Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

ABSTRACT

Immunity, nowadays, is a critical concern of every individual. People having weak immune systems in comparison to those with strong immune systems easily suffer with infectious diseases. In Ayurveda immunity can be correlated with “Vyadhikshmatva” or “Bala” or “Ojas” which means to fight against various infectious diseases. At present, in this covid pandemic, where we don’t know the confirmed cure but as we know this is a viral disease, we may manage it with our ayurvedic herbs which is beneficial in curing various infectious diseases since age old times. In this article we will discuss about Immunity (Vyadhikshmatva) and some common Ayurvedic herbs to boost our immunity.

INTRODUCTION

Immune response is vital for survival in the often hostile microbiological environment, an immune reaction may cause fatal disease, as in the case of an overwhelming hypersensitivity reaction to the sting of a bee.

Vyadhikshamatva is made of two words Vyadhi + kshamatva. The word vyadhi means disease and the kshamatava means to resist. So, the complete word means to be patient towards resisting the disease. Vyadhikshamatva was first defined by Acharya Chakrapani in a very scientific manner in terms of vyadhibalavirodhatvam – capacity of the body not to produce disease. Vyadhikshamatva is the bodily strength to overcome pathology by boosting the body’s innate immunity. Also, it is the resistance of the body against disease for the first time.

Ojas is the final essence of Saptadhatus . Ojas is situated in heart and of reddish, yellowish white in color or as of ghee color. Tate likes honey and smells like fried paddy. Acharya Charaka says it is pranayatan that means if ojas is destroyed, then the survival of the human being is not possible. Properties of Ojas are Guru (heavy), Sheeta (cool), Mridu (soft), Shlakshna (smooth), Bahal (dense), Madhur (sweet), Stheera (immobile), Prashnana (clear), Pitchhila (slimy) and Snigdha (oily).

• Ojas are of two types: Para ojas and Apara ojas. Para ojas is superior ojas. Its quantity is 8 drops. It is situated in the heart and of white yellowish in color. Apara ojas is half anjali in quantity.
• Ojas deficiency factors: Injury, anger, sorrow, excessive exercise, fear, hunger, dry foods, less food intake, alcohol consumption, night awakening, deficiency of any dhatu, excessive exposure to wind and sun.
• Ojas deficiency symptoms: There are three stages for the deficiency of ojas.

1. Ojas visravana – Looseness of joints, body pains, tiredness, doshas displaced from their place and impaired performance.
2. Ojas vyapad – Heaviness in body, stiffness of joints, depression, discoloration, body ache, drowsiness, excess sleep and non pitting oedema.
3. Ojas kshaya – Unconsciousness, depletion of flesh, coma and death.

Ojas is also known as the synonym of Bala. Bala signifies the physical and mental strength of the body. Bala is classified in three types: Sahaja bala, Kalaja bala, Yuktikrita bala. Sahaja bala is immunity since birth. Kalaja bala is the strength due to different conditions  like youth, season. Yuktikrita bala is acquired by the intake of a healthy diet and exercise.

AYURVEDIC HERBS TO BOOST IMMUNITY

The names of common herbs which are beneficial in boosting the immunity are: Guduchi, shatavari, ashwagandha, amalaki, jeevanti, haridra, manjishtha, bhumi amla, mahua etc.

Some of them are described below

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)

Guduchi is one which protects the body.  It is available all over India. Guduchi is tikta (bitter), kshaya (astringent) in rasa (taste. Also, it is ushna in virya (potency).  The chemical constituents found in guduchi are Giloin, Giloinin, Gilosterol and Berberine. Because of its antioxidant quality, this herb is a blood purifier. Giloy also aids digestion and aids in the battle against disease-causing bacteria. This herb’s combined effect increases immunity. Giloy is also helpful to diabetics because it aids in blood glucose management. Giloy can be consumed by mixing it with water and drinking it on an empty stomach. It’s beneficial in chronic septic focus diseases, liver diseases and chronic malarial fever. It is Raktavahasrotogami, which means guduchi satva is effective in cardiac debility, blood disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, splenomegaly, gout, and anaemia. It is aphrodisiac being shukragami, as its vipaka (post digestion metabolic state) is madhura (sweet) and snigdha (oily) in guna (property). Part to be used is bark.

Dosage: Decoction 60-100ml; powder 1-3gms; satva 3/4th -2gms.

