Improve immunity through Improve immunity through AyurvedaAyurveda

Dr. GayatrideviDr. GayatrideviAyurvedic consultantAyurvedic consultant

ArogyapeethamArogyapeethamMumbai-HyderabadMumbai-Hyderabad

Immunity-OjasImmunity-OjasThe quintessence of all the tissues (7 The quintessence of all the tissues (7

dhatus) of the body is known as Ojas. dhatus) of the body is known as Ojas. Ojas is our vital energy.Ojas is our vital energy.Pervades all tissues, cells, and spaces. Pervades all tissues, cells, and spaces. The ultimate distillation of each tissue The ultimate distillation of each tissue

combined together and it is the main combined together and it is the main determinant of our immune status determinant of our immune status and hence our resistance to disease.and hence our resistance to disease.

Ojas-two typesOjas-two types Ojas is said to be of two types:Ojas is said to be of two types:1. Para Ojas- exists in a quantity of 1. Para Ojas- exists in a quantity of

eight drops and is located within the eight drops and is located within the heart; its loss leads to death.heart; its loss leads to death.

2. Apara Ojas is distributed 2. Apara Ojas is distributed throughout the body. throughout the body.

Immunity in AyurvedaImmunity in Ayurveda Immunity= vyadhi kshamatwaImmunity= vyadhi kshamatwaVyadhi= diseaseVyadhi= diseaseKshamatwa=resistanceKshamatwa=resistanceAlso called ‘Bala’ in ancient textsAlso called ‘Bala’ in ancient texts

Bala/ strengthBala/ strengthBala/vitality principle--firm integrity Bala/vitality principle--firm integrity

to the muscles, good voice, to the muscles, good voice, complexion, motor& sensory complexion, motor& sensory functions, and intellect to perform functions, and intellect to perform their natural functions.their natural functions.

Bala includesBala includesVyaadhi kshamatvam –resistance to Vyaadhi kshamatvam –resistance to

diseasesdiseasesVyaadhi bala virodhitvam-reducing Vyaadhi bala virodhitvam-reducing

the strength of the already the strength of the already manifested disease manifested disease

Vyadhi utpada pratibandhakatvam=Vyadhi utpada pratibandhakatvam= prevention of the un manifested prevention of the un manifested

diseasedisease

3 types of immunity/bala3 types of immunity/bala There are three types of immunity There are three types of immunity

(vyaadhi ksamatva or bala) in (vyaadhi ksamatva or bala) in AyurvedaAyurveda

Sahaja: Congenital or NaturalSahaja: Congenital or NaturalKalaja: Related to Time, Season, AgeKalaja: Related to Time, Season, AgeYukti kruta: AcquiredYukti kruta: Acquired

Sahaja BalaSahaja BalaSahaja Bala-  inherited- comes from Sahaja Bala-  inherited- comes from

the parents.the parents.The effect will be at the The effect will be at the

chromosomal level. chromosomal level. Nothing can be done except to pacify Nothing can be done except to pacify

the defects through various the defects through various modalities of Ayurveda.modalities of Ayurveda.

Kalaja BalaKalaja Bala Kalaja Bala -related to time– Kalaja Bala -related to time– Time of day, season, age, and place of birth Time of day, season, age, and place of birth

link to immunity. link to immunity. Places with an abundance of water, ponds, Places with an abundance of water, ponds,

cool and pleasant climatic conditions are cool and pleasant climatic conditions are kapha-dominating areas and contribute to kapha-dominating areas and contribute to stronger immunity. stronger immunity.

Strength is greater in the early morning, Strength is greater in the early morning, spring, and youth than in evening, summer spring, and youth than in evening, summer and old age.and old age.

Yuktikruta BalaYuktikruta Bala    Yukti kruta Bala represents acquired Yukti kruta Bala represents acquired

immunity, in which disease can be immunity, in which disease can be defended against through Ayurveda.defended against through Ayurveda.

Focuses on three plans for acquiring Focuses on three plans for acquiring or enhancing immunityor enhancing immunity

Three plans for acquiring Three plans for acquiring immunityimmunity

Satmya-suitable dietSatmya-suitable dietVyayama-exerciseVyayama-exerciseRasayana-rejuvinationRasayana-rejuvination

1.Satmya 1.Satmya 1. Satmya -suitability. 1. Satmya -suitability.

Adapting to wholesome substances ,giving up Adapting to wholesome substances ,giving up unwholesome substances, to which the unwholesome substances, to which the physiology has been addicted since birthphysiology has been addicted since birth promotes immunity. promotes immunity.

Wholesome food to suit your constitution and Wholesome food to suit your constitution and good digestion good digestion proper formation of the 7 proper formation of the 7 dhatus or tissuesdhatus or tissuesgood essence of the seven good essence of the seven dhatus/ojasdhatus/ojas

2. Vyayama -exercise2. Vyayama -exercise. Daily exercise of up to 50% of one’s . Daily exercise of up to 50% of one’s

exertion capacityexertion capacity enhances enhances digestion, removes ama/toxins, digestion, removes ama/toxins, strengthens tissue metabolism strengthens tissue metabolism promotes immunity. promotes immunity.

RasayanaRasayanaPromoting the whole physiology, Promoting the whole physiology,

producing resistance against disease producing resistance against disease both physically and mentally.both physically and mentally.

