Abstract

A REVIEW ON EFFECT OF AMALAKI IN PRAMOTING LONGEVITY

Dr. Vivek Choubey*, Dr. Priyanka Mehra* and Dr. Nitin Ujjaliya**

ABSTRACT

Ayurveda is India's traditional Health system, and it contains a description of ageing and age-related changes. Acharya Charaka mentioned in Agreya-prakarana that amalaki is the best among vayasthapana dravya. Longevity refers to the duration of life or life expectancy. It depends on a person’s health condition, diet and lifestyle. These are major factors that can affect longevity. Achieving a healthy status with a delayed ageing mechanism is also the most desirable thing. To achieve this goal, various types of "rasayana" are mentioned in the Ayurveda classics. Acharya Charaka has given importance to it and added the first chapter of Rasayana in Chikitsasthan. Rasayana has been given first preference because it not only maintains the healthy state of an individual but also cures aliments. Acharya Charaka has elaborated on the meaning of Rasayana. That is, one which nourishes the Rasadi dhatus or one which stabilises youthfulness and prolongs life with activities through its Rasa, Virya, etc. is called Rasayana. Amalaki is a well-known ayurvedic drug that is available commonly and has deep routes in Indian culture. It has Laghu-Ruksha guna, Amla-Kashaya-Tikta-Katu-Madhur Rasa, Madhur-Vipaka, and Sita-Veerya. Aging is not a disease; it is the progressive and universal decline in physiological and mental function. Ayurveda, being the science of life, has got the potential for prevention of diseases by restoration of health and management of disease by promoting immunity. According to Acharya Charaka, Rasayana increases immunity in a healthy person and rejuvenates the body at a cellular and molecular level. Some experimental studies possess anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging activity, immunomodulatory activity, anti-diabetic and hypoglycemic activity, hepatoprotective activity, and it is also beneficial for eye and skin related problems. The present paper discusses the benefits of Amalaki in promoting longevity and achieving comprehensive health.

Keywords: Amalaki, Antioxidant, Ayurveda, Longevity, Rasayana.