Strengthening Immunity: Ayurveda

and Medicinal Plants

28

D. R. Nag and Akshay Nag

Abstract

It is the desire of the human being to live a long healthy life for which he struggles

throughout his living time. During the process he may fall ill and may get infected

with the various diseases. How one gets infected or falls ill varies from man to

man. It is directly related with the immune system of the individual: the stronger

he is, the lesser chances to fall ill or get infected, and the weaker he is, the more

prone to get infected. According to Hindu mythology and Ayurveda, the atmo-

sphere in which we live is basically made of five fundamental elements called as

Panch Mahabhoot. These five elements are Prithivi (earth), Vayu (air), Akash

(ether), Agni (fire), and Jal (water). These are the bases of our life on this planet.

Unbalanced harnessing of these bio-resources resulted in the various diseases and

infections. These gross elements give rise to the concept of Doshas, Dhatu, and

Malas in Ayurveda. Among these, Doshas play a vital role in determining the

status of health of the person. Three forms of Doshas are Pit, Kapha, and Vat

which reflect on the Prakriti of the individual. Imbalance of Doshas may lead to

the disease or disorder. There is advisory to the persons of a specific Doshas and

Prakriti to adopt specific Dincharya-Ahar-Vihar (daily lifestyle and food habits)

and Ritucharya (seasonal lifestyle) for developing strong immune system to fight

against the infection and remain healthy. The calendar year is divided in to six

Ritus, 2 months of each under the Ritucharya concept. In each of the six Ritus,

D. R. Nag (*)

Regional Cum Facilitation Center-NR-1, NMPB, Ministry of AYUSH, GOI, RIISM,

Jogindernagar, HP, India

Medicinal Plants, AYUSH, RIISM, Government of HP, Jogindernagar, HP, India

e-mail: drnag04@gmail.com

A. Nag

Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

# The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte

Ltd. 2022

R. C. Sobti, N. S. Dhalla (eds.), Biomedical Translational Research,

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9232-1_28

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