In Ayurveda classics, dharma (duty or ethical virtues), artha (wealth or material benefits and goals), kama (desire or lust) and moksa (salvation or liberation) when compiled together form ‘purusartha catustaya,’ which means the above four factors are the main goals of human life. Following these principles of life, one can attain salvation. To achieve this purusartha catustaya, it is important for a person to remain healthy. This is the reason why in Ayurveda health is accepted as the root of dharma, artha, kdma and moksa. Therefore, the first emphasis in Ayurveda is always on health protection.
Among the three goals, dharma, artha and kdma, the importance of kama (lust or desire) is above all. This world is said to be ‘agnisomatmaka,’ where ‘agni’ means ‘a female’ and ‘soma’ means ‘a male,’ and this whole world has originated from the union or fusion of both male (somd) and female (agni) energies, and an unabated tradition of life is based on this philosophy. This is the reason why some learned sages have accepted the importance of lust and described virilization or the science of aphrodisiacs as an independent branch among the eight branches of Ayurveda.
The following purposes of virilization are described in the classical texts by the learned
stages:
Definitions
Virilization includes the medicines, diet and lifestyle which enhance sexual vigor (like the horse), so that a person can undergo sexual indulgence repeatedly and satisfactorily or strengthen the frequency of intercourse.
In Ayurveda, ‘vaji’ means ‘horse,’ the symbol of sexual potency and performance. ‘Vaji’ also means ‘strength.’ Those methods and therapies which enhance the strength and nourish the semen, increase sexual ability and procreation power is ‘vajikarna.’
Lifestyle, diet and medicines including aphrodisiacs used in a proper way so as to enhance the energy, sexual vigor, complexion, ojas and strong reproductive power that facilitates the origin of better quality, fit, healthy, intelligent and brilliant progeny is known as virilization. Virilization and the use of aphrodisiacs is mainly prescribed for males.
Aphrodisiac substances: Aphrodisiacs include medicines, diet and lifestyle. Aphrodisiac substances are divided into three types on the basis of their use.
Sukrajanana (spermopoietic): These substances enhance the normal origin of sperm, but do not affect the discharge of semen.
1 Spermopoietic diet: This diet calls for the addition of clarified butter (ghee), milk, almond and other substances.
2 Spermopoietic lifestyle: One should engage in cheerfulness and good sleep.
3 Spermopoietic medicines: These include asparagus (satavari), musali, country mallow (bala), Astavarga medicines (vitality promoting medicines) and so on.
Sukrapravartana (Discharge of semen): These substances affect the discharge of semen but produce no effect on sperm generation. They only provoke seminal discharge resulting in excitation for coitus. Generally these substance have specific properties such that they are quickly absorbable or diffusible, produces looseness in the joints, hot in potency, penetrating and increases mobility. Do not use them for a longer duration.
1. Sukrapravartana diet: Black gram and so on.
2. Sukrapravartana lifestyle: The touch and memory of a female, to watch seductive movies and photographs for excitement.
3. Sukrapravartana medicines: Herbs which promote discharge of semen like pellitory (akarakara), cowhage (kaunca), alcohol and so on.
Types of Aphrodisiac Substances
Sukrajanana pravartana (that facilitates both spermopoiesis and discharge): These substances facilitate both spermopoiesis as well as discharge of semen; means it also contains property of excitation. These substances are mostly hot in potency, light, minute, viscous, slack, quickly absorbable or diffusible and having mobility.
1. Sukrajanana pravartaka diet: Milk processed with medicated herbs like wintercherry (asvagandha), ksirapaka, rice and rice pudding cooked with aromatic substances.
2. Sukrajanana pravartana lifestyle: That which promotes spermopoiesis and discharge like walks in the moonlight, near river banks and beautiful flower valleys or other such romantic places or listening to melodious music.
3. Sukrajanana pravartana medicines: Medicines which promotes spermatopoiesis and discharge like musk (kasturi), Indian hemp (bhanga), snakewood (kucala), wild orchid (salamamisri), Himalayan marsh orchid (salamapanja) and so on.
Incompatibility for virilization
Incompatible for virilization as per the age: According to Acarya Caraka, aphrodisiacs should not be used without any specific disease and before marriage. The age of virilization is after 16 years and up to 70 years. It should not be used in childhood and youth. Sexual indulgence at a young age causes emaciation of the body just as a pond containing less water dries up quickly.
Incompatible for virilization according to marital status: Coitus among married couples is also permitted within limits in a balanced manner. Our societal norms does not permit coitus for an unmarried male. Therefore, according to Ayurveda they are not suitable for the use of aphrodisiacs.
Incompatible for virilization as per the principles of balance and harmony: A person lacking physical and mental coordination, an unsteady brain and mind, over indulgence in sexual thoughts, with strong lust for sex and addicted people should not undergo virilization therapy.
Incompatible for virilization as per the ailments: A person suffering from venereal diseases such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, AIDS and so on should not indulge in sex. Therefore, they must not use aphrodisiacs until completely cured, because these diseases are contagious and can be transmitted from one person to another through sexual contact.
