Understanding immunity as per Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the science that imparts all the knowledge of life. It holds its own beauty to preserve and promote the health of healthy individuals along with prevention and cure of bodily ailments. Ayurveda always gives emphasis on having better approach towards healthy and fulfilled life.

The concept of Immunity is described in Ayurveda as Vyadhikshamatva. The word Vyadhikshamatva is made up of two words; Vyadhi (disease) and Kshamatva (resist or overcome). Chakrapani, a renowned Ayurveda scholar of 11^th century, while commenting on the treatise of Charaka, scientifically defined immunity as

“Vyadhikshamatvam vyadhibalavirodhitvam vyadhyutpada pratibandhakatvam iti yavat”

Let’s break down his commentary word by word:

The word “Vyadhikshamatvam” means immunity as we already mentioned above. Now let’s move on to the third and fourth word of the commentary:

Vyadhiutpada pratibandhkatvam: Ability to resist the onset of disease / barrier to manifest disease. For e.g : even if we have interacted with a person infected with COVID-19 virus, our cool bodily ‘barrier/resistance mechanism’ will not let us get contracted with the virus.

And, just in case somehow the barrier mechanism didn’t work and we get contracted with the disease; our body has another mechanism which resists the severity of manifested diseases. This mechanism is called “Vyadhibalavirodhatvam”, as mentioned by Chakrapani, while commenting on the aspects of immunity.

Hence, resistance to disease / immunity against disease is of two kinds i.e. the one which attenuate the manifested diseases and other variety prevents the manifestation of disease.

What are the key indicators of immunity?

Every now and then we talk about having our immunity top-notch; but seldom know the main factors/indicators that determine how immune we are.

Immunity is dependent on mainly two factors: The first one is our Ojas and the second one is our Bala (strength). Ojas is the nectar of life and the bala is physical as well as the mental strength of life.

Let us discuss about Oja and Bala in detail.

1. OJAS

Before discussing what Ojas is; let us understand what will happen if Ojas of our body is depleted/degraded.

As per Sushruta Samhita; an ancient and important Ayurvedic text:

अभिघातात्क्षयात्कोपाच्छोकाद्ध्यानाच्छ्रमात्क्षुधः|

ओजः सङ्क्षीयते ह्येभ्यो धातुग्रहणनिःसृतम् |

तेजः समीरितं तस्माद्विस्रंसयति देहिनः || su.su.15/23

Ojas undergoes decrease by anger, hunger, worry, grief and exertion. With such decrease, the person becomes fretful, debilitated, worries much again, feels discomfort in the sense organ, develops bad complexion, and dryness of skin.

If we have any such problems mentioned above; we should know that our Ojas is constantly depleting and try to manage our anger, hunger, worry, grief and exertion.

So what exactly is Ojas?

Again, referring to Sushruta samhita:

तत्र रसादीनां शुक्रान्तानां धातूनां यत् परं तेजस्तत् खल्वोजस्तदेव बलमित्युच्यते, स्वशास्त्रसिद्धान्तात् ||su.su.15/19

Ojas refers to the final product or essence of physiological transformation happening in our body.  We have seven layers of tissues namely: Rasa (plasma), Rakta (Red blood cells), Mamsa (Muscle), Meda (fat), Asthi (bone), Majja (bone marrow) and Shukra (sperm in males and ovum in female). The food we consume nourishes these tissues one by one and every successful nourishment results in our ojas. Ojas is not a physical substance, rather an essence.

For example: when do we say a company is running successfully? There are various factors: such as good sales, low cost, good profits, good customer satisfaction, good employee satisfaction etc. These all factors add into the “successful”-ness of the company. The same is the ojas; it could be roughly translated to brand value in corporate terms.

Let us take another example: Like a bee gathers the honey from various flowers and fruits so also the ojas is formed from the best qualities of the essence of all the dhatus.

Some scholars have also defined ojas as the strength of the body which is also true as ; the more of the ojas the more glow and the strength a body possesses.

Oja=cause/source

Vyadhikshamatva=effect/outcome

Oja represents bala,  veerya,  prana, prakriti  and  kapha  of  body. Our physical, mental and spiritual strength is totally dependent on our ojas.

2. Bala

Bala (strength) is sum total of all protective mechanism of body that help in reducing the vulnerability of an individual to all possible assaults.

As per sushruta samhita; an important treatise on Ayurveda; a healthy individual always tries hard to preserve the bala (strength) of the body. Bala preserved will enable to combat the disease. Hence, strength of body itself is termed as immunity (vyadhikshamatva).

रक्षेद्बलं चापि नरस्य नित्यं

तद्रक्षितं व्याधिबलं निहन्ति (su.ci.18/2)

Furthermore, Sushruta Samhita mentions the following about Bala:

“Tatra balena sthiropachitmaamsataa sarvacheshtaasvpratighaata: sarvavarnaprasaado bahabaan abhyantaraanaam cha karanamaatmakam kaarya pratipat bhavanti”

It means Bala imparts firm integrity to the muscles, improves voice and complexion, and helps the person to perform his/her natural functions.

