Why “natural practices” and “Ayurveda” are the best alternatives for your body immunity in uncertain times?

Germs, bacteria’s and viruses can invade you any time unless you have a healthy body system and sufficient immunity to counter the invasion. Quite often, we get the annoying migraine, sore throat, some odd skin eruption and disturbed night sleep. These are the simple indications that things in our life are not going all right. But we not only overlook them but tend to be ignorant, which makes the beginning of a never-ending health crisis.

Persons with a weak immune system are at risk of getting affected by the virus or bacteria fast. The immunity system is responsible for warding off viruses and germs from entering into our body system. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your immunity system remains strong throughout.

The blog post would try to identify the various natural alternative process to secure a healthy body and life. COVID 19  is now a global health crisis, with no vaccine on sight soon. The only way to stay protected is to adopt the natural practices ( including our age-old Ayurveda Science) and building up our body immunity to warding off the deadly virus. Novel Coronavirus has already crossed a figure 1,213,774 globally (death reported). The crisis has taught humanity the biggest lesson already.

How to make a beginning for building immunity in your body system?

The First Step: Understanding your body systems

Do you ever wonder that why do you fall sick so often and what’s the root cause behind it? Perhaps it calls for your little time to have some basic understanding of your body and how it functions.

Our human body is a God made biological machine with multiple systems working together to manage our life through the movement, cognitive function, growth, repair, reproduction and much more.  It also has a central nervous system, the circulatory system, the respiratory system and the digestive system. Besides, it has the immune system, the reproductive system, the skeletal structure, brain and musculature. Click to Know more on our human body system.

For the perfect functioning of the body, we require to take care of our body system with few welfare measures. We all need to love our body and maintain it as per our age-old practices and custom. Simple things taught in early school days or the guidelines provided by the senior members in the family and the family doctors should be enough. What is more important is to apply these basic guidelines in our daily life. No casual approach on the subject, henceforth.

Whenever you visit your family doctor, you would often observe a set of guidelines, coming from him relating to your everyday lifestyle because that is where the problem starts. Excuses like “ I do not have time”, ” am so busy” only makes matters worse.

Nothing in the world is as precious as your good health. You can buy everything in life but not good health and stress-free extended living. You require to invest a bit of your time in maintaining good health and immune body system. Have a self vision, disciplined attitude,  and determination to achieve it.

 

The Second Step – Love your body and adopt a disciplined lifestyle.

Practice Healthy & Balanced diet

Your good health calls for a healthy, nutritious, balanced diet to build the immunity. It not only extends protection from the seasonal illness but boosts your energy level too. Your regular diet must include foods that are gut-friendly, such as probiotics, fermented and cultured foods, and sprouted vegetables and fruits.

You also require antioxidant-rich foods that can help fight against cell damage and body invaders.  A balanced diet that contains protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that can help support immune response to maintain your good health.

Regular Exercises and Workouts

There is a compelling link between daily workouts and the body’s defence system. Routine exercises or activities help you to build up internal stamina, energy and body immunity. Your daily work out may include taking a morning walk or jogging in the nearby community park, practising yoga, meditation or pranayama under the supervision of a Guru, going to the gymnasium or aerobic studio for a regular session. It also could include your favourite outdoor sports activity like swimming, badminton, tennis or a short game of football or volleyball.

Daily workout enhances the flow of blood through our cardiovascular system, assisting in flushing the toxins from our body via the excretory system in the form of sweat and urine. It may reduce your chance of getting flu, cold, or other illness, make your digestive system more efficient and keep your immune system in a superior condition.

6 to 8 hours of sleep a day

Medical research says that people who are sleep deprived (not getting quality sleep) are more prone to developing the disease.  Lack of sleep will make it difficult for you to recover from any sickness. It is essential that irrespective of the busy schedule, you must get at least 7-8 hours of sleep. It will keep your immune system healthy and make you active throughout the day.

 

Avoid Stress at Any Cost

 

Stress always harms your health, and common ones are autoimmune and inflammatory illness. When you are under high pressure, your body system produces more cortisol and resulting in your body to struggle to normalize the inflammatory response and attack itself.

