To naturally strengthen your immune system, have you thought about Ayurveda? It is a traditional Indian medicine offering solutions adapted to your doshas or energies. It helps your body to strengthen its defense mechanisms, especially against viruses and diseases through Ayurvedic plants. To understand how Ayurveda can boost your natural defenses, read this article.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda comes from "Ayur" meaning "life" and "Veda" or "knowledge and science". In other words, it is a science of life on both the physical and spiritual levels. It is an art of living that seeks the balance of our doshas and refers to nature, the seasons and others. There are 5 elements that make up the 3 doshas: ether, air, fire, earth and water.
Precisely, the combination of these elements constitutes the three doshas present in all living cells.
- Ether + air = Vata or energy
- Fire + water = Pitta or transformation
- Water + earth = Kapha meaning mass or matter
The doshas and the immune system: good to know
Note that it is the Earth dosha or Kapha dosha that maintains your immune system. With Ayurveda, it is necessary to recognize that the characteristics of each individual correspond to one of these three doshas.
- A Vata person who is drier, slimmer and more nervous, will need warmth and a more important diet.
- For the Kapha, more often overweight or with a very strong bone structure, they are advised to be in heat, but drier.
- As for the Pitta, who are more emotional and have a build between the two, we recommend a cold environment.
Strengthen the immune system with Ayurvedic plants
You can boost your immune health by using Ayurvedic herbs. Choose herbs with the following properties:
- Immune tonics : these can nourish and strengthen immune functions. For example: amla, neem, etc.
- Immunostimulants: these are plants that can stimulate the immune system. We advise you to use the andrographis plant (echinacea from India) with unsuspected virtues.
- Antiviral : they block the penetration and the proliferation of viruses. We recommend moringa which is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral.
- Immunomodulatory : they are able to modulate and balance the immune response depending on the needs of the body, like turmeric.
- Antibacterial: they neutralize or prevent the multiplication of bacteria. According to the Indian culture, the consumption of the sacred plant of tulsi allows to reach a general well-being of the body and the spirit. In this register, opt also for the guduchi plant which has a preventive action towards infections.
Vitality and immunity: two important Ayurvedic concepts
In order to cope with viruses and bacteria, an understanding of the immune system is necessary. In Ayurveda, individual autonomy plays an important role in strengthening the immune system. Vitality, also called "ojas", and immunity are linked to fertility and longevity. That said, taking care of one's vitality means feeding it daily with many elements, including:
- The air we breathe;
- The food we eat;
- The power of digestive fire;
- The routine of life;
- Movement and a balanced mind.
These practices strengthen the general resistance of the individual and prove that vitality is a concept that can be cultivated. Thus, to increase vital energy, Ayurveda recommends adopting healthy lifestyle habits. There is a cause and effect relationship between your vital potential (feeling of well-being) and your immune health. The stronger you feel, the better your immunity is and vice versa.
