Abstract

CONCEPT OF IMMUNITY IN AYURVEDA

Swaranjali Jangde*, Anita Sharma and Rajesh Singh

Abstract

The covid-19 pandemic crisis has turned the world’s attention to immune system, the body’s defense force against disease. Now immunology has become fastest growing disciplines in medicine and biology. Ayurveda is oldest science of life and health care in world; it is interesting to know that in this ancient Ayurvedic text there is so broad explanations and description about immunity. During outbreak of an infectious disease many people get infected at same time but some of them remain healthy because of resistance against the cause of illness within them. Ayurveda system of medicine to only deals with treating the disease but also aims to prevention and pays larger emphasis on building strength of mind and body to cope with various stressors, including infection. Similar to innate and acquired immunity, vyadhikshamatva concept is considered equivalent to immunity (bala or strength) classified as natural (sahaj) chronobiologic (kalaja) and acquired (yuktikrit). This article critically reviews the available literature to evaluate ancient concepts of Ayurveda immunology and immunity in the light of recent need.

Keywords: Ayurveda, immunity, covid-19, vyadhikshanatva.