For the convience, the ayurveda has been divided in to eight branches. The different aspects of the life are well addressed by these branches. The wholistic approach of the ancient wisdom is well appreciated in this division. Kayachikitsa, Shalya Tantra, Shalakya Tantra, Kaumara-Bhritya, Bhuta-vidya, Agada – tantra, Rasayana-tantra and Vajikarana are the eight divisions.

Vajikarana is the science dealing with the promotion of sexual health and the management of seminal disorders and male sexual disorders. It also describes the means for health progeny.

Basic aim of the therapy is to procreate healthy progeny and to increase sexual potency in man. Specific drugs are mentioned to improve sexual vigour, sperm motility and sperm count. Generally all kapha increasing drugs act as vajikarna. Examples

Yasti madhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra),Atma gupta (Mucuna pruriens),Jati phala (Myristica fragrans), Masha (Phaseolus mungo),Aswagandha (Withania somnifera),Satavari (Asparagus racemosus). Abhayanga (oil massage), satvavajaya (positive mind) can also act like Vajikarana.

Functions of Sukra dhatu ( Sperm)

• 1. Beejartham/Garbhothpadanam – Fertility/ to initiate conception.
• 2. Harsha – Libido or sexual desire.
• 3. Deha balam – Strength of the body to withstand adverse extrinsic and intrinsic conditions.
• 4. Preethi – Fondness or Attraction towards opposite sex.
• 5. Cyavana – Sensation of proper ejaculation and orgasm.
• 6. Dhairya – Boldness.
• 7. Sukra Niskramana – Ejaculation.

Eight factors mentioned by Charaka acharya, which contribute to the process of ejaculation, are:

Harsha (Libido), Tarsha (patio or desire for ladies), Saratva (mobility of sukra), Dravatva (fluidity of sukra), Paicchillya (Slimness or viscidity of sukra), Gaurava (heaviness or gravity of sukra), Anu pravana bhava (Tendency to flow down due to property of atomicity), Mruta drutatva – propulsion by apanavayu.

Infertility

Definition:

A condition in which couple have problems in conceiving, or getting pregnant, after one year of regular sexual intercourse without using any birth control methods. Infertility can be caused by a problem with the man or the woman, or both.

Male infertility

Causes of male infertility

It can be studied under following heads.

Bija upa tapa ( Congenital abnormalities ), Sukra dosha ( Diseases of sperm), Klaibya ( Loss of libido).

• a. Bija upa tapa – Defects in the gamete, leading to development and structural anomalies of reproductive system. Chromosomal disorders, various developmental disorders can be considered in this group.
• b. Sukra dosha (Seminal morbidity)

Causes of seminal morbidity

Food factors

Habitual and excessive uses of dry, bitter, astringent, salty, acidic and hot food. Foods which are at variance with place, time, power of digestion, quantity, habit, doshas and mode of preparation

Behavioural factors

Excessive sexual indulgence, untimely sexual congress, sexual abuse, absolute sexual abstinence, bodily exertion in excess, suppression of natural urges and sexual congress with an unresponsive woman.

Psychological factors

Grief, anxiety, fear, anger and lack of mutual love and confidence.

Pathological factors

Emaciation due to diseases, vitiation of body elements, injury with surgical instruments,

improper application of cautery and caustics and other casues like trauma, weak poisons, age.

c. Klaibya – Impotence and other anomalies which impede effective insemination

Causes:

Psychic, dietary, exhaustion of sukra, old age, mental worries, debilitating diseases (like T.B, Diabetes mellitus), over strain, malnutrition, excessive indulgence in sex are considered as contributory factors of quantitative and qualitative diminution of sukra.

Management of Male Infertility

Purvakarma (Preliminary treatment)

Snehana (Oleation)

Swedana (Sudation)

Pradhanakarma (Main treatment)

Virechana (purgation) (Castor oil with milk)

Sneha vasti (oil enema)

Vasti (Decoction enema)

Yapana vasti (rejuvenating enema which can be used for a long time without any adverse effect.)

Uttara vasti (enema given through the urethral orifice)

Pascatkarma (Management after main treatment)

Vajikarnam (specific infertility management with Vajikarna drugs)

Medicines commonly used in Vajikarana

Sukumara ghritam, Amritaprasam, Asvagandhadi ghritam, Mamsa sarpis, Kusmanda ghritam, Vastyamayantakam ghritm, Kalyanaka ghrtam, Asvagandhadi lehyam, Satavari lehyam, Madana kameswari, Chyavanaprasam, Silajit rasayanam, Dasamularistam, Draksaristam, Asvagandharistam, Chandra prabha Vati, Kalyana gulam, Abhraka bhasma, Swarna bhasma.

Sukra sodhana gana (drugs which help in purification of semen or sperm)

Kustha, elavaluka, katphala, samudra phena, kadamba niryasa, iksu, kanda iksu, iksuraka, vasuka, usira

Sukra janana gana (drugs which help in formation of semen or sperm)

Jivaka, rsabhaka, kakoli, ksirakakoli, mudgaparni, masaparni, meda, vrksaruha, jatila, kulinga

Female Infertility

The descriptions about female reproductive disorders have been dealt in the chapters of Stri roga in Ashtanga hridaya, Charak samhita, Susrutha samhita, Sarnghadhara samhita and Ashtang samgraha.

Acarya Susruta describes the psychological changes that occur during the act of sexual intercourse. During contact, teja (fire) is produced. This teja stimulates vatodirana (movement of air element). Teja along with vata causes secretion of sukra. Sukra( sperm) travels to yoni and unites with artava (ovum). The resulting product of union of Agni and Soma (zygote) then travels to garbhasaya and grows as garbha.

Factors of conception

Ritu, kshetra, ambu, bija are the chief factors of conception

Ritu – phase of kapha denoting proliferative phase in the uterus followed by ovulation.

Kshetra – denotes healthy female genital tract which will facilitate the entry of sperm.

Ambu – nutritional elements and hormones.

Bija – Ovum and sperm.

Disorders of conception factors

Disorders of Ritukala

Rtukala is a period of kapha pitta predominance. If it is affected by vata or pitta, sub fertility may result.

Disorders of kshetra (female genital tract)

Margavarodha (Obstruction in fallopian tubes), Vyapanna yoni / garbhasaya (Uterine, cervical or vaginal pathology causing hostility to spermatozoa).

Disorders of Ambu (nutritional fluids)

Garbhasravi or amniotic fluid problems, nutritional insufficiency

Disorders of Bija (Ovum or sperm)

Artava dosa or sukra dosa can cause sub fertility

Disorders of maithuna (Intercourse)

Maithuna asahatva (Dyspareunia – painful intercourse), Maithuna aniccha (Psychological disturbances causing frigidity), Asamyak maithuna (Improper intercourse).

Management of Female infertility

• 1. Sodhana (Purification therapy).
• 2. Samana (Pacification therapy).
• 3. Utility of specific medicines.
• 4. Medicated ghees and oils.

Narayana tailam, satapuspa tailam, phala sarpis, kalyanaka ghrta, dadimadi ghrta, kalyana gulam are commonly used. Ushna, kaphavatahara treatment is given for cystic ovarian disease (PCOS).

Dr Rajesh Nair is a Web writer and ayurvedic researcher. Check out his favorite sources for ayurvedic medicines and herbal ayurveda medicines for more information please visit : http://www.ayurvedaforall.com