So if you are stressed, it hinders the effectiveness of your immune system, making you more susceptible to viruses and bacteria. Apart from that, it can also lead to sleep problems, high blood pressure, depression, and cardiovascular problems like stroke and heart attack.

Old-Age and Chronic Health Condition

 

Ageing is a natural phenomenon, for everyone and you cannot do much about it. But with a few lifestyle modifications, you can make the ageing process a more pleasant experience. From eating healthy to doing your regular yoga, with no bad habits like drinking and smoking, healthy sleeping schedule, can help you with better body immunity to cope with your ageing process.

If in case, you are a chronic patient( like diabetes,  joint problems, or cancer), it can reduce the effectiveness of your immune system. Therefore, you require to undertake extreme measures to keep your health in check.

A chronic medical condition limits your body’s ability to ward off viruses and germs. As a result, you tend to become the victim from cold, flu, and sore throat more often as compared to others. It calls for necessary medications as well as other appropriate measures to keep your health and immune system under control.

 

Smoking,  Hard Liqueur  and other Vices – A Big “NO “

We all know the adverse effects of tobacco, Pan masalas and hard liqueur on our health.  The consumption of these products ( for a temporary pleasure)is not advisable as they lead to several health disorders ranging from Stroke, COPD, lung cancer, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, to name a few.

They also reduce the power of your body’s immune response to the extent that your body stops responding to external invasions resulting you to be an easy a victim.

 

Step -3: Vitamins and Minerals – Contributing to Your Body Immunity in a natural manner

 

Both vitamins and minerals are compulsory for our living as they keep your body healthy and functional, and they protect you from diseases. Vitamins are the organic substances found in plants and animals, known as “essentials” therefore they must come from your daily food.

Adequate Vitamins and minerals required in your regular diet, are available in your daily natural food item. All you need is to consult your dietician and planned the menu guidelines. Your body immunity will have enough boost once you start taking adequate vitamins and minerals in your daily food intake.

Water-soluble Vitamins:

You can get them in the following food items.

B-1: ham, soymilk, watermelon, corn

B-2: milk, yoghurt, cheese, whole and enriched grains and cereals.

B-3: meat, poultry, fish, fortified and whole grains, mushrooms, potatoes

B-5: chicken, whole grains, broccoli, avocados, mushrooms

B-6: meat, fish, poultry, legumes, tofu and other soy products, bananas

B-7: Whole grains, eggs, soybeans, fish

B-9: Fortified grains and cereals, asparagus, spinach, broccoli, legumes (black-eyed peas and chickpeas), orange juice

B-12: Meat, poultry, fish, milk, cheese, fortified soymilk and cereals

Vitamin C: Citrus fruit,  broccoli, bell peppers, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts

Fat-soluble  Vitamins :

 You can get them in the following food items.

 

Vitamin A: beef, liver, eggs, shrimp, fish, fortified milk, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, spinach, mangoes

Vitamin D: Fortified milk and cereals, fatty fish

Vitamin E: vegetable oils, leafy green vegetables, whole grains, nuts

Vitamin K: Cabbage, eggs, milk, spinach, broccoli, kale

Minerals :

You can get them in the following food items.

Calcium: yoghurt, cheese, milk, salmon, leafy green vegetables

Chloride: salt

Magnesium: Spinach, broccoli, legumes, seeds, whole-wheat bread

Potassium: meat, milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes

Sodium: salt, soy sauce, vegetables

Trace:

Chromium: meat, poultry, fish, nuts, cheese

Copper: shellfish, nuts, seeds, whole-grain products, beans, prunes

Fluoride: fish, teas

Iodine: Iodized salt, seafood

Iron: red meat, poultry, eggs, fruits, green vegetables, fortified bread

Manganese: nuts, legumes, whole grains, tea

Selenium: Organ meat, seafood, walnuts

Zinc: meat, shellfish, legumes, whole grains

Step 4  Watch Out for Seasonal Fruits, roots & Leafy Vegetables – A great immunity booster for all seasons in a natural way.

