Living with the Virus: Unleashing Ayurvedic Wisdom and Boosting Immunity as the Nation Unlocks

Arising out of the legitimate need to revive the Economy, the process of “unlocking” the nation amidst the Coronavirus pandemic has begun. With daily novel coronavirus cases rising at an all-time high, we must continue to remain cautious and find a way to live with the virus until it becomes a distant memory.

Coronavirus and Immunity
 In its recent statement, the ministry of AYUSH addresses the need to enhance the body’s natural defense system or what is called immunity, in maintaining optimum health. Acknowledging that while there may not be any known treatments for coronavirus, it recommends adopting preventive measures to boost one’s immunity that can ultimately pave the way toward healthier communities. The Ministry further points towards adhering to Ayurveda’s self-care guidelines to keep oneself safe. But before delving into the potential of Ayurvedic treatment, let us go back several thousand years and understand the basis of Ayurveda and what it actually teaches.

The Essence of Ayurveda

The 5000-year-old ‘Science of Life’, has gradually evolved as one of the most revered alternative healing practices across the globe. With its roots firmly planted in India’s Vedic culture, Ayurveda has been embraced by Early Greek Medicine, Tibetian Techniques and Traditional Chinese medicine for its body of classical wisdom on natural healing.

The name Ayurveda stems out of two concepts. Ayur which means life and Veda that is science or knowledge. Therefore, Ayurvedic treatment is beyond a mere system of treating illnesses, it is the Science of Life that stresses on dynamic and balanced integration of health with the given environment. Ayurvedic treatments have been the crowning glory of a deeply thought through science — that encapsulates time-tested and potent powers of nature and vital aspects of the human experience. The essence of Ayurveda is derived from extensive ancient Ayurvedic scriptures stressing on the concepts of Dincharya or daily routines and Ritucharya or seasonal regimes.

Any Ayurvedic treatment calls for harmonizing one’s personal habits with one’s natural energies. By getting in sync with nature and yourself, you can nip old, draining, disease-inducing habits right in the bud. You can effortlessly fall into a fitness-restoring, immunity-boosting and wellness-promoting routine. You can streamline your daily lifestyle patterns, inculcate nutritional habits in children and help parents enjoy a more energetic, enlightened and healthier life! Ayurveda is all about reverse-engineering complex habits and developing awareness about one’s body to achieve, uplift and maintain immunity.

Ayurveda and Immunity

Heard of Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha(Water and Earth)? Well, these are the three doshas that determine one’s mental and physical tendencies. These doshas are basically a unique combination of the 5 elements found in nature. Emulating the characteristics of air, water, fire, space and earth, we are born with all the 3 doshas as part of our constitution. In Ayurveda, these govern various physiological and psychological processes. When each of the 3 doshas are found in a perfect state of balance, it is defined as prakruti. When the doshas go out of balance, it is defined as a vikruti. Most physiological and psychological changes in the body, therefore, are a direct result of changes in the dosha.

Ayurveda believes that a perfectly balanced body and immune system has the potential to respond well to pathogens. The concept of immunity in Ayurveda has been touched upon under multiple topics. Two of the most prominent ones being Bala or strength, Vyadhi Kshamathwa or resistance to development of illness and Ojas or resilience. While strength is the ability to repair and nourish the immune system in disease prevention, resistance is the capacity of the system to fight against disease causing pathogens. Ayurveda also neatly delineates factors that can negatively impact immunity. These include unbalanced diet, excessive intake of alcohol, irregular sleep patterns, high levels of cortisol or stress, obesity, dehydration and long-term use of chronic medicines.

Ayurvedic Solutions to Prevent Coronavirus

Ayurveda equips you to control your life and lifestyle and not become a susceptible host. This profound wisdom is crucial amid the lethal coronavirus outbreak. The Ministry of AYUSH therefore endorses several Self-care Ayurvedic guidelines that not only boost your immune system but also help you restore balance.

Some of the factors that can help augment immunity have been listed below:

1. Keep Your Hydration Game Strong: A well-hydrated body allows smoother blood-flow, which inturn helps each stem, tissue and cell of the body to work more efficiently. One highly potent ayurvedic solution to prevent coronavirus is drinking warm water throughout the day.
2. Exercise Daily to Thwart Illnesses: An active body works like a well-oiled machine, where every rivet performs its function optimally. Therefore, amid the pandemic, staying active and healthy at home can help. Ensure you keep up regular yoga practice and include Yogasana, Pranayama and Meditation in your dincharya. Those who are overweight, can take this opportunity to exercise, eat a balanced diet and bring down their weight to a healthy, comfortable range. Since the blood-related nature of the coronavirus can make those with weight issues and cardiovascular diseases more susceptible to complications, ensuring that you maintain a healthy body weight is crucial.
3. Dietary Measures to Keep in Mind: A powerful Ayurvedic solution to fight the Coronavirus is to not only maintain a well-balanced diet with all six tastes but also to incorporate certain immunity-boosting, herbaceous treats into one’s diet. Inclusion of spices that are high in oxygen radical absorbance capacity, help reduce cell damage and maintain health. Turmeric, coriander, cloves, sesame, cinnamon and pepper for instance can easily be included in all meals. Golden milk or turmeric infused milk can also be used as a potent immunity booster. Alternately, begin your day with ginger tea infused with Tulsi to strengthen and cleanse the upper respiratory tract.
4. Give Ayurvedic Wellness Treats a Try: Apart from spices, Ayurvedic treatment also incorporates several herbs, oils and potent concoctions that boost the immune and the respiratory system while enhancing overall emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. Such Ayurvedic medicines are readily available with several licensed practitioners and pharmacists. A good way to procure these bountiful ayurvedic treats amid the pandemic, is getting these delivered right at your doorstep. 1Tab is one such e-pharmacy that meets your medical needs at your ease. The online pharmacy aspires to create healthy and wholesome communities by prioritizing on health. In just a few clicks, select from a wide range of immunity boosters, health supplements and medicines across Ayurveda, allopathy, homeopathy and more, to restore your health and well-being. From fitness boosters, immunity enhancers and respiratory products to medicines that balance emotions and your overall physiology. Download the 1Tab app to know more and experience Ayurveda and hassle-free healthcare.

According to the Ayurvedic perspective on disease, germs bacteria or viruses can only affect someone with a compromised immune system — a host, if you will; that said, the treatise does factor in the presence of pathogens all around us. Therefore, it is up to a practitioner of the age-old Science of Life, by way of their routine and habits, to form an ‘immunity barrier’ around them and keep disease and other imbalances at bay.

A susceptible host or body is the one which has its immunity compromised by the aforementioned factors. So, in case you feel you have a weak immune system, or you wish to strengthen it further, give Ayurvedic immunity boosters, revitalizing tablets and health supplements from 1Tab a try!