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→Animal proteins and fats for virility
Egg increases virility as they provide indispensable nutrients needed for sperm formation. Pork and chicken meat has been used in some formulations. For vegetarians, a diet rich in protein with high nutritive value can be used.
Egg increases virility as they provide indispensable nutrients needed for sperm formation. Pork and chicken meat has been used in some formulations. For vegetarians, a diet rich in protein with high nutritive value can be used.
Fish has ''snigdha, madhura, vrimhaniya, balya'' and ''vrishya'' properties. ''Shaphari'' is a kind of small fish. ''Rohita'' is best among different varieties of fish. On basis of ''guna'', fish helps in improving sperm quality. Fish has various important constituents that are not synthesized by humans. Seafood, such as fish, crustacean and mollu
Fish has ''snigdha, madhura, vrimhaniya, balya'' and ''vrishya'' properties. ''Shaphari'' is a kind of small fish. ''Rohita'' is best among different varieties of fish. On basis of ''guna'', fish helps in improving sperm quality. Fish has various important constituents that are not synthesized by humans. Seafood, such as fish, crustacean and molluscan shellfish, and echinoderms, provides in the edible part (e. g., filet, abdominal muscle) many nutritional components beneficial for the human diet like n-3 polyunsaturated long chain fatty acids (PUFAs), namely eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), essential elements such as selenium and iodine, high potassium and low sodium concentrations, and the vitamins D, A, E, and B-12, as well as taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) among others. Omega-3 fatty acids are major components of neuronal, retinal, and myocardial membranes. Its protein is highly digestible due to low connective tissue content, and cholesterol content is also low in fish. Lean fish species are extremely low in fat content (<1 %), while fatty species are extremely rich in PUFAs.[ ] Many of these are required for proper functioning of reproductive system of human. So, fish may help in improving sperm quality.
=== Non medicinal agents and mental factors for vajikarana ===
Mental factors play prime role in sexual behaviour and on this fact. Sankalpa (determination) is best aphrodisiac. Soumansaya (pleasant mental disposition) is the most important factor in garbha dharana or conception. While mentioning factors having beneficial role on sperm quality and quantity, mental factors have also been given importance. Harsha is termed as stimulating pleasure to initiate the sexual act by psychological means (Gangadhar commentary on 1-4/48). ‘Harsha’ can be explained as the desire produced from Samkalpa (fantasy) leading to erection and ejaculation (Chakrapani commentary).
Mental status and surroundings of the patient plays crucial role in determining virility of a person. Studies show that psychosocial distress contributes significantly to the etiology of some forms of infertility.[ ] Stress is one among important factor of increasing infertility. Psychological stress reduces semen quality with a central underlying mechanism being impairment of gonadotropin drive.[ ] Stress also reduces sperm quality by increasing plasma ROS generation and decreasing antioxidant protection.[ ] Lengthy sexual abstinence was found to affect all semen characteristics. Semen volume and concentration and total sperm count showed significant increases, whereas motility and normal morphology decreased significantly with duration of abstinence. With regard to fertility, a long abstinence period might induce senescence of spermatozoa. [ ] Mental stress is one of the main causes of infertility. Healthy and stress free mind increases chances of conception. Advice on modifiable lifestyle factors should be given to people presenting for infertility treatment to help them make positive changes that may improve their chances of pregnancy. [ ] Pleasant mind and environment can contribute a lot to improve virility.
Eight factors which are involved in ejaculation process are mentioned. Harsha, as discussed earlier, is stimulating pleasure to initiate the sexual act by psychological means. ‘Harsha’ is the desire produced from Sankalpa (determination) leading to erection and ejaculation. Chakrapani described tarsha as vanitanamabhilasha i.e. desire of female partner. The word tarsha is also used to denote trisha so it can be described as strong desire to have female partner. Both the harsha and tarsha are psychological entities. According to Hemadri, the substance which is having the potency of prerana (stimulation) is called sara. So, sara is natural quality of shukra and so it flows without retention. Picchilata refers to sliminess and so it helps in smooth ejaculation. Gurutva helps in falling of semen. Anu refers to small so due to anu-bhava semen comes out quickly. Chakrapani comments that due to anu-bhava shukra has tendency to come out. The factors sara, paicchilya, guru, anu-bhava and pravanabhava are the physical properties of shukra which helps in ejaculation.
There is immense need that we should change lifestyle to have content mind. Meditation, Yoga and Ayurvedic spiritual principles can contribute a lot in this field.
