Ayurveda on Tamasic Environment (Viral Infection)- Herbal Remedies for Immunity

Abstract

According to classical Ayurveda texts our nature or environment is divided into three gunas (properties) which are “satava, rajasa and tamsa”. Similarly, even the human body is also divided into three categories according to different energy levels. Tamas is an energy of inactivity, darkness and materiality. Tamas manifests as ignorance and suffering. According to modern concepts it can be correlated with viral infections which affects the immunity of a person.Tamasic environment also belongs to the food which affects or decreases our energy level in the body. All the activities, food and natural factors which aggravate tamas guna can cause anxiety, depression, irritation, etc. All these symptoms can be controlled by meditation, yoga, dietary and lifestyle changes, etc. Tamasic environment firstly affects our immune system which can be related to vyadhi kshmatav (fight against disease) in Ayurveda. In this article we will discuss in detail about tamas nature, its features, and causes and how to manage such conditions through Ayurveda point of view.

Introduction

Viral infections are very common these days which usually lasts from one or two weeks. These infections affect people whose immune system can’t fight against viruses. With reference from ancient classics viral infections are as a result of tamas guna (property) in the environment. All three gunas (satav, rajas, and tamas) are always present in all humans and objects surrounding the environment. Tamas include ignorance and away from all spiritual truth. It manifests as sadness, anger, confusion, addiction, etc. Minds’ psychological qualities fluctuate quickly between these three gunas. To reduce tamasic quality heavy foods, meats and negative personalities. Everywhere there is presence of all these three gunas but there is predominance of only one. When there is predominant tamas guna then its qualities appear and become noticeable.

Reason Behind Tamasic Prakriti

In Ayurveda, humans are divided into two (prakriti) categories like sharirik (physical) and mansik (mental) prakriti. The mansik prakriti include satav, raja and tamas. In this majority of features pertain to the mind and mental activities of a person. Some of reasons are given as below

• Nature of sperm and ovum
• Season and uterus condition
• Food items taken
• Lifestyle activities

Symptoms

Due to their resemblance in qualities, symptoms are classified according to almighty names. The tamas prakriti is divided into three categories: pashu kaya (like animals), matsya kaya (like fish), and vanaspatya (like plants). (Ref. Sushrut Sa. 4/ 94-99)
According to above shaloka refrence some features are given below.

The features of pashu kaya are as follows

• Bad thinking (durmedas)
• Sluggish activities (mandta)
• Denies everything (nirakarishnuta)
• Dreams of intercourse ( maithun nitya)

The features of matsya kaya are as follows

• Unsteadiness (anawasthit)
• Idiotism (murakh)
• Desire of water (salil kamna)
• Fearful person (bhiru)
• Fighting with everyone (paraspar abhimard)

The features of vanaspatya kaya are as follows

• Always like to sit in one particular place (ek sthan nitya)
• Consumes food more oftenly (nitya aahar)
• Do not follow truthfulness ( satav, dharm, kam varjit)
• Devoid of thirst and wealth

Common Symptoms

Some common emotions of tamasic environment are as following

• Depression
• Dullness
• Ignorance
• Laziness
• Inactivity
• Dark feeling
• Delusion
• Apathy
• Inertia
• Disorientation

Tamasic Food in Our Environment

Tamasic food gives desire to slow down, rest or stop. These foods stucks your energy level and works against your willingness. All the food products which are prepared by harming living beings are tamasic food (toxin producing), which should be avoided. Some of examples of tamasic food are as following

• Fast food
• Fries food
• Canned food
• Processed food
• Alcohol and smoking
• Chemicals
• Red beef, meat
• Drugs (medicines)
• Mushrooms, onion, garlic, vinegar
• Canned or tinned food
• Flavored and preserved foods
• Pasteurized milk, curd, cheese
• Excessive intake of fat, oil and sugar

Ayurvedic Tips to Boost Immunity

Some of the methods to boost immunity according to Ayurveda classics are as following

• Herbal kadha/ decoction- Prepared from basil leaves, cinnamon, black pepper, dry ginger, add honey or jaggery according to taste taken once or twice daily.
• Take a well-balanced diet (diet rich in all six rasa/ taste)
• Regular yoga practice, meditation
• Use turmeric, amala and black pepper in your meals
• Follow detox plans like Langhan (fasting)
• Do panchakarma procedures
• Abhyang (body massage with medicated oil)