Bala (strength) is classified into 3 categories. They are:

1. Sahaja(Body’s constitutional strength)
2. Kaalaja(Seasonal strength)
3. Yutikrit(Acquired strength)

1. Sahaja Bala:

   janmadi pravruttam(Inherited) : It is the constitutional strength present since birth. Some people just have great immune system by nature (DEFAULT!) Like as, kapha dominant person have super immunity naturally than that of vata dominant people! It depends on the healthiness of shukra (sperm) and artava (ovum) and excellence of time and place of their birth.

2. Kalaja Bala:

   Temporal strength is the one which is based on division of seasons and age of the person. In Adana kala (late winter, spring and summers) strength of individual will be less, therefore heavy physical exertion should be minimized and in Visarga kala (rainy season, autumn and winter) it will be more. Strength/bala will be Alpa (minimum) in child and old age, Uttama (maximum) in young age.

3. Yuktrikrita Bala:

   Acquired strength is the one which can be easily achieved by combination of diet and physical activities and intake of formulations which increase strength. Proper strength can be acquired simply through:

   1. Satmaya(suitable diet)
   2. Vyayama(physical exercise)
   3. Rasayana (rejuvenation)

Along with shareera bala; vyadhikshamatva also depends on manobala (mental endurance). If a person has good shareera bala but has poor manobala then generally they have poor vyadhikshamatva and this is explained by Charak by term “alpa sattvaani”.

The influence of mind and emotion on our immunity is being studied in the past four or five decades, known as Psychoneuroimmunology. This studies the effect of the central nervous system on various factors responsible for immune response.

After knowing about Ojas and Bala; we can now move on to learn about increasing the  Ojas and the Bala of our body and in turn increasing our immunity power.

Practical steps to increase our immunity

1. Satmaya (suitable diet):

   Adopting wholesome food substance and avoiding unwholesome ones is the best practice to follow.

2. Vyayama(physical exercise):

   In order to achieve strength, we should perform daily physical exercise(maximum of upto 50% of one’s exertion capacity ) It enhances digestion, removes bodily toxins (Ama),increases tissue metabolism and thus provides better immunity. You can refer to our beginner’s 30 day workout and yoga program as well.

3. Rasayana (rejuvenation)

   Rasayana promotes our overall bodily physiology; making us physically and mentally sound and creating resistance against diseases.

Rasayana encompasses:

1. Aahara rasayana (Proper Dietary Habit)

   Food that we take must be nutritious , sadrasa yukta i.e. presence of all 6 tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, astringent, spicy(pungent) . We need to eat when hungry and in good amount (not less ,not more!), avoid preservatives ,junk , refined and deep fried foods.

2. Vihaara rasayana (proper daily routine / activities):
   

   For our day to day activities, we need to have proper pattern of work encompassing both rest and sleep. Following Dinacarya (Daily Regimen) and Ritucarya (Seasonal Regimen) stated in Ayurvedic texts is the best way to achieve vihaara rasayana and thus increasing our immunity.

3. Aachara rasayana (Proper conduct):

   One who adopts the rules of good conduct will surely attain long quality life , health ,wealth, prosperity and also the eternal world. For that , we should work persistently on:

   1. Being truthful
   2. Having good control/devoid of anger
   3. Lowering alcohol consumption
   4. Minimizing sexual indulgence
   5. Being peaceful and pleasant in speech
   6. Practising regular meditations
   7. Practicing charity
   8. Respecting parents, teachers and elderly people

4. Aushadha rasayana (Drugs having rejuvenating properties):

    

   Ayurveda suggests various herbs and formulations of such herbs to increase the immunity power. The usage of such drug should be done under strict supervision of registered ayurvedic practitioner as the usage of specific herb and formulation depends on composition of one’s body and history and is different for different individuals. Commonly used herbs are:

   1. Amala (Phyllanthus emblica): Amla (indian gooseberry), is a popular fruit that has been long valued for its rejuvenating properties . It has high vitamin C and is best for its immune boosting properties.
   2. Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia): This plant is truly helpful for counteracting and promoting resistance to illness. It is one of the important ayurvedic rasayans to improve the immune system and the body’s resistance to infections . It shows antispasmodic , anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties .
   3. Aswagandha (withania somnifera): Ashwagandha is one of the main herbs for promoting ojas and rejuvenating the body.
   4. Neem(Azadirachta indica): For the purpose of increasing immunity of the body , neem leaves also works wonders!
   5. Haritaki (Terminalia chebula): Haritaki is rich in vitamin C and is a powerful immunomodulator and antioxidant . It is mainly used in fever,cold and cold related symptoms.
   6. Pippali(piper longum): It helps improve appetite and our digestive power. Ayurveda mentions that maximum aspect of our health is always linked with digestion and thus for strong immunity there must be good metabolic /digestive functioning.
   7. Shilajit: Shilajit is one of the most commonly used medicine in Ayurveda.It is a sticky substance found primarily in the rocks of the Himalayas. It develops from the slow decomposition of plants over centuries. Shilajit functions as an antioxidant to improve immunity . It also has anti-inflammatory and energy boosting properties.
   8. Vidanga(Embelica ribes) : When we see it in first instance we may confuse it with black pepper and therefore it is also known as false black pepper. It is mainly used for its anthelmintic properties and is also good for improving anorexia and agni(digestive fire)
   9. Bramhi(Bacopa monnieri): It is best known for its brain tonic function. Brahmi has a cooling property which keeps the mind calm and free of anxiety. It also promotes good sleep.
   10. Triphala : Most common ayurvedic formulation comprising Haritaki(Terminalia chebula ), Bibhitaki(Terminalia bellerica) and Amalaki( Emblica officinalis). When talking about boosting immunity triphala cannot be missed. It helps balance all 3 doshas of our body.

   Some immunity boosters such as lemon ginger tea, CCF Tea (Cumin, Coriander and Fennel Tea), Turmeric Milk also helps improve our immunity along with food like honey, dates, almonds, seasonal green vegetables and fruits.

   BEWARE, This will degrade your immunity!!

    

   1. Infections, body contaminations.
   2. Dehydration, as it leads to imbalance in fluids, minerals and salts. Various studies have shown that not having enough liquid intake can reduce our effectiveness of the body’s resistance mechanism.
   3. Depletion by chronic disease .
   4. Excessive exercise leads to excess loss of body tissue and weakness.
   5. Excess intake of alcohol damages liver, vascular and mental system.
   6. Keeping awake at night increases vata dosha rapidly. Increased vata means decreased quality of body tissues and depleted immunity.
   7. Mental stress,fear,anger,envy.
   8. Chronic medications: Long term use of antibiotics and certain other medications are also major detrimental factor for immunity.

   Who should be really careful?

   Generally it is difficult for these types of persons to have strong immune system:

   1) Ati- Sthoola (Excessively obese persons)

   2) Ati-Krisha (Excessively emaciated person)

   3)Durbala(weak person/debiliated person)

   4)Ahitahara seve(who takes unwholesome food)

   5) Alpa-Sattva (Individuals with feeble mind)

   6) Avyayami (who doesn’t indulge in exercise and physical activities)

   Some additional points to be noted!

   • Following a diet and lifestyle that will not disturb the doshas must be our utmost priority always. our body will be in its optimal functioning(then immunity will be at height) only when there’s balance between these three homours of body(vata,pitta and kapha)
   • Drinking fresh and clean water(warm or at room temperature) . Click here to know best practices to drink water.
   • Having ghee,milk ,buttermilk etc and freshly cooked  foods that are easily digestible .
   • Passing of flatus(fart), defecation(poop), urination(pee), sneezing, weeping, vomiting, thirst, hunger, sleep ,coitus etc natural bodily urges must not be suppressed. Suppressing these urges results to multiple health problems and hence deteriorating the immunity.
   • Regularly practicing pranayama ,Yogasanas like suryanamaskar(sun salutation), meditation (since our state of mind also has huge impact on our physical health)

    

   Beat covid-19 with most effective procedures of Ayurveda

   With the onset of pandemic like SARS-COV-2 & now covering the world world with its second and more powerful wave,which has no tested cure, it has become a top priority to increase our immunity power. There are certain practices of Ayurveda that might prove to be very useful in prevention and cure of COVID-19 infection.

   Preventing entry of virus:

   There must be the presence of host for Virus to be active. Nasal passages and mouth are the important entry points for virus to enter our body. When we have our warriors ready for battle in these entry points , we can easily beat any sort of viruses . The following practices are very helpful :

   1. Nasya :

      Virus multiplies in nasal epithelium and therefore drugs administered through intranasal route is highly effective. Nasya is a method by which either the medicated taila (oil) or powder is introduced through nasal cavity. Mainly used oils are: Anutaila and shadbindutaila.

   This can work as short acting vaccines for 3 to 4 hours. It’s a savior, especially when we are going to attend meetings in a group. 2 drops of medicated oil is recommended for nasya when in daily application.

   2. Gandusha and kavala (oil pulling and gargling):

      Gandusha is the complete filling of oral cavity with medicated liquid.

   3. Dhumapana (medicated smoking ):

      It is the process of Ingestion of smoke from dhumavarti(medicated cigar) through the nozzle(dhuma netra).

   Conclusion:

   Increasing immunity is a broad topic as it depends upon various factors and might be different for different individuals due to unique bodily constituents. A regimen to be followed for a child might be different from a regimen to be followed by a pregnant/lactating woman. Therefore, following Dinacarya, Ritucarya and taking help from registered practitioner of Ayurveda to follow regimen most suited to one’s bodily composition is highly recommended.