How Increase Immunity Through Ayurveda

The balanced functions of three cryptic energies: Prana (energy or force oversee human beings), Tejas (inner light), and Ojas (strength) is called the immune system. Strong immunity is an outcome of proper digestion. In this article, we will explore how people with epilepsy disease can increase immunity with the use of Ayurveda. Agni, the universally accepted principle of renewal that manifests as the digestive fire, transform’s food into energy-giving elements for body tissues and waste. The Agni of the body needs to be kindled through Ayurveda to digest Ama (toxins), which have manifested due to internal or external factors like stress. Good immunity decreases the risk of diseases for individuals and helps in living a healthy life. Whereas Ama, known as the digestive impurities generated by eating difficult to subsume foods or by following unhealthy eating habits, depletes the immunity and health of people.

Do epileptic seizures affect the immune system?

Certain situations like lack of sleep, unforeseen events, or overactive brain cells can cause Epilepsy. According to various researches, there is evidence of the immune system mechanism playing a role in the organic process of occurrence of epilepsy syndromes. Brain involvement commonly causes seizures, which may be the presenting symptom. Autoimmune ailments are also a potential genesis of seizures.

Immune effects in patients with epilepsy

The episodes of apasmara (Epilepsy) can also happen when someone experiences unsettling events or psychological trauma. These events or traumas can be a result of negative emotions like grief, anxieties, worries, passion, apprehension, anger, etc. Therefore it is beneficial to improve our ability to manage and understand emotions through positive affirmation training of the mind to get through these adverse situations. The Episodes of apasmara (epilepsy) are less likely to occur if the mental doshas like tamas and rajas are in good shape, and mental immunity is right, even if the bodily doshas are piqued.

Determining factors having adverse effects on our Immunity

Imbalanced diet – As per Ayurveda, a balanced diet should be free of doshas. Excess consumption of processed sugars and artificial flavouring additives is well known to weaken the effect on the immune system. Anorexia (an eating disorder of a lack of appetite) can also lead to nutritional imbalance and weak immunity.

Excessive alcohol intake – Impact of alcohol on resistance and recovery from sickness is already known to medical practitioners. Researches have shown that the immune system’s effectiveness against common pathogens can be destroyed with regular alcohol intake.

Irregular sleep – Constantly fluctuating sleep patterns, insomnolence, or interrupted sleep can trigger epilepsy.

High stress – Stress and Anxiety increases cortisol (stress hormone) level in the blood, reducing the focus on nourishment of the immune system.

Obesity – Researches have shown a lack of exercise, and excess weight gain can harm immunity. These factors can be an indicator of an imbalance in hormonal functions and metabolism.

Chronic medications – Long term use of certain medications and antibiotics are also proven to be harmful to the immune system.

Dehydration – Various studies have shown that not having enough liquid intake can reduce our effectiveness of the body’s resistance mechanism.

Guidelines for self-care during the pandemic crisis in Ayurveda -

We all have heard of a proverb that prevention is better than cure. To maintain optimal health, take preventative measures that will strengthen the immune system during these times.

Following self-care guidelines have been recommended by the Ministry of AYUSH for preventive health measures against diseases and enhancing immunity. These guidelines from the ministry of AYUSH are based on Ayurvedic literature and various scientific publications.

Immunity promoting General measures -

Drinking warm water is an effective way of expelling toxins from our body for enhanced immunity.

Yogasana, daily practice of Pranayama and at least 30 minutes of meditation, as advised by the AYUSH Ministry.

The use of beneficial spices such as Haldi (turmeric), Lahsun (garlic), Jeera (cumin), and Dhaniya (coriander) for cooking is recommended.

Other Measures to promote immunity through Ayurveda -

- In the morning, take Chyavanprash 10gm (1tsf) for enhanced immunity. For people with diabetes, sugar-free Chyavanprash is also available in the market.

- Once or twice a day, drink Kadha (decoction) or herbal tea with Tulsi (basil), Dalchini (cinnamon), Shunthi (dry ginger), Kalimirch (black pepper) and Munakka (raisins). Jaggery (natural sugar) or fresh lemon juice can be added as well to change the taste.

- Hot milk with ½ teaspoon of turmeric (Golden milk) once or twice a day is perfect for immunity.

Pure Ayurvedic immunity-enhancing procedures -

- Pratimarsh Nasya - Apply ghee or sesame/coconut oil to both nostrils in the morning and evening.

- Oil puller Therapy – In Ayurveda, putting one tablespoon of sesame or coconut oil into your mouth and circulating it throughout the mouth for 2-3 minutes, then spitting and washing out your mouth with warm water also helps for enhancing immunity. This process can be followed once or twice a day.

For sore throat/dry cough: -

- Inhaling steam for nasal irrigation with fresh pudina (mint) leaves or Ajwain (cumin seeds) is an effective remedy for alleviation of nasal congestions, which can be practised once a day.

- For cough or throat irritation, Honey mixed with Lavang (clove) powder can be taken 2-3 times a day. Usually, normal dry cough and sore throat are treated by these measures. However, if these symptoms persist, it is best to consult a doctor.

The above measures can be followed as much as possible for the convenience of the individual’s comfort. (source: Ministry of AYUSH)

Foods that Boost the Immune System :

If we pay attention to what we eat, we are more likely to avoid infection, illness, including colds. Good general health requires a relatively good diet.

