Changes

*Sexual act should not be done before age16 and after age 70.

*Sexual act should not be done before age16 and after age 70.

=== Vidhi Vimarsha ===

=== ''Vidhi Vimarsha'' ===

Rasayana and vajikarana therapies have common aim to provide positive health and prevention of diseases by increasing vigor of healthy person and so, vajikarana is described just after Rasayana chapter. Health scientists are showing great interest in screening classical rasayana drugs for their antioxidant activity and research reveals good results. Studies on amalaki rasayana[ ] shows increased longevity and on Drosophila melanogaster[ ] there is reduced oxidative damage to extend lifespan. Many drugs are described as rasayanas and vajikara both. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) has deteriorating effect on sperm. This has been increasing due to changing lifestyle and exposure to environmental pollution. Spermatozoa normally produce ROS in a normal physiological process. The amount of ROS produced is to be carefully controlled. Imbalance between the generation and scavenging of ROS may lead to damage to DNA or other important structures. Spermatozoa lack cytoplasmic defensive enzymes, such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, which are involved in the protection of most cell types from ROS induced peroxidative damage. Large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids are observed in plasma membranes of spermatozoa, those are particularly vulnerable to free radical attack. [ ] The subfertile men have higher concentrations of ROS in seminal plasma, whereas an inverse correlation exists between ROS concentration and motility. [ ]  Many rasayanas act as antioxidants, so they can also be used to enhance sperm quality and quantity. Thus, mutual correlation and common mode of action justifies description of vajikarana just after rasayana therapy.

''Rasayana'' and ''vajikarana'' therapies have common aim to provide positive health and prevention of diseases by increasing vigor of healthy person and so, [[Vajikarana]] is described just after [[Rasayana]] chapter. Health scientists are showing great interest in screening classical ''rasayana'' drugs for their antioxidant activity and research reveals good results. Studies on ''amalaki rasayana'' shows increased longevity and on Drosophila melanogaster there is reduced oxidative damage to extend lifespan. Many drugs are described as ''rasayanas'' and ''vajikara'' both. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) has deteriorating effect on sperm. This has been increasing due to changing lifestyle and exposure to environmental pollution. Spermatozoa normally produce ROS in a normal physiological process. The amount of ROS produced is to be carefully controlled. Imbalance between the generation and scavenging of ROS may lead to damage to DNA or other important structures. Spermatozoa lack cytoplasmic defensive enzymes, such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, which are involved in the protection of most cell types from ROS induced peroxidative damage. Large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids are observed in plasma membranes of spermatozoa, those are particularly vulnerable to free radical attack. The subfertile men have higher concentrations of ROS in seminal plasma, whereas an inverse correlation exists between ROS concentration and motility. Many ''rasayanas'' act as antioxidants, so they can also be used to enhance sperm quality and quantity. Thus, mutual correlation and common mode of action justifies description of ''vajikarana'' just after ''rasayana'' therapy.

For many years, decline in human semen quality and fertility rates is a concern.[ ] Environmental and occupational pollutants, changes in lifestyles, exposure to toxic agents, and changes in dietary habits are observed among the most commonly cited factors associated with these declines.[ ] The environmental and lifestyle factors causing subfertility shall be targeted for curative or preventive measures. Environmental stress causes increase in the number of free radicals (i.e., hydrogen peroxide [H2O2] and reactive oxygen species [ROS] that cause apoptosis in the spermatogenic cell.[ ] Chronic or severe stress leads to anovulation and amenorrhea in women[ ] and to decrease in sperm count, motility, and morphology[ ] in men. Smoking, [ ] alcohol, [ ] caffeine, [ ] pesticides, air pollution,[ ] bisphenol A,[ ] diseases like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, cardio-vascular disease are related to deterioration of reproductive health[ ] by affecting sperm quality.  

For many years, decline in human semen quality and fertility rates is a concern. Environmental and occupational pollutants, changes in lifestyles, exposure to toxic agents, and changes in dietary habits are observed among the most commonly cited factors associated with these declines. The environmental and lifestyle factors causing subfertility shall be targeted for curative or preventive measures. Environmental stress causes increase in the number of free radicals (i.e., hydrogen peroxide [H2O2] and reactive oxygen species [ROS] that cause apoptosis in the spermatogenic cell. Chronic or severe stress leads to anovulation and amenorrhea in women and to decrease in sperm count, motility, and morphology in men. Smoking, alcohol, caffeine, pesticides, air pollution, bisphenol A,diseases like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, cardio-vascular disease are related to deterioration of reproductive health by affecting sperm quality.  

