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The Ayurvedic Approach to Immunity: Ways to Improve Your Natural Immunity
There is a theory of immunity in ayurveda called the beej-bhumi
theory, which means "seed and land." In this case, the body is
analogous to the land, and infection or "bugs" are like seeds. If the
body is filled with ama and lacking in ojas, the infection will find
it to be fertile ground for spreading, just as land that is fertile
will sprout many seeds. If digestion is strong, and ojas rather than
ama predominates in the body, then the seeds of infection will not be
able to take hold, just as seeds will not take root in land that is
infertile.
Everyone is more susceptible to respiratory problems when the seasons
are changing, such as in the fall and early spring. This is because
the body functions differently in each season, and in the transition
between the hot and cold seasons the agni, or digestive fire, can
start to fluctuate dramatically.. If you do not adjust your diet and
routine and follow the ayurvedic guidelines for the seasonal
transitions, you can build up ama. Once the body is fertile for
disease, it is easy for a cold or flu to sprout, as in the seed and
land theory mentioned earlier.
That is why respiratory illnesses and allergies abound in the fall
and early spring. In the early spring, there is an added factor,
because ama accumulated during the winter starts to melt, flooding
the micro-channels and overloading the immune system. The body's
immune system is weakened, and becomes a fertile ground for bacteria
and allergens.
Ways to Burn Ama
For this reason, Maharishi Ayurveda recommends that you do the gentle
purification treatments called panchakarma during these transitions
between the seasons, in the fall and the early spring. Maharishi
Panchakarma includes a full program of ayurvedic massage, steam baths
and intestinal cleansing treatments, to rid your body of ama
accumulated during the previous season. Panchakarma also strengthens
your agni, or digestive fire, so more ama won't be accumulated.
Panchakarma treatments should be performed under the supervision of
an ayurvedic physician.
But if you can't go to a Maharishi Ayurveda Health Center for
internal cleansing, you can still follow an ayurvedic regimen at home
to cleanse the body of ama during the transition between the seasons.
For instance, you can eat warm, light, nourishing foods such as
soups, or light meals of mildly spiced vegetables with grains such as
quinoa, cous cous and millet. Eating a lighter diet for a few weeks
while the weather is changing will help burn away ama rather than
accumulate it. Also be careful to get proper rest, drink plenty of
warm fluids, and take daily walks or do other exercise that is
suitable for your body type.
If you feel less hungry at mealtimes than usual, or if you feel heavy
and dull in the two hours immediately after a meal, these are
indications that your digestive fire is burning low.
Cooking your food with immune-enhancing spices such as cumin, fennel,
coriander, turmeric, ginger and black pepper is also an important way
to enhance agni and reduce ama.
Finally, it's important to always avoid the factors that cause ama to
accumulate, in any season. Stay away from leftovers, processed foods,
ice-cold foods and drinks, and heavy foods such as fried foods.
Vegetables from the nightshade family (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant,
and sweet peppers) should also be avoided, as these create ama.
Diet for Boosting Natural Immunity
Winter is actually the season to enhance the immune system, and
support and nurture your body. Eat nourishing, warm food, and avoid
any fasting in winter. The important thing is to eat light, warm
foods, cooked with the immune-enhancing spices already mentioned.
Avoid eating or drinking anything cold, because cold foods and drinks
will enhance the impact of cold weather and reduce the digestive
fire, leading to more ama. You'll also want to avoid heavy sweets, as
these are difficult to digest. Start your day with a stewed apple for
breakfast, cooked with spices such as cardamom.
For specific food recommendations, follow a Vata pacifying diet in
fall and early winter (from October 15 to February 15). Eat all six
tastes, but eat more of the sweet, sour, and salty tastes, as these
enhance Vata. Vata-pacifying foods include nourishing grains such as
rice and cous cous; sweet, juicy fruits such as cooked apples or
pears; squashes, zucchini, and asparagus; and light, easily
digestible proteins such as panir (a freshly made cheese), lassi (a
yogurt drink that aids digestion) and vegetable proteins such as mung
dhal. Asparagus is especially good for enhancing the immune system.
Lifestyle Tips for Boosting Immunity
A warm bath each day is very necessary to warm the body, open the
pores, and regulate your body's internal thermostat. This is
important in both Vata and Kapha season.
Don't forget to do your daily ayurvedic massage before your bath.
Daily massage is very important for opening the channels, stimulating
the digestion, removing toxins from the body, and pacifying the
doshas. It is especially soothing to Vata dosha, which is seated in
the skin. All of these factors make massage a vital therapy in
strengthening immunity and preventing respiratory problems. (It's
important to note that massage is NOT recommended if you already have
a cough or other respiratory imbalance, because it can push the ama
deeper into the system. Also refrain from a full-body massage during
menstrual flow.)
Adequate sleep is especially important in Vata season, as it
counteracts the lively, moving Vata. It is also essential for anyone
in any season who wants to enhance immunity and resist disease. Take
Blissful Sleep I if you have trouble falling asleep (a Vata
disorder), Blissful Sleep II if you wake frequently, especially
between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. with energy (a Pitta disorder) and take
Blissful Sleep III if you sleep eight hours through the night but
still feel exhausted when you wake up (a Kapha disorder).
Exercise is another important aspect of the ayurvedic routine,
because it helps enhance agni and burns away toxins. It's important
to choose the right exercise for your body type and for the season,
though. Daily walks and yoga postures are good for balancing all the
doshas and especially suit Vata types, while more vigorous daily
exercise is required by Kapha types to stay healthy. Exercise is
especially important during Kapha season, because it helps to boost
agni and your immunity when toxins are flooding the body.
Note : This ayurvedic information is educational and is not intended
to replace standard medical care or advice.
Copyright MAPI, 2002.
For more information on Ayurveda or to subscribe to free newsletters,
plaese visit http://www.mapi.com
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