Lifestyle Changes to Boost Immunity

Day to day lifestyle activities also helps in maintaining immunity are as follows

• Eat well healthy diet (rich in proteins, fat free)
• Be physically active
• Maintain healthy body mass index/ body weight
• Get enough sleep
• Exercise regularly
• Remain hydrated (drink plenty of water)
• Minimize stress, anxiety

Home Remedies to Boost Immunity

The home remedies to boost immunity are as following

• Drink juice of fresh green and red fruits
• Drink prepared from lemon and honey (rich in vit.c boosts immunity)
• Almond milk (rich in vit B12)
• Ginger tea or infused in water
• Green tea once in a day

Preventive Measures to Prevent Immunity

Some of preventive measures to prevent infections and boost immunity

• Avoid smoking, alcohol
• Avoid fatty, oily diet
• Maintain healthy body weight
• Minimise stress
• Maintain hygiene
• Restrict intake of non-veg and processed food
• Avoid night awakening or day sleeping

Herbal Remedies for Tamasic Environment or Viral Infections

Planet Ayurveda is a large manufacturing unit of herbal and natural medicines and this is GMP and ISO certified. All the products prepared here are according to Ayurveda classical texts and under expert supervision. This manufacturing unit produces products which are free from chemicals, any artificial preservative, starch, color, yeast, etc. The best combination provided for boosting immunity (immunity kit) by planet Ayurveda are as following

Product List

1. Immune booster
2. Shwas ambu chai
3. Vikramprash
4. Ashwagandhaghan vati
5. Giloy ghan vati

Product Description

1. Immune Booster

It is standardized capsule formulation prepared from extract grape seed (Vitis vinifera), go- piyush (Bovine colostrum), bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri) and amalaki (Emblica officinalis). These capsules help in maintaining overall health and build the immune system. It is almost used in all health ailments. These capsules are prescribed in recurrent sinus, throat problems, cough and cold. It works on diseases like asthma, diabetes, liver diseases, infections and inflammations.

Dosage- Two capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Shwas Ambu Chai

This is an herbal tea prepared from extract of tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), lavanga (Schizimum aromaticum), adrak (Zingiber officinalis), vasa (Adhatoda vasica), etc. This tea helps to eliminate phlegm and toxins from the respiratory system and provides strength to the respiratory tract. It helps to get relief from flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, breathing etc. It helps in prevention of various diseases and supports overall body health.

Dosage- One cup twice daily.

3. Vikramprash

It is a herbal formulation prepared from extract of bilva (Aegle marmelos), agnimanth (Premna mucronata), Shyonak (Oroxylum indicum), etc. This preparation helps in balancing all three doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) in our body. It also maintains balance of dhatus (body tissues) and mala (body waste) in the human body. It helps in boosting our immune system and is beneficial for maintaining overall health.

Dosage- One tablespoon twice daily with lukewarm milk after meals.

4. Ashwagandhaghan Vati

It is an herbal tablet formulation mentioned in our classical Ayurveda text (Ashtanga hridaya). It is prepared from extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). These tablets play a very important role in neurological health and keep the mind healthy and calm. It boosts immunity, reduces stress and anxiety. Helps in reducing blood sugar level, improves bone health and increases muscle strength. It provides relief from inflammation and pain.

Dosage- Two tablets twice daily with lukewarm water after meals.

5. Giloy Ghan Vati

It is a tablet formulation prepared from extract of guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia). These tablets help in maintaining cells and tissues health, balancing all vitiated doshas (vata, pitta and kapha). It also helps in soothing inflamed mucus membranes of the digestive tract. Traditionally it is proven beneficial for flu symptoms, urinary tract infections, weakness, etc. It deals with severe conditions like dengue, ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura) and increases blood platelet count.

Dosage- Two tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.

Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or Call at 0172-521-4030 (India), +91-172-521-4030 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 9915-593-604

Conclusion

Tamasic environment firstly attacks the body’s immune system such as we see in viral infections. Due to the tamasic effect, a person feels inactive, lazy, disoriented, angry, etc. Our lifestyle activities and dietary changes play a very important role in increasing tamasic guna and decreasing immune system. So you can follow the above guidelines to correct body metabolism and boost immunity.