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)

Shatavari means that it has over hundred rootlets. It is madhura (sweet) and tikta (bitter) in rasa (taste). Its guna are guru (heavy, that which is digested slow) and snigdha (oily). Also, it’s madhur in vipaka (post digestion metabolic state). Its chemical found in Shatavari is saponin. In Ayurveda, shatavari is used to improve immunity. In  trial, animals given shatavari root extract had higher antibodies to a strain of whooping cough, according to a 2004 report. The animals who were given the treatment recovered quicker and had better overall health. This indicated a better immune response. Also,It acts as vata pitta shamak. Because of its shamak and balya actions, leaves boiled in oil are used for massage in the head for brain diseases, vata disorders and weakness. The part to be used is tuber.

Dosage: Juice of tuber 12-14ml, Decoction 60-100ml, Powder 3-6 gm.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Ashwagandha named so as the tender wet roots smell like horse. And also because of its Aphrodisiac property. It consists of 3 rasa (taste) that are madhur (sweet), kshaya (astringent), and tikta (bitter). Its vipaka (post digestion metabolic state) is also madhura. Its potency is ushna and it is kapha vata shamaka. The chemical which can be extracted from this plant is Withaniol, Hentriacontane, Somniferin (hallucinogen). It is balya (strengthening). This woody herb aids in the stimulation of immune cells. It also reduces stress by regulating cortisol (stress hormone) activity in the body, which is linked to disease resistance. To get the most out of Ashwagandha, combine it with turmeric and drink it with milk.

Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)

In Sankrit, Amlika which means sour. It’s easy to digest, a little rough and has a cooling effect. Known for panchrasa (all the five rasa except lavan (salt). Its vipaka (post digestion metabolic state) is madhura (sweet). Its potency is cool and is tridoshahara. Amla, the Indian gooseberry is high in vitamin C and has anti-inflammatory properties that help the immune system function better. Drinking Amla juice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach will help improve your immunity. It also reduces cough. As it is diuretic, so helpful in diabetes. Strengthens bone marrow, incipient blindness and any weakness of sense organs. Amla is beneficial to every system of the body.

CONCLUSION

The concept of immunity is well explained in ayurveda by Acharya Chakrapani, Acharya Sushruta under three different headings: vyadhikshamatva, ojas and bala. The deficiency of ojas is basically the less of immunity and it can be fulfilled by taking various ayurvedic herbs that is Bhumi amla, Amalaki, Mahua, Jeevanti, Giloy, Shatavari, Ashwagandha, Manjishta, Tulsi etc.  Some medicinal herbs are explained above. In the process of enhancement of immunity ayurvedic herbs have very good results. They boost up the immunity as well as give strength, manage other issues too. Single ayurvedic herb has many effects.

ABSTRACT

In this era, two thirds of humans are suffering from high blood pressure because of health problems such as weight gain have reached new heights in the last decade as a result of changes in our way of life and unhealthy lifestyles such as sedentary work life. The most significant modifiable risk factor for all-cause morbidity and mortality worldwide is systemic arterial hypertension, which is linked to an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Fewer than half of those with hypertension are conscious of their disease, and many more are aware but untreated or undertreated. Human beings suffering from kidney diseases, obese persons and people with alcohol consumption and smoking habits are at risk for hypertension. Stress or a busy schedule where a person cannot take rest can be prone for hypertension.So, in order to overcome one of the most common illnesses (hypertension), we need to live a healthy lifestyle and eat a healthy diet. Ayurveda provides you with a large number of healthy herbs, and the classical concepts of dinacharya (daily regimen) and ritucharya (seasonal regimen) are the main points that distinguish ayurveda as the most special and healthy healing science.

INTRODUCTION

High bp (blood pressure) in medical terms is known as Hypertension. According to WHO, when blood pressure is 140/90 or above should be considered as Arterial hypertension. It can be caused by an unknown reason that is idiopathic, it accounts for about 90% of patients. There are many secondary causes like renal cause, cardiovascular cause, endocrine cause, neurogenic cause and others (toxaemia, drug abuse, poisoning, pre eclampsia, carcinoid syndrome and polycythemia). It can be managed by avoiding oily, spicy and salty food in diet. Changing lifestyle and start doing exercises and yoga asanas and also by restricting salt and fats in our diet these small efforts in our daily routine can help a lot in managing hypertension.

AYURVEDIC POINT OF VIEW

In ayurveda, it can be correlated with “Rakta Gata vata”. Factors affecting rakta gata vata are bad eating habits like eating heavy food, excess of food, alcohol intake, excess of sweet dishes and taking only salty, sour, and acidic food items. The behavioural causes are controlling the natural urges, doing excess of exercise, taking a lot of stress, fear, day sleep and smoking can be the factors responsible for rakta gata vata.