==== Role of diet in vajikarana ====

==== Role of diet in ''vajikarana'' ====

Nutrition status is also a major cause of sub-fertility. Sexual dysfunction due to malnutrition can be easily overcome. Nutrition is important for DNA synthesis leading to development of spermatozoa and oocytes. Diet also provides exogenous antioxidants (vitamins C and E).  Dietary formulations mentioned are perfect amalgamation of energy and nutrients required for production and maturation of sperm.   

Nutrition status is also a major cause of sub-fertility. Sexual dysfunction due to malnutrition can be easily overcome. Nutrition is important for DNA synthesis leading to development of spermatozoa and oocytes. Diet also provides exogenous antioxidants (vitamins C and E).  Dietary formulations mentioned are perfect amalgamation of energy and nutrients required for production and maturation of sperm.   

In Ayurveda, ahara or diet has been considered to be a form of medicine (bhaishajya) and the role of diet is not limited to nutrition only. Properly planned diet can be used for prevention as well as treatment of the diseases. Shukra is one of the seven dhatus and is formed by successive evolution of dhatus starting from rasa dhatu and diet forms the substrate (Cha. Chi. 15/16). So, ahara is one important factor on which quality of dhatu depends.  

In Ayurveda, ''ahara'' or diet has been considered to be a form of medicine (''bhaishajya'') and the role of diet is not limited to nutrition only. Properly planned diet can be used for prevention as well as treatment of the diseases. ''Shukra'' is one of the seven ''dhatus'' and is formed by successive evolution of ''dhatus'' starting from ''rasa dhatu'' and diet forms the substrate (Cha. Chi. 15/16). So, ''ahara'' is one important factor on which quality of ''dhatu'' depends.  

Various simple dietary preparations which can increase quantity as well as quality of sperm are mentioned.  The substance acts in various modes in the body, one of those is the principle of dravya samanya (similarity in substance) i.e. consumption of food item similar to body tissues increase them due to similar constitution. Keeping this fact in mind semen of different animals has been used with fat. Snigdha dravya (unctuous substances) increase semen by similar properties.  

Various simple dietary preparations which can increase quantity as well as quality of sperm are mentioned.  The substance acts in various modes in the body, one of those is the principle of ''dravya samanya'' (similarity in substance) i.e. consumption of food item similar to body tissues increase them due to similar constitution. Keeping this fact in mind semen of different animals has been used with fat. ''Snigdha dravya'' (unctuous substances) increase semen by similar properties.  

===== Role of milk and dairy products =====

===== Role of milk and dairy products =====

Milk is integral to Ayurvedic diet regime. In the list of best factors for sustaining life, milk is considered best among all substances providing life (Cha.Su.25/40). Milk has a nutrition value as it provides essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, and affects absorption of nutrients. Milk fat has a wide-ranging spectrum of fatty acids and lipids. Milk protein is rich in amino acids leading to stimulation of muscle synthesis, positive health effects on blood pressure, inflammation, oxidation and tissue development.  

Milk is integral to Ayurvedic diet regime. In the list of best factors for sustaining life, milk is considered best among all substances providing life (Cha.Su.25/40). Milk has a nutrition value as it provides essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, and affects absorption of nutrients. Milk fat has a wide-ranging spectrum of fatty acids and lipids. Milk protein is rich in amino acids leading to stimulation of muscle synthesis, positive health effects on blood pressure, inflammation, oxidation and tissue development.  

In Ayurveda, milk has been said to have beneficial effect on semen quality. However, in present era due to change in feeding regime of dairy animals, composition of milk might have been changed. This change has resulted into increase in estrogens, fat content etc. which are attributed to cause adverse effect on semen quality. Few researches have claimed that milk and dairy products have negative effect on semen as observed in male mice. [ ] In another study, intake of full-fat dairy was observed inversely related to sperm motility and morphology.[ ] High intake of saturated fats was negatively related to sperm concentration whereas higher intake of omega-3 fats was positively related to sperm morphology.[ ] It has been suggested that environmental estrogens could be responsible for the decline in sperm counts.  

In Ayurveda, milk has been said to have beneficial effect on semen quality. However, in present era due to change in feeding regime of dairy animals, composition of milk might have been changed. This change has resulted into increase in estrogens, fat content etc. which are attributed to cause adverse effect on semen quality. Few researches have claimed that milk and dairy products have negative effect on semen as observed in male mice. In another study, intake of full-fat dairy was observed inversely related to sperm motility and morphology. High intake of saturated fats was negatively related to sperm concentration whereas higher intake of omega-3 fats was positively related to sperm morphology. It has been suggested that environmental estrogens could be responsible for the decline in sperm counts.  

