash is full of antioxidants known to promote vitality and provide youthfulness and longevity. This nourishing jam consists of many rejuvenating herbs, such as ashwagandha, shatavari, licorice, and long pepper fruit, which help boost and rejuvenate your immune system. Discover more about the health benefits of Chyawanprash.
- Triphala is the combination of three Ayurvedic superfruits: haritaki, amalaki, and bibhitaki, which provide the perfect balance to cleanse and nourish. Furthermore, this herbal medicine is influential in regulating bowel movements and removing waste and toxins, which is crucial in rejuvenation.
For further rejuvenation, you can add anti-aging dietary supplements, such as PIOR Living’s Longevity to your daily routine. If you want to focus on a certain area or part of your health, you can take supplements like Hair, Skin, or Mind.
Yoga and Pranayama
You can find daily rejuvenation treatment in Ayurveda in the practices of yoga and pranayama. While there are many different styles and techniques, rejuvenation will come from grounding, slow yoga, and balancing, soothing pranayama.
Rejuvenating Diet
Diet is an important factor when considering rejuvenation treatment and can be a valuable tool to utilize daily. First, it is crucial to understand and learn the 6 tastes. After familiarizing yourself with the 6 tastes in Ayurveda, you can focus on incorporating more nourishing foods.
Ayurveda suggests consuming more dates, sweet potato, rice, almonds, whole grains, root vegetables, bananas, and figs for daily rejuvenation treatment. High-quality ghee (such as Ghruta) is also recommended, as it builds ojas (vitality) and prana (life force).
In addition, consuming quality salt, like Bamboo Salt, is necessary for maintaining a healthy balance of fluids that support the entire body in the form of blood plasma, lymph, and electrolytes. Salt aids the body’s secretion of toxicity, combats dryness in and around the cells, and helps with bowel elimination. It nourishes the nervous system and rasa dhatu, acting as a rejuvenative therapy and rasayana and helping to maintain a person’s energetic equilibrium.
Shirodhara
Shirodhara is another Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy that you will find at most Ayurvedic spas and health centers. This therapy specifically targets the mind and nervous system. Shiro means head, and dhara “to pour.” This nourishing, soothing treatment consists of pouring warm sesame oil over the head and forehead. Head and neck massage may also be a feature of shirodhara. This rejuvenation therapy is incredibly relaxing and quieting for the brain. It is indicated for chronic headaches, insomnia, anxiety, and nervousness.
Basti
Oil bastis are another type of therapy for rejuvenation. Anuvasana basti is essentially an oil enema. This is indicated for Vata imbalances and can be a stand-alone treatment or part of a panchakarma program.
There are other types of bastis as well. For instance, netra basti is when an oil-filled dough dam is formed around the eyes—thus the eyes are saturated in oil. Ghee is commonly used for this treatment, and the indications include glaucoma, eye strain, and other issues with the eyes.
Furthermore, katti basti is when an oil pool is formed over an area of the back. This can be done for chronic pain or issues with the muscles and joints. In this case, an oil infused with herbs may be used. The type of oil and herbs would be selected at the discretion of the Ayurvedic practitioner.
Please consult an Ayurvedic practitioner if you would like to carry out a basti treatment.
For deep rejuvenation treatment in Ayurveda, consider a 7-day Ayurvedic cleanse. Explore our Ayurvedic Cleansing Guide to learn more.
Clare Michalik, Ayurvedic Practitioner @clareminded