Top 5 Herbs that boost Immunity

Boost Your Immunity With Ayurveda

Ayurveda looks at the functioning of the human body in a holistic manner. When you consider that all our organ systems are so interdependent, this makes absolute sense. To bring one’s body and health to their optimum levels, one must achieve complete balance. Ayurveda defines three Doshas that govern the different functions of the body; Vata Dosha, Kapha Dosha, and Pitta Dosha. The balance of these three Doshas keeps the body functioning without any problems.

Digestion is the key to the continuing good health of a person. Ayurvedic immunity booster supplements and practices aim to keep the Agni or digestive fire strong. This is because digestion metabolizes the food into the Dhatus or tissues of the body. When the digestive and metabolic process is inadequate, it creates a toxic metabolic waste called Ama. This Ama infiltrates the Dhatus and causes a host of health problems. Ama also causes inflammation in the body. The more one eliminates and suppresses Ama formation the higher is the immunity. Ideally, a person’s diet and habits should minimize Ama formation.  

Triphala Churna is composed of natural ingredients that relieve Ama from the body. These cleansing and detoxifying ingredients help in removing the Ama that compromises a person’s immunity. To restrict Ama formation one should also maintain a healthy and regular meal and sleep routine. Food should be eaten warm and appropriate to the season. Fresh food is preferable to preserved food. 

Ayurveda takes the definition of wellness and immunity to a level that is more than just one’s physical constitution. To have excellent immunity, one should be healthy not only physically, but also spiritually and emotionally. This is achieved by having an optimum balance of three factors:

• Prana or the breath/life force
• Tejas or the inner radiance/fire in the mind
• Ojas or vigour

So, a person should have a disease-free body, a calm and radiant mind, and a strong spirit to be truly well. 

In modern times, there is much awareness of eating right and exercising regularly. But, despite healthy diets and hours spent at the gym, keeping stress at bay is more challenging than ever. Ashwagandha in Ayurveda is the answer to the stressful lifestyles of modern times. It is a herb that is traditionally used in the formulation of Ayurvedic medicine to boost the immune system. This famous herb is rejuvenating in nature and is used as an adaptogen and anti-stress ingredient in Ayurveda. It is invaluable to the holistic Ayurvedic concept of immunity. It is one of the Ayurvedic herbs used traditionally to help improve not only the physical wellbeing of a person but also the emotional and mental health. Stress obstructs the flow of energy in the body. Ashwagandha enhances one’s energy and relieves stress and anxiety. 

Ayurveda also looks at immunity through a concept called ‘Beej Bhoomi’. ‘Beej’ is the word for seed and ‘Bhoomi’ means earth. Unless the earth that the seed falls on is fertile it cannot take root. So, ensuring that the body is in a state of good health and immune strength makes it an ‘earth’ that is unsuitable for the ‘seeds’ of infection.

Ayurveda describes three fundamental energies (doshas) that govern an individual’s inner and outer environments, known in Sanskrit as Vata (Wind), Pitta (Fire), and Kapha (Earth). These primary forces are responsible for the characteristics of an individual's mind and body, and each individual has a unique proportion of these three forces that shape their behaviour and nature.

The foundation of Ayurvedic treatment relies upon recognizing when the doshas have become excessive or deficient, as this is known to cause an imbalance, weaken immunity, and lead to disease. When there is minimal stress and the flow of energy within a person is balanced, the body’s natural defense systems will be strong and can more easily defend against disease. 

Ayurveda and Immunity

The concept of the immune system in Ayurveda extends beyond the physiological and cellular components recognized by western sciences. A healthy immune system is represented by physical, mental and emotional, as well as the spiritual resilience of an individual. This resilience is a result of the purified essence of the Tridosha. The immune system is described as the balanced functions of three subtle energies: Prana (universal principle of energy or force), Tejas (inner radiance), and Ojas (vigor).

Strong immunity is a product of good digestion, Agni, the universal principle of transformation that manifests as the digestive fire, transforming food into bodily tissue and waste. Ayurveda kindles the Agni of the body to digest toxins (ama) which have manifested due to internal or external stresses, ensuring optimal functioning of the physical and mental being. Ama, the digestive impurities caused by eating hard-to-digest foods or by following unhealthy eating habits, compromises immunity and health.

