Boosting Immunity Ayurveda Concepts

Preface According to modem medicine Immunity is the function of certain cells, enzymes and immunemodulatory chemicals that attack pathogens and prevent them from creating diseases. This view of attack from microorganisms and a biological defence system against it led to the development of the variety of anti- biotic and vaccines in the 20th century. Emergence of auto- immune issues, widespread antibiotic resistance in microbes, have forced us to rethink the unidirectional concept of the immune system.

Ayurveda explains Immunity under multiple topics. The most important ones are Bala or the concept of strength, Vyadhikshamathwa or the concept of resistance to illness de- elopement, The concept of Bala (ojas) explains the ability of the system to repair and nourish itself and be effective in disease prevention, whereas VyadhiKshamatwa is the ability of the immune system to fight against the disease-causing pathogens.

The preventive phase of our immunity function is majorly related to our digestive system. Balanced doshas or bioenergies, through cleansing, are also essential for proper resistance to illness. The concept of Ojas explains the direct correlation between digestion and immunity. Ojas is considered as the essence of the food we consume, and a healthy level of OJ as indicates proper tissue nourishment.

The influence of mind and emotion on our immunity is a very new system that is being studied in the past four or five decades, known as Psychoneuroimmunology. The Ayurvedic concept of Ojas explains the impact on immunity caused by excessive anger, craving, worry, sadness, and exertion.

In this book I have discussed about the importance of agni, diet, ojas and satva (mind), their inter dependence and the' requirement of state of equilibrium in strengthening immunity.

And also; the factors which weaken our immunity like imbalanced diet, obesity, stress, irregular sleep elaborately portrayed.

Measures to augment immunity in Ayurveda like well-balanced diet, regular yoga practice, regular detox plans through undergoing stipulated panchakarma as per seasonal regimen, and the utility of Rasayana therapy are explained in detail. I hope this book would be useful to the students of ayurveda and also to general public in understanding the concept of Immunity. I am thankful to Chowkhamba Sanskrit series for publishing this book.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages