Useful Tips and Recipes from the Space of Ayurveda to Get a Stronger Body

Specifically, people have to keep their immune systems up to par as they are living in the era full of hustle and buste. Ayurveda, the ancient system of holistic medicine originating from India is replete with knowledge on how best one can enhance their body immune system without necessarily having to go for medical treatment. Going by Ayurvedic principles, immunity or Ojas is the body’s force that determines the body’s capability to combating diseases. High levels of Ojas is synonymous to a good health status with immunity against diseases as opposed to a low status in Ojas which is considered as pathogenic in the sense that the body cannot effectively fight diseases. Some of the key aspects of Ayurvedic system of medicine include; dietary regime and daily practices that support a healthy state as well as, the use of natural products.

Let us look at some of the natural remedies that Ayurveda provides, towards boosting one’s immune system and developing a barrier against diseases.

1. Adopt an Immune-Boosting Diet

Diet is central to Ayurveda since the food that a person takes determines the strength of his or her immune system. To one extent, moderate and healthy foods, which are fresh, seasonal, and organic really help in boosting the natural immunity system in humans. The underlying factors are some of the following; the most important thing is to take foods that are light and those that give the body energy.

Immune-Boosting Foods:

Fruits: This group should comprise oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, among others, as these fruits contains high amounts of vitamin C which is important to the immune system.
Leafy greens: A lot of green vegetables such as spinach, kale and moringa are good sources of vitamin and minerals that help the immune system.
Spices: Add spices such as turmeric, ginger, cumin and garlic to the foods you prepare and consume often in your daily diet. Curcumin isolated from turmeric is another essential nutrient with immune boosting, anti- inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.
Ghee: In Ayurveda ghee, which is clarified butter is considered as superfood. It provides the body with energy and supplements the needful nutrients to the body, enhances digestion, and boosts the immune system.
Almonds and Walnuts: A handful of almonds or walnut contain vitamin E, essential fatty acid and antioxidants which are very essential for the body’s immunity.

Tips for Eating:

There should be a balanced diet- take foods that have been freshly prepared and are warm in order to easily digest.
Eliminate junk, frozen, or very hot food as they upset digestion and weaken the body immune system.
This can be done by drinking a lot of water or other warm herbs to help in digestion of foods during the day.

2. Ayurvedic herbs for Immunity

In Ayurveda there are various herbs that have been in use for a long time and which are known to boost the immune system and shield the body from diseases. These herbs do not only aid in the enhancement of the immune system but it also boosts other aspects in an individual’s well-being.

Key Ayurvedic Herbs for Immunity:

Ashwagandha: This adaptogenic herb relieves stress and strengthens the immune system of human body. It has also been determined to stimulate the production white blood cells that is very essential in combating diseases.
Tulsi (Holy Basil): Tulsi is also referred to as the ‘Queen of Herbs’ is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Drinking tulsi tea for instance, has a positive impact of increasing the body immunity and preventing respiratory tract infections.
Guduchi (Giloy): In Ayurveda, the herb is described as holding anti-aging properties, therefore it is referred as Guduchi. It clears the liver and cholesterol, increases energy levels and boosts the germs fighting capacity of the body. The major health benefits associated with the use of the Guduchi includes fever, respiratory disorders, and infections.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Amla is one fruit with highest vitamin C content and is also one of the strongest natural antioxidants. It aids enhance the body’s guard, digestion as well as to eliminate toxins. Amla juice or the powder can be taken daily in order to enhance the body immunity.
Turmeric: Curcumin which is present in turmeric is anti-inflammatory in nature and has antioxidant properties that enhances the immune system. As turmeric is really healthy you should sprinkle it to your meals or even boil it to get a tea.

3. 2 Practice of Following a Daily Routine (Dinacharya)

Responsibly inculcabling ninety-90 day routines, or Dinacharya, is a regular routine featured in Ayurveda. Having a schedule is a key part of keeping your internal body clock set and your doshas, or body energies in harmony with each other; it also boosts your immunity.

Key Elements of Dinacharya:

Wake up early: Since getting up before noon is preferred, it will go a long way in making your body fit the natural rhythms of the day. Some healthy activities include; exercising, such as doing meditation, yoga or walk in the early morning.
Oil pulling: Churn one tablespoon of warm sesame or coconut oil in the mouth for about 10-15 minutes daily early in the morning. Oil pulling has been proven to eliminate toxins from the body, enhances the oral health of an individual and boosts the immune system.
Tongue scraping: Scrape your tongue in the morning to get rid of toxins and bacteria that tend to accumulate on your tongue. It also aids in digestion and purging of the body systems of toxins.
Self-massage (Abhyanga): Self oils massage every morning is excellent and beneficial for the skin as it enhances circulation of blood, strengthens the immune system. SESAME OIL FOR VATA TYPE – COCONUT OIL FOR PITT NAME TYPE – MUS TARD FOR KAPHA DOSHA.
Meditation and breathwork (Pranayama): Follow the routine of meditation and pranayama which will help you to relieve tension, bring the mind into a state of peace, and bring the physical and mental state of balance. Pranayama practices such as Nadi Shodhana Pranayama are particularly useful in increasing stream of oxygen inside the body and enhancing the activity of the immune system.