=== Explanation of shukra ===
From the different descriptions given regarding shukra, its structure and functional identity can be understood in a broader sense. The term shukra represents androgens, semen and sperm itself according to the suitability of the contexts. In above context the seat of shukra has been told as whole body so it can be taken as hormone. It has been clarified that semen exists in whole and it comes out after sexual arousal. The main object and mean of sexual arousal is tactile stimulation. Shukra pervades all over the body seated on the sparshanendriya (tactile sensorium). The mind has inseparable union with tvak. According to Gangadhara the shukra present in the tvak (Tvaggatam Shukram) by continuous erotic stimulation gets ejaculated. Sushruta compares the ejaculatory physiology with that of lactation since both are deeply associated with psychological factors in Nidana Sthana 10th chapter. Sushruta explains the physiology of ejaculation as a combined activity of vata which is heightened by the heat generated in the act of copulation as a result of the rubbing of female and male genital organs which dispels the shukra.
There are various parameters for normal shukra. Beside physical parameters, the main criteria of normal shukra is that it should be able to procreate progeny.
=== Factors affecting virility ===
Virilty of a person may vary from person to person. Normal variations are described in here. Two parameters are given by which virility of a person can differ. In first example sparrow is mentioned to indicate frequency of sexual activity whereas in second example elephant is mentioned to indicate large amount of semen ejaculation. With help of two examples, sparrow and elephant variation in frequency and amount of semen ejaculation has been mentioned. These two parameters are important for determining fertility rate.
==== 1. Frequency ====
Statistical estimates suggest that fecund ability rises sharply with frequency of intercourse. It is observed in a study that 94% of women aged 35 years and 77% women aged 38 years are conceived with regular intercourse for three years. [ ] The risk of erectile dysfunction in males aged among 30 to 75 years can be reduced by maintaining a regular frequency of intercourse. [ ] Coital frequency is directly related to conception. Research shows that best sperm motility is found in semen emission every three to four days on average.[ ] Intercourse every two to three days can maximize the overall chance of natural conception because spermatozoa can survive for up to seven days after insemination in the female reproductive tract.[ ] So, regular coitus with 3-4 days gap should be regarded as optimum coital frequency.
==== 2. Volume: ====
With the example of elephant, the second parameter of semen volume is mentioned. According to WHO guidelines, the normal semen volume is 2.0–5.0 mL. Adequate volume of semen is required to carry male gametes into the female reproductive tract. Therefore, ejaculate volume is an important component of a semen analysis done to investigate male factor infertility. [ ]
==== 3. Season: ====
Effect of seasonal and individual variation on virility of a person has been mentioned. A particular code of conduct based on season has been told for coitus frequency. Such regime helps to preserve the strength of the person. According to Chakrapani, in hemant (early winter) and shishir Ritu (winter) virility of a person is more. So one can have coitus regularly as per their strength in these seasons. In vasant ritu (spring) coitus on every third day, and in varsha ritu (rainy season) in fortnight is advocated.
Human conception follows a seasonal rhythm.[ ] Seasonal modifications of reproductive functions[ ] and semen parameters[ ] are documented in human males. Recent trends noted a decline in relation of seasonal variation and human conception rhythm. The increased industrialization leading to increase in people being shielded from both photoperiod (by indoor work) and temperature (by heating and air conditioning) might be the reason behind this. [ ]
==== 4. Cause of infertility: ====
In present era, even with availability of sophisticated diagnostics in approximately 15% to 30% of couples we are unable to find out the exact cause of infertility. [ ] Ayurvedic Scholars included all conditions in which no evident cause of infertility was seen under broad term ‘Prakritya’. The second important cause for infertility which is observed was affliction of diseases. A person who is afflicted with diseases gets debilitated and this result in decrease in fertility/virility. This is another important principle and it shows scientific vision of ancient Ayurvedic scholars.
=== Adverse impact of infertility ===
Infertility is one of the major stress factor [ ] similar to the intensity of a life-threatening illness. [ ] [ ] This distress and its treatment can affect various aspects of personal and family life. [ ] It also adversely affects the relationship in terms of support, satisfaction and communication [ ], increases anxiety, guilt, somatization and depression. [ ] It challenges one’s own beliefs and about the world. [ ] The social network is affected as well.[ ] As purpose of life is terribly shattered person goes in depression and considers himself as useless.
=== Selected vajikarana herbs and formulations currently in use ===
Shatavari, Vidari, Jivanti, Twakshiri, Sita, Godhuma, Masha are referred to have aphrodisiac properties in recent nighantu(glossaries of herbs). This is due to their inherent properties similar to shukra.
