Fight for balance
Our bodies are always fighting off microorganisms that are bad for us. We are constantly fighting to keep our lives. Medicines and antibiotics are not the only things that will help us win this war. Our immune system is a key part of this fight. When we go outside and do things, we come into contact with different microbes, plants, and microorganisms. Each one does something good or bad to our bodies. Every time the body is exposed to something from the outside, it learns how to fight and get rid of the effects of that thing. When something is out of balance in our bodies, our immune systems try to fix it. But in this modern jet age, we are always trying to get away from nature and the natural way of life. The idea of cleanliness has changed. To keep diseases from spreading, it’s important to clean, sterilise, and keep things clean. But these are not meant to stop us from interacting with plants, soil, sunlight, air, water, and tiny organisms. Even though we may think we are healthy, most people are actually sick on the inside because they don’t spend enough time with nature. Their body is just not used to balancing in this way. Because there haven’t been any internal wars, the body’s defenses and tools have gotten old.
Let’s look at the Ayurvedic approach to a strong immune system. A healthy immune system is made up of many things, according to Ayurveda. Among these, the idea of “Agni” is an important one.
Different types of Agni (the metabolic fire system) according to Ayurveda
Ayurveda says that ‘Fire’ energy must be kept in balance. Metabolism needs the energy that comes from fire, which is one of the most basic elements of nature. “Agni” is the word for this kind of fire energy inside. Agni comes in 13 different forms.
1) Jatharagni
Fire energy required for metabolism in our gut, digestive system.
2) 5 types of Agni for 5 basic elements in our body
The universe is made up of Earth, Water, Fire, Air (Vayu), and Space. Every object in the universe, including our bodies, is made up of these five basic elements. Hard things like bones, teeth, and muscles are made from the earth element. Water elements have an effect on the parts of our bodies that are liquid. Fire has an effect on the body’s temperature, calories, and other related things. The smallest part of Vayu (Air) is movements, impulses, beats, and oscillations. The space element is all about the different hollow spaces that are needed for movements and storage. These parts have their own fire in our micro digestion. Agni, who is part of the Earth element, will make sure that the part that is affected by Earth is properly digested and absorbed. This Agni controls the secretions, how they build up and how they are absorbed, etc. For our biological defense systems to work well, these five basic elements and their fire systems should be in a balanced state in our bodies.
3) 7 fundamental systems and Agni
Whoever knows the basics of Ayurveda knows that there are seven basic tissues or systems. Rasa (Liquid parts), Rakta(Blood), Mansa(Muscles), Meda (Fats), Asthi (Bones), Majja(Nervous system), Shukra ( Reproductive systems and regeneration of cells). For proper digestion and fighting, each system has its own fire system.
This is a kind of different way that Ayurveda explains how the body works. If we don’t do any exercise, if we don’t do any fasting programmes, if we don’t use any digestive herbs in our food, and if we’re never in the sun, then all of these fire systems will definitely get out of whack. So, keeping the Agni in our bodies in good shape is an important part of making our immune systems stronger.
The balanced state of Dosha
There are three kinds of energy, called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, that come from the body. Vata is the energy that moves and makes impulses. Pitta is the energy for metabolism, and Kapha is the energy for keeping things lubricated and running smoothly in all the different parts of the body. If any of these gets messed up, goes too far, or gets less, there is an imbalance. Sometimes two or all three of these things are wrong with our bodies. This makes our bodies collect a lot of things we don’t want. Major illnesses will show signs. Even if the pathology report is normal, the patient may still not feel well. This is because the Doshas are out of whack. When these three energies are doing their natural jobs well and smoothly, without being pushed too hard, there is a sense of well-being. So, taking care of a Dosha that is out of balance is part of making our immune system strong.
Two important types of diseases
Ayurveda has talked about many different ways to group diseases. The first group says that there are two kinds of diseases: Nij and Agantu.
Nij refers to diseases that are caused by our body’s Vata, Pitta, and Kapha being out of balance. If your metabolism isn’t working right, your health will start to get worse over time.
