Boost your Immunity

Ayurvedic analysis of immunity

Ayurveda relates the body’s immunity to Ojas— that is the essence of the seven tissues that make up the body. The ancient Indian therapeutic science strongly counsels that we take care of the Ojas or the vital energy for good health and wellbeing.

The seven tissues or dhatus are believed to make up the human body. These are Rasa [juice], Rakta [blood], Mansa [muscle], Medha [body fat], Asthi [bones], Majja [bone marrow] and Shukra [semen]. Ojas, the prime source of natural immunity, is the core extract of these seven body tissues and is highly vital to life and existence.

Herbs that augment immunity

Herbs such as amla, mulethi, ashwagandha, ginger, basil, harad, turmeric, brahmi and large cardamom are beneficial for your immune system. Also, unctuous foods like honey, cow’s milk and desi ghee work as natural rejuvenators. Let’s see in detail what each of these herbs can do.

Amla

Amla, known as Indian gooseberry, is the richest and best source of vitamin C. It also contains calcium, iron, phosphorus, albumin, cellulose, fibre, carbohydrate, sugar and water.

According to ayurveda, the fruit of amla helps reduce all the three body humours—vatta, pitta and kapha,  or the air, fire and phlegm; which, when aggravated above their normal limits, cause a disease. The special properties of rejuvenation and revitalising of the entire body systems makes amla highly beneficial for increasing the body’s resistance power.

Eating amla in raw form may not be easy  for all, but you need not fret. You could feast on amla murabba, chutneys or jams. The powder of dried amla [which is readily available] can also be taken mixed with honey, twice a day.

You can even extract fresh juice from the amla fruit and add it to salads or mix with other juices to balance the sourness.

Chyawanprash, which contains amla along with other herbs, is a well-known formulation that can be taken for long periods as a tonic to do away mental and physical fatigue.

Turmeric

Turmeric is used widely in India both for cooking and for medicinal purposes. It is believed to destroy all the three basic humours of the body. Therefore, turmeric is recommended in a large variety of ailments and also as a potent immunity-boosting herb. Tturmeric can be used to relieve ailments such common cold, dry itchy skin, joint pains and swelling during winter. The best part is that it can easily be included in your daily diet to equip your body to fight maladies.

About 1 – 3g powder of raw turmeric is recommended and can be supplemented with warm water or milk. The powder can also be mixed with oil and massaged on the skin. Haridra Khanda is an effective Ayurveda formulation of turmeric.

Ginger

According to Ayurvedic texts, as ginger is hot in action, it helps in decreasing the aggravated vatta and kapha doshas. Ginger helps fight infections, and boost immunity levels.

Ginger can be used for hot fomentation in arthritis, gout, oedema and other forms of joint and muscle pain. A powder of dry ginger mixed with sesame oil and massaged on the joint provides good relief.

Ginger helps find relief in almost all types of respiratory disorders like cough, cold, pneumonia, asthma and bronchitis. Moreover, it can be consumed in any form—fresh, dried, powdered or juiced.

Tulsi

Tulsi or holy basil contains specific anti-asthmatic and anti-infective properties. Ayurveda recommends holy basil to empower respiratory resistance. To find relief, consume fresh tulsi juice made by pounding leaves of the herb, twice a day. Add a few drops of ginger and some honey to this to increase its efficiency to build resistance.

Mulethi

Roots of the herb of Liquorice or yashtimadhu are an excellent home remedy for relieving a number of disorders. According to ayurvedic texts, mulethi, being heavy, slimy and sweet helps in decreasing the aggravated vatta or air body humour. Therefore, liquorice is helpful in treating the diseases relating to vitiation in air body humour.

Mulethi is a natural revitalising herb. A number of liquorice formulations are available on the market that can be taken for strengthening the body systems and increasing immunity. The powder of this root, when taken with honey and ghee, is sufficient to revive your immunity levels. Not only this, mulethi also acts as a general as well as brain tonic and prevents early ageing.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a natural herb that is beneficial in boosting immunity and restoring energy levels. It also delays the process of ageing. In the Ayurvedic texts, the herb of ashwagandha is regarded as a natural stimulator and rejuvenator.

A powder prepared by pounding the root of ashwagandha can be taken in a dose of  3 – 6g along with a glass of warm and  sweetened cow’s milk.

