AYURVEDA AND IMMUNITY: SWASTHYA RAKSHA FOR A HEALTHY LIFE

The central principle of Ayurveda is “Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam, Aaturasya Vikaar Prashaman ch.” This principle states that an individual’s primary priority should be protecting their health or Swasthasya Swastha Rakshanam. Immunity, or Vyadhikshamatva, is essential for maintaining a person’s health. Numerous tools, such as vaccinations, a healthy lifestyle, wholesome food, exercise, and yoga, can preserve good health.

Ayurveda and Immunity :

According to Ayurveda, Immunity is called Vyadhikshamatwa or Bala. It is the power of an individual to oppose the progress, occurrence, or recurrence of a disease.

Bala:

Bala is of three types – Sahaja, Kalaja and Yuktikrita.

• Sahaja Bala—The constitutional strength that is present since birth and inherited from parents is known as Sahaja Bala. The Baby will be healthy if the parents’ genetic constitution is healthy. If the parents are susceptible to certain types of disease, then there are chances that these diseases can be carried over to the next generation.
• Kalaja Bala – The Bala or strength, which is developed and changed according to the seasons and age. In Ayurveda, the late winter, spring and summer are known as Adana kala, and at that time, the strength of the individual will be less. The rainy seasons, autumn and winter, are known as Visarga kala, and at that time, the strength of an individual will be greater.
• Yuktikrita Bala – The Bala or strength acquired by combining food or diet and physical exercise or activity.

Immunization (Vaccination) :

Immunization is the process of inducing Immunity by administering a vaccine. A vaccine consists of specific antigens of a pathogen or killed or live attenuated organisms.

Immunization schedule recommended by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) :

Ayurvedic measures to enhance Immunity:

• Consuming nutritious food—Eating nutritious food leads to the production of good dhatu (the body’s tissues), which ultimately leads to good Immunity.
• Yoga and Exercise—Doing yoga and exercising leads to digestion of Aama (the Indigestion food portion), which leads to a good digestive system and, finally, to enhanced Immunity.
• Stress-free lifestyle—Excessive stress can lead to Oja kshaya (Diminished Vital portion of the body), digestive problems, and decreased Immunity. For a stress-free life, one can opt for Meditation, Yoga, etc.
• Rasayana therapy – Specialized therapy, which is designed for rejuvenation, longevity, and disease prevention, is known as Rasayana It focuses on nourishing the body’s tissues (Dhatus), enhancing Immunity and promoting mental and physical well-being. Some of the classical Rasayana formulations are Chyawanprash, Brahma Rasayana, Agastya Rasayana etc. Some single can also be used for Rasayana, such as Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Guduchi, Pippali, Haritaki, Amalaki (Amla), etc.

Ayurvedic measures to enhance Immunity in children:

• Swarna Prashana :
• Swarna Prashana is an Ayurvedic technique for improving children’s immune systems. It involves administering gold calx (Swarna Bhasma) in very minute quantities to improve Immunity, strength, memory, and intelligence. The original reference for this technique is mentioned in Kashyapa Samhita.
• The purpose of Swarna Prashana resembles the modern concept of vaccination, which is given to prevent diseases by enhancing Immunity against specific disease-causing microorganisms.
• It is also helpful even to Special children with Autism, Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder (ADHD), Delayed Milestones and Learning Difficulties.
• Through Swarna Prashana following benefits can be achieved:
  • Medha (intellect)
  • Agni (digestive and metabolic power)
  • Bala (strength)
  • Aayush (gives long life)
  • Varnya (increases complexion)

• Gold is the main ingredient in Swarna Prashana.
• Gold helps boost Immunity and enhance memory.
• This minute, Swarna bhasma is easy to absorb and assimilate.
• For a particular time when it is administered in very low doses it is known to potentiate the memory power along with Immunity.
• Honey is another essential ingredient present in Swarna Prashana.
• In very low doses, honey consumption is believed to help the body fight against allergens gradually.
• Honey also acts against inflammation and helps to improve digestion.
• The third essential component of Swarna Prashana is Ghrita or Ghee.
• acts as an effective medium in which herbal medications can be prepared.
• Ghee has a unique property to acquiring the medicinal value of herbs added to it.
• In Swarna Prashana’s context, ghee has to be pure cow ghee to have the right medicinal properties.
• Whom to administer – Swarna Prashana can be given to children from the 1st day of birth to the age of 16.
• Duration of Swarna Prashana – A daily dose of Swarna Prashana should be given for a minimum of 1 month to a maximum of 3 months continuously, i.e., a minimum of 30 days to 90 days or Monthly once for 30 Months, given on Pushya nakshatra ( Pushya Nakshatra day comes once in 27 days).
• Time of administration of Swarna Prashana – Every day in the morning on an empty stomach or on the day of Pushya Nakshatra.
• Dose of Swarna Prashana – 2- 4 drops

• Other measures –
• Nutritious Food
• Exercise and Yoga
• Use of Brahmi Ghrita
• Use of Sarswata Ghrita
• Use of kalyanak ghrita
• Use of Panchgavya Ghrita

So, Ayurveda has a bigger positive impact on Immunity. By using Ayurvedic drugs, lifestyle, and measures, one can achieve good immunity and live a healthy and longer life.