Agantu means because of outside injuries, outside germs, or because of outside, non-essential things getting into the body. (You were thinking of COVID-19, right?)
But Ayurveda also says that after a certain amount of time, diseases of the “Agantu” type change into diseases of the “Nija” type. On the other hand, diseases of the “Nija” type can make room for diseases of the “Agantu” type.
In short, Ayurveda wants to clean and strengthen this ground.
Concept of Ojas and Bala
Ojas
Ojas is a part of our body that we can’t see, but is said to have “Supreme Power” for good health. As well as that, it is the most important part of how diseases are fought. Not only is our mental health and happiness tied to this Oja, but so is our sense of well-being. It is the result of all the changes that our bodies go through to feed our cells and our minds and nervous systems.
Bala
Bala is the power of natural immunity. This power is different for each person, each country, and each season. People in some countries are immune to certain diseases, while people in another country are not immune to that disease. The name for this is Desh Bala. Some people are already immune to some allergies, while others are affected by them. Some people get sick during a certain time of year. During some times of the year, their immune system is strong, but during other times of the year, it gets messed up.
So, along with the fire system, the power of Ojas and Bala must also be taken into account.
A happy mind and balanced emotions
We all know that there is a link between the body and the mind. Many of our body’s functions are affected by how we feel. Just picture yourself in a nice cafeteria. You are hungry and enjoying the tasty food. And if you hear some bad news, your hunger and thirst will change right away. Also, you can’t eat that delicious food. If we feel sad and down for a long time, it will weaken our immune system. Because sadness and depression stop the fire system from getting the fuel it needs. In the long run, our cells won’t get the right food. And the person will almost certainly get sick one day.
Psychoneuroimmunology is a field of study that scientists are working on right now. These studies show that to keep your immune system strong, you should always keep your mind in a balanced state. Your immune system will be stronger if you are in a good mood. If we always feel bad, our immune systems will get weaker and weaker. Stress, worry, sadness, anger, too much pride, etc., all get in the way of keeping our immune systems healthy.
How can I maintain a healthy immune system?
1. Deep breathing exercises
As we all know, it’s very important for the immune system that the lungs and each cell get enough oxygen. There are many kinds of deep breathing exercises that can help. In yogic sciences, the therapy called “Pranayama” is explained. Different types of Pranayama, like breathing through the other nostril, slow, deep breathing exercises, and inhale, hold, and exhale, can help us keep our immune systems strong.
2. Balanced diet
Try to learn from Ayurveda about the difference between a balanced and an unbalanced diet. Six tastes exist. Sweet, Sour, Salty, Bitter, pungent, and astringent. Each taste affects the Agni systems in our bodies in different ways. Our diet should include the right amount of each of the six tests. If we’re not hungry, we should try not to eat too much heavy food. The main fire system in our gut, called “Jathar Agni,” will not work as well if we eat the wrong things at the wrong times.
3. Cleansing and fasting programs
Getting your cup empty at the right time is a way to keep our bodies in balance. Problems like constipation can be solved. Try to stay away from foods that have too much oil, fat, or carbohydrates. Ayurveda says that an imbalance of Doshas can be caused by too much of anything: too much exercise, too much of a particular taste, or even too much water. If we store things in our bodies that we don’t need to, and if we don’t cleanse properly, which means we don’t empty our cups when we should, there will be an imbalance that makes our immune systems weak. So, try to do fasting programmes at least once a week. Giving our digestive system a day off lets the body clear out the empty spots and get ready to take in new natural food. We can stop eating all kinds of food once a week. On that day, you can only drink warm water or water with lemon in it. on that day, get enough rest. It will help the body fight off sickness. Those who can’t fast can eat only soups made from vegetables or only fruits on that day. But once a week, try to stay away from other foods
4. Proper sleep
Keeping our bodies in balance means getting our cups empty at the right time. Problems like being backed up can be fixed. Try to stay away from foods that have too much oil, fat, or carbs. Ayurveda says that too much of anything can throw off the balance of Doshas, including too much exercise, too much of a certain taste, or even too much water. If we keep things in our bodies that we don’t need to, and if we don’t cleanse properly, which means we don’t empty our cups when we should, there will be an imbalance that makes our immune systems weak. So, try to do at least one fasting programme a week. Giving our digestive system a day off lets the body clean out the empty spots and get ready to take in new natural food. We don’t have to eat anything once a week. Only warm water or water with lemon can be drunk on that day. Get enough rest on that day. It will help the body keep from getting sick. On that day, people who can’t fast can only eat soups made from vegetables or only fruits. But once a week, try not to eat anything else.