4. Support Digestive Health

In Ayurveda period, a good digestion is said to be the key to healthy immune system. When one’s digestion is healthy nutrients are assimilated well and the unwanted substances are expelled from the system. However, poor digest and leads to formation of toxins (ama) which decreases the body immunity.

Also Read: 10 Ayurvedic tips which can help you in your daily routine activities.

Tips for Supporting Digestion:

Eat at regular intervals: Keep up a proper eating timetable and ensure you do not take a lot of food or even a very little food as this is not good for your health.
Drink herbal teas: Usually ginger tea, cumin tea and fennel tea have beneficial effects on the process of digestion and it also helps to wash out toxins from the body.
Use digestive spices: Cumin, coriander, fennel, black pepper among them assist in digestion while turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties. These spices should be added to food in order to nourish your digestive fire (Agni).
Avoid cold drinks with meals: Consuming cold foods and drinks while taking your meals may at times have a bad impact on the digestive system in the body. It is better to take warm water or herbal teas instead.

5. Practice Regular Physical Activity

Its a indisputable fact that physical exercise helps in keeping the immune system healthy. Ayurveda, the health and medical science of ancient India, includes physical exercise routine, but it is also recommended here also that, like food and distribution of food it depends on the dosha and thus must be taken in moderate amount.

Dosha-Specific Exercises:

Vata: To maintain a healthy Vata, it is proper to engage in activities such as yoga, tai chi, going for a walk or swimming because they have sensitive bodies.
Pitta: Pitta types should limit themselves to low impact aerobics such as running, cycling, or swimming though they should not allow themselves to sweat a lot or pull a muscle.
Kapha: Kapha types should perform more sever forms of exercise such as cardiovascular, strength exercises or HIIT to help increase their metabolism and avoid gaining belly fat.
Walking strengthens circulation, keeping our body’s organs in good shape, helps to detoxify the body, strengthen the immune system, and help control breathing patterns.

6. Get Enough Rest and Sleep

Rest is a crucial component of the body which helps in building up of immune system of the human body. According to Ayurveda, nindra which means sleep is one of the three fundamental factors contributing towards health. During ones sleeping time the body is in the process of carrying out repair on itself and this is the reason as to why lacking sleep weakens the immune system of an individual.

Sleep Tips for Immune Health:

Go to bed early: According to Ayurveda, it is best to retire early to bed since an optimum bed time is 10 O’clock at night.
Create a relaxing bedtime routine: The noise and light should not be commenced before going to bed such as using electronic devices or watching television. However, it is recommended to engage into less stimulating pastime such as literature, practicing of meditation or just drinking of herbal tea.
Use warm milk with spices: Taking warm milk with a dash of turmeric, cinnamon, or nutmeg before going to bed aids in making you have a better sleep alongside strengthening your immune system.

7. Reduce Stress with Meditation and Yoga

Stress that is prolonged places the immune system in a poor position, and the body becomes susceptible to acquiring infections. Stress is something that is looked at as a major issue and Ayurveda suggests that you take up yoga and meditation as part of your everyday activities.

Stress-Reducing Techniques:

Meditation: It is well known that meditating everyday relaxes the mind, helps overcome anxiety and increases concentration. It would be good to start with 10-15 minutes dedicating to your meditation and slowly increase the time.
Yoga: There are certain gentle yoga poses that can be implied to ease the muscles and tendons, and improve the flexibility of the body as well as help in combating stress. Esoteric Scenic views that are considered beneficial for relaxation include Child’s Pose and Corpse Pose.
Pranayama: Yoga techniques such as Nadi Shodhana consisting of right and left nostril breathing and Ujjayi or victorious breath are useful in controlling stress level, increasing the supply of fresh oxygen and thereby strengthening the immune system.

8. Stay Hydrated

This is one of the most important ways of boosting your immunity since the body needs water to enable it to produce antibodies. Consuming much water in given day aids in the elimination of toxin and encourages the process of detoxification in the body. While eating you should not drink water, rather opt for warm water or any herbal teas as it does not harm the digestion.

Herbal Teas for Immunity:

Ginger tea: It aids digestion, has anti-inflammatory properties and has a healthy impact on the human immune system.
Tulsi tea: Tulsi tea is also a good source of antioxidants that strengthens the immune system and shield the body against diseases.
Cinnamon tea: Corrects or prevents high amounts of glucose in the blood, and strengthens the body’s defense mechanism.

Ayurveda is aware of a number of herbal remedies and practices to boost your body’s defense mechanisms and enhance its well-being. If you integrate these tips of Ayurveda into your lifestyle, then you can very soon improve your immunity to fight the disease naturally. Beginners should go for minor changes like taking an immune boosting diet, using few Ayurvedic herbs, waking up and sleeping early and gradually add upon to become stronger and healthier.