picture courtesy : internet , alfenergy website.
When her phone rang in the early morning, Snigdha was a bit concerned seeing Shriya’s mother’s name. She thought of their earlier project about ‘5 white poisons in the kitchen’. But Sonia was ghastly worried about something else.
“I have so much stress these days that sometimes I feel I can't breath. I pretend to be alright, try to immerse myself in daily chores but still I keep worrying all the time. Anil has to go to the office everyday. But he is very precocious. Always takes a bath right after returning and washes his clothes immediately afterwards.We disinfect his phone,belt,shoes,car keys every time. He even Avoids direct contact with us but I still feel worried.Few of his colleagues were tested positive a few days back. Anil asnt in direct contact with them but such news makes me anxious. Is there anything that we can do? We are already following Ayurvedic immunity booster measures that you have sent us earlier. Pills have also been distributed in the society. Chyawanprash was still out of stock when I checked earlier. But I will definitely manage to procure some. I have to… My mother in law suffers from BP and diabetes.. And now the rains have started already.I have to manage Shriya and Aryan’s online class schedule….. Oh, sometimes this is all just too much for me…what do I do?”
“Sonia, first take a deep breath. Just hold your horses. Don't you know the law of attraction?? You get what you keep thinking. Our desires, though wanted/unwanted can change our lives.”
“................ I guess you are right.”
“I understand your concerns. This disease shows no distinguishing symptoms. Starts as simple fever, cough-cold symptoms, which we earlier used to brush off as just flu (bukhar ho ti hai !) But now ,if ignored, can get serious very quickly. Moreover, what scares everyone is unavailability of a definitive line of treatment or vaccine yet. But please see the other side as well.Many institutions have already started working for the vaccine. Doctors are trying to find proper protocol with definitive medicine. Government has also *allowed AYUSH medicines for corona treatment which are showing promising results*. In the current scenario, There are many patients who recover fully from Corona (SARS COVI 2) infection. Latest status of COVID - 19 cases shows that out of 308993 cases , 154330 have been recovered and 8884 patients have been deceased. This confirms that *not every corona infected person is going to die. The rate of recovery is much more than the rate of deaths*. Mortality rate of COVID-19 much less than his previous siblings SARS and MERS. Also there is another aspect in these deceased cases,which needs to be considered is ‘Comorbidity’.”
“What is comorbidity?”
“Many of the deceased patients had preexisting health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, respiratory (breathing) conditions, heart disease, obesity, cancers. Also senior citizens were affected more. This *indicates that the possibility of fatal complications increases if the body has already suffered long term damage because of preexisting health issues*. Such condition is known as ‘ *Comorbidity* ’ in medical science.``
“Oh ,is it? But my mother in law already suffers from hypertension and diabetes. Anil is also taking medication for cholesterol problems. Can we do anything for them? Some other immunity boosters or any ayurvedic vaccine for this?”
“Sonia, you are again going back on the same track of desperation. I do understand your frustration and helplessness. But there is no such thing as ayurvedic vaccine. And how does any vaccine work? Usually smaller portions (known as *live attenuated or toxoids* ) of a bacteria or a virus, capable of causing any contagious disease, are injected in the body. Our body responds by forming antibodies against these external antigens. These antibodies help our body to remember these infections and also fight against such infections in future. But such *vaccine generated immunity works against contagious diseases only and they are disease specific* . That means for each contagious disease, we need to take different vaccines. But Ayurveda has explained the concept of ‘ *Vyadhikshamattva* ’ which can be loosely translated as ‘Immunity’ but it is *much more comprehensive*. ‘Vyadhikshamattva’ is _not only limited to the body's combat power against various pathogens but also the body's ability to resist every systemic disease,infectious disease,Allergic disease and even autoimmune disease_ . In short, *It's not just resistance but also the resilience of the body* . And that's why , there is *no instant formula to boost one's immunity* . There is a known saying ‘Rome was not built in a day but they were laying bricks every hour.’ It explains that _focusing on your habits is more important than worrying about outcomes._ Similarly *immunity cannot be developed or maintained by popping pills, it needs regularity and discipline in your daily routine.*
Ayurveda further explains,
*‘समदोष: समाग्निश्च समधातु मल:क्रिया* ।
*प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनसश्चेति स्वस्थ इत्याभिधियते* ।।
_Samadoshah samagnishcha samadhatu malahkriyah_ |
Prasanna atma indriya manasashcheti swasthah iti abhidhiyate_ ||
Which means, an individual can be called ‘Swastha’ (Healthy) if his Tridoshas (Vata-Pitta-Kapha namely), Agni (digestion & metabolism), Sapta dhatu (rasa-rakta-mansa-meda-athi-majja-shukra) and three malas (urine-faeces-sweat) are in equilibrium, keeping his atma (soul) , eleven indriyas and manah (mind) in serene and stable state. It was described in Sushrut sanhita in 600 BC. If you understand it thoroughly, you will realise that this definition of Swastha is more in depth than the definition of health which was stated by WHO IN 1948. (Health is astate of complete physical,mental and social well being , not merely the absence of disease or immunity.- WHO)
“Is it possible for everyone to have these components in equilibrium??”
