Revisiting Rasashastra: It’s Significance in Addressing 21st Century Lifestyle Disorders

In the wake of a global increase in lifestyle disorders, the quest for integrative and holistic approaches to health has intensified. Rasashastra, a classical branch of Ayurveda dealing with the alchemical processing of metals and minerals for therapeutic use, holds untapped potential in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by modern-day ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and stress-related disorders. This article explores the relevance of Rasashastra in the 21st century, its core principles, and the scientific rationale behind its formulations, with special reference to its applicability in managing lifestyle disorders. Rasashastra, a specialized branch of Ayurveda that deals with the preparation and therapeutic application of herbo-mineral formulations, has been a cornerstone of traditional Indian medicine for centuries. In the context of the 21st century, marked by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, there has been a dramatic rise in the prevalence of lifestyle disorders such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, and stress-related ailments. These conditions, often stemming from poor dietary habits, chronic stress, lack of physical activity, and disrupted biological rhythms, demand holistic and sustainable approaches to management and prevention.