A person who is able to withstand the onslaught of disease and maintain good health, who has a balanced body constitution, and who is not easily affected by external factors, is considered to be healthy. This individual has a strong immune system that is able to defend against harmful pathogens and maintain equilibrium within the body.

The harassed world around us

Have you noticed that everything we see around us is so fragile? The factor of durability is vanishing quickly and things fall apart at an irrational pace these days. You may see someone there for a moment and the next, you hear that he is sick or ill. Everything seems to be in a world of inevitable fragility.

The ultimate result of all these changes has affected us in all the worst possible ways and the major of it is the weak immune system. We have come to a health situation, where a small raise in temperature can be calmed down with an intake of antibiotics only. Our body’s natural immune system has taken a drastic toll after all nature has gone through. It has come to a level that, the human body has stopped acting with the common antibiotics or vaccines. 

Within this time, most of us have realized the fact that “Prevention is better than cure”, you will always get medicines and shots which can cure you of medical conditions, be it fever, common cold, or any such virus or bacterial affected health concerns. But it always is an eye-opening choice to do everything that is possible for you to stop this. You can always start by maintaining personal hygiene, following a healthy diet, and avoiding habits that do not serve you well and are not good in the long term. This calls for wisdom recalling our traditional medicine practices and lifestyle, to ultimately build a strong immune system and resistance power to disease-causing pathogens from our body.

Vyadhi-rvisheshasahano drdha svasthyam aturaprasrayah Prasadascha paraesham cha samadosho dosha-vat

Ayurveda and recognized immune boosters

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, recognizes the importance of immunity in maintaining good health. According to Ayurvedic, our immunity can be classified into three types – inherited, acquired, and acquired through healthy lifestyle practices. Inherited immunity is genetic and is present from birth, while acquired immunity develops in response to antigens that invade our body. The third type of immunity is acquired through a balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle, and general well-being. Ayurveda also recognizes that our unique body constitution, the health of our body tissues, digestive power, the balance of our bodily Doshas, and state of mind all play a role in building or declining our immunity. Thus, Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to build and strengthen our immunity and prevent disease.

Ayurveda places great importance on the quality of our inherited and acquired organ reserve, which is known as Ojas. Ojas are the essence of our body’s functioning and play a crucial role in nourishing and sustaining our health. It is through the development of Ojas that we can effectively fight infections and pathogens, preventing the onset of diseases. A key factor that impacts the strength of our Ojas is our digestive power or Agnibala. A strong digestive system nourishes the body’s tissues, feeds the heart, and builds immunity.

 However, a weak digestive system can result in the accumulation of toxic substances known as ama, leading to the depletion of Ojas. The state of our mind, or Mansika Doshas, also affects our immune function, as the emotional balance is crucial for the normal functioning of our immune system. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of daily rituals to nourish both our physical and emotional health, helping us build a strong immune system. To enhance our immunity in a healthy and sustainable way, it is essential to maintain a balanced and healthy diet, incorporate daily rituals into our lifestyle, and use herbs to maintain Dosha balance, strengthen digestion, and build healthy tissues.

Diet and your immune system:

A strong immune system needs a healthy food habits. This does not mean roaming around the city and catching that one organic shop around the corner and filling your cart with all the organic essentials, need to cook a tasty meal! It simply means avoiding poor quality and junk food and to have fresh home-cooked food as much as possible. It simply means avoiding heavy compound ingredients which your stomach has to work 2x harder to digest and excrete. You have lived to this age and you must know at least a few which you must avoid and include in your daily diet. The long chart starts with avoiding alcohol and coffee, both are stimulants and function to weak your Agni! What they say is actually true, You Are What You Eat!

A healthy diet must be of multi-vitamines, loaded with protein, antioxidants, carotenoids, micro and macronutrients, and much more. The plate must look nothing less than a beautiful rainbow, with greens red yellows, and much more. You must know which food contains what and must consume a plate that is rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, iodine, selenium, manganese, and zinc. 

Fruits are amazing companions that pack your body with the nutrients and minerals you need for a healthy body. Loading up with berries, apricots, citrus fruits, etc helps you build new cells and strengthen the immune system. Dry fruits and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and raisins are good sources of potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, B, and C, which are all essential to building and growing a strong defense system within the body.

Milk and ghee play a vital role in Ayurveda for building Ojas. Milk is considered a complete food and is full of nutrients, provided you are not lactose intolerant. Golden milk (milk with turmeric) is recommended over the winter months, and for those with gut issues, one teaspoon of ghee can be added.

Lifestyle and Daily Rituals

Let me make this very clear to you, you cannot eat healthy and not move your body and relax saying everything will be alright! Your calories need to be burnt and nutrients need to be blend well with the bloodstream! Ayurveda and traditional living has multifarious options you must try to keep yourself active. You can always go on board with Yoga, Pranayama, and regular exercise to boost a healthy immune system. You must also consider providing an ample amount of Vitamin D to your body, for which you must expose yourself to sunlight!

Slip in your walking shoes and walk around the place out in the morning sun every day!.

You have numerous options in Ayurveda to expel toxins from your body, which are causing you danger each day. Start your day with a glass of warm water mixed with a tablespoon of honey, to stimulate digestion and help the bowel movement. Honey is also great for eliminating toxins.

Never miss to Brush your teeth and clean your tongue, try oil pulling with sesame oil after, or try a medicated mouthwash to remove pathogens. Make sure to keep your body hydrated with enough liters of water, trust me it plays a vital role to enhance your immune system. You can try Nasya, by instilling 1-2 drops of Anu Thailam in each nostril to lubricate the nasal passage and protect yourself against pathogens.

You can include immunity-boosting supplements in your kid’s diet to actively and gradually increase their immunity in them. There are many a lot of over-the-counter medicines or even medicines you can make right from the ingredients in your kitchen, or it always is best and better to consult a medical practitioner before self prescribing any for  the young buds.

However, there also come situations where your immune system fails to give its best. That is where the herbal allies come to help.

Find the following herbal allies to assist you to strengthen your immune system and provide you with the best of health,

1. Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is a root herb that is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for its immune-boosting properties. It contains compounds that have been shown to enhance the activity of immune cells and increase the production of white blood cells.
2. Tulsi (Holy Basil): Tulsi is a sacred herb in Ayurvedic medicine and is known for its immune-boosting properties. It contains compounds that have been shown to enhance the activity of immune cells and help the body fight off infections.
3. Amalaki (Indian Gooseberry): Amalaki is a rich source of vitamin C, which is essential for immune function. It also contains antioxidants that help to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.
4. Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia): Guduchi is a vine that is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to boost immunity. It contains compounds that have been shown to enhance the activity of immune cells and help the body fight off infections.
5. Triphala: Triphala is a combination of three fruits (Amalaki, haritaki, and bibhitaki) that is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for its immune-boosting properties. It contains antioxidants and other compounds that help to support immune function and overall health.

Make sure to avoid being a google doctor and practice these medicines on your body without consulting an expert medical practitioner, because it always depends on the body type and sometimes these continuous illnesses could be an indication of something else within!