Diabetes is a chronic progressive condition of glucose abnormality. A patient with diabetes loses the capacity to regulate his blood glucose and hence there are high circulating levels of glucose in his blood. This is either due to less production of insulin hormone or the body loses the sensitivity to respond to the insulin hormone normally or both. The incidence of diabetes in general population is increasing fairly rapidly due to our erratic work schedule followed by lack of exercise and sleep.
Further, it is aggravated by our overindulgence in high sugary food and junk food. But, the good news is that you can control and even reverse diabetes (at least in the initial stages) by following some simple dietary tips. People have a misconception that “Dieting = Starving “. This is completely wrong. Further people also think that to enhance the taste of any dish it should have lot of oil, ghee, butter. This is again wrong. You can make your dish delicious even by using healthy ingredients and reducing the fats, oil and sugar in it. You can enhance the taste by using spices which are good for health as well as for digestion. Following a healthy diet means that you are eating nutritious food which is both healthy and tasty.
Here are a few dietary tips you should follow to keep your blood sugar levels in check:
There are few everyday tips which you should follow:
Tip for sticking with a diabetes-friendly diet plan:
Ayurveda is an age old life science that is known to work medical marvels. The best part about this field of medicine is that it enters the everyday with remedies that touch the root cause of the issue before curing the same. Aging is an aspect that plagues one and all with its various signs hitting the skin, senses, body and hair.
So how can you use Ayurveda to turn back the aging clock of your system? Read on to find out!
-Herbs and Vayasthapana: Vayasthapana or the anti aging effect is a herbal formula with herbs like Gotu Kola which is known for its anti aging properties in the field of Ayuveda. Ashwagandha is also used in this concoction. Other herbs like Amla, ginger, turmeric and Galanga are also used to create this anti aging effect. The oil of cloves can also be used on the massage table for anti aging.
-Radiance and Varnya: Varnya is the Ayurvedic effect of maintaining or bringing out the glow or radiance of the skin. The Varnya herbs include flame of forest, silk cotton tree, rose petals and Indian redwood. This concoction can help you retain a youthful glow on your skin, which will also keep fine lines at bay.
-Deep Healing and Branropana: With the help of Gotu Kola and other sensitive herbs, one can heal the body deeply and also enhance (Twacha). The herbs used here can also help in strengthening one's digestive system so that there is no Ama or toxin build up. The other herbs one can use here are turmeric, rose petals and cotton silk tree.
-Yoga: Yoga is a known method of keeping the body and senses vital and well functioning. There are a number of Yogic postures and poses that can help in the anti aging process. These include equal standing for better balance, the tree pose, the squat pose, the downward dog pose, the plank pose for core strength and the seated twist.
-Diet and Lifestyle: Ayurveda is a science that touches the everyday in order to effectively heal and prevent. So, it is important to follow the Ayurvedic tenets of following a proper balance of eating, resting and activity even as you ingest regular meals at a set time with all the food groups in perfect balance.
Ayurveda can be used in order to take good care of the body even if you are not suffering from any ailments. The herbs can be ingested on a daily basis as seasoning for your food while Yoga can be practiced routinely. This will help you in delaying the aging process.
As time passes in the mundane chores of our everyday life, the more we grow old. This is one truth of our lives is something that can never be altered. However, it does not mean that it has to be reflected on your body. There are a lot of anti-aging creams in the market, but instead of going through the tedious process of applying them over and over to get satisfying results, an inclusion of natural herbs and spices in your daily diet will not only reduce the signs of aging from your body but also make you feel and look younger.
Advantages of herbs and spices
Most of the herbs and spices contain a healthy amount of antioxidants, minerals and multivitamins, which help improve blood cholesterol levels and the regulation of the blood glucose level. Not to forget that the addition of a suitable amount of herbs and spices in your regular diet increases the taste quotient of even a bland meal. The herbs and spices that really work well as anti-aging agents are as follows:
As time passes in the mundane chores of our everyday life, the more we grow old. This is one truth of our lives is something that can never be altered. However, it does not mean that it has to be reflected on your body. There are a lot of anti-aging creams in the market, but instead of going through the tedious process of applying them over and over to get satisfying results, an inclusion of natural herbs and spices in your daily diet will not only reduce the signs of aging from your body but also make you feel and look younger.
Advantages of herbs and spices
Most of the herbs and spices contain a healthy amount of antioxidants, minerals and multivitamins, which help improve blood cholesterol levels and the regulation of the blood glucose level. Not to forget that the addition of a suitable amount of herbs and spices in your regular diet increases the taste quotient of even a bland meal. The herbs and spices that really work well as anti-aging agents are as follows:
Are you suffering from acute depression? Well, in this case nothing can be a better solution than taking anti-depressants. Anti-Depressants are nothing, but specialized medicines or drugs that can help in releasing the stress hormones and finally the depression is completely eliminated.
These medicines need to be taken only if the doctors have prescribed the same, otherwise you might face innumerable complications. Some people think that these drugs are equivalent to sleeping pills; in fact they are not.
What are the benefits of the ani-depressants?