Seasonal fruits and leafy vegetables are potent tools to boost your immune system and keep it healthy throughout the year. So make your fruit and vegetable shopping in a planned manner to meeting the core objective. Recommended below are few seasonal fruits, roots and leafy vegetables for your kitchen to stay healthy.

Dark Leafy Veggies like Spinach, kale, methi, mustard greens and other dark leafy vegetables aren’t just extremely nutritious and low in calories. They also have antioxidants, beta carotene and immunity-boosting vitamin C.

Recommended Seasonal Fruits, Roots and Leafy Veg:

• Orange, grapefruit, another citrus
• Green apple, carrot, orange
• Beet, carrot, ginger, apple
• Tomato
• Kale, tomato, celery
• Strawberry and kiwi
• mango
• Watermelon Mint
• Pumpkin and pumpkin seed
• Green apple, lettuce & kale

 

 Step -6 Take help of “Ayurveda” – An Ancient Indian Alternative Medical Science that focuses on our body Immunity.

Ayurveda – an alternative medical science, has its roots from the ancient time of our Vedic era. The popular belief was that this divine medical knowledge came from the Hindu Gods to the sages and then to the medical practitioner.

Even today, it has a vast potential in preventive and curative healthcare and followed by a significant percentage of the Indian population. The basic principle of Ayurveda,  emphasizes more on the human body’s response and the occurrence of disease. It believes that event of illness only takes place if the Bala (human Body immunity) gets reduced.

The concept of  “immunity” in Ayurveda is a bit different than western medicine. Ayurveda does not mean the immunity against a specific infectious agent or disease, unlike the  Western medicine culture which treats and provides “immunizations” against the particular symptoms.

The practice of  Ayurveda implies resistance against the loss of the integrity, proportion, and interrelationship amongst the individual’s bioenergies ( known as doshas) and tissues (dhatus) present in our body system.

This homeostasis between the supporting elements of the mind and body is called as dhaatusaamya ( in the Sanskrit language)  and is the true meaning of immunity in the Ayurvedic science. Our Ayurvedic concept of immunity is interwoven with the concepts of nutrition, Agni (digestive fire), and tissue formation.

The practice and culture of Ayurveda help us to stay healthy by building up consistently our body immunity.  As per Ayurveda, all of us have a body intelligence unit in our system is known as ‘Ojas’. It Is vital energy fixed in our Heart Chakra.

Whenever you feel low, it is the sign that the Ojas in the body has been adversely affected. It makes you vulnerable to various kinds of infection, illnesses & other health issues.

Step-7: Look out for  Natural Ayurvedic Herbs to Boost Your Body Immunity.

 

 Natural remedies for all seasons

 

Natural Immunity Booster  – Neem

It is a natural herb coming from the neem tree. Neem has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-viral, antifungal property and is a robust spermicidal agent. Neem leaves are useful for diseases like leprosy, eye disorders, bloody nose, intestinal worms, stomach upset, loss of appetite, skin ulcers,  heart diseases and blood vessels  (cardiovascular disease), fever, diabetes, gum disease, and liver problems. You should not take neem for more than 15 days continuously.

Natural Immunity Booster  – Amla

 Amla, also known as Phyllanthus Emblica, is a deciduous tree of the family Phyllanthaceae.  “ Amla“, helps in dissolving kidney and gall bladder stone in our body. It strengthens your liver and immunity and helps fighting Hepatitis B.

Natural Immunity Booster  – Ginger

Ginger has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties. It stimulates your metabolism and helps to boost your immunity. Ginger is loaded with antioxidants, compounds that prevent stress and damage to your body’s DNA. They may help you to fight off chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diseases of the lungs, and promotes a healthy ageing process.

Natural Immunity booster: Giloy and Brahmi

Giloy is also known, as Amrita, in Sanskrit which translates to ‘the root of immortality’–the stem of giloy plant is famous for the treatment of chronic and intermittent fever.

Giloy also helps to reduce anxiety and mental stress. If combined with other herbs, Giloy assists in getting rid of toxins, and it calms down your mind and boosts the memory.

