Low Immunity?

Low immunity? Ayurveda has the tips to strengthen it.

Welcome back to our ongoing series “Conversations about Ayurveda.” Today, our curious friend Scimmione meets with Dr. Poonam to discuss how Ayurvedic principles can help strengthen immunity a topic particularly relevant in today’s world.

🦍: [swinging into Dr. Poonam’s consultation room] Good morning, Dr. Poonam! I’ve been getting sick quite often lately. My human friends keep talking about “boosting immunity” and someone mentioned Ayurveda might help. I’m not even sure what immunity really is!

👩🏽⚕️:  [smiling warmly] Good morning, Scimmione. I’m glad you came to ask about this. Immunity is essentially your body’s natural defense system against illnesses. In Ayurveda, we call this protective force “Vyadhikshamatva” or “Bala.”

🦍: Vyadhi-kshama-what? That’s a mouthful!

👩🏽⚕️:  [laughs] Yes, it is. “Vyadhikshamatva” means resistance to disease. In Ayurveda, we believe immunity isn’t just about fighting off illnesses it’s about maintaining a state of balance within your body that naturally strengthens your defenses.

🦍: Balance? Like standing on a branch?

👩🏽⚕️:  Not quite. I’m talking about the balance of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. When these energies are in harmony, your immunity functions optimally. When they’re imbalanced, your susceptibility to illness increases.

🦍: [scratching his head] I remember you explained doshas in our previous conversation, but remind me again?

👩🏽⚕️:  Of course. Vata governs movement and is associated with air and space. Pitta controls metabolism and transformation, associated with fire and water. Kapha provides structure and cohesion, associated with earth and water. Everyone has a unique composition of these doshas, which influences how their immunity functions.

🦍: Interesting! So how do I know if my doshas are out of balance?

👩🏽⚕️:  Good question. If you’re frequently falling ill, feeling fatigued, experiencing digestive issues, or noticing changes in your sleep patterns, these could be signs of dosha imbalance affecting your immunity.

🦍: That sounds like me lately! I’m tired all the time, can’t sleep well, and I’ve had three colds in two months!

👩🏽⚕️:  Then let’s discuss specific Ayurvedic approaches to strengthen your immunity. In Ayurveda, we recognize three types of immunity: Sahaja (innate immunity you’re born with), Kalaja (age-related immunity that changes throughout life), and Yuktikruta (acquired immunity that can be enhanced through lifestyle practices).

🦍: [excitedly] So I can actually improve my immunity? That’s the Yukti…whatever one, right?

👩🏽⚕️:  [nodding] Yuktikruta, yes. And absolutely, there are many traditional Ayurvedic practices that can help.

🦍: Like what?

👩🏽⚕️:  Let’s start with something fundamental: Agni, or digestive fire. In Ayurveda, proper digestion is considered crucial for strong immunity.

🦍: [puzzled] How does digestion affect immunity?

👩🏽⚕️:  When your digestion is weak, undigested food creates a toxic substance called “Ama.” This Ama accumulates in the body, blocking channels and weakening immunity. That’s why we say in Ayurveda: “Where there is Ama, there is disease.”

🦍: [looking at his belly] So my digestion could be making me sick?

👩🏽⚕️:  It could be contributing, yes. One simple practice is to ensure your digestive fire is strong by consuming warm, freshly cooked meals with digestive spices like ginger, black pepper, and cumin.

🦍: I do love bananas and fruits, but they’re cold and raw…

👩🏽⚕️:  Raw fruits are nutritious, but according to Ayurveda, cooking food makes it easier to digest. You don’t need to give up your fruits, but perhaps balance with some warming foods, especially in colder seasons.

🦍: What other practical tips can help boost my immunity?

👩🏽⚕️:  One powerful practice is the daily consumption of “Rasayana” herbs. Rasayanas are rejuvenating substances that enhance ojas—the vital essence responsible for immunity and vitality.

🦍: Ojas? That’s a new term!

👩🏽⚕️:  Ojas is the refined product of proper digestion and tissue nourishment. It’s described as the ultimate energy reserve that maintains life. When ojas is depleted, immunity suffers.

🦍: So these Rasayana herbs help build this ojas stuff?

👩🏽⚕️:  Precisely. Herbs like Ashwagandha, Amalaki (Indian gooseberry), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), and Shatavari have been used for centuries to enhance immunity and build ojas.

🦍: [taking notes] How would I use these?

👩🏽⚕️:  For instance, Amalaki is extraordinarily rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.

👩🏽⚕️:  In traditional households across India, it’s consumed as a powder mixed with honey or as part of formulations like Chyawanprash—a traditional immunity-boosting jam made with over 40 herbs. You can find Chyawanprash at Sattva Best of India.

🦍: A medicinal jam? That sounds tasty!

👩🏽⚕️:  [smiling] It is quite pleasant, with a sweet-sour-spicy flavor. Chyawanprash is one of our oldest documented Rasayanas, mentioned in ancient texts like the Charaka Samhita. It’s particularly beneficial during seasonal transitions when immunity tends to weaken.

🦍: Any other practical tips?

