Immunity and Immune Protection: An Ayurvedic perspective

Recently we have been witnessing the outbreak of the CORONA virus everywhere in the world. We are also observing that not all who get exposed to the virus fall sick or not all those who fall sick succumb to complications or death. We know that it is the immune response and protection that makes the difference. Immunity is the ability of the body to fight the disease-causing agents and maintain good health. In Ayurveda, it is called VYADHI KSHAMATWA [VYADHI – disease, KSHAMATA- the ability to resist or fight].

All of us are born with a certain type of body nature or body constitution that influences the immunity. (Refer here to know more on body constitution). Immunity also depends on the food we eat, our digestive capacity, mental health and our very lifestyle. Ayurveda particularly emphasizes the significant role of food and digestion in strengthening our immune system which will be the focus of this article.

Ojas and its effect on immunity

Ayurveda believes that the human body is made of seven tissues: the lymph, blood, muscles, fat, bones, bone marrow and reproductive fluids. The essence or energy that vitalizes these seven tissues is what is known as the Ojas.

Ojas is a Sanskrit term that can be translated as 'vigor' or 'vitality'. It is the vital energy that governs our immunity, strength, and well being. If our Ojas is not strong, our health, spirit, and energy levels become weak. It has been said that the whole of Ayurveda is aimed at maximizing the production and maintenance of Ojas.

How to recognize Ojas?

Ojas is a subtle element and not visible directly. We can relate it to the unknown force or energy that keeps the manifested world in order. However, it is possible to observe how it manifests.

What obstructs the production of Ojas?

A major obstacle to the production and flow of Ojas is Ama, or toxins. Ama is the product of poor or weak digestion and metabolism. Ama is the complete opposite of Ojas. The toxins manifest physically as clogs and block the body's microcirculatory channels; they obstruct the communication and connectivity between the cells and prevent the free flow of Ojas. Ama is generated in excess in cases of metabolic disorders like diabetes, being overweight or underweight, lack of physical activity and excess consumption of unhealthy food.

Genetic factors as well as environmental contamination also have roles to play in affecting Ojas.

Another major factor influencing Ojas is the state of mental health or mental disposition. Stress, tension, fatigue, harbouring of negative emotions - all these can weaken the Ojas

What are the ways to boost our Ojas and enhance Immunity?

Ayurveda gives us some simple ways to build Ojas through the foods that we choose to eat. Any food that transforms quickly into Ojas is good for immunity. But foods that create Ama weaken our immunity. In this light, here are some pointers that give us the advantage of boosting our immunity:

• Make intelligent choices of foods you eat as per your body constitution.

• Fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, legumes, and dairy products get digested easily and make way for the production of Ojas.

• Consume freshly cooked food, while it is still hot. Cooking makes the food easy to digest, and kills the disease causing microorganisms.

• Prepare required quantities of food only for a given time. The food should be soft and easy to chew but not mushy.

• Consume spices that can boost immunity. Different spices have different immunity boosting effects. For example, Black pepper and Mustard clear the channels for Ojas to reach the deeper tissues.

• Eat at the proper time. Eat your main meal in the middle of the day when the sun is at the highest and when the digestive capacity is strongest. Eat lighter for breakfast and at night, when digestion is relatively weaker.

• Eat a little less than your full capacity in order for the digestive process to be effective and allow the formation of Ojas. This makes us feel light and energetic. Eating until we are really full, creates Ama that slows digestion and causes discomfort.

• Sip lukewarm or water at room temperature between the meal to make the food softer and easy to digest.

• Ayurveda emphasizes on consuming ghee and milk for boosting immunity.Ghee is the most easily digested fat – it contains essential fatty acids and is a great immunity booster. Similarly, milk contains almost all nutrients and gives strength and energy instantaneously.

What should we avoid, the things that weaken our immunity?

• Avoid processed and canned food as much as possible. They are stale and hard to digest, denatured by processing, and may include chemical preservatives - all that can create Ama.

• Avoid processes that weaken potency of food. Food starts to lose its potency after a few hours of cooking. Avoid preparing large quantities of food, refrigerating and reheating. This makes the food lose its potency and hard to digest as well as produces toxins on consuming.

• Avoid foods that are not compatible with your body constitution. Same food items may bring different results after digestion in two different individuals.

• Aligning our food habits with seasonal changes is a critical factor in keeping our immunity levels high. For example eating raw, cold salads may not be suitable in winter as these increase the dryness and cold property of the body, aggravating the Vata dosha. On the contrary we have to opt for something hot, cooked and nourishing.

Other immunity boosters

Apart from these guidelines Ayurveda talks of RASAYANAS which are known as the immunity boosting medicinal preparations. These are used to prevent the occurrence of diseases and also fight the existing infections or diseases. Some of the common Rasayanas are

CHYAVANPRASH - This helps to clear the respiratory passages and improves digestive fire and energy levels.

BRAHMA RASAYANA - This has the best anti-aging formula. It retards early greying of hair and wrinkling of skin. It also improves immunity and memory.

AMALAKI RASAYANA - This is a good antioxidant, useful in eye and hair care. It is helpful in balancing all the three doshas. It is also antitussive - soothes the throat in dry cough.

These rasayanas should be consumed under the guidance and prescription of a qualified Ayurvedic physician. A very vast subject to deal with, we will explore these in our future blogs!