The seat of Oja is the heart and hence, emotional balance and nourishment plays an
integral part in normal functioning of our immune system. There are various entity
with which heart is associated. The prana; the source of etra and intracellular
oxygenation or activation l, Mana; psychological balance and rasa (nourishment).
Ayurveda explains the concept of a fit individual as blanaced agni, dosha, dhatu and
malakria( elimination of waste at proper time with ease), prassna atma, indriya and
mana (joyous and stable soul, perception and mind). So the interlinking of the mind
with the body is justified. Meaning the immunity is built when the balance is well
established when the mind is at balanced state. The influence of mind and emotion on
our immunity is a very new system that is being studied in the past four or five
decades, known as Psychoneuroimmunology. The mind and emotional thoughts hamper or
process the functioning of our gut health, metabolism and eventually the immunity.
Because it seldom displays symptoms before causing damage to the heart, kidneys, or
brain, hypertension is known as the silent killer. High blood pressure symptoms are
characterized by;
-
1. Environment – as we saw that environmental factors have high impact on
the immunity as we live in the compromised surrounding. Air, water, and
soil, the quality of such entities are degraded and so is the immunity.
-
2. Improper diet habits – eating highly processed foods, packaged foods,
preservatives and chemical/pesticide loaded foods disrupts the normal
functioning of the gut. The gut which is the prime seat for absorption of
nutrients hampers the process and leads to poor immunity.
- 3. Irregular sleep – Night jobs, change in sleep patterns and timings.
-
4. High stress – increases the cortisol level in blood reducing the focus
on
immune system nourishment.
-
5. Excessive alcohol intake – excessive alcohol consumption disrupts the
normal absorption of food, and destroys gut lining. It also impairs the
response of the immune system against pathogens.
-
6. Obesity – it is an indicator of sedentary lifestyle with poor lifestyle
choices such as lack of exercise and depriving self from healthy food items.
This factor is responsible for metabolic abnormalities inside the body and
keeping immunity off the track.
-
7. Chronic medications – Long term use of antibiotics and certain other
medications are also proven to be detrimental for immunity.
-
8. Excess grief and anger – holding grudges anger and grief are the
emotional entities which produces inflammatory response inside the body.
This inflammation sometimes is responsible for early ageing and attacking
once own immunity, jargoned as autoimmunity.
- 1) Recurrent infection, throat infection, runny nose, fever.
- 2) Frequent Diarrhea or constipation
- 3) Dry eyes
- 4) Fatigue, lethargy
- 5) Dry mouth
- 6) Cold hands
- 7) Headache
- 8) Body ache
- 9) Patchy hair loss
- 10) Worm infestation
- 11) Rash
- 12) Joint ache
- 13) Tingling or numbness in feet or hands
- 14) Sensitive to sun rays
- 15) Unexplained weight change
- 16) Patches over skin
Regimen and herb incorporation for immunity strengthening as per Ayurveda.
-
• Keeping proper hydration, this doesn’t mean you should gulp 5 lit of water
everyday. Mindful about the thirst, getting to know about the thirst is also
the factor to be checked. Properly boiled and cooled water (not fridge cold)
should be used for consumption. Also we should feel the thirst and drink in
moderation how much ever the body demands. The intake of water is person
specific, it should be taken according to the body need. For a short stature
person with less physical activity will not require 5 lit of water each day,
it can be true for the opposite.
-
• Diet: ayurveda recommends all the shadrasa in the diet (with all six
tastes and qualities balanced), based on one’s dosha. This helps in proper
absorption of food and helps enhance the taste as well. Avoid excess
consumption of salty, oily, spicy and processed foods.
-
• Regular exercise enhances the sleep quality and reduces stress levels. It
is recommended to at least take a brisk walk regularly. This helps build
body strength. Other options include cycling, yoga, swimming, playing
outdoor games like badminton, tennis, football etc. jogging. For 30 to 60
minutes regularly or at least 5 days a week.
-
• Immunity and Agni balancing herbs to be added in daily diet such as –
ginger, asafoetida, cumin, coriander, black pepper, mulethi etc. these
spices and herbs are rich in anti-oxidants, carminative, kindles digestion.
-
• Restore the sleep schedule: good sleep is the crucial process to enhance
the brain activity, detoxification, repairing damaged cells, regulating
hormones and proteins, restoring energy, etc. which is also essential to
build immunity. At least 6-8 hours of sleep is crucial to boost your natural
immunity
-
• Annual ayurvedic detox helps to eliminate toxins and aids in good
immunity, it also protects us from the unwanted harmful effects induced to
us by the environment.
-
• Immuno-modulator- rasyana drugs are the best ayurvedic herbs which is
authentic and when consumed in moderation and under proper guidance helps
built a strong and good quality of dosha, dhatu and mana (mind)
- • Ayurvedic treatments like shirodhra, abhyanga, pinda sweda etc.
-
• Maintenance of good personal hygiene is also an important as with food
and
medication.
-
• Other recommended herbs for daily use
Using Tulsi (fruit of long pepper) and ginger tea to strengthen and cleanse
the upper respiratory tract for three days a week.
Use turmeric and black pepper in the meals daily, to boost immunity and
reduce ama (toxins).
Turmeric can also be used in the milk.
Chyavanpras, Brahma rasyana, Narsimha Rasayan is recommended to be taken
after consultation from ayurvedic physician only and from uthentic source