Brahmi has it’s usage in  Alzheimer’s disease, improving memory, anxiety, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), allergic conditions, irritable bowel syndrome, and also as a general tonic to fight stress.

Natural Immunity booster: Tulsi and Haldi

Tulsi is rich with antioxidants that help in mitigating stress level and conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure.  It has linoleic acid, which is exceptionally beneficial for the skin.  Tulsi leaves have volatile and fixed oils which can help fight allergies, infections and pathogens.

Holy basil ( Tulsi)  also boost your body’s overall health in a variety of ways. It extends protection against infection, lowers your blood sugar, lowers your cholesterol and eases joint pain.

Haldi or Turmeric has an active compound called “curcumin”.It has the potential to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer. It’s a potent anti-inflammatory, and it helps you to fight symptoms of depression and arthritis.

Natural Immunity booster:  Garlic

Consuming garlic daily (in food or raw) helps to lower your cholesterol levels because of the antioxidant properties of Allicin. It helps to regulate both the blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Garlic also used as an antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal agent. It may help your body system resist or destroy viruses and other microorganisms and fights infections.

 

Build Your Immunity – The Challenge Of Uncertain Times

Novel Coronavirus has hit humanity very hard. Globally COVID19 cases have surpassed 19 million patients with over 12,00,000 deaths reported all over.

India has reported the death cases of almost 123,422 ( as on date). And it is a million-dollar question when we will have the COVID 19 vaccine, not on paper but in reality?

Till then, we will have no respite, as our honourable PM  Mr Narendra Modi recently shared a slogan to understand the significance of social distancing and masks in the fight against the illness until a vaccine comes .”Jab Tak dawai nahi, tab tak dhilai nahi. Do gaj ki doori, mask hai jaroori (No carelessness till a medicine is available), ” the PM said

Self Discipline @any cost

Transferring germs from our hands to the mouth and nose is the quickest way for bugs to flourish. When this happens, your immune system gets into the action, and the symptoms of a cold or flu begin. So keep washing the  Hands regularly, and try to avoid shaking hands with bug-ridden companions.  The safer mode of greetings today is saying “ NAMASTE “ or the ‘elbow bump’.

Besides you must get into the habit of using “Face Mask”, maintain “Social Distancing” of minimum 2 meters, taking lukewarm water bath ( mixed with Dettol or Savlon), follow coughing etiquettes and use synthetic hand gloves.

AYUSH  GUIDELINES

Ministry of AYUSH ( Government of India )  recommends the following self-care guidelines for preventive health measures and boosting immunity with particular reference to respiratory health.

The critical recommendations as per the ministry’s guidelines include drinking warm water throughout the day and practising yoga, pranayama and meditation daily for at least 30 minutes. The department also advised having chyawanprash (sugar-free for diabetic patients) in the morning and golden milk (milk with Turmeric) daily.

The Ayush preventive measure also recommended taking herbal tea or decoction made from tulsi (basil), dalchini (cinnamon), kalimirchi (black pepper, shunti (dry ginger) and munakka (raisin), twice a day with jaggery.

Ayush guidelines also suggested oil therapies such as oil therapies and application of sesame oil or ghee in both of your nostrils. It also recommended steam inhalation with fresh mint (pudina) leaves or ajwain (caraway seeds) which you may undertake during dry cough and sore throat. You can also take  Lavang (clove) powder mixed with natural sugar or honey  2-3 times a day.

Ayurvedic Supplements and products to Boost your Immune System

The Primary function of our body immune system is to protect our body from all the harmful invaders and to make it resistant to infections and diseases. Our blood cells in the body immune system are present throughout the body. Whenever they identify a harmful bacteria, pathogen, virus or parasite, they mount an attack, extending the protection.

Thus maintaining a healthy immunity through Ayurveda products, supplements, and medicines are a wise choice. We now look at some popular Ayurvedic supplements, Immunity products and OTC medicines available in India from leading brands.

#Dabur Chyawanprash for your Immunity

What is it?

Dabur Chyawanprash is India’s age-old Ayurvedic health supplement. It has a super-concentrated blend of nutrient-rich herbs and minerals and meant to restore drained reserves of life force (Ojas).