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  SONICA Krishan
  Sonica Krishan is an Ayurveda and natural lifestyle consultant based at Chandigarh. She has authored natural home cure books like ‘Herbal Healers’ and ‘Home Remedies’.
  
  

IMmunity Boosters 3 Herbs

The pervasive impact of stress on the immune system has recently reared its ugly head with the panic over the Swine Flu ‘epidemic’. Asian flu, Lyme disease, West Nile virus and fear of Anthrax have left an indelible mark and are still major threats to a weakened immune system.

Stress, which is now recognised as the cause of 80 per cent of diseases, is a formidable opponent to the immune system. So we have to prepare; not with stress reduction techniques, because the very definition of ‘stress reduction’ means that we must first incur the stress and then reduce it with reduction techniques like yoga, meditation, exercise and more.

I would like to introduce to you a concept I call ‘Stress Prevention’, which means dealing with the stress by strengthening your immunity before the stress deals with you.

What causes disease?

The two major factors that influence our risk of infection and disease are exposure and susceptibility.

• Exposure: While there are measures we can take to reduce our exposure to a virus, it is nearly impossible to completely eliminate getting exposed to infectious microbes like bacteria and viruses. Taking care to reduce exposure is important. But the biggest determining factor in regards to getting infected or not, is whether or not you are susceptible to the infection.
• Susceptibility: A weak immune system is more susceptible to infection or disease. By boosting the integrity of your immune system, you will reduce your susceptibility, or the likelihood of getting infected. In one study, when 50 cows were exposed to anthrax, only half the cows succumbed to the disease. This means that half the cows were not susceptible to becoming infected because their immune systems were stronger.

Our herbal friends

In the 21st century, stress has become the overriding factor responsible for immune compromise, or weak immune system function. Here, I would like to discuss three immune building herbs that are a ‘must-have’ in every home. These herbs help strengthen the immune system and help prevent and protect from the compromising impact of stress.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic [that increases resistance to stress] herb that is well-documented for its immune building properties. Ashwagandha helps us fight stress by balancing cortisol [a stress fighting hormone] levels.

It helps prevent the depletion of vitamin C when under stress and is superior to ginseng as a stress fighting adaptogen. Most importantly, Ashwagandha builds the body’s energy reserves.

It can be taken before going to bed to support sleep and also the next morning to boost energy and vitality. This means that it is not a stimulant, [which will eventually deplete you], nor is it a sedative, [which will dull you]. It is a true adaptogen that can boost immunity, and with regular use, help rejuvenate the body from years of exhaustive stress.

Tulsi or Holy Basil

Tulsi,also called Holy Basil, is another powerful adaptogen that should be taken daily, either in raw farm in as a tea or in capsules. While this herb has been documented in vedic medicinal and sacred texts dating back 5000 years, it was recently through the work of Dr Narendra Singh that tulsi has emerged as one of the world’s most powerful adaptogenic, stress relieving and immune supportive herbs.

Dr Singh’s research has documented many of the health benefits of tulsi. Tulsi reduces stress, strengthens the immune system, promotes calmness and clarity, minimises cold and flu symptoms, balances metabolism, and builds stamina.

Tulsi is abundant in antioxidants. It is a natural immuno-modulator and boosts anti-viral activities in the body. It has been rightly called the “Queen of Herbs”, “The incomparable one” and “The mother medicine of nature”.

Neem

Known as “The one that cures all ailments and ills,” neem protects the body from both exposure and susceptibility. Neem helps prevent and fight infection through its natural anti-viral and antibacterial properties.

It builds immunity, helps purify the blood and supports healthy liver functions including detoxification. With regular use, helps to rejuvenate and nourish the skin, balance blood sugar levels, and boost the body’s anti-inflammatory response.

Neem has earned the title of “The village Pharmacy”, because it offers all the remedies found in a natural pharmacy.

Daily dose

I suggest a daily dose of organic* neem, ashwagandha and tulsi. These herbs will help your body fight stress, build immunity and act as your daily dose of prevention and protection against exposure, and the constant stress of our demanding lifestyles.

Combine them with a balanced lifestyle, and see for yourself how great you will feel everyday.

* I recommend using only organic herbs; as only then can you know that the herbs have not been sprayed or treated with pesticides or herbicides, or grown in soil treated with toxic chemicals.