Building positive state of mind, Building positive state of mind, purification therapy/panchakarmas, purification therapy/panchakarmas, herbsherbs

Rasayana includesRasayana includesAhara Rasayana—good dietary habitsAhara Rasayana—good dietary habitsVihara Rasayan- proper daily routine Vihara Rasayan- proper daily routine Achara Rasayana-good conductAchara Rasayana-good conductAushadha Rasayana –drugs Aushadha Rasayana –drugs

Ahara rasayanaAhara rasayanaNutritious dietNutritious dietHave milk and ghee in dietHave milk and ghee in dietTimely eatingTimely eatingNot less , not excessNot less , not excessAvoid preservatives, refined foods, Avoid preservatives, refined foods,

fried foodsfried foods

Vihara RasayanVihara RasayanTimely work, rest and sleeping habitsTimely work, rest and sleeping habitsProper care of the bodyProper care of the bodyRegular exerciseRegular exerciseNo addictionsNo addictions

Achara Rasayana (good conduct)Achara Rasayana (good conduct)Peaceful mindPeaceful mindFree from anger and egoFree from anger and egoGood interpersonal relationshipsGood interpersonal relationshipsRespecting elders and teachers and Respecting elders and teachers and

preceptorspreceptorsRegular prayers and meditationRegular prayers and meditation

Some RasayanasSome Rasayanas AmalakiAmalaki HarithakiHarithaki PippaliPippali LouhaLouha ShilajatuShilajatu VidangaVidanga GugguluGuggulu BrahmiBrahmi TrifalaTrifala

Immunity-some more factorsImmunity-some more factors Uterine health of mother: A healthy uterus for a baby’s Uterine health of mother: A healthy uterus for a baby’s

growth growth Nutrition after birth: Wholesome, adequate and timely Nutrition after birth: Wholesome, adequate and timely

nutrition in infancy improves immunity.nutrition in infancy improves immunity. Constitution: Kapha constitution people have stronger Constitution: Kapha constitution people have stronger

immunity immunity Mind: A strong mind , positive thinking increase Ojas Mind: A strong mind , positive thinking increase Ojas

/immunity./immunity. Meditation for spiritual growth: Orienting the mind towards Meditation for spiritual growth: Orienting the mind towards

spirituality spirituality greater self-awareness and positive thinking greater self-awareness and positive thinking enhancing mental strength and overall immunity.enhancing mental strength and overall immunity.

Ojas boostersOjas boosters

Honey + ghee in unequal quantitiesHoney + ghee in unequal quantities Water + milk + ghee Water + milk + ghee Water + honey + ghee Water + honey + ghee Water + honey + ghee + milk Water + honey + ghee + milk Water + milk Water + milk Water + honey Water + honey Water + ghee Water + ghee Milk + honey Milk + honey Milk + ghee Milk + ghee Milk + honey + ghee Milk + honey + ghee Pure milk Pure milk Pure honey Pure honey Pure ghee Pure ghee Pure water Pure water Triphala with honey Triphala with honey

Natural foods RasayanasNatural foods Rasayanas

Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula): Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula): fruit pieces are fruit pieces are cooked with four parts of water till they soften, cooked with four parts of water till they soften, allowed to cool. One part of ghee and one part of allowed to cool. One part of ghee and one part of honey is added to this and kept aside for three honey is added to this and kept aside for three days. It should be consumed later taking care of days. It should be consumed later taking care of digestion power. After this rasayana is digested digestion power. After this rasayana is digested shashtika sahli rice with cow’s milk is consumed. shashtika sahli rice with cow’s milk is consumed. This gives very good memory power and This gives very good memory power and eyesight.eyesight.

Lemons: Lemons: improve immunity, remove toxinsimprove immunity, remove toxins

Ginger: Ginger: Ginger improves digestion and removes Ginger improves digestion and removes ama -should be consumed forty-five minutes before ama -should be consumed forty-five minutes before meals to give a very good appetite and digestion.meals to give a very good appetite and digestion.

Cumin Seeds:Cumin Seeds: Cumin seeds helps in digestion, Cumin seeds helps in digestion, digests and expels ama and balances doshas. To digests and expels ama and balances doshas. To expel body toxins start the day with drinking expel body toxins start the day with drinking lukewarm water with powdered cumin and ginger.lukewarm water with powdered cumin and ginger.

Green Gram:Green Gram: very light to digest very light to digest and is excellent for people who have and is excellent for people who have digestion problems. They are among digestion problems. They are among the best legumes, for their supreme the best legumes, for their supreme digestibility and health giving digestibility and health giving qualities. Those who prefer light food qualities. Those who prefer light food can opt for this food.can opt for this food.

Dates and Figs:Dates and Figs: excellent source of excellent source of energy, help to build the body tissues and energy, help to build the body tissues and improve the hemoglobin percentage- eat improve the hemoglobin percentage- eat two to three dates or figs a day.two to three dates or figs a day.

Almonds: Almonds: nourishing and life-supporting. nourishing and life-supporting. Eat five to six almonds a day to build energy Eat five to six almonds a day to build energy and strength, help in reducing the blood and strength, help in reducing the blood cholesterol levels, in improving memory.cholesterol levels, in improving memory.

Lassi:Lassi: an excellent nutritive, an excellent nutritive, digestive beverage. can be used digestive beverage. can be used during meals or taken as a desert during meals or taken as a desert after meal.after meal.

Can be taken by adding a little sugar Can be taken by adding a little sugar or honey and a little ground or honey and a little ground cardamom/ by adding roasted cumin cardamom/ by adding roasted cumin seeds and little salt. seeds and little salt.

Seasonal Fruits:Seasonal Fruits: Always use the Always use the juicy fresh fruits which are available juicy fresh fruits which are available in the season. They are of high in the season. They are of high nutritive value and are body nutritive value and are body purifiers, also.purifiers, also.

Thank youThank you