===== Feeding of animal affects quality of milk =====

===== Feeding of animal affects quality of milk =====

Milk composition can be altered by the feeding regime of cow. Content of several fatty acids such as c9, t11-CLA and the ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are affected by the amount of grass and supplemental feeds (concentrate) in the diet. Milk content of several vitamins and minerals are also influenced by the cow's diet. [ ] In a study it was found that concentrations of micro-components like CLA, and to a lesser extent EPA and DHA, can be significantly enhanced through the use of diet formulation and nutritional management of dairy cows.[ ] In another study effect of diet and cooling interactions on milk composition were studied in cows. So, it can be said that diet definitely affects milk composition and in turn effects are also modulated. If cow is fed with masha then the qualities of milk will increase and thus such milk is said to be good aphrodisiac that have more beneficial effects on sperm quality.   Masha itself has properties of increasing shukra as it has snigdha and madhura qualities.

Milk composition can be altered by the feeding regime of cow. Content of several fatty acids such as c9, t11-CLA and the ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are affected by the amount of grass and supplemental feeds (concentrate) in the diet. Milk content of several vitamins and minerals are also influenced by the cow's diet. In a study it was found that concentrations of micro-components like CLA, and to a lesser extent EPA and DHA, can be significantly enhanced through the use of diet formulation and nutritional management of dairy cows. In another study effect of diet and cooling interactions on milk composition were studied in cows. So, it can be said that diet definitely affects milk composition and in turn effects are also modulated. If cow is fed with ''masha'' then the qualities of milk will increase and thus such milk is said to be good aphrodisiac that have more beneficial effects on sperm quality. Masha itself has properties of increasing ''shukra'' as it has ''snigdha'' and ''madhura'' qualities.

According to Ayurveda, cow milk is better than other milk. Beneficial role of cow’s milk has been established by some recent researches. A study unambiguously clarified at the cellular level that cow's milk increased the activities of human PPARalpha, PPARdelta, and RXRalpha. The nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) have been shown to play crucial roles in regulating energy homeostasis including lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, inflammatory responses, and cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival because PPAR agonists have the potential to prevent or ameliorate diseases such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and obesity.[ ] 

 

Milk is itself regarded as ‘Sadyo Shukrakara’ (means instant aphrodisiac) in Ayurveda as it increases sperm quality soon after the consumption.   

According to Ayurveda, cow milk is better than other milk. Beneficial role of cow’s milk has been established by some recent researches. A study unambiguously clarified at the cellular level that cow's milk increased the activities of human PPARalpha, PPARdelta, and RXRalpha. The nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) have been shown to play crucial roles in regulating energy homeostasis including lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, inflammatory responses, and cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival because PPAR agonists have the potential to prevent or ameliorate diseases such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and obesity. Milk is itself regarded as ''Sadyo Shukrakara'' (means instant aphrodisiac) in Ayurveda as it increases sperm quality soon after the consumption.   

===== Rice and its preparation with milk =====

===== Rice and its preparation with milk =====

Shashitika rice is snigdha, madhura and sheeta and so by Ayurvedic principle of guna samanya (similar properties) it helps in improving semen quality.[  ] Balya and brimhaniya drugs are added to rice for increasing strength of patient. Masha, shali, shashtika, godhuma provide combination of both carbohydrate and protein. It can be taken with milk and meat juice which again adds nutritive value. As digestive power varies with persons, dose fixation should be done individually after assessment of agni.

''Shashitika'' rice is snigdha, madhura and sheeta and so by Ayurvedic principle of guna samanya (similar properties) it helps in improving semen quality.[  ] Balya and brimhaniya drugs are added to rice for increasing strength of patient. Masha, shali, shashtika, godhuma provide combination of both carbohydrate and protein. It can be taken with milk and meat juice which again adds nutritive value. As digestive power varies with persons, dose fixation should be done individually after assessment of agni.

Payasa is dietary preparation which is popular as sweet dish in India. It is prepared from combination of milk and rice. It has property to increase sperm quality. If made from various aphrodisiac drugs its effect is much more. Payasa is included in normal diet regime so it can be easy aphrodisiac formulation by changing contents of Payasa.

Payasa is dietary preparation which is popular as sweet dish in India. It is prepared from combination of milk and rice. It has property to increase sperm quality. If made from various aphrodisiac drugs its effect is much more. Payasa is included in normal diet regime so it can be easy aphrodisiac formulation by changing contents of Payasa.