“No, because the state of these components depends on the individual's genetic predisposition , season (rutu), habitat at the time of fertilisation of embryo. That's how our Prakruti (body type) is decided. We need to maintain our vyadhikshamattwa by maintaining our lifestyle as per our prakruti. It can be achieved by following proper *Dinacharya-Ritucharya-proper panchakarma* as advised in texts. Dincharya means daily routine habits and Ritucharya means seasonal regimen as per ayurveda. It is advised because Earth’s rotation and revolution create day-night time and also different seasons which have certain effects on our body. Hence dinacharya-ritucharya helps us to maintain equilibrium of doshas-dhatus-malas.”
“But still something else must be making some difference otherwise everyone will live a long life.”
“You are absolutely right. Not every prakruti (body type) is meant for longevity. There are some genetic diseases as well. Also nowadays we see many diseases for which patients do not give any family history but are caused by mutation in genes due to faulty food habits and lifestyle. *Ayurvedic texts have explained weaker individuals,obese, people consuming improper diet, people with disturbed emotional and mental health are more susceptible to diseases.* ”
“Right even we see that mentally strong people can overcome serious diseases while some may succumb to the fear and stress.”
“Correct , hence *one needs a proper planned routine , diet with fresh and home cooked meals, daily exercise, yoga and pranayama practice, proper sound sleep and regular body detoxification with panchakarma*. But always practice these procedures with guidance of vaidyas as you may need a tailor-made (customized) plan as per your preexisting health conditions. Using one plan for everyone is not at all advisable.
Also we must understand that Unlock 1 is already in progress and many developments are expected to follow the suit. Many epidemiologists around the world have already stated that this procedure, though unavoidable , may cause this disease to keep showing its existence in near future causing it to come back in waves. Hence one needs to *maintain and improve ‘Vyadhikshamattwa’ by above mentioned measures. Make sure that we embed good hygiene habits like social distancing, washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, avoid unnecessary touching and avoid crowded places*. Do not brush off flu-like symptoms (Cough-Cold-Fever) as simply viral onel. _Seek for medical advice quickly and practice self isolation when sick._
Please try to understand this disease scientifically. Don't be so desperate that you will be vulnerable to any quacks.”
“Thank you Doctor,We will definitely win this war against corona.”
Note - *please make sure that you are taking advice from qualified and registered ayurvedic practitioners* .
You can ask your queries on the SMS/email/whatsapp on the contact given below. Articles will be published every Sunday either in Marathi or in English language. You can contact us if you wish to receive these articles via email/whatsapp or like us on Facebook @samanwaya ayurvedic & panchakarma clinic.
Dr. Snigdha Churi-Vartak.
09870690689
(disclaimer - this article was first published by Dr Snigdha Churi-Vartak on blog https://samanwayayurved.blogspot.com/2020/06/secrets-of-immunity-confusions-about.html . All rights are reserved to the author. Kindly forward/share without making any changes in writing.)
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