there are guidelines laid down regarding what to take and do or perform and what

not to take and perform. All the six Ritus are classified together in Adan Kal and

Visharg Kal. Adan Kal is from December to mid of June when immune system of

the body declines, whereas in Visharg Kal from mid of June to December, the

immune system remains vigor. In addition to Doshas, Dincharya, and

Ritucharya, practicing Yoga makes the mental health strong which brings the

harmony between the mind and body. Ritucharya lifestyle and practicing Yoga

together enhance the immune system of the body which is quite relevant in the

present time to fight against COVID-19 pandemic. In addition Aushadhi Dravya

(medicinal plants) described in Ayurveda are of immense value to act as remedial

drugs to fight against the diseases and to develop strong immunity. The different

herbal formulations mentioned in the Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and

other classic texts of Ayurveda are derived from the herbal resources and are in

use in the system. The varying agroclimatic conditions of the country from

extreme tropical to the extreme temperate make it a one of the mega hot spots

of the medicinal plants in the world. In the present write-up, there is attempt to

short-list some such plants which are widely used as drugs or food supplements

for enhancing the immunity of the body.

Keywords

Hindu mythology · Ayurveda · Medicinal plants · Herbal formulations · Immunity

It has been the desire of every human being to live a healthy, long and disease-free

life. The new born child undergoes the various drastic physiological changes when it

comes out from the mother’s womb. His struggle starts immediately to adjust with

the nature to the long journey of life in which he lives. During the course of time, he

grows into an adult from childhood gradually. The consistent struggle on this earth

continues till the death of the individual to live a painless, healthy, and disease-free

life. But in fact, this does not happen, and the person usually may get infected by the

various viruses and bacteria and may fall ill at the various stages of life. Many of

these diseases are the result of lifestyles he adopts or by the curse of nature for its

unethical exploitation.

28.1

Panch Mahabhoot

The nature has blessed us with the various elements on this earth which are necessary

for living. These bio-resources are in the form of visible and non-visible; and living

and nonliving forms. The visible elements which exist above the earth are plants,

animals, and water, while the non-visible are air, sun rays, microorganisms, and

ether. Hidden beneath the earth are the non-visible elements which are minerals,

underground plants’ parts, microbes, and animals. Broadly we can also classify these

into organic: with living origin; and nonorganic with nonliving origin. The existence

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D. R. Nag and A. Nag