When we talk about immunity from a modern perspective we think how to resist disease. Of course, this is an important factor, but in Ayurveda a comprehensive explanation is described. In Ayurveda, the body is made up of doshas (3 governing energies), dhatus (tissues), and malas (waste). At the same time there is an important factor responsible for immunity in a living body. This factor is called Ojas in Ayurveda. Ojas is the glow, aura, radiance, vitality or immunity. It is the link between the body and mind storing the bodies prime energy reserve.
There are three types of resistance to disease explained in Ayurveda:
1) Vyaadhi Kshamatvam meaning an individual’s core strength to tolerate the manifested disease.
2) Vikaara Vighaata Bhaava meaning an individual’s ability to break the on-going disease process.
3) Vyaadhi Utpaadaka Pratibandhagatvam meaning one’s ability to prevent the onset of a disease. Or Barrier to manifest disease.
There are three types of Bala (strength) explained in Ayurveda. This is key to assess one’s ability to resist disease.
1) Sahaja meaning one’s inherited strength. One who is born with a level of resilience which is reflected in the body. How well our grandparent to parents lived to even the practices of a mother during pregnancy will decide the Sahaja of a baby.
2) Kaalaja meaning seasonal impact. During certain seasons we have strong immunity, and certain seasons we are prone to diseases. Kaalaja also means acquired. Meaning as we age we develop our immunity especially from birth to older age.
3) Yukthikritha meaning acquired through right diet and lifestyle. As one becomes more aware through life you know what to eat and what not to eat. If one follows what is good you’ll have a definite level of immunity.
Creating proper decisions allows our body to generate healthy Ojas. When there is proper Ojas the body is nourished, the mind is calm, and there is increase in strength. Keeping our metabolism optimal, balancing our doshas, having healthy tissue in the body, and a pleasant mind all contribute to the quality of Ojas.
Ask yourself if your immune system is functioning optimally with the above factors in mind. If not, in Ayurveda there are several ways to support and enhance Ojas.