#Ikshu: Ikshu or sugarcane has aphrodisiac properties and when cow is fed with sugarcane stalks than the milk will be more beneficial and rich in its aphrodisiac qualities.
#Pippali: Pippali is said to be vrishya or drug having property to increase sperm. Pippali has above mentioned properties only when it is used in proper dose and for short time.
# Yashtimadhu: Madhuka is guru, madhura, snigdha in properties. So, by guna samanya it acts as good aphrodisiac. When given with ghee, honey and milk it forms good aphrodisiac formulation.
=== Researches on herbs ===
==== 1. Kapikachchu (Mucuna pruriens): ====
Atmagupta or Mucuna pruriens has been established as potent aphrodisiac. M. pruriens efficiently recovers the spermatogenic loss induced due to Ethinyl estradiol administration by reduction in ROS, restoration of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), regulation of apoptosis and increase in the number of germ cells. L-DOPA largely accounts for pro-spermatogenic properties of M. pruriens.[ ] In another study, seminal plasma of infertile patients, the levels of lipids, antioxidant vitamins, and corrected fructose were recovered after a decrease in lipid peroxides after treatment.[ ] Another study has clearly demonstrated the potency of M. pruriens to reduce the diabetic induced sperm damage induced by oxidative stress (OS).[ ] In a study oral administration of M. pruriens to infertile men for 3 months not only resulted in general improvement in sperm count and motility but it also led to significant reduction in the level of psychological stress.[ ] Similar research studies of other drugs mentioned should be done to explore their aphrodisiac properties.
==== 2. Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna): ====
Extract of T. arjuna could be used as a natural antioxidant and enhancing the phytosterol content in clarified butter. Antioxidant supplementation drastically improves sperm count and sperm motility. <ref>Wirleitner B, Dietary supplementation of antioxidants improves semen quality of IVF patients in terms of motility, sperm count, and nuclear vacuolization,Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2012 Dec;82(6):391-8</ref> Some tribal communities of Assam, India use Arjuna in cases of infertility as observed in an ethno-botanical survey. <ref>Deka j, Kalita J. C., Ethnobotanical important medicinal plants of Kamrup district, Assam, India, used in fertility treatment, International research journal of pharmacy, 2013, 4(3).</ref> Arjuna bark is widely used to decrease level of serum triglycerides and cholesterol, recover the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). As an anti-ischemic agent, it relieves myocardial necrosis, modulates platelet aggregation. It is an effective antioxidant. <ref>Sumitra M, Manikandan P, Kumar DA, Arutselvan N, Balakrishna K, Manohar BM, Puvanakrishnan R (2001). Experimental myocardial necrosis in rats: role of arjunolic acid on platelet aggregation, coagulation and antioxidant status. Mol. Cellular Biochem. 224: 135-142</ref> So, antioxidant properties of Arjuna can be used to increase virility of a person.
All five Gana (Shukrajanana, Jeevaniya, Brumhaniya, Balya and Kshira Samjanana) as mentioned in fourth chapter of [[Sutra Sthana]] are used in vajikarana. The drugs mentioned in these Gana are mainly madhura, sheeta, mridu in nature and so by similarity in properties, they increase sperm quality. For example, meda is included in jeevaniya & shukrajanana gana; payasya in brumahaniya & balya; Jivanti in jeevaniya; shali & shashtika in stanyajanana. These drugs may act on higher center of the brain, i.e. the hypothalamus and limbic system. This may have anti-stress, adaptogenic actions, which helps to alleviate anxiety associated with sexual desire and performance. Administration of vajikarana rasayana viz. C. orchioides, A. longifolia and M. pruriens ethanolic extracts modulates the level of the pituitary hormones FSH and LH. <ref>Chauhan NS, Saraf DK, Dixit VK. Effect of vajikaran rasayana herbs on pituitary–gonadal axis. Eur J Integr Med. 2010;2:89–91.</ref>
=== Current vajikarana formulations ===
Experienced ayurvedic physicians create vajikarana formulations based upon the properties of individual dravya and needs of the individual. Identification of some drugs mentioned in the text is controversial. Some drugs are endangered species. So, practically it is not possible to prepare some formulations with same ingredients, but Pratinidhi or Abhava drugs can be used in place of such drugs.
=== Further scope ===
Ayurvedic formulations for vajikarana lack research as per current scientific standards. Lack of standardization of formulations and difficulty in getting unadulterated herbs are realistic obstacles in the utility of vajikarana preparations. Randomized controlled trials of these formulations can be helpful in understanding efficacy, possible side effects and other treatment related parameters.
==References==
==References==