Pathogenesis (Samprapti)

The pathogenesis is continuously following the wrong pattern of lifestyle (eating habits and behavioural factors) which leads to increase in kapha dosha and meda dhatu. Later this kapha and meda dhatu deposits in arteries which causes blockage of passage and causes vata prakopa (aggravation of vata). This aggravated vata gets mixed with rakta (blood) and flows in abnormal or pathological routes which results in Rakta Gata vata (Hypertension).

Symptoms (Lakshana)

The lakshanas(symptoms) as per different Ayurveda acharya

By Aacharya Charaka are – Pain, discolouration, weakness, anorexia, stiffness after meal, burning sensation, burning sensation in muscles and skin, reddish oedema and rashes. (ch.chi. 28/31) & (ch.chi.28/63)

According to Yogaratnakara – Burning sensation in feet, blisters over skin, oedema, tiredness without exertion, haemorrhage, palpitation, tremors.

Other symptoms seen in Hypertensive patients are anger,excessive sweating, constipation, tinnitus, loss of memory, fainting, diminished vision, pain in the calf region and numbness in the body.

Management of Hypertension in Ayurveda (Line of treatment)

Nidana parivarjan (Avoidance of etiological factors)

Lifestyle modifications

• Shamana chikitsa (Palliative treatment)
• Samshodhana chikitsa (Bio-cleansing therapies)
• Rasayana(Rejuvenation therapy)

Management of Hypertension in Yoga

In the management of Rakta Gata vata, Yoga has good effects. Along with Pranayama, various asanas like savasana, makrasna, vajrasana etc. are beneficial in the management of hypertension.

HOME REMEDIES FOR HYPERTENSION

• Fasting: In ayurveda fasting (langhna) is beneficial for this disease. Once in a week do fasting. Take fruit juice and vegetable juice while fasting.
• Bottle gourd (lauki): The bitter taste and toxicity of bottle gourd was caused by toxic tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds called cucurbitacins. Orthodox medicine healers recommend it for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, liver disease and a variety of other ailments. Half cup of bottle gourd juice mixed with half cup of water thrice a day is beneficial in hypertension.
• Lemon: Lemons remove rigidity of the blood vessels making them soft. The chances of heart attack are lowered eventually by consuming lemon juice regularly. In the early morning, add lemon juice in lukewarm water and drink. Also, can be taken with normal water many times in a day.
• Banana: Bananas are abundant sources of potassium, which decrease the impact of sodium significantly.
• Amla: Amla, also known as Indian Gooseberry, is an ayurvedic blood pressure treatment. It contains Vitamin C, which aids in the reduction of blood cholesterol levels and the widening of blood vessels. Amla juice, taken on an empty stomach every morning, will help to manage hypertension and other ailments.
• Coconut water: Coconut water contains magnesium, potassium and vitamin C, which helps in lowering the systolic blood pressure. Also, individuals with hypertension must always keep their bodies hydrated.
• Garlic: Garlic lowers blood pressure and lowers cholesterol levels because it is a natural blood thinner. Try eating one clove of garlic first thing in the morning; it will provide you with many health benefits in the long run.
• Honey: It can do wonders for your health if you drink two teaspoons of honey with warm water every morning. Honey is an excellent treatment for relaxing blood vessel walls and lowering blood pressure.
• Watermelon: Watermelon has vasodilator property. The seeds possess cucurbocitrin. This helps to make the blood capillaries wide. This, in turn, reduces the level of blood pressure.
• Tulsi: Tulsi is a wonderful ayurvedic herb that effectively reduces high blood pressure and weakening symptoms of hypertension such as headaches and exhaustion. Tulsi’s verdant green leaves contain eugenol, a natural calcium channel blocker that prevents calcium from entering arteries and loosens blood vessels, making it an important antihypertensive agent.

Tips

• Balanced diet and food.
• Take a maximum of 1gm of salt in a day.
• Walk and exercise regularly
• Avoid anger, stress instead live a peaceful life.
• Take 8-9 hrs sleep.
• Take only a liquid diet for every seventh day.
• Drink more water.
• Smoking cessation

Avoid:- Tobacco, coffee, tea, non veg.

CONCLUSION

Hypertension can be cured in Ayurveda while it can only be managed in Allopath by taking medicine for life long. In ayurveda fruits and vegetable like Papaya, Pomegranate,less quantity of Cow ghee, Grapes, Oranges, Green vegetables, Saindhava lavana, banana, bottle gourd, lemon, tomatoes, gooseberry, ash gourd, carrot, garlic, honey, watermelon, taro root and Apples are well known for managing high blood pressure along with short term medications. Various yoga asanas and pranayamas and daily regimen are very helpful in lowering or maintaining the blood pressure.