Abstract

As the weather changes, we experience changes in our immunity. These changes lead to various diseases affecting our overall health. Ayurveda that connects us with nature explains the concept of weakening of our immunity and the points to be taken care of at a regular basis to avoid the same. You can have a stronger immunity just by maintaining some basic habits as explained in this article.

“To have a healthier body, the basic need is to make your immunity stronger.”

Introduction

सत्वात्मा शरीरं च त्रयमेतत्त्रिदण्डवत् ।

लोकस्तिष्ठति संयोगात्तत्र सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम् ।।

(Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 1/47)

As per Ayurveda, there are three pillars of life - Satva (mind), Aatma (soul) and Sharir (body). The amalgamation of these three leads to the existence of the human body and everything is situated within the confines of this Sharir (body). The whole wellness of the body does not only depend on the physical body but also on the mind and soul. The overall wellbeing of a human affirms the quality of one’s life.

In Ayurveda, the concept of immunity is defined as “Vyaadhik samatva” that means resistance against disease. “Bala” i.e strength is also taken as its synonym in the Ayurvedic literature. In Charak samhita, famous Ayurvedic textbook, the detailed description of “BALA” is given in chapter 11 of sutrasthana “triashniy adhyaya”.

Types of Bala

According to triashniy adhyaya, the bala is of three types :-

1. Sahaja

2. Kalaja

3. Yuktikrita

(Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 11/36)

1. Sahaja Bala (Innate)

The immune power with which the person is born is termed as “SAHAJA BALA” .The quality of shukra (sperm) and artava (ovum) determines this constitutional strength present since the time of birth.

2. Kalaja Bala (According to time, season and age)

The strength that varies with the change in seasons and ageing of the body. This Strength is greater in the early morning, winters, and yuva awastha (young age) than in evening, summers and old age (Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 6/8)

3. Yuktikrita Bala (Acquired)

The immunity that is acquired through proper diet, by performing physical exercise and Yoga. This is the type of immunity that we influence with our daily routine and it can be altered by adapting a healthy lifestyle.

Ayurvedic Routine to Improve Immunity

1. Application of “Soviranjana”

According to Ayurveda, Soviranjana is a kind of collyrium made up of Antimony and Sulphur, the daily application of which is good for eye health. It is advised to use it on a daily basis.

2. Nasal Drop / Nasya

In every Indian household, the elders always stress upon putting 2 to 3 drops of either Cow ghee or mustard oil in the nose after bathing. It is because it strengthens the organs above clavicle like the throat, nose, eyes, hair, ears, and brain. It nourishes the olfactory nerve, penetrates the brain through the cribriform plate and provides the necessary healthy fats to the cells. It is clearly stated in the Ayurvedic texts that the regular practice of this ritual prevents the premature graying of hair, migraine, hemicranias, sinus, headache, weak eyesight and even baldness.

3. Regular Tongue Scrapping

As we all know the digestion of the food starts from the tongue itself. As we begin to chew the food, its juice reaches the taste buds and signals the gut to start the proper secretion of the digestive juices. Now, if we don’t remove the layer of waste from the tongue on daily basis it will hamper those signals, leading to improper digestion and assimilation of nutrients from the foods which are required for the proper functioning of the immune system. Therefore, it is advised to add the use of tongue scrapper in the morning and night self-care routine.

4. Regular Oiling of the Body

No matter how funny it sounds just like the machinery needs frequent oiling our body needs that too. Skin is the largest organ of the body. It acts as a sheath; a barrier against infections and its dendritic cells present in the epidermis provides the adaptive immune response. As per Ayurveda regular massage of the body with mustard oil followed by sun exposure strengthens the bones, increases the endurance of the body, nourishes the skin and accelerates the functioning of the immune system.

5. Indian Gooseberry (Amla)

As per Ayurveda, amla is one of the finest immunity booster and rejuvenator. It is an amazing source of vitamin C and is also loaded with polyphenols. These two compliments the immune system and aid in fighting against viral and bacterial infections. There are various ways by which one can add amla in his diet such as by consuming 1 to 2 tablespoons of amla juice in the morning or by having it in powdered form. Out of many other ways, the most popular one is by daily consuming 1 tablespoon of “Chayavanprash” in the morning.

6. Chew the Food / Drink the Water

In this fast-paced life, all we do is dump our gut with the food and leave for work without realizing that it puts extra workload on our body and decreases the quality of our life as a whole. One should chew every bite of his/her food at least 32 times before gulping it down and consume the liquids properly, move it around the mouth before it enters the gut. All this will benefit majorly in two ways. Firstly, by increasing the amount of digestive juices in the gut and secondly, by avoiding us from overeating. As per Ayurveda, AMA (indigested food) is the cause of human illness. Thus, by following this basic algorithm “Chew your food and drink the water “one can prevent himself from falling sick.

7. Eat Before Sunset / Eat 3 hrs Before Sleep

As per Ayurveda, it is advised not to eat after the sunset. Because the “JATHAR AGNI” (digestive fire) follows the clock of the sun and works best before sunset. Thus, eating after sunset increases the chances of “AMA” formation. So, if one wants to boost up his immune system, he must incorporate the habit of eating before sunset or before 7 pm.

8. Fasting / Detoxification

For a strong immune system, one should inculcate the practice of fasting once in 15 days. It can be either only juice fast or only fruit fast depending upon one’s will power and energy followed by Khichdi or any light food on the next day. This helps in clearing the intestines of the AMA and giving a boost to the immune system.

9. Eat Local Seasonal Fruits

The human body is well suited to fruits and vegetables that are available within 100 km of its residence. As our environment plays an important role in the proper functioning of our body and digestion. Therefore, one should eat seasonal local fruits and vegetables that are available near him.

10. Prayer

Daily practice of mantra chanting from any of your religious literature stimulates the brain cells and balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic functioning. The vibrations created via mantra chanting clear the negativity from the brain, making it more active. The daily practice of mantras can even start the process of self-healing by strengthening the immune system.

Hence, it is evident that the human body is self-sufficient in fighting against the illness; all it needs is proper nutrition, regular exercise and less load on the gut. Health is not merely the absence of physical signs of disease but it’s the amalgamation of mental, anatomical, physiological and spiritual well being of the human as Acharya Sushruta has said that

“समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातु मलःक्रियाः।

प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनः स्वस्थइतिअभिधीयते॥

(सुश्रुत संहिता सूत्रस्थान १५/१०) .