AYURVEDA : An ancient way to boost one’s immunity system

During the times of a global pandemic, the key to staying healthy is to develop resistance against infections, on the international Ayurveda day that falls on the 13th of November, the Indian embassy in Morocco has organised a live streaming of international webinar on Ayurveda for COVID-19 pandemic.

Ayur:  life, and Veda: science, the goal of this 5.000 years old Indian medical science is to identify the ideal state of balance of a person and offer solutions using herbs, diet, music, massage treatments and meditation to restore the body’s balance.

‘‘I am very happy to share with you that on November 13, 2020 we celebrate the International Day of Ayurveda. During this current crisis it is more important that we embrace the knowledge of Ayurveda, so that we can become healthy and happy. The Ayurvedic Day initiative is inked by Indian foundations, the center of public diplomacy and soft power, and the Indian and Cultural Relations Council. The reinforcement of the priority of prevention of diseases and the use of Ayurvedic methods should allow to reach the highest standards of health and to overcome huge obstacles on the way to well-being, improve the economy of society and socio-economic development. I encourage you to adopt Ayurveda as a lifestyle to achieve health and happiness, I wish you all a very good Ayurveda day. Please visit www.Ayurvedaday.world website and support the spread of the international Ayurveda day, thank you.’’ 

 – Mr. COLIN NEBHWANI, the President of INDIA MOROCCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.

According to the testimonies of Ms. FAWZIA ABDECHAKOUR, Founder of the Moroccan Association of Fibromyalgia Patients, only Ayurveda has been able to ease her Fibromyalgia symptoms that she suffered from since 2008 and improve her quality of life . 

Ms. DALENDA TAK TAK, also says that she had the same experience and that she has adopted Ayurveda as a lifestyle since then.

While the search for a cure for COVID-19 continues, the delay in its discovery has turned public attention to preventive health solutions, with that comes an increase of interest in Ayurveda and its ancient effective remedies. 

The foundation of Ayurvedic treatment relies upon recognizing when the doshas (Three energies believed to circulate in the body and govern physiological activity) have become excessive or deficient, as this is known to cause an imbalance, weaken immunity, and lead to disease.

When there is minimal stress and the flow of energy within a person is balanced, the body’s natural defense systems will be strong and can easily defend against disease.

A healthy immune system is represented by physical, mental and emotional, as well as the spiritual resilience of an individual. This resilience is a result of the purified essence of the Tridosha.

The immune system is described as the balanced functions of three subtle energies: Prana (universal principle of energy or force), Tejas (inner radiance), and Ojas (vigor).

Strong immunity is a product of good digestion, Agni, the universal principle of transformation that manifests as the digestive fire, transforming food into bodily tissue and waste. Ayurveda kindles the Agni of the body to digest food ensuring optimal functioning of the physical and mental being. (Ama), the digestive impurities caused by eating hard-to-digest foods or by following unhealthy eating habits, compromises immunity and health.

But all these factors can be corrected by choosing the right food which is suitable to our own Prakruti ( body constitution) and Agni ( digestive fire) as food plays a very important role in dhatuposhana (Tissue nourishment ) eventually strengthening Ojas (immune system).

Ayurveda has also mentioned a few rituals as well as medicines which can boost the immunity, the small corrections in our lifestyle can lead us towards better immunity.

1.Choose food wisely:

Any food that transform quickly into Ojas is good for immunity. As Ojas is the end product of complete digestion which creates radiant health and strong immunity.

• Fresh Fruits , vegetables, milk, ghee, nuts, whole grains, unprocessed food can be considered.

2.Follow the Aahar Niyama :

• Eat your main meal in the middle of the day when the Sun is at the peak as it’s (pitta kal) when the digestive fire is strongest.

• Choose to eat light food for dinner preferably before sunset.

• Keep the mealtime constant, As it trains your body to create digestive juices at the specific time helping better digestion.

• The quantity of food consumed should be 3/4th of your capacity in order to leave enough space for digestive enzymes.

3.Use of immune boosting spices and herbs :

• Spices add flavours that have (yogavahi) properties which supports digestion and make the nutrients easily available to the body. 

• Spices like black paper and cumin burn the (ama), clearing the channels for a free flow of nutrients.Turmeric has immune modulating effect as it detoxifies and enhances the intelligence of immunity.

• Ayurvedic herbs like Ashwagandha, guduchi, shatavari and amalki, yastimadhu are well known for their immunomodulatory properties which has great potential to improve health and immunity

One of the most used Ayurvedic remedies to boost immunity for adults and children is (Haldi Doodh) a recipe that has been trendy lately in the west as (the golden laté) it consists of milk boiled with turmeric, black pepper, fresh ginger, cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves and honey and served hot, or the simple way that can be taken before bed, which is only boiling milk with turmeric and black pepper.  The consumption of Spirulina among other similar substances is also considered extremely beneficial in terms of boosting immunity and detoxification.

‘‘ Ayurveda helps us preserve our health and happiness and also cure different diseases, it depends on the biological clock, and being one with nature, its medicine is herbs and it has been proven to be safe and effective for centuries and can be used for countless reasons, Ayurveda doesn’t have only one country, religion or ethnicity, it has been created for all of humanity. I have chosen it and adopted it as a lifestyle for me and my family and that has been the best decision I have ever taken. I feel the urge to spread this precious knowledge as much as I can’’

Said one of the happy practicers of Ayurveda Ms. SANAE RIAD.

The Global Ayurveda Market was estimated to be US$ 4.5Bn in 2019, and is expected to reach US$ 14.9 Bn by 2026 at a CAGR of 16.14%.

Factors favouring the growing global demand for Ayurveda include its wide knowledge base, increasing modern adaptations of traditional procedures, trust arising out of centuries of usage, advanced educational system and large institutional base.

Key markets outside India include the Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries, USA, Nepal, UAE, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia and France.

The niche segments of the Ayurveda market are nutraceuticals (products derived from food sources but which provide extra health benefits) and personal care products like lotions, oils and shampoos are among the major product segments, apart from medicinal formulations.

The estimated domestic market for Ayurveda in India is US$ 4 Billion according to research and markets. This is roughly 89% of the global market. Supported by a large pool of trained manpower and patronised by a large and growing middle-class, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16% in the coming years.

The top Export destinations from India for Ayurveda are the USA, Nepal, UAE, Netherlands, Italy, Russia and France.