Strengthen Immunity System Naturally by Ayurveda: Impact of Dinachariya (Daily Regimen) and Rituchariya (Seasonal Regimen)

Are you a seeking for authentic natural tips to strengthen immunity system of your body?

Are you eagerly waiting to adopt the healthy and most scientific lifestyle of Ayurveda?

Then this article will surely benefit you for the lifetime!!

Introduction:

Nowadays, health issues are increasing rapidly.

In ancient times there was a rare number of diseases. Because of a healthy lifestyle and a healthy environment coexists.

But at present, diseases are very common and occur due to the change in our lifestyle. It occurs from a young age and damages our normal immunity system and we are at high risk. We cannot ignore the environmental factor also.

Some common lifestyle-related problems are Cancer, Heart disease, Blood pressure, Diabetes, Thyroid, Hypertension, increase cholesterol level, Obesity.

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine, mainly deals with the knowledge of life. It propagates the knowledge of well being. It enhances the concept of good health, which is the key factor to resist all types of lifestyle and chronic illness.

In this article, we will cover all the possible reasons of lifestyle disorders and the ayurvedic regimen to protect our body from those triggers. Ayurveda opined about Dinachariya (Daily regimen) and Rituchariya (seasonal regimen) to fight with the contaminants and hazardous microbes with the immunity-boosting practices of Ayurveda.

What are the main causes of lifestyle-related disorders?

We do not maintain our lifestyle properly and do such types of works which give harmful effects on our bodies. It imbalances our body system. And immunity system falls. The causes are like:

• Late-night sleeping.
• Waking up late in the morning.
• Avoid physical activities and exercise.
• Continuous work with a computer for more than 10 hours daily.
• Involve in mobile.
• Forgetting our responsibilities and duties.

What kind of problems occurs due to the use of such technology?

Excessive use of this technology gives us various health problems like sleeplessness, eyesight problems, Migraine, depression, and many more disorders.

So, it effects on our body and mind. It also destroys the immune system and acts like a silent killer. We are distracted from our ideals.

Next, we will know why lifestyle-related disorder is common nowadays? Was it present in ancient times?

In the early days, the environment was pure, and people were environment friendly. They perform various physical activities and maintain their social life.

But in this era of technology, most of the works are done by machines. People are not performing physical activities and ruining their social life. Technology performing all activity and we are becoming lazy.

We are not aware of this situation only when we would be affected by disease, we would be aware.

But that’s not away, because we all know “Prevention is better than cure”- and Ayurveda is a preventive treatment by implementing simple immunity-boosting practices.

If we maintain some rules and regulations in our daily life, we will become healthy and those practices naturally strengthen our immunity.

So, if we follow our Dinachariya (Daily Regimen) and Rituchariya (Seasonal Regimen) we can live happily.

Dinachariya (Daily routine):

First, we should know, what is Dinachariya (Daily routine)?

Dinachariya is a Sanskrit term. ‘Din‘ means daily and ‘chariya‘ means acharan or practice. So Dinachariya means Daily routine.

Is Dinachariya scientific?

Yes, Dinachariya is a systemic lifestyle based on a scientific manner. It gives idealize with happiness and longevity. It maintains our biological clock and gives a disciplined life which is a gross act like immunity boosters.

What is the ideal lifestyle according to Dinachariya?

Dinachariya starts from rising early in the morning or Brahmamuhurtajagarana. It means wake up 45 minutes before sunrise. Brahmamuhurta is also known as usha-kala.

Why Brahmamuhurta-jagaran (waking up in the early morning) is important as an immunity-boosting practice?

• In this time, the environment is full of pure oxygen, which mixes with our blood. It forms oxyhemoglobin and nourishes all body tissue. It helps to give strength to our body’s defense system and thus increase immunity.
• We all know “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”. This is not merely a rhyme; it has a scientific basis.
• It is the best time for Adhyayana (self-study).
• It gives positivity to our mind and represents a stress-free day.

The next step is Souch (Evacuation). It should not be done forcefully because it produces sarsha (Piles).

What is Dantadhavan (Brushing teeth)? Which kind of toothpaste recommend in Ayurveda?

• Mainly Katu (pungent), tikta (bitter), kashya (astringent)rasa are recommended in Ayurveda.
• Twigs of neem (Azadirachta indica) is very important for tooth and gum because it having well known antibacterial property and cures mouth ulcer, give relief from pain.
• It prevents dental caries and dental plaque.
• In Ayurveda, various herbs are recommended for brushing like arjuna (Terminilia arjuna), khadir/ Cutch tree (Acacia catechu), Vata/ Banyan tree (Ficus benghalens).
• The direction of brushing is bottom to top.
• Brush your teeth twice a day.
• It keeps our oral cavity hygienic and gives strength.

What is the importance of Jihwa-nirlekhana (Tongue scraping)?

