Health & Wellness

Improve Immunity with Ayurveda



Ayurveda considers immunity as the power of body and mind to fight against any sorts of illnesses or negative emotions respectively. The preventive aspects of Ayurveda prioritise the enhancement of immune response thereby improving the overall quality of life. Ayurveda mainly focuses on a disease free ‘healthy’ condition rather than being just disease-free. This science grants us the freedom to select our own ways of recharging defence through routine activities itself. Simply, it can be said that we have the choice of improving our Immunity in each and everything that we do on a daily basis. Now let us wade our way through certain general Ayurvedic measures for up-regulating our immune power.

Ayurveda and Immunity:
Thousands of years back, Ayurveda had an exact and vast knowledge regarding immunity which has been extensively mentioned under the contexts of ‘Vyadhikshamatva’, ‘Bala’,’Ojus’ etc. It describes about Sahaja (inborn), Kalaja (seasonal) and Yuktikritha (acquired) bala among which the last one can be modified through ‘Dinacharya’ (daily regimen), ‘Ritucharya’ (seasonal regimen), ‘Tryopasthambha’ (Food, Sleep And Celibacy), ‘Sadvritta’ (good conducts) and proper medications.

Below are some of the interesting and most basic methods of enhancing Immunity.

Enhance Immunity Through Food:
Having an efficient body metabolism (Agni) is one among the main keys for an elevated resistance. It is the quantity and quality of food as well as the ease of digestion that determines the strength of the body. Hence the golden rule of half-tummy solid food, one-fourth part liquids and the rest one-fourth empty space holds good for each and every one. But how to know that the stomach is half-filled? The answer is - just finish it off when the hunger is gone, still have the craving for one more roti or another spoon of rice.

●  Ayurveda enlists certain food items like green gram, red rice, ghee, buttermilk, gooseberry, cow milk, etc. to be taken daily in moderate quantities for the nourishment of Ojas (immunity).

●  Instead of milk tea, switch to herbal teas like tulsi tea which can be made easily by boiling kitchen spices like half teaspoon turmeric powder, 2-3 cloves, dry ginger or powder and 4-5 tulsi leaves in water. A pinch of tea or coffee powder and sugar candy are optional.

●  Instead of choosing Vitamin-C tablets it would be a better idea to opt for gooseberry, oranges and lemon juice, that are all natural sources and equally beneficial when taken frequently.

●  Always go for the seasonal fruits and vegetables as they are capable of protecting our body from the seasonal changes in the environment and body (kalaja bala).

●  Avoid taking heated curd, and curd at night, during summers and conditions of increased kapha dosha and excess body heat. This can block the channels, diminish the Agni and down-regulate the immune mechanism.

Stay Hydrated With Medicated Water:
A handful of crushed coriander and a teaspoon of dry ginger powder can be boiled together in one litre of water for drinking. Similarly, cumin seeds, turmeric, raw ginger, basil leaves, cardamom, etc. can be used alternatively for this purpose. Unless there are no bleeding disorders, elevated body heat, etc. sipping warm water whenever thirsty would be great, as it aids in digestion. Ayurvedic formulations like Shadanga choorna, Indukantha Kwatha choorna, etc. can also be added to boiling water for drinking, as they help in immune-modulation.

Dozing Into Immunity:
An uninterrupted sleep of minimum eight hours at night itself can bestow us with enough resistance and stamina. An overall healing process occurs during sleep. But there are people for whom this may not be as simple as it seems. For those, ‘Padabhyanga’ (foot massage) with or without oil and a glass of pure cow or buffalo milk before sleep time is worth trying (for those with increased kapha dosha, a teaspoon of turmeric and a pinch of pepper powder can be added to it).

Defence At The Orifices:
Since eyes, ears, nose, mouth, skin, etc. have direct access to the entry of microbes, the defence too should be strengthened at these sites to assist the immune mechanism. For this, Ayurveda suggests the following techniques as a part of Dinacharya:

●  Instilling two drops of sesame oil, ghee, Anu taila or any nasya formulations (according to prakriti) in each nostril can support the body in fighting off the disease causing microbes.

●  Oral routes can be protected through gargling techniques (kavala and Gandusha). Even though salt water with turmeric is the common fluid used, many others like honey, oil, soup, etc. are explained in Ayurveda for different individual types.

●  Daily or at least once a week, Abhyanga should be done with appropriate oil except in conditions of indigestion, fever, obesity and other kapha vitiated symptoms. Heads, ears and feet should be the main point of focus. Along with a myriad of other benefits, it escalates body stamina and promotes longevity.

●  Decoction of Neem leaves or Aragwadha bark can be added to bathing water for a shower as they are anti-microbial. One to two drops of any soothing essential oil to this water can double the benefit by refreshing the body and mind.

Ayurvedic Formulations:
There are abundant medications that serve the purpose of developing immune strength. Most commonly used ones are Chyavanaprasha, Agastyarasayana, Ashwagandha Lehya, Arogyavardhini Vati, Guduchyadi Kwatha, Ayush Kwatha, Indukantha Kwatha, Triphala Churna, etc. which has to be used judiciously according to the condition.

Meditation And Pranayama:
As the mind and body are interconnected, any kind of mental disturbance can cause negative feedback to the immune functions. Hence ward off the stress and improve the lung capacity through meditation and pranayama respectively.

Conclusion:
We must realize the fact that immunity is not something that can be achieved overnight. Neither can it be completely accomplished with a single medication. Ayurvedic medications can definitely contribute towards the moderation of immunity from the grass-root level but it can be sustained and prolonged only through a proper life-style. Not just boosters, Ayurvedic herbs act as immune modulators that can work according to the body requirement. Most importantly Ayurveda holds the view that a strong digestive system is followed by a powerful defence mechanism. In other words, it can be said that it is all in the gut. Therefore, protect the ‘Agni’, follow a healthy life pattern and take medications only whenever required. All these can aid in building up an active immune system.

By: Dr. Vikram Chauhan
MD (Ayurveda) CEO & Founder of  Planet Ayurveda

 Photo Credit: freepik