Seasons, Strength, and Self: An Ayurvedic Journey to Immunity
Immunity in Ayurveda refers to more than simply the lack of illness. It includes the body’s ability to withstand and go over obstacles that are internal as well as external. Ojas, the essence of immunity and energy, is introduced by Ayurveda. Ojas is an essential energy or essence that strengthens the body’s defences against illnesses, imbalances, and stressors.
According to Ayurveda, maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle, eating right, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and exercising often all help to build Ojas and, in turn, the immune system. The body can more effectively battle against diseases and preserve health when Ojas is sturdy. In ayurvedha vyadhikshamatva is the term used for immunity and the factors that helps to maintain immunity are the balance of doshas,dhatus and agni.vyadhikshamatva indicates our body strength as well.
There are three categories of strength: kalaja (temporal), yuktikrita (acquired), and sahaja (constitutional).
Sahaja bala: This fundamental quality of a person that exists from birth.
It is due to the dosas’ equilibrium condition;
Kalaja bala: This depends on the age and season. According to the season al variations experiences a loss of strength, and middle age is seen as a time of great strength.
Yuktikrita bala – Healthy eating habits, exercise routines, and other behaviours are necessary for gaining strength. using appropriate technique when performing workouts and taking breaks between them.
The balance of the three doshas—Pitta, Kapha, and Vata—as well as lifestyle decisions, nutrition, and mental wellness are all variables that Ayurveda highlights as having an impact on immunological health.
The usage of milk and ghee regularly results in rejuvenation and improved immunity; eating a variety of foods on a regular basis fosters strength; also, consuming amalaka amalaka ( Indian gooseberry) produces rejuvenation;
food items with sweet and sour tastes can also increase the immunity. The state of agni affects vital breath, strength, health, and lifespan. A person’s agni is sustained when they consume the right amount of food and liquids.
Fruits – Indian gooseberry and seasonal fruits
Vegetables– carrot,sweet potatoes,ash gourd,spinach
Whole grains – brown rice and oats
Legumes – green gram and lentils.
Meat – chicken,mutton,sardine,salmon,macrale
Spices – turmeric,garlic,ginger,black pepper and cumin.
Seasonal regimens to improve immunity
• Sishiram (winter) and Hemanta (dew)
During this season, the kapha dosha is prevalent. Therefore, to aid in re-establishing the body’s equilibrium, one should take foods high in energy, such as milk and milk products, and carbohydrates, such as rice, wheat, whole grains, etc. You may also drink wine made from jaggery (molasses). Usually, a hot oil massage and an udvartanam (applying dry powdered herbs to an oil-anointed body) using a fine paste or powder of kumkum (saffron or kesar) are available.
• Vasantham (Spring)
The heat of the sun liquefies the elevated kapha during this season, which lowers digestive activity. Foods that are easy to digest, including barley, honey, roasted pork, mango juice, etc., must be consumed. During this time, beverages like sidhu (fermented sugarcane juice), arista (fermented infusion), asava (fermented infusion), honey diluted with water, and water cooked with chandan (sandal wood) extracts are also beneficial. Foods that are difficult to digest, cold foods, sour foods, sweet foods, and fatty foods should be avoided since they raise kapha. During this season, dry rubs and nose medications are commonly used. Additionally advised are the usage of karpura (camphor) and chandan (sandal wood).
• Greeshma Summer
During this season, vata dosha is prevalent. Drinking more water, juice, buttermilk, lemon juice, etc., is necessary. One must eat every seasonal fruit that is available. This season is not the time to engage in strenuous physical activity. Wine can produce debility and/or a burning feeling, thus it should be avoided or consumed in very small amounts. During this season, one might wash in cold water and anoint the body with chandan (sandalwood) paste.
• Varsha (rainy season)
Humans are more vulnerable to illness during this time of year. Doshas cause the body’s digestive function to deteriorate even further. Therefore, any strategy to reduce doshas and improve digestive function need to be used. To prevent future digestive system aggravation, one should eat foods that are easy to digest. Foods that can be consumed include pulses, meat juice, soups, ancient grains, and thin yoghurt water. Honey, dried ginger, and thippali (Indian long pepper) can also be eaten with cereals like wheat, rice, and so on. A Panchakarma (purification and detoxification) treatment might be used to assist the body’s doshas return to equilibrium. throughout this season, it is best to avoid hard exercise and sleeping throughout the day.