• Daily scraping of the tongue is a very important practice.
• It removes mukhadurgandha (bad smell in mouth) and aruchi (Anorexia).
• It removes toxin substance presence in saliva or bacteria which plugged our taste buds.
• It increases taste perception and keep the mouth healthy.
• So, it should be scrapped regularly.

After jiwaha-nirlekhana we can clean our mouth, face, and eyes with fresh water. It is called Achmana (Purification) which improves eyesight and gives relief from stress.

We should do Kavala-Dharana (Gargling) daily which gives strength to the jaw. If we gargle by mixing salt in warm water, it clears our mouth and prevents from any bactericidal effect.

You may have heard about the word ‘oil pulling therapy’.

So, what is the ‘oil pulling method’? And why it is important?

In Ayurveda oil pulling is known as Gandusha (holding fluid inside mouth). Oil pulling is a method in which tila tail (Sesame oil) or Nariyal tail (Coconut oil) is kept into the mouth and retain for few minutes.

In Ayurveda, sesame oil is considered as best. It is having antibacterial properties

• Daily perform this practice give strength to gum.
• Eradicate plaque and remove toxin substance.
• Bring freshness to the oral cavity.
• Give relief from bad breath and dryness, in mouth and sore throat
• Overall, it gives cleanliness and gives relief from any bactericidal effect.

Nowadays, many mouthwashes are available in the market, but they are compiled with harmful chemical preservatives. Continuous uses of such chemicals are hazardous to our health.

The next practice is Nasya (Drug administered through nostrils), means drug delivered through the nose. What is its importance?

Take two drops of oil through the nose before bath.

• It clears the channel of breathing.
• It gives relief from headaches, migraines where oxygen deficiency occurs.
• It gives strength to sense organs.
• It gives relief from gray hair.
• It strengthens your immunity system by facilitating adequate oxygen to your body.

Next oil massage is very important for all. What is the importance of Abhyanga (Massage with medicated oil to the whole-body)?

• It is more beneficial for them who are suffering from arthritis, vatavyadhi disorders due (, sleepless at night.
• Abhyanga or oil massage through the whole body, before bath, nourishes all body tissue.
• It is very important for the baby because it gives strength to the body.
• Padabhyanga (Massage oil under feet) gives relief from cracks.
• Hair massage by hair oil gives relief from tiredness, nourish hair, scalp, brain, and improve sleep. Shiroabhyanga (Applying oil overhead) improves blood circulation in the brain and gives strength.
• Daily massage of oil interrupts the aging process.
• Helps to maintain heart rate and blood pressure normal.
• Sesame oil is best in Ayurveda.

What type of herbal medicines can improve scalp and hair?

• Sesame oil, coconut oil.
• Homemade formulation of oil is prepared by using leaf of Bhringaraja/kesharaja (Eclipta alba), antioxidant reach amlaki / Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) fruits.
• Methi or fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) is important for removing dandruff and this is a rich source of Vit C and Vit A.

So, oil massage relaxes our body and mind. It also strengthens your immunity system. It gives relief from skin disorders.

What is the importance of Vyayama (Exercise) in daily life to strengthen immunity system?

• Daily practice of yogasan gives a flexible body.
• Improve the digestive system and respiratory system.
• Before practicing yoga asana, we should practice pranayama that is very good for health and relaxes our mind.
• Pranayam (control of breath) increases the strength of the mind, improves psychological problems.
• overall, it is having a good effect on respiration.
• It clears the channel of breathing and a large amount of oxygen nourishes our whole-body tissue system.
• It increases B.M.R (Basal metabolic rate).
• It gives lightness and firmness to the body.
• If we increase our physical fitness, there is less chance of hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular problem.

So, we should perform moderate exercise daily for physical, social, and mental health.

After performing 30 minutes of yogasana early in the morning, we should take snan or bath (Not immediately after). What is the importance of snan (Bathing) to strengthen immunity system?

• It purifies our whole body and mind physically and psychologically.
• Relief from skin disorder.
• Relief from kaphadosha (cough related disorder).
• Improve appetite.
• Provide strength to the body.
• Gives us longevity with a calm mind.
• Boosts immunity from a physical and mental perspective.

What is an important time to take a bath?

Snan in the morning time is best because it gives satisfaction; remove all dirtiness and our mind becomes auspicious. Mainly fresh normal water is important for bathing, hot warm water used in the winter season.

Which conditions are contraindicated to take bath?

• Fever after taking meal
• infectious disease condition of eyes
• Ear in pain.
• If one performs a bath immediately after taking a meal, there are chances of indigestion.

Aaharvidhi (Dietary regimen): The secret diet practice to strengthen immunity system

Food is the best element that eradicates disease by increasing the immunity system to our body. It increases memory power. It is most important for a disease-free life.