What does it claim?

 It extends the required strength, stamina, and vitality for our day to day body functioning, while stalling the ageing process.

• Dabur Chyawanprash provides strong immunity and digestion for children and adults alike. A family tonic is suitable for all.
• It bolsters our immune system and supports the body’s natural ability to fight illnesses.
• It is a trusted remedy for cough and cold for a majority of Indian household.
• It is made out of 45 types of times tested Ayurvedic ingredients, like Amla, Ashwagandha and Guduchi. It modulates the activity of natural killer cells and cytokines to boost the body’s internal defence.

My Experience

Dabur Chyawanprash is a household name, and we all had grown up with it, and the same goes for my child too. One teaspoon with milk in both morning and evening hours have helped us to fight the seasonal flu and cold for generations. Not the least, it always gives us the required stamina and power to fight the daily odds in life and age gracefully.

My Rating for Dabur Chyawanprash : 5/5

 

Zandu ImmU- Ayurvedic Immunity  Soft Chews for the children

What is it?

Zandu ImmU is a soft chew for the kids for improving the immunity in their growing up years. It has  Amla, Tulsi, Honey and Apple – the critical ingredients known to be the powerhouse of immunity-boosting nutrients. It helps protect from common allergies by increasing mast cell activities, thus strengthening our natural immune system.

What does it claim?

·         It is soft, chewable but tastes good.

·         All ingredients like Amla, Tulsi, Honey and Apple, contribute to the body defence mechanism of your children by 2xtimes by increasing NK cell activity and macrophage phagocytic action that recognizes and kills virus-infected cells.

• Fights against germs
• Helps protect from common allergies by increasing mast cell activities, which plays a crucial role in strengthening the natural immune system.

 My Experience

I have used the supplement for my child during his growing up years. He was crazy about the taste as twice in a day was the prescribed quota. And I guess the result of “ Immunity of my Child ” was entirely satisfactory  as I never visited the doctor’s  clinic often for any of his complaints, periodically,

My Rating for Zandu ImmU-: 5/5

 

# Baidyanath Aloe Vera Juice for your  Hair, Skin and Digestive Care.

 What is it?

Aloe vera is a dry succulent plant grows amongst nature in tropical climates. Aloe Vera offers several good herbal properties that help us to lead a healthy life. Baidyanath aloe vera juice is a balanced combination of 100% pure aloe vera pulp and juice. Aloe Vera juice rejuvenates our skin, hair and digestive system.

What does it claim?

Aloe Vera Juice is famous for all your  “skin Care “ and “Hair Care” related issues.  Daily usage of Baidyanath Aloe Vera Juice helps you to get relief from superficial scars and burns. It helps in strengthening hair follicles and roots resulting in long, lustrous and shiny hair, adding up to your personality.

It also helps to combat a variety of human digestive disorders and typical acidity troubles. It keeps a check on your weight management goals and maintains regular bowel function.

It has the essential vitamins, and minerals like folic acid and Vitamin B, C and E.  Regular intake of  Aloe Vera Juice assist in bolstering immunity levels of the body and keep you healthy. Regular usage of the juice helps to boost your body immunity over some time.

My Experience :

Well, I have used quite a few time “ Baidyanath Aloe Vera Juices ” in the past. Regular uses over some time ( almost two years) helped to get rid of pimples, which was a frequent irritant ( owing to digestive disorder) during my growing up years. My wife too got some excellent results for her dry scalp ( again she was a regular user for 18 months). The juice works as a health supplement and please note, that it takes time for the visible positive results.

My Ratings for Baidyanath Aloe Vera Juice: 4/5

 

Himalaya Herbals Ashvagandha

What is it?

Ashwagandha is a safe supplement except for pregnant ladies, breastfeeding women. It is a good supplement for all, especially the people living in the metro. It enhances immunity by improving immune factors and catalytic to white blood cell activation, which plays a significant role in neutralizing virus-infected cells and help restrain infections.

What does it claim?

Ashwagandha supplements have adaptogens which reduce the harmful effects of stress in the body by lowering levels of the “stress hormone,” cortisol.

