- Alnavedic
- June 8, 2020
- 4:45 pm
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Keep Your Immunity Strong With Ayurveda
Immunity
Immunity is the ability of multicellular organisms to stop harmful beings from entering it. If you are immune to something then it means thatย itย wont effect you. If you are immune to a disease then your body will prevent that disease from entering it and even if it somehow enters, your body will fight to keep you safe from the disease. Our body adapts to the disease which makes it difficult for it to harm us.ย ย
In a sense, immunity is the capability of the multicellular organisms to develop tolerance towards a particular disease as well as have the ability to fight theย disease causingย bacteria or virus when the situation arises.
Types of immunity
Active immunity:
Active immunity refers to the phenomenon where our immune system itself prepares antigens to protect our body from unwanted pathogens. Active immunity occurs when our body is introduced to potential disease causing agents. Vaccines are a great method of introducing active immunity in the body to protect us from diseases in the future. The immune response of our body is greatly dependent on the vaccines which we have taken. Initially, vaccines provide a very slow and limited protection to the body from the pathogens. Gradually, increase in the doses of the vaccines help in the production of long-lived antibodies which further protect the body from disease causing organisms. The main goal of vaccines is to prepare the body so that in a future situation, if an individual is exposed to a certain disease, the immune system has enough antigens to help fight the disease preventing the harmful organisms from taking over the body.
Passive immunity:
Passive immunity is the process of introducing antibodies directly to the person in need of it. In such cases, the person is already suffering from a certain disease and their body might have not produced enough antigens to fight the disease.ย This provides immediate protection to the body butย in the long run, it is important for the body to produce active immunity. Antibodies are also passed on from mothers to babies through breast feeding to protect the infants right after their birth. Antibodies can also be purified from the blood or in laboratories for short term protection. However, passive immunity only provides immediate protection and the body and the person will be at risk of being infected by the same pathogen sometime later.ย
Immune System
The immune system is the defence system of the body which comprises of many biological structures and processes which protect the body from diseases. For an immune system to function properly, it must be able to distinguish between the harmfulย disease causingย agents like various viruses andย bacteriaย to the useful and beneficial organisms present in the body.ย The immune system roots out the germs and other harmful beings which have no business being in your body.ย
The immune system involves a lot of the components of our body such as tissues, cells, organs, proteins etc. it can distinguish between our tissue and foreign tissues which we do not need in our body. It can also find dead and faulty cells, which are of no use to us and canย infectย cause us harm, and clear them away without us even knowing.ย
Everyone has a different immune system but in general, our human system starts getting stronger by adulthood because by that time we have been exposed to a lot of harmful pathogens and have even developed immunity to a lot of them. This is why teenagers and children get sick more often than adults. Once an antibody has been produced in our body, it remains in there and stays there so that in the future if we are introduced to the same pathogen, our immune system can fight it easily.ย
Immunity
Immunization introduces antigens or a weaker form of pathogens in the body of an individual in such a way that the person would not become sick but still produce antibodies so that the body can save copes of the antibodies to protect the host from any future attack from the pathogens.ย
Our immune system is ready for almost anything we throw at it. But there is a limit to what it can handle. We need to take good care of our immune system for it to function well.ย
Immuni
Immunization introduces antigens or a weaker form of pathogens in the body of an individual in such a way that the person would not become sick but still produce antibodies so that the body can save copes of the antibodies to protect the host from any future attack from the pathogens.ย
Our immune system is ready for almost anything we throw at it. But there is a limit to what it can handle. We need to take good care of our immune system for it to function well.ย
zations
Stress has a major impact on our immune system. If a person is significantly stressed, the stress hormones can have a major impact on the body functions over time. This is not good for anyone. Itย increases our risk of health problems such as:
- Depressionย
- Anxietyย
- Digestive issuesย
- Heartย diseasesย
- Sleep disorderย
- Weight gainsย
- Memory and concentration problemsย ย
Laughter is the best medicine
The saying is that laughter is the best medicine and it is completely true. Laughing produces dopamine and other feel good chemicals in your brain which helps in reducing stress. The dopamine helps in keeping you happy and decreases stress in a significant way.ย In-fact, twenty minutes of laughter a day helps in keeping our immune system healthy and working properly.ย
Sleep deprivation can affect immunity
Not getting enough sleep can have a serious impact on our immune system. It is very important for our body to get a good sleepย so it can function properly when awake. Lack of sleep can make it more likely for you to catch a cold and also make it more difficult for the immune system to fight it.ย
Not all germs are bad
Millions, if not billions of germs live on and in our body and they are necessary for us to function properly and maintain our health. The good bacteria present in our body provides us with necessary nutrients we need for our survival. the microbes present in our body help us to digest the food we eat and to the required nutrients from the food. If it wasnโt for the good bacteria, the bad bacteria would take over our body making us sick. Whenever we have an allergic reaction it is our immune system reacting to the harmful pathogens entering our body. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from a runny nose to a simple cold or cough.
