In This Article
Cellular Rejuvenation + Longevity
Cellular rejuvenation and longevity have been a fundamental branch of Ayurvedic study (called rasayana) for thousands of years. Therapeutic rasayanas are plant-, herb-, and spice-based formulations possessing properties to support health, vigor, rejuvenation, and longevity.1
Today, we can think of rasayana as the proliferation or enhancement of stem cells for health, rejuvenation, and longevity.
What Is a Rasayana?1
Rasayanas work on the levels of:
- Rasa (nutrient fluid, lymph)
- Agni (digestion, metabolism)
- Srotas (microcirculation, tissue perfusion)
A rasayana targets the ability to break down a food into its nutrient parts, assimilate them, and circulate them to the deep tissues or dhatus. A rasayana must also support the body’s ability to remove waste or malas, balancing and strengthening the doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha).
The end result of a rasayana (longevity formula) is to reduce the catabolic process (breakdown) of the body, while increasing the anabolic process (strengthening and building up, potential stem cell activation).1
Panchakarma, Ayurvedic cleansing, and Kaya Kalpa were all designed to act as rasayana (rejuvenation and longevity) therapies. Recent research by USC longevity scientist Valter Longo links a specific form of calorie restriction to a boost in stem cells (regenerative cells) and autophagy (Nobel Prize-winning cellular repair and cleansing).2
His research validates the stem cell and autophagy benefits of Ayurvedic cleansing, specifically our Kaya Kalpa cleanse, as the cleansing protocols are almost identical. Once again, here is modern science proving ancient wisdom.
In the LifeSpa Kaya Kalpa cleanse that directly mimics the longevity research, two herbal rasayanas, brahmi (Centella asiatica) and amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica) are used, which have been found to boost stems cells, DNA protection, and longevity.2
Download my free eBook and learn more about LifeSpa’s Kaya Kalpa cleanse here.
We Recommend Kaya Kalpa: Key to Autophagy + Stem Cell Regeneration
Amalaki
In one study, Amalaki Rasayana (a preparation of amalaki with honey and ghee, similar to chyawanprash) has been shown to effectively reduce age-related DNA damage in brain cells, demonstrating its stabilizing effect on neurons and astrocytes. The same formulation demonstrated a correlation with increase in median lifespan and starvation resistance.1
Recent studies show that reprogramming of pluripotent stem cells is enhanced when vitamin C is present. According to the study, vitamin C, which is most abundant in amalaki, can regulate proliferation and differentiation of stem cells, depending upon its concentration.1,4
It is also well understood that the maintenance of telomere length, protective caps on our DNA, is linked to longevity. One study found that Amalaki Rasayana prevents shortening of telomeres over a period of time in aged individuals, promoting healthy aging.3
Amalaki Rasayana is reported to promote longevity and block common geriatric health concerns. Amalaki is a good source of ellagic acid, gallic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, emblicanin, flavonoids, glycosides, proanthocyanidins, and vitamin C and has been studied to overcome several human ailments. The vitamin C, tannins, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids present in amalaki also possess immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity.3
We Recommend Chyawanprash Cookies
Brahmi Boosts Stem Cell Activity
Brahmi, also known as Indian Pennywort, has been used as a brain, stomach, skin, and lymph tonic in Ayurveda for thousands of years, and this is now backed by modern science.6-8
Prior studies have found brahmi to have neuroprotective effects on nerve cells. Studies have also found that brahmi can act as a neurotropic brain cell booster and increase proliferation and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into Schwann cells, suggesting that brahmi may be an effective herb for supporting healthy stem cell activity in the brain and central nervous system. The studies saw no negative side effects.5
- Learn More about Brahmi + Lymph
- Learn More about Brahmi, Nerve + Stomach Function
- Learn More about Brahmi + Healthy Skin
Take Care of Your Stem Cells
So, if you are interested in rasayanas to take care of your stem cells, try our Kaya Kalpa cleanse, and/or brahmi, and/or amalaki.
References
- https://www.academia.edu/15831759/Insights_from_Ayurveda_for_translational_stem_cell_research?auto=download
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5862044/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5497001/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22105792/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31286956/
- https://lifespa.com/ancient-brain-tonic-also-flushes-lymph/
- https://lifespa.com/weak-digestion-sabotage-mental-health/
- https://lifespa.com/brahmi-ayurvedas-secret-boost-collagen-production/
