Chapter 17 – Ayurvedic geriatrics (Jara Chikitsa).
Ayurvedic geriatrics, also known as Jara Chikitsa, is a branch of Ayurveda that focuses on promoting healthy aging and managing age-related health concerns.
According to Ayurveda, aging is a natural process that affects all aspects of the body and mind. As we age, the balance of the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – changes, and imbalances in these doshas can lead to a variety of age-related health concerns, such as joint pain, digestive issues, memory problems, and fatigue.
Ayurvedic geriatrics takes a holistic approach to manage these concerns, addressing not only physical symptoms but also emotional and spiritual well-being. The goal of Ayurvedic geriatrics is to promote healthy aging, maximize longevity, and maintain quality of life as we age.
Some of the key principles of Ayurvedic geriatrics include:
Understanding individual constitution
Ayurveda recognizes that each person has a unique constitution, or Prakriti, which influences how they age and the health concerns they may experience. Ayurvedic geriatrics takes into account an individual’s Prakriti when developing a treatment plan.
Dietary recommendations
Ayurveda places a strong emphasis on the importance of a healthy diet for healthy aging. A balanced diet that supports digestive health and provides adequate nutrients is recommended. Ayurvedic geriatrics may also recommend specific foods and herbs to support healthy aging.
Lifestyle modifications
Ayurvedic geriatrics may recommend lifestyle modifications to support healthy aging, such as regular exercise, stress reduction techniques, and sleep hygiene.
Herbal remedies
Ayurvedic geriatrics may use herbal remedies to support healthy aging and manage age-related health concerns. These remedies may be used to support digestive health, promote joint health, improve memory and cognition, and promote relaxation.
Panchakarma therapies
Ayurvedic geriatrics may use Panchakarma therapies, such as detoxification and rejuvenation therapies, to support healthy aging and manage age-related health concerns.
The six tastes in Ayurveda are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Each taste has specific qualities and affects the doshas differently. For example, sweet foods are grounding and nourishing, while bitter foods are detoxifying and purifying.
Ayurvedic geriatrics may recommend yoga and meditation techniques to support physical and emotional well-being and promote healthy aging.
Ayurvedic geriatrics also includes specific recommendations for managing age-related health concerns, such as joint pain, memory problems, and digestive issues. These recommendations may include dietary modifications, lifestyle modifications, herbal remedies, and Panchakarma therapies.
Overall, Ayurvedic geriatrics offers a holistic approach to managing age-related health concerns and promoting healthy aging. By addressing imbalances early on and supporting healthy aging practices, Ayurvedic geriatrics aims to help individuals maintain optimal health and quality of life as they age.
