Top Ayurvedic Herbs to Naturally Boost Your Immunity

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.