- Oats and Barley - These cereals use beta-glucan. This fibre has a microbicidal and antioxidant effect. It accelerates wound healing and increases the effectiveness of antibiotics.

- Citrus fruits – Fruits like oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, lemons, and limes are excellent sources of vitamin C. Consumption of vitamin C helps in increased production of white blood cells. These white blood cells are necessary to fight infections.

- Red Pepper - In addition to vitamin C, it contains beta-carotene, which helps with eye and skin health.

- Yoghurt - Regenerates the intestinal flora, plays an essential role in digestion. Many yoghurts have a lot of added sugar, which is an artificial sweetener. Consumption of such yoghurts is unhealthy.

- Broccoli - One of the healthiest vegetables which contain vitamins A, C, and E, as well as many other antioxidants and fibre, broccoli is a very healthy vegetable to eat.

- Garlic - When cut, garlic emits a strong aroma because of its high sulfur content, which is beneficial against the flu and cold. Garlic has a strong antibacterial, antifungal, antihypertensive and intestinal disinfectant effect also.

- Ginger - This plant, whose rhizome also has great anti-nausea, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, and antimicrobial effects. It contains significant amounts of vitamins A, C, E and B, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc.

- Nuts – Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant benefits, meaning the presence of fat is required for the absorption of these vitamins by the human body. Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews are full of vitamins and also have healthy fats.

- Turmeric - Its anti-inflammatory effect has been known for a very long time. It is used in the treatment of diseases like arthritis.

- Green Tea - A powerful antioxidant. Its active ingredient, EGCG, is a unique way to fight cancer cells. It kills cancer cells while preventing them from dividing and multiplying.

- Papaya - A single papaya contains 224 percent of its recommended daily requirement of vitamin C. Papayas have adequate amounts of papin (digestive enzyme), potassium, vitamin B and folic acid, all of which have beneficial effects on overall health.

- Kiwi - full of essential nutrients like potassium, vitamin K, vitamin B (folate) and vitamin C. Daily consumption can boost white blood cells to increase immunity for fighting infection.

- Extra Virgin Olive Oil- This oil has been proven to help rebuild and enhance the body’s immunity. The high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in olive oil acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in the body, which strengthens the immune system and protects the body from infections.

Maintaining good health in childhood with the help of Ayurveda.

Special emphasis is placed on maintaining good health under Ayurveda. For the physical and mental health of the unborn child, we can do a lot already during pregnancy by following the proper diet and lifestyle, in which the advice of Ayurveda provides special help. Ayurveda attributes a privileged, essential role to proper nutrition. It is essential to determine the child's physique early, and like your other needs, your diet needs adjustment accordingly. Children need a balanced diet based on whole grains containing complex carbohydrates, a worthy continuation of breast milk of similar composition, supplemented with easily digestible, nutritious seasonal fruits.

- Ayurveda recommends fresh, home-cooked, easily digestible steamed vegetables (carrots, potatoes, pumpkins, etc.) - pureed at first - are ideal for feeding your child.

- Valuable vegetable oils (olives, sesame seeds) and ghee (refined butter) play an important role in the development of the nervous system, among others. At the same time, it conveys our true love to the child through personal increased attention.

- Excessive intake of animal protein, especially meat that mediates negative karma due to their bad effect on animal life, is not recommended. Animal protein is associated with the development of so-called diseases of civilization. By consuming them, there is a higher risk of protein overfeeding than malnutrition.

- Ayurveda uses spices professionally for perfect digestion, health-preserving, and healing purposes. Warm, sweet spices like cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, fennel are also recommended during young age. Strongly spicy, salty, too sour food should be avoided.

Increasing immunity for people with epilepsy by yoga

Yoga, an ancient part of Indian culture and heritage, is said to bestow good health － physical, mental, and spiritual － on the practitioner. Yoga’s approach to the treatment of seizures is ancient yet amazingly modern. There are various types of yoga involving postural exercises (asanas), breath control (pranayama), and meditation.

With the regular practice of asana and pranayama it is possible to develop control over the mind and the body. Pranayam improves the physiology of the body, while with the practice of asana entire physical functioning of the body can be developed. With pranayama, the respiratory rate changes, which relax and oxygenate the brain. Asana strengthens the nervous system, which stabilizes the brain cells and keeps them under control from getting too electrified.

Stress is a known trigger of epileptic seizure activity. Dhyana or meditation helps in increasing the immunity of the body as it improves blood flow to the brain and slows the production of Adrenaline, Cortisol, Norepinephrine (3 major stress hormones), which have an adverse effect on the healing process of the body. You may like to read our blog to learn more about the Nadi Shodhana Pranayama yoga for better immunity.

In essence, Ayurvedic practice is about showing the way of being kind to yourself and living a healthy lifestyle. As per researches, imbalanced eating habits and lifestyle can lead to plenty of diseases. Therefore, the success of Ayurvedic therapy is mainly based on proper nutrition, willingness to change our past habits and stereotypes that are often at the root of our health problems. The right attitude, hard will, and commitment to solving our health problems is always the beginning of success.

Ayurvedic healing cure allows you to strengthen the immune system and increase the complex defence mechanism of your body. The body’s ability to resist stably depends on proper digestion, healthy liver function, and the harmonious functioning of the endocrine system. Higher immunity improves the quality of life by keeping an individual safe and protected from diseases, ailments, and illnesses.