World Health Organisation has defined health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease.
Susruta defined health as a state where the tridoshas, the digestive agni, all the body components and tissues are in perfect unison and the soul, the sense organs and mind are in total satisfaction.
Ayurveda focuses more on maintaining a healthy lifestyle rather than curing diseases. With the recent pandemic realization has dawned on people that to be able to confront further epidemics attention has to be focused on how to improve general immunity.
In Ayurveda immunity is referred to as bala. Bala is of three types:-
Sahaja or innate immunity,
Kalaja or chronobiological immunity,
Yuktikrut or acquired immunity.
There are various factors which play a role in the way we respond to disease:
Our own unique prakriti. It has been observed that people with a healthy kapha prakriti have better immune systems than say a person with a vata prakriti.
Digestive agni or fire. This plays an important role. If the digestive agni is low then the food eaten cannot be properly digested resulting in the formation of ama or toxins.
State of the mind also plays an important role. Recently Covid 19 caused high levels of psychological distress and significant impact on mental health. The role of psychosocial factors in increasing susceptibility to viral respiratory track infections is well known.
To maintain health Ayurveda advises dinacharya (daily routine) and ritucharya (seasonal routine). The ancient texts place a lot of emphasis on this.
In Ayurveda ojas is considered as the vital energy of the body. It is responsible for the overall health, well being, intelligence and immunity. It is not only responsible for the prevention of disease but also helps in the speedy recovery from any illness. It is this building up of ojas in the body which has to be looked at to build up immunity. The seat of ojas is the heart. It can be, increased and protected by eating nourishing foods, pranayama, exercise, meditation and leading a balanced lifestyle.
Rasayans in Ayurveda are rejuvenating herbs that produce resistance against diseases both physically and mentally. Rasayanas are of different types.
There are those which promote longevity and vitality.
There are those which promote intelligence.
Aphrodisiacs.
Rasayans which may fight a particular disease.
. . . to be continued
Mrs. Mira Swami, Department of Ayurveda