Our lifestyle, food habits and climatic changes are the factors that decline our immunity and our weak immunity is the cause of the origin of various diseases in our body. We can achieve powerful immunity by altering our dietary and lifestyle habits.
The existence of our life totally depends upon our diet. This diet directly impacts our Ojas (the essence of all the dhatus) which in turn boosts our immunity. But before discussing about the foods which can enhance our immunity, let us go through the concept of Immunity.
WHAT IS IMMUNITY?
As per Ayurvedic classics, immunity is defined as – "Vyadhikshamatva". Vyadhikshamatva is composed of two words – Vyadhi + Kshamatva where Vyadhi means 'Disease' or 'Illness' and Kshamatva means 'To resist'.
This concept is defined very beautifully in our classics, and the quotation goes as -
Reference - Chakrapani
The meaning of this quotation goes as - Immunity is defined as the entity that is capable enough to fight against diseases i.e. 'Vyadhibalavirodhitam' and it also resists the onset of the diseases, i.e. 'Vyadhyautpadakpratibhandhakatvam'.
In other words, immunity is a defensive mechanism of the body that will not allow the manifestation and development of any disease or causative agent inside the body.
As we discussed earlier, diet and lifestyle measures are the important factors that can increase our immunity. So, for maintaining and increasing the immunity we require fresh, organic and pure foods. Nowadays it is very difficult to get these because of the increased market of adulterants.
WHICH ARE THE FOODS THAT BOOST IMMUNITY?
Are you worried about your falling immunity? Don't worry, look at your kitchen you have everything at home, in your kitchen, a 'Mini Pharmacy' that can help you out from this trouble. Only the thing is you don't know their importance and correct use of them.
The foods that can increase your Ojas and also boost your Immunity are –
1) Vegetables
The major part of our meal is vegetables. They are loaded with macro and micro-nutrients, antioxidants, carotenoids, etc. which are essential for a healthy defensive system of our body i.e. our 'Immune System'.
Among the leafy vegetables – Spinach, broccoli, cabbage, wheatgrass and parsley are beneficial.
Green vegetables – Bottle gourd, bitter gourd, peas, green beans and pumpkin.
Root vegetables – Radish, sweet potatoes and beetroot.
2) Fruits
Mostly fruits are loaded with various vitamins and minerals that are required in traces, but play a major role in the healthy functioning of our body and also strengthen our immune system.
Fresh fruits – Berries, apricots, apple and among citrus fruits –orange (a rich source of vitamin C that helps to build new cells)
Dry fruits – Almonds, walnuts and raisins.
All of them are a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, thus, they reduce the chances of infections in our body by enhancing immunity.
Milk itself is a complete food which is full of nutrients. It is a rich source of calcium. Moreover, milk products like curd and ghee are also helpful to boost immunity. Curd helps by providing a rich flora of healthy bacteria that fight against disease causing agents. Thus, it favors immunity and Ghee is a well-known rejuvenating product mentioned in our Ayurvedic contexts that provides a healthy and long life.
4) Pulses
Pulses are a rich source of proteins which are considered as building blocks of the human body. Among pulses, green gram is the one that aids immunity. Folate and potassium are abundantly present in it. It is more beneficial if consumed in the form of sprouts. So, green gram sprouts are the healthiest way to empower immunity as they are rich in antioxidants too.
5) Spices
Taking spices like- ginger, turmeric, tulsi and garlic as they are the good sources to build immunity. They all have anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties that won't allow any microorganism to settle inside the body. Moreover, they also possess immune-modulator properties, thus beneficial to maintain and restore the functions of the immune system.
6) Green Tea
Among the beverages, Green tea is the prime one that has got much important because of its unbeatable health benefits, hence categorized as the healthiest beverage on the globe. Green tea is full of anti-oxidants and nutrients that prove to be superb for your body and mind. Moreover, it also has various medicinal properties that help to cure obesity, improves higher mental functions and even reduces the risk of cancer. Basically it works on our immune system.
7) Honey
It has various medicinal as well as nutritive properties. Honey is full of nutrients and used widely to eliminate toxins from the body.
It is also considered among Rasayanas that helps to rejuvenate the body tissues. It acts as a catalyst that increases and accelerates the absorption of nutrients in our body. Thus, in Ayurveda honey, ghee and milk are widely used as an Anupana (Things that are being advised along with or after the intake of medicines).
SOME USEFUL TIPS
- Consumption of milk by adding a few drops of Cow ghee is proven beneficial in case of weak immunity.
- If you are allergic to something like – foods, pollens, etc. then prefer milk along with turmeric. But never prefer milk with fruits, vegetables and non-vegetarian items, as it is an incompatible combination that gives rise to various diseases.
- Along with a healthy diet, a healthy lifestyle is also important to boost immunity. So, do yoga and exercise as a part and parcel of your life.
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