Ayurveda for Stronger Immunity

As I write this, I am sitting on my couch with a slight cold and my 8-year-old resting on my lap with a bad cough and fever. She rarely gets sick, so it’s unusual for us to see her looking so miserable. Of course, getting sick comes with the perks of EXTRAS: lots of relaxing with extra TV time and extra cuddles and extra love from her family.

I remember loving getting sick when I was a kid. I got to stay home, mum cooked my favourite meals, dad would sponge me to bring down my fever (does anyone still do that?) and there was just a lot of attention on ME. It was the best!

Fast forward years later, you become an adult, and you realise the world doesn’t stop for you when you are sick. Falling sick then becomes an inconvenience and we do everything to avoid it. We even become scared of catching the common cold or seasonal flus that are part of the natural process of building our immunity.

The fear of getting sick simply adds fuel to our already stressed internal system.

We know one thing to be true: when we are stressed, we weaken and suppress our immune system.

It’s ok in small bursts but not the prolonged stress that we are in daily. Overtime, this elevates inflammation in the body and your immune system is unable to ‘fight the fire’ effectively, making you more susceptible to infections.

Essentially then, we are worrying ourselves sick!

In our quest for strong immunity, I think it's important to dispel some common misconceptions. Ayurveda provides valuable insights to challenge these myths:

Myth 1 - Boosting immunity means avoiding all infections: Contrary to popular belief, a strong immune system does not imply invincibility against all infections. Rather, it refers to the body's ability to recognize and respond effectively to pathogens, preventing excessive immune reactions or susceptibility to diseases. 

Myth 2 -  More supplements mean better immunity: While supplements can provide support, Ayurveda emphasizes that a holistic approach is necessary for optimal immune function. Over-reliance on supplements without addressing lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep, and stress management can lead to imbalances in the body.

Myth 3 - All illnesses are due to a weak immune system: Ayurveda recognizes that various factors contribute to illness, including genetics, environmental influences, and lifestyle choices. Blaming all illnesses on a weak immune system oversimplifies the complex nature of health and disease.

As such, it is ok to get unwell occasionally as it's part of the process of building our immunity. It becomes a problem when infections are recurring and lasts longer than usual (a post for another time). It's important then that we take care of ourselves well enough so when we do get sick, our immune system does what it's great at - bringing us back to optimal heath.

According to Ayurveda, our overall health and vitality is primarily governed by a subtle energy known as "ojas." Ojas is believed to be the essence of all body tissues and represents the vital life force within us. When ojas is abundant and balanced, it promotes optimal health. It supports the immune system, enhances mental clarity, and nourishes the body's tissues. It also helps maintain hormonal balance, supports healthy digestion, and promotes longevity. 

A person with good Ojas, will have a robust digestive fire or "agni". Agni, often referred to as the digestive fire, represents the transformative energy responsible for digestion, absorption, and assimilation of nutrients. It is considered the cornerstone of good health in Ayurveda. Agni governs all metabolic processes in the body and plays a vital role in maintaining proper physiological functions. 

Conversely, when agni is impaired or imbalanced, digestion becomes compromised, leading to the accumulation of toxins (ama) in the body. Ama is considered a sticky, undigested substance that hampers the flow of energy and disrupts the proper functioning of bodily tissues, including ojas. The presence of ama can lead to a decrease in ojas, making the body more susceptible to disease and weakening the immune system.

Therefore, maintaining a balanced and strong agni through proper diet, lifestyle choices, and Ayurvedic practices is essential for the production and preservation of ojas. When our agni is functioning optimally, it transforms the nutrients from our food into high-quality bodily tissues, which in turn nourish and replenish ojas. 

Here are some simple Ayurvedic practices that can be incorporated into your daily routine to cultivate Ojas and support your immune system:

1. Eat according to your digestive fire: Our digestive fire changes according to the time of day, following the natural cycle of the sun. The believes around eating breakfast have been changing over the years, from it being your biggest meal of the day to completely skipping breakfast. Ayurveda instead says, you eat your main meal when the sun is at its strongest to aid in your digestive fire. Don't skip breakfast though, just have a lighter, easy to digest meal. Dinners should not be too heavy either and avoid eating after sunset when the digestive fire is reduced. 

2. Eat warm cooked meals: Raw and cold foods are heavy on the digestive system. Eating warm cooked meals are a lot easier to digest especially if you suffer from gut issues such as bloating, gas, indigestion and constipation. Ayurveda also  emphasizes the consumption of fresh, seasonal, and whole foods to support immunity. Include immune-boosting herbs and spices such as turmeric, dry ginger, and holy basil in your meals. Avoid processed foods, excessive sugar, and unhealthy fats that can increase ama (toxins) in the body. 

3. Slow Down and Do Nothing: This is the antidote to our fast paced lifestyle! Healing happens when we are in the rest and digest part of our nervous system (parasympathetic). That is why when we are sick, we naturally eat less and want to rest (if we allow ourselves to). Digestion takes up a lot of energy in our bodies and as such when we are sick, if we are eating heavy and unhealthy foods, it makes it harder for the immune system to function optimally. Take time out daily to slow down, switch off from stimulations and relax even when you are not sick. This is where the magic happens! 

4. Healthy sleep habits: Following a consistent daily routine helps align our body's natural rhythms, promoting optimal immune function. Wake up and sleep at regular times, without any screen time before bed or upon waking. Resist the urge to plug in to the world straight away. Instead, practice gratitude upon waking, breathwork or meditation that will help you start your day in a positive and relaxed way. This is also important before bed. 

5. Practice self-care rituals: Practicing self-care involves intentionally setting aside time and engaging in activities that nurture and promote your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is a way of prioritising your own needs and taking proactive steps to care for yourself. Self-care rituals are highly personalised and can be as simple as reading a book, exercising, journaling, meditating or engaging in activities that bring you joy. A lovely self care practice in Ayurveda is self-massage (abhyanga) with warm oils, to nourish the body, improve circulation, and enhance immune function. 

6.  Spend time in nature: Make it a point to get outside daily and spend some time in nature. Incorporating nature into our lives by spending time outdoors, whether through nature walks, gardening, or simply relaxing in natural surroundings, can provide a holistic approach to supporting our immune system and promoting overall well-being.

By incorporating some of these simple Ayurvedic principles into our lives, such as nourishing diet, stress management, and self-care rituals, we can enhance our immune system's resilience and promote overall well-being. It is essential to remember that optimal immune function goes beyond mere avoidance of illnesses; it involves maintaining balance and harmony within our bodies.