In today’s times, taking good care of children and elders is of utmost importance. With this pandemic, it has become more critical to focus on their immunity. Not only the present situation but also the climate, food, eating habits and lifestyles are undergoing constant changes. To keep right from our children of all ages to elders their first line of defence has to be healthy and strong. Let us recap how Ayurveda suggests a few do’s that can be followed in ensuring our children’s and elder’s health.
The immune system, much like the other systems of the body, requires balanced functioning in harmony with other body systems to maintain an optimal immune response. Nearly 70% of our immune system lies in our gut, taking care of our gut health and especially nurturing a highly diverse microbiota through a dietary intake rich in a wide range of plant sources, fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts will favor a robust immune system and indirectly increase our ability to fight viral attacks in every organ, including the lungs.
As in the 2nd wave of coronavirus, it is the critical time for boosting the immunity of children and elders in the family. According to Ayurveda, numerous strategies boost natural immune response and one recommended is taking Chyavanprash.
Chyavanaprasam – Immunity boosting elixir
Chyavanaprasam is one of the best ayurvedic rasayana to boost immunity and overall health. This age-old Ayurvedic formulation with the combinations of 40+ ingredients which includes amla, pippali, draksha, dashamoola and guduci as key ingredients that can aid the immunity and respiratory system for both children of all ages and elders that help protect them from seasonal changes, cough, cold, and flu.
It is best taken at bedtime with a glass of warm milk by adding a teaspoon of chyavanaprasam.
Note: Not for diabetics.
Other helpful ways to strengthen your immune system
Strengthening the immune system includes lifestyle changes (called behavioral rasayanas), along with regular intake of certain foods, herbs, and spices.
- A well-balanced diet (with all six tastes and qualities balanced), based on one’s dosha.
- A regular yoga practice.
- Including cooked leafy green vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains in your daily diet.
- Encourage the use of digestive spices like garlic, ginger, cinnamon, clove, fennel, and foods. like gur (jaggery), ghee, and dry fruits as they are highly nutritive and immune-stimulating.
- Consumption of Rasayana herbs like ashwagandha and amla.
- Ayush Kwath – 1-2 spoons boiled in 200 ml of water, filtered and cooled – have it twice daily.
- Take 15 ml of Amla juice daily.
- Gargling with warm salt water twice a day helps cleans out bacteria and germs that linger in the nasal passages and throat.
- Use turmeric and black pepper in the meals daily, to boost immunity and reduce ama (toxins). Turmeric can be taken as a drink with milk.
- Drink plenty of warm water. Staying well hydrated will keep the throat and mucous membrane moist, supporting its action as a good barrier to all microbes.
Takeaway
On the whole, the immune system does a remarkable job of defending one against disease-causing microorganisms. Hence, following the above-mentioned strategies, children and elders can strengthen their immune systems and lead a healthy life.