Higher immunity improves the quality of life by keeping an individual safe and protected from diseases, ailments, and illnesses. Here are some of the best Ayurvedic herbs and immunity boosters that you should know amidst the panic and mass hysteria that is prevalent in the country: 

1. Resigest Tablets

Kerala Ayurveda's Resigest Tablets helps in the optimal functioning of the respiratory system and is an effective medicine for viral infection. It is a potentiated form of the classical ‘Padthyashadangam Kwath’ enriched with Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) which have anti-bacterial, decongestant, and anti-inflammatory activities, and help in fighting against infectious parasites. This makes Resigest tablet a potent broncho-dilator, that can help in the treatment of conditions such as sinusitis, rhinitis, and headaches. 

The main ingredients and functions of Resigest Tablet are:

• Kirathathiktha (Andrographis paniculata) which helps in reducing inflammation and aids in promoting relief from respiratory problems

• Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) which aids in the treatment of cough and for reducing congestion 

• Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) which is an effective decongestant and helps pacify common cold and headaches of all types

2. Imugest Tablets

Imugest Tablets is an Ayurvedic formulation that can help boost immunity. It is proven to contain immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant, and free radical scavenging properties which help strengthen immunity and fight away infections and viruses. Additional benefits include that it helps to prevent recurrent infections and also helps maintain Tridosha balance.

The main ingredients of Imugest Tablet are:

• Aswagandha (Withania somnifera) 

• Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) 

• Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)

• Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica)

• Draksha (Vitis vinifera) 

• Haridra (Curcuma longa)

• Jhandu (Tagetes erecta)

3. Indukantha Gritham

Indukantha Gritham is a classical Ayurvedic medicine available in concentrated liquid form (Indukantam Syrup) and in tablet form (Indukantham Kashayam Tablets).  An efficient combination of Poothika, Daru, Dasamoola, Saptala which, when taken regularly, enhances immunity. These immunity-boosting Ayurvedic herbs are also effective in the prevention of recurrent fever and sinusitis. It helps keep the body healthy and immune to major infections and viruses.
 

4.Chyavanprash

Chyavanprash is a herb-based formulation and health supplement for individuals of all ages. The main benefits of Chyavanprash are: 

• It has vitamin C and other ingredients that help the body fight off virus and bacteria that lead to cold and cough

• It is can help promote good heart health

• The combination of over forty herbs makes it a powerful immunity-boosting tonic that protects the body from bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.

This potent herbal tonic contains Amla, Ashwagandha, Vidarikand, Long Pepper, White Sandalwood, Cardamom, Tulsi, Brahmi, Arjun, Jatamansi, Neem and many other herbs that aid in boosting immunity. 

5. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is one of the most powerful herbs in Ayurvedic healing, and is available as Ashwagandhadirishtam (liquid form) and lehyam (solid form), both possessing the same benefits. It helps promote physical and mental health, restore the body, and increase longevity.

Ashwagandha is valued for its thyroid-modulating, neuroprotective, anti-anxiety, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been used for centuries as a general body tonic, as it makes an individual feel stronger and healthier. Because Ashwagandha works as an adaptogen that can reduce the body’s stress hormones, it can help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation within the body. 

Easy remedies for strong immunity:

• Anu Thailam for nasya cleaning is excellent for Kapha imbalance, lubricating the nasal passage and preventing allergies. 

• Sudarsana Tablet contains Swertia Chirata as an active ingredient and can be used to help in the treatment of fever, parasitic infections, inflammation, and other conditions. 

• Turmeric milk is traditionally made by warming up cow’s milk with turmeric and other spices, such as cinnamon and ginger. It is known for its many health benefits and often used as an alternative remedy to boost immunity and stave off illness.

• Giloy is a very versatile herb that can treat most health problems. It boosts immunity and digestion, treats chronic fever, is effective against diabetes and can treat eye disorders. In the case of asthma, drinking giloy juice once a day can reduce its symptoms.

Besides the above, a healthy diet in combination with an active lifestyle can help you stay healthy. We at Kerala Ayurveda hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy during these trying times.