• Sarath (autumn)
During this season, pitha dosha is prevalent. As a result, one might consume food that has bitter, astringent, and sweet flavours. Easy-to-digest foods like honey, tiny peas, green vegetables, green berries, red rice, etc. must be a part of the diet. During this season, one should refrain from consuming heavy foods, curd, oil, and strong liquors. With chandan (sandalwood), one might obtain an udvartanam dry powder massage).
Panchakarma treatments
Panchakarma is an Ayurvedic therapy that involves Pancha (five) karmas (actions) that helps in cleansing the body of accumulated toxins with an aim to restore health.
Panchakarma treatment has several beneficial impacts on the body, including reviving the digestive enzymes, or Jataraagni. The generation of Ojas, which gives the body strength, is enhanced by optimal digestion and absorption. There would be a natural restoration of the unbalanced Doshas. The finest method to guarantee good health is said to be this. Panchakarma, according to Ayurveda, cleanses the body and the mind. When the causes of the sickness are eliminated, a state of wellness is guaranteed.
It includes vamana ,virechana,vasti,nasyam, rakta mokshana.
Vamana: This treatment is recommended for skin and respiratory conditions and involves inducing vomiting to assist balance the Kapha.
Virechana: Excess Pitta leads to stomach issues. In order to restore the Pitta balance, the suggested purgative aids in the removal of the toxins that have accumulated in the stomach.
Vasti: To assist balance the Vata, this process entails delivering recommended oils and decoction combinations via the anorectal route.
Nasya: This treatment, which is administered through the nose orifice, aids in sinus decongestion and the healing of cranial nerve disorders.
Raktamokshana: This age-old technique removes unclean blood from the body using leeches or sterile, sharp objects.
Herbs to improve immunity
Guduchi chittamruth)
Guduchi’s anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, and liver-supportive properties have led to its traditional usage in a wide range of illnesses. It helps strengthen the body’s defences against infections and the immune system. It aids in early healing by increasing the activity of white blood cells. Additionally, it is an antipyretic (which lowers fever) and anti-inflammatory plant and it reduces allergy as well.
Consume two to three tablespoons of Guduchi juice. Drink it once a day in the morning on an empty stomach after adding the same amount of water.
Tulsi
Tulsi has long been famous as a plant that provides therapeutic benefits. This may be the cause of the widespread presence of this plant in Indian homes. It has a lot of essential oils that are good for the immune system, neurological system, and antioxidant system. Tulsi leaves have immunomodulatory properties, they are essential for enhancing, preserving, and increasing antibody production as well as infection prevention.
Put three to four tulsi leaves in a glass of boiling water to prepare this at home. Give it a few minutes to boil.
-take this sip by sip two to three times daily.
Turmeric
Strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are well-known for curcumin, the main ingredient in turmeric. These characteristics help the immune system by encouraging a normal inflammatory response. Adding curcumin tablets or incorporating it into your diet might be a great way to boost your immune system.
Boil milk with 1 teaspoon turmeric powder and take it before going to sleep.
Amalaki
Antioxidants, vitamin B complex, and vitamin C are abundant in amalaki. These nutrients aid in the body’s defence against dangerous free radicals and help remove toxic substances. Because amalaki contains anti-inflammatory components, it helps reduce inflammation in the body, which helps to prevent infections. Additionally, it has immuno-boosting qualities that help the body fight off infections more effectively and have a regenerating impact on the immune system.
Can take in raw form or fresh juice morning empty stomach.
Aswaganda
aswaganda, is one of the most widely used and essential herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. From children to the elderly, it is used as a herbal tonic, or “rasayana,” to boost immunity and enhance life. This well-known herb strengthens cell-mediated immunity, which strengthens the body’s defences against dangerous infections. Additionally, it has antioxidant qualities that guard against free radical-induced cell damage.
1 teaspoon aswaganda mix with one glass of milk and take it at night.