My Experience :

I have taken Ashwagandha, tablets in the past for a couple of months. I was having some stress problem with chronic sleep disorder. On the advice of the salesperson at the counter, I bought the pack and started using. I cannot say much on the immunity part ( it may have some positive effect); however, there was no visible benefit, I received for the stress and sleep disorder.

My ratings for Himalaya Herbals Ashvagandha: 2/5

 

JIVA PANCH TULSI DROPS

 

What is it?

The formulation is a blend of five species of this Mother Holy Herb, and it has the extracts from Tulsi leaves, which acts as a powerful Antioxidant and Immunomodulator. It helps offer prevention against common cold and cough, flushes out toxins from the body, and helps promote a healthy metabolism.

What does it claim?

• Ayurvedic Panch Tulsi is beneficial in cough, cold, and viral fever.
• It also enhances the immunity of the human body.
• Helps in fighting infections and strengthening the respiratory system.
• Helps in removing blood impurities.

My Experience

I have been using the Tulsi drop, for the last couple of years and there are visible benefits as per as the respiratory channels are concerned. No major nasal and throat congestion issues, running nose and recurring coughs a( maybe once in a year, I am a bit down with fever). These are all the visible effects of better immunity.

 My ratings for Jiva Tulsi Drops: 5/5

 Sri Sri Tattva: Turmeric Plus – With Pepper – Anti Oxidant

What is it?

Turmeric is a spice herb that comes from the turmeric plant, having a  warm, bitter taste. It is a critical ingredient for any Ayurvedic immunity building application.

What does it claim?

Turmeric Plus Tablet: Curcumin, the component within Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It’s ideal to combine Turmeric with black pepper to demonstrate better results.

My Experience

My entire family use the formulation for years, and all have received some tangible benefits from the usage of the Turmeric Plus Tablet.

 

PATANJALI Corona KIT – Divya Coronil Kit + Swasari Vati + Anu Taila Vati (Packs of 1)- Covid-19 Immunity Booster Kit.

 

What does it claim?

• Increase your Immune booster More Than 10 Times
• Fight with Viral Fever
• Increase Stamina

Market Feedback

Though I have never used it, I have come across good reviews online and offline. During these uncertain times of COVID 19 ( with no vaccine in sight ), it has delivered a good result. The ground reality is that an immunity booster like PATANJALI Corona KIT is a blessing for standard Indian middle class and lower class ( who cannot afford expensive hospital treatment).  Yes, your immunity can help you to fight the deadly virus.

My Ratings for PATANJALI Corona KIT: 4/5

 

Asclepius Immunodoc Blast Ras

What is it?

As the name suggests, Immunodoc from Asclepius Wellness is Immunity Ras ( tonic), consisting of all-natural herbs and ingredient  ( there are 30 plus natural herbs) that helps to build immunity in your body system systemically.

What does it claim?

➢ A perfect immunity booster for your entire family

➢ Useful to prevent frequent infection

➢ Useful to cure respiratory infection and asthma

➢ Useful in the prevention of low immunity and auto

Immune diseases

➢ Useful in low platelets count during seasonal fever

My Experience

Last six months, all members of our family have to take the RAS, twice in a day with lukewarm water.  And we have been able to survive in the days of COVID 19 crisis in a graceful way.  You can feel the difference and notice the changes within you once you complete the course. I recommend it to all health-conscious citizens who are serious about their body immunity in today’s uncertain times.

My Ratings for Asclepius Immunodoc Blast Ras 5/5

 

Conclusion

At the time of most immense turbulence and uncertainty ( like COVID 19 )in the millennium, we have no other choice left than to follow now specific self-disciplinary measures and take the help of natural practices and Ayurveda. The Keyword to fight  Novel Corn virus is simple, and that is the golden word called your ” body Immunity”. If your body system has the required level of “ Immunity “, you can defeat “ COVID 19 “.

However, we recommend that you must consult your family doctor before you purchase any OTC medicines and ayurvedic supplements. Because your doctor is familiar with your current health condition and can give you the “go ahead” if he feels the suitability.

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