Detoxification Tips To Enhance Your Health & Immune System

ABSTRACT

Ayurvedic literature presents a wide range of concepts to enhance the health of the body. The prime motive of ayurvedic science being ” Swasthasya swasthya rakshanam, aturasya vikara prashmanamch”, i.e. to maintain the health of a healthy individual and eradicate the disease or abnormality of a patient. To maintain the health of the body, immunity and detoxification play a pivotal role. The immunity on one hand, fights to keep the disease causing pathogen away from the body, and on another hand, the detoxification process will help to eliminate the already present toxins from the body. So, what is the concept of immunity and detoxification? Is it a new concept? What does ayurveda have to say about it? Let’s learn the answers to all these questions through the following article.

Immunity, Immune system, Immunity and how to detox, Detoxification

INTRODUCTION

The detoxification of the body is an important principle of health, the body must rid itself of toxins through breathing, urination, and bowel movements. Such detoxification helps to protect the body from harmful effects. The connection between detoxification and immunity is key to understanding how it affects our health and well-being. The concept of detoxification can be correlated to the shodhana karma through the panchkarma therapies. While the concept of immunity can be correlated to that of vyadhibala shamtav or even ojas. Let us explore both these concepts of Samshodhana and ojas in detail in the following article.

SANSHODHAN KARMA – DETOXIFICATION

The ayurvedic perspective of detoxification of the body incorporates the procedures of sanshodhan chikitsa. The sanshodhan chikitsa refers to various panchkarma therapies that help to purify the body and enhance immunity by removing the toxins and pathogens, thereby enhancing vitality. The ayurvedic science of detoxification is defined as “Sanshodhan-karma” (purification). The human body is a microcosm, i.e. it consists of all the five elements-pancha mahabhutas. The Panchamahabhutas can be further classified into their respective dhatus, i.e. all the dhatus, tissues and organs are made up of the five elements. Hence, all the therapies or ayurvedic medicines that help to purify and detoxify the body help to remove these vitiated dhatus and thereby enhance the immunity of the human body. It is mentioned in the classical ayurvedic texts that the toxins which are removed through the various panchakarma processes will not result in the diseased state. It is important to note that such removal of toxins enhances immunity and hence prevents us from developing diseases.

NOURISHMENT AND IMMUNITY

The nourishing effects of the substances that are acquired through ingestion, absorption and elimination have been known for a long time. The most important aspect of food is its ability to act as a stimulant and maintain or enhance the body’s ability to function normally. The principal detoxification process of the body is called ‘digestion’ and it is the first step in transforming nutrients into energy which can be used by cells. In the ayurvedic perspective, the Oja is the essence of all the seven dhatu. The digested food called the ahara rasa is responsible for the nourishment of the dhatu and further these dhatu are responsible for the oja. So, if there is any leftover undigested food matter , also known as aam in our body, it will deplete the disease fighting mechanism i.e. vyadhi kshamatav or oja of the body. Let us know more about the concept of vyadhi kshamatav in the body.

VYADHI KSHAMATAV OR IMMUNITY

The concept of immunity in the ayurvedic perspective can be correlated to vyadhi kshamatav. The term vyadhi kshamatav is coined as a combination of vyadhi and kshamatav, the term vyadhi refers to the disease and kshamatav refers to the resistance. Hence when compiled, vyadhi kshamatav refers to the power or ability of the body to resist or fight off the disease causing factors or pathogens. Thus, explaining its role in maintaining the healthy state of the body. Vyadhi kshamatav is also known as oja or bala in the ayurvedic texts. The vyadhi kshamatav plays various essential roles in the body such as harsha (Pleasant state of mind), aarogya anuvartanam (maintenance of health), prana anuvartanam (preservation of life), dosha nigraha (Balancing dosha in normal levels), vyadhibalavighata (protects the body against diseases), and vrana ropana (Healing of wounds), etc. By now, we can comprehend the importance of vyadhibala kshamatav for our well being. So, let us discuss the various ways to improve the body’s immunity.

TIPS TO ENHANCE THE BODY’S IMMUNITY

  1. To maintain the body in a healthy condition, Sadvritta i.e. code of conduct which comprises dinacharya (daily regimen), ritucharya (seasonal regimen), etc. should be followed.
  2. Use of rasayan therapies (rejuvenation therapies), vajikaran therapies (aphrodisiac therapies) and panchkarma therapies (detoxification processes) should be performed according to the state of the body.
  3. One should always put efforts to maintain the digestive system in a healthy state for the overall well being.
  4. Immune boosting herbs can be used. The various types of immune boosting herbs are listed as follows –
    • Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia)
    • Amla (Embellica officinalis)
    • Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
    • Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
    • Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
    • Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
    • Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
  5. There are various other ayurvedic components beneficial for the enhancement of immunity such as
    • Chyawanprash
    • Maha kalyanak ghrita
    • Saraswatarishta
    • Brahmi vati
    • Giloy satva
    • Ashwagandha ghrita
    • Lauha Bhasma
    • Agastya haritaki
  6. The person desirous of health should always practice a healthy diet and lifestyle. He must restrain from all types of addictions and unhealthy habits.

CONCLUSION

To put the above provided information briefly, it can be concluded that immunity and detoxification go hand in hand in maintaining the well being of the body. Immunity or vyadhi bala kshamatava acts as a defense mechanism to protect the body from toxins or pathogens and the detoxification process or the sanshodhan karma helps to get rid of the toxins already peasant in the body. When these processes function appropriately, the body will be established in a healthy state, keeping all the diseases at bay.