IMMUNITY- THE MOST PRECIOUS PROTECTOR

This article is designed to shed  light on practices that strengthen our immune system in the light of current events of the spread of Covid-19 as well as increased seasonal susceptibility to respiratory conditions such as cold, flu, cough, catarrh, etc. The approach that I am sharing here is based on Ayurveda.  

We constantly coexist with millions of bacteria, viruses and other microbes. Some of them are of a great benefit to our wellbeing while others should never enter our body or spread to the levels that are dangerous to health. To maintain this healthy balance our immune system – our protective force -  needs to be strong.

In Ayurveda, the essence of immune power is called Ojas.

“Ojas is the first thing in the body to be developed since it is transmitted to the embryo along with semen and ovum during fertilization. It is like ghee in colour, like honey in taste and like puffed rice in odour”. Charaka Samhita

Preserving ojas is thought to be the best way to promote longevity, strengthen the body and increase wisdom. We can make ojas when we are happy and content- when do anything that truly gives us pure joy and happiness. In the same way that our bodies produce serotonin when we are happy, so too do we make ojas.

Diminished ojas reduces the body’s immunity. It also makes you fearful, emaciated, causes disorders of the sense organs and impairs mental abilities.

Causes of reduced immunity include:

·         excessive exercises

·         fasting

·         loss of blood and semen

·         anxiety

·         fear

·         grief

·         injuries

·         excessive sexual activity

·         staying up late

Below you can find a list preventative tips which are designed to strengthen the immune system:

1.      Massage your body with warm/ hot oil followed by steaming in the shower for a minimum of 5 minutes followed then by use of soap. If you don't have time for the whole body at least apply oil onto your chest, abdomen and centre of your palms and/or feet. This strengthens body’s protective barrier as our skin and hair are directly connected to our lungs acting as the boundary between the outer and inner environment. Skin, mucus membranes, saliva and gastric juices are the first line of body’s defence protecting from pathogens entering the body. Lungs are considered a tender organ as they open directly to the external environment and are usually the first internal organ attacked by external pathogens such as bacteria or viruses. The relationship between the lungs and the pores is seen in people who frequently catch colds: they often complain that they have an aversion to wind, and they break into a sweat when they aren't feeling warm. These symptoms are due to an impairment of the lungs' control of the pores, resulting in the easy access to the body's interior by external pathogens.

2.      Immunity boosting energy points to be massaged or pressed gently yet steadily for 30 to 60 sec:  

3.      Drink frequently warm/hot water as well ginger and lemon tea and tulsi tea to boost digestive, respiratory and immune system. Ginger and lemon tea strengthens your digestive fire, necessary for burning out and elimination of toxins. Tulsi is a strong immune booster, targeting directly respiratory system.

4.      15 minutes after food take herb called Pippali – a close relative to black pepper, which is a powerful stimulant for both digestive and respiratory systems and for conditions such as immune deficiency.

5.      Every day take 2 tsp of ayurvedic herbal jam called Chyawanprash which consists of amla (Indian gooseberry)- one of the highest sources of natural vitamin C. Chyawanprash is a common Ayurvedic herbal remedy for immunity, rejuvenation, cough and more.

6.      Follow more warm, freshly cooked and liquid diet, having soup and stews as often as possible. If you consume meat, switch to meat broths or at least use white meat rather than red meat.  

7.      Avoid eating hard and aged cheese which is too difficult to digest, and clogs your respiratory system. Reduce also consumption of  cold, dry foods as well as red meat, processed meat, unfermented soy products (tofu, soy milk, soy ice cream, soy burgers, edamame), mushrooms, nightshades (potatoes, aubergines, tomatoes and peppers), excess of beans, nut butters and tahini, which are all too clogging and hard to digest.

8.      Use high grade essential oil to purify the air and strengthen body's immune responses. My favourite and tested blend comes from Lakshmi called Winter Prevention. It helps in treatment of respiratory problems such as cough, flu, catarrh, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia. This blend consists of plant blends that are antiseptic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. Use in bath, shower, sauna, inhalation, massage and diffusion. This beautiful blend consists of niaouli, thyme borneol, ravensara, cypress, Siberian pine, eucalyptus globulus, ginger, cajeput, rosemary cineole, lavender, tea tree, peppermint, field mint an lemon mint.

9.      Almond milk improves energy and immunity. Make sure you drink it hot though. Along that include in your diet soaked overnight almonds, raisins, dates, cashews, pistachios with a teaspoon of ghee and a pinch of cardamom especially in the morning

10.  It is vital to get enough sun exposure as vitamin D plays vital role in the strength of your immune system– at least 15-20 minutes a day in a warm weather, without sunscreen. In cold months use transdermal vit D.  

11.  Resting, sleeping and relaxing regenerate ojas as does being in the company of positive people.

12.  Daily perform gentle stretches and exercises with attention to slow, deep breathing to your abdomen, ideally done in the fresh air. If you are at home make sure to air the room before.

This section offers simple remedies to most common symptoms:

Fever:

The best medicine for fever is to starve it, so put aside any food and drink frequently warm liquids.

It is also vital to sweat it out, hence cover yourself with a blanket or a sheet to enhance sweating.

To prevent dehydration make a solution of 1 pint of warm water with 5 tsp of sugar, ½ tsp of salt and juice of ½ lime.

Cough:

Gargle your mouth with warm water with a pinch of salt and two pinches of turmeric.

You can also suck a whole clove with a piece of rock candy

For dry cough drink liquorice tea and massage your chest and back with warm oil.  

Cold:

Boil one tsp of ginger powder in 1 litre of water and inhale the steam under the towel.

Equally steam inhale using eucalyptus oil if you have one that is of a good quality.

Breathlessness/ tightness in chest:

Slow down the breathing and count from 100 to 0

Avoid coffee and smoking 

Sip liquorice tea – one sip every 10 minutes. Avoid liquorice if you have high blood pressure as liquorice has sodium. For that use ginger, cardamom (skinny bit), cinnamon tea (½ tsp) instead

Massage your chest with warm sesame oil and locally apply heat onto the chest

Sore throat:

Gargle your mouth with warm water with a pinch of salt and two pinches of turmeric.

Sinus congestion:

Apply ginger paste to the affected area

Burning eyes:

Apply castor oil to the soles of the feet

Apply rose water cotton pads on the eyes

All information on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Products and information provided on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant or nursing, or have a known medical condition, consult your physician before taking these or any other dietary supplements.