👩🏽⚕️:  Absolutely. Daily self-massage with warm oil, called “Abhyanga,” stimulates the lymphatic system, which is crucial for immunity.

👩🏽⚕️:  The practice of Nasya—applying medicated oil drops in the nostrils—helps protect the respiratory system, often the first entry point for pathogens.

🦍: [looking skeptical] Oil in my nose?

👩🏽⚕️:  [laughing] It might sound strange, but it’s quite beneficial. Even simple sesame or coconut oil can help. The nasal passage is considered a direct path to the brain in Ayurveda, and keeping this pathway lubricated protects against airborne illnesses.

🦍: What about daily routines? Do they matter?

👩🏽⚕️:  They’re essential! Following “Dinacharya” a daily routine aligned with natural cycles is fundamental for immunity. This includes waking before sunrise, regular elimination, proper hydration, and getting adequate sleep.

🦍: [yawning] I definitely need to work on my sleep…

👩🏽⚕️:  Sleep is when your body regenerates. In Ayurveda, we recommend sleeping by 10 PM and rising before 6 AM to align with natural cycles. This optimizes the production of ojas and supports immune function.

🦍: What about exercise? I love swinging through trees!

👩🏽⚕️:  That’s excellent! Vyayama (exercise) appropriate for your constitution strengthens immunity. For you, Scimmione, those tree-swinging activities are perfect moderate exercise that brings a light sweat without exhaustion.

🦍: And food? Any specific immunity-boosting foods?

👩🏽⚕️:  Indeed. Beyond the Rasayana herbs, Ayurveda recommends certain immunity-enhancing foods. Golden milk warm milk with turmeric, black pepper, and ghee is a traditional remedy. The combination of turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties with black pepper’s bioavailability-enhancing piperine makes it particularly effective.

🦍: [curious] I’ve heard about fasting. Does Ayurveda recommend that?

👩🏽⚕️:  Ayurveda does recognize the value of appropriate fasting or “Langhan.” Rather than extended water fasts, we often recommend eating light, simple foods like kitchari a easily digestible dish of rice and mung beans cooked with digestive spices. This gives your digestive system a rest and reduces ama accumulation.

🦍: Hmm, I think I’ve been eating too many heavy foods lately. Maybe that’s part of my problem?

👩🏽⚕️:  It could be. The quality of food called “Ahara” in Ayurveda directly influences immunity. Fresh, locally grown, seasonal foods prepared with appropriate spices enhance digestive fire and reduce ama.

🦍: [looking thoughtful] You’ve given me so many practical tips! Is there anything else important about immunity in Ayurveda?

👩🏽⚕️:  Yes, there’s an aspect we haven’t discussed yet—the connection between mind and immunity. In Ayurveda, mental well-being is inseparable from physical health. Stress, anxiety, and negative emotions significantly deplete ojas and weaken immunity.

🦍: [sighing] I have been worried about many things lately…

👩🏽⚕️:  Practices like meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises), and spending time in nature can significantly reduce stress. A simple breathing technique called Nadi Shodhana alternate nostril breathing can balance the doshas and calm the mind.

🦍: Could you teach me?

👩🏽⚕️:  Of course. [demonstrates the technique] Breathe in through the left nostril, hold briefly, exhale through the right nostril. Then inhale through the right, hold, and exhale through the left. This completes one cycle. Even 5 minutes daily can make a difference.

🦍: [tries the technique] That does feel calming!

👩🏽⚕️:  Wonderful! One last point about immunity: Ayurveda emphasizes preventative care through seasonal routines called “Ritucharya.” As seasons change, we adjust our diet, lifestyle, and daily practices to maintain balance.

🦍: So I should eat and live differently in winter versus summer?

👩🏽⚕️:  Exactly. For instance, in winter, when Vata dosha increases, warming foods, oils, and practices protect immunity. In summer, when Pitta increases, cooling foods and practices maintain balance. This seasonal attunement is a sophisticated aspect of Ayurvedic preventative care.

🦍: [looking impressed] Ayurveda seems to have thought of everything! I’m amazed at how comprehensive it is.

👩🏽⚕️:  That’s the beauty of this ancient science it considers all aspects of life when addressing health and immunity. Remember that Ayurveda means “knowledge of life,” not just “knowledge of medicine.”

🦍: [standing up] Thank you, Dr. Poonam! I’m going to start with improving my sleep, trying some of those Rasayana herbs, and being mindful of my digestion. Maybe I’ll even try that Chyawanprash you mentioned!

👩🏽⚕️:  [smiling] That’s an excellent start, Scimmione. Begin gradually and observe how your body responds. Immunity isn’t built overnight, but with consistent Ayurvedic practices, you’ll likely notice improvements within weeks.

🦍: [at the door] I’ll let you know how it goes at our next conversation!

👩🏽⚕️:  I look forward to it. Remember, in Ayurveda, we say “Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam” protecting the health of the healthy is our primary goal. By strengthening your immunity now, you’re investing in lifelong wellness.

Join us next time when Scimmione and Dr. Poonam explore the fascinating world of Ayurvedic herbology and how traditional plant medicines interact with modern medical approaches. Subscribe to get our weekly updates!