5. Exercise
If we want to boost our immune system then there are three important things.
1) exercise
2) exercise
3) exercise
The immune system benefits from 20 minutes of good exercise every day. When we work out, our fire systems get in balance. Exercise influences our mental state. Exercise always makes it easier to deal with stress. When you work out, happy hormones are released. It keeps our feelings and moods stable. All 13 types of fire are stoked and kept in check by exercise.
6. Avoid Alcohol and obesity
When we drink too much, it hurts our immune systems. Again, the body’s natural defences are slowed down by an unhealthy diet and alcohol. Another thing that hurts immunity is being overweight. Obesity can cause diabetes and insulin resistance, both of which weaken the immune system.
7. Using herbs and spices, stimulate and purify the immune system
Before lunch or dinner, it’s good to eat a small amount of ginger with a small amount of black salt. Use the right amount of ginger in your cooking. Ginger and cinnamon can be used. Many herbs, like Tulsi and lemongrass, are in our herbal tea. Black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, etc. Ayurveda cooking uses a lot of spices like these. All spices make our fire system work better, and they also help us absorb oxygen and carry more. Ayurveda also says that you should mix turmeric with warm milk. Herbs like Guduchi, Amla, and Gokshura are also said to help boost the immune system. Ayurveda talks about a lot of herbs and herbal blends that are good for your immune system.
8. Daily regimen
In ayurvedic daily regimen, there are lists of things you should and shouldn’t do. The Ayurveda lifestyle talks about how to clean our sense organs. For example, putting oil in your nose, gargling with herbs, massaging with oil, and using some herbs and herbal powders to clean your teeth, gums, and mouth. When to wake up? how often? how to drink water? All of these do’s and don’ts from the Ayurveda way of life help to keep our immune systems in balance.
9. Seasonal cleansing
Ayurveda suggests a way to clean up at different times of the year. The Vata energy in our bodies is cleansed and kept in balance by the rainy season. Taking a medicated oil enema, which is called “Basti” therapy, is a way to bring the vata back into balance. “Vamana” therapy is used to make people throw up to clean their bodies in the spring. Ayurveda says that in the fall, we should take some laxative and purgative herbs to clean out our bowels and keep our bodies from getting too hot. This kind of treatment is called “Virechana.” Giving blood in the fall is another way to keep Pitta in our bodies in balance. All of these steps are explained in the Panchakarma therapy and seasonal regimen.
In short, we can say that, according to modern science, keeping clean, getting the right shots, and using antivirals and antibiotics are all part of treating illness and indirectly help our immunity. But none of these things alone are enough to bring the immune system back into balance.
According to Ayurveda, the key factors for immunity are
- Balanceed three Doshas.
- Balanced all 13 kinds of “Agni”
- Proper function of ‘Ojas”
- “Bala,” based on where people live
- Hereditary reasons (Beej)
- Seasonal immunity
- Proper lifestyle with proper sleep and food timings
- Regular exercise
- A balanced diet with six taste theory
- Balanced psychological state,
- Body purification therapies
- Following daily and seasonal regimens
Note: (This is a general informative article for understanding Ayurvedic view about Immunity. Herbs or therapies mentioned here may change person to person. Before adopting these therapies or lifestyle changes or before using herbs mentioned here, consult your physician or well knowledgeable and experienced Ayurveda consultant. Do your physical examination and discuss your specific conditions and health history with your physician.)
