Natural ways to boost your immunity

 

Concept of immunity is described in Ayurveda with a Sanskrit word called Ojas. There are four aspects of the body that need to be kept in balance to maintain good health. They are Dosha (Vital energies), Dhathu (Tissues), Mala (Waste products) and Agni (Digestive fire). According to Ayurveda, the entire structure of human body is primarily made up of seven constituent elements (referred as tissues in Ayurveda) called Sapthadhathu namely Rasa (end product of digestion), Raktha (Blood), Mamsa (Muscles), meda (Fat), Asthi (Bone), Majja (Bone marrow) and Sukra (Reproductive tissues). When we consume food, Rasadhathu is first formed. Then it nourishes the other Dhathus in a consecutive order. Ojas is considered as the essence of healthy tissues.

Usually all healthy foods make our body healthy and strong but proper digestive fire is an important factor to build immunity. Digestive fire varies from one person to another. There are certain herbs mentioned in Ayurveda which are capable of improving our health. Ayurveda also suggests to follow a daily routine including physical exercise to enhance the immune system.

According to Ayurveda, there are certain conditions where the Ojas gets decreased.

Few reasons for decreased Ojas according to Ayurveda.

• Hunger
• Grief
• Fear
• Worry/ Over thinking
• Exertion
• Intense exercise
• Fasting
• Consuming unhealthy foods
• Physical injuries
• Waking up at night
• Ingestion of poisonous substance
• Attack of microorganisms such as bacteria, virus etc.
• Certain diseased conditions which cause depletion of tissues like hemorrhage.

Symptoms of decreased Ojas

Persons associated with decreased Ojas often show the following symptoms.

• Restlessness
• Weakness
• Worries without any reason
• Discomfort in sense organs
• Negative thoughts
• Bad complexion
• Dryness

Here are few measures to boost your immunity in natural way

1. Drink warm water frequently.
2. Consume any soup with two or three pinches of Black Pepper powder at morning and evening before food.
3. Intake of chopped Ginger with Jaggery.
4. Decoction/Tea with Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum), Dried Ginger, Black Pepper powder and Jaggery once a day.
5. Make a drink with a mixture of powdered Cumin, Fenugreek, Coriander, crushed Garlic, Tomato and Curry leaves.
6. Black Pepper powder with Honey.
7. Intake of one or two Garlic daily.
8. Drink one glass of milk daily with two pinches of Turmeric powder.
9. Try to add ghee in foods.
10. Consume one or two Gooseberries daily.
11. Take bath twice a day.
12. Practice Yoga and Pranayama daily.
13. Maintain proper hygiene.
14. Sound sleep.
15. Intake of fruit and vegetable juices.

These measures help to regulate the digestive fire and improve the immunity gradually. Health management can be done by following simple home remedies.

In addition to these, certain herbal formulations like Chyavanaprasa, Haridrakhanda, Agasthyrasayana, Indukantham ghrutham etc. and single drugs like Gudoochi (Tinospora cordifolia), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Amalaki (Emblica officianalis), Neem (Azadirachta indica) etc. are available in market which are good to improve the immunity. 

Body reacts to all healthy food or regimens with the expressions of contentment, nourishment and increased strength. Unhealthy foods can lead to the accumulation of metabolic toxins and cause negative impacts on the development of healthy tissues. Sometimes we may need to take junk foods also. So proper exercise is necessary to remove the metabolic toxins. Yoga and Pranayama help to get positive changes on body as well as mind.