Ayurvedic products that help in boosting the immune system and fighting off diseases
Turmeric
Curcumin is the most active and abundant substance found in turmeric which is responsible for its bright yellow colour. It hasย containedย antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.ย Studies have shown that the intake of turmeric helps in the treatment of diabetes to some extent.ย The antioxidant property of turmeric has led to its extensive use in medicinal as well as cosmetic products.ย Curcumin present in turmeric also helps in increasing the natural antioxidant capacity of anย individual.
Ginger
Ginger is filled with immunity boosting properties which is why it is extensively used in many healthy recipes.ย Ginger has anti-bacterial properties which help in improving the immune system. It also helps in preventing nausea and also soothes an empty stomach. Ginger also acts as a natural blood thinner and also it contains an anti-inflammatory compound called gingerol which helps in relaxing our blood vessels.ย
Ginger also helps in combating seasonal allergies such as sneezing and coughing. Ginger is used in several Ayurvedic medicines because of the presence of gingerol which acts as a perfect immunity booster.ย
Amla
Amla, also known as the Indian gooseberry is an important part of the ancient Indian immunity booster,ย chawanprash. Amla contains a very high level of vitamin C which is a great immunity booster.ย Amla helps in aidingย weightloss and it is highly recommended for people with diabetic conditions as well as various heart related issues and obesity.ย Amla contains various antioxidants which help in keeping diseases away as well as keeping our immune system healthy.ย Amla also contains a compound called chromium which helps in keeping a check on bad cholesterol and reducing the risk of diabetes.ย Amla also helps in reducing the risk of skin and hair problems because of its anti-bacterial properties, it helps in detoxifying ourย body and also in reducing acne, dandruff etc.ย
Tulsi
Tulsiย is often referred to as an Ayurvedic solution to all basic human troubles. It performs a lot of functions from reducing pain toย protecting theย liver. It is also beneficial in reducing fever. It helps in protecting our blood vessels and it also contains various anti-oxidant properties. This is why it acts as an excellent immunity booster.ย ย Tulsiย also helps in regulating cortisol level which directly impacts our immuneย system.ย Tulsiย also contains various micronutrients which help in protecting our immune system so it can easily fight against diseases and infections.ย Tulsiย has been traditionally used for its anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties which help fight the pathogens responsible for infections.ย
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha contains various antioxidants which help in boosting our immune system.ย Ashwagandha helps in increasing the production of antibodies in our immune system which help in fighting off various bacteria, virus and other pathogens.ย Ashwagandha also helps in increasing the production of nitric oxide which helps in destroying unwanted pathogens in our body. Studies show that our bodies produce nitric oxide naturally during an infection. This is why ashwagandha helps in protecting our body during an infection.ย Ashwagandha also helps in controlling diabetes due to its properties which help in controlling the blood sugar level. Ashwagandha also helps in boosting our muscle health, physical health and our stamina.ย ย
Neem
Neem is also known asย aย miracle herb because of its various properties that help in boosting our immune system. Neem helps in cleaning our blood and removing toxins out of our body.ย ย
Neem leaves are very beneficial in treating various fungal and bacterial infections. Either a neem paste can be applied to the affected area or the person can bathe in neem water.ย ย Chewing neem twigs for dental hygiene is a very old Indian tradition. Even today, we can findย neem-basedย toothpaste. Due to its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties it helps in keeping the infections away.ย Neem also helps in healing wound and scars due to its antiseptic properties.ย Neem also helps in reducing acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps in reducing skin dryness and itchiness.