Rules and regulations to take food:

• When you feel hungry, you should take food.
• You should take a meal after bathing.
• Eat food by sharing to others.
• Clean your hand, mouth, feet, and face before eating.
• Eat properly by chewing for proper digestion.
• One should take his meal in proper quantity at proper time daily that depends on the individual’s body condition.
• Do not eat food quickly or very slowly. It gives a bad effect on digestion.
• One should take food first Madhur rasa (Sweet taste), then amla (Sour taste), tikta (bitter), katu (Pungent), and kashya (Astringent).
• When you eat, you should concentrate on your food.
• One should not talk or laugh during eating.
• Food should be taken in a pleasant place with a pleasant mind.
• Emotional eating gives a bad effect on health.
• Water should not be taken immediately after the meal.
• We should not take stomach full meal mainly at nighttime.
• Spicy and too much oily food must be avoided.
• Night meal should be light, and it must be taken within 3 hours of sunset.
• One can do gentle walking in moonlight after dinner. It improves the digestive system and sleep and gives a long-life span.

So, we must change our dietary pattern and we should avoid junk and processed food. We should start mindful eating and should take such immunity boosting foods for strengthening the immunity system.

In ancient time people followed all these rules like-

• Serving meal on banana leaf. It is good for health hygiene.
• Eating food by properly sitting on the floor on a cushion gives a better effect on the heart and improves digestion.
• Eating with your finger helps to develop a good appetite. One can concentrate and enjoy the smell and taste of food.

Thus by maintaining dinachariya, one can perform an ideal healthy lifestyle with a strong immunity system.

Rituchariya (Seasonal Regimen):

Rituchariya (Seasonal Regimen) is also another perspective which gives an ideal lifestyle.

What is Rituchariya (Seasonal Regimen)?

Rituchariya word consists of ‘ritu‘ means season and ‘chariya’ means acharana. So, it is a seasonal regimen. Ayurveda has contributed a vast knowledge about rules and regimens regarding diet and work by which one can acclimatize with the environment easily. It will boost our immunity system if we follow these rules properly.

What are the ritus (Seasons) found in a year in India?

There are 6 kinds of ritu:

• Shira: Late winter (Magha, Phalgun)-mid-January to mid-March
• Vasanta: Spring (Chaitra, Baisakh)-mid-March to mid-May
• Grishma: Summer (Jyeshtha, Aashadha)-mid-May to mid-July
• Varsha: Rainy season (Shravan, Vadra)-mid-July to mid-September
• Sharad: Autumn (Aashvin, Kartika)- mid-September- mid-September to mid-November
• Hemant: Early winter (Margshirsha, Pausha)- mid-November to mid-January

How many kalas (Solstices) are there according to Ayurveda?

Two kalas – Aadana kala (Northern Solstice) and Visarga Kala (Southern Solstice)

What is Aadana kala (Northern Solstice)?

When the sun goes to the northern direction is called uttarayan. The word utta means north and ayana means journey or ‘to go’. In this time Sun and wind are very powerful. They take away strength from us. The word adan means take away. In this time sun takes away the soumya guna or cooling property of earth. Uttarayan is known as aadana kala which consist of Sishira, Vasanta, and Grishma (winter, spring, and summer).

What is Visarga kala (Southern Solstice)?

When the sun goes to the southern direction is called dakshinayaan. During this time sun gives away all his strength. Moon becomes powerful. Soumya guna increases and nature regains coolness and strength. So, at this time we do not tired easily. Dakshinayaan is known as Visarga Kala which consists of Varsha, Sharad, and Hemanta (monsoon, autumn, and pre-winter). Nature becomes green and cheerful.

What is the effect of Uttarayan (Summer Solstice)?

• Decrease in strength of a person.
• We become tired.
• Predominance of tikta (bitter), katu (pungent), kashya(astringent) rasa which bring dryness to our body.
• It reduces our strength in summer.

What is the effect of Dakshinayaan (Winter Solstice)?

• The strength of a person increases.
• Predominance of amla (sour), Lavan (salty), and Madhur(sweet) rasa. It gives a cool atmosphere.

What should be the specific seasonal diet regimen and lifestyle practices to strengthen immunity system according to Ayurveda?

Ayurvedic ancestors were so scientific that they list for specific foods for each season of the year. If one takes accordingly then the immunity-boosting practice will be adopted by him automatically. The gist forms of those foods are hereby listed below:

Sishirrituchariya (Late Winter Regimen):

Diet (aaharvidhi) regimen: Immunity boosting foods

• Ginger, pippali, sugarcane products are advised.
• Milk and milk products should be taken.
• One must take hot food instead of cold food.
• Eat Vitamin-C reached fruits like amlaki.
• Eat foods produced from flour of wheat.
• Hot warm water should be taken early in the morning.
• One can take heavy meals during the daytime. Because digestive power is strong.

What is the lifestyle-related practice to strengthen immunity system?

• Oil massage in the whole body.
• Massage hair and scalp.
• It is advised to wear warm clothes.
• Avoid sleep during the daytime.

Seasonal vegetables and fruits in Late winter– beet, carrot, cabbage, squash, cabbage, kale, kiwi, sweet potato, date etc.

Vasanta-rituchariya (Spring season Regimen):

Vasantaritu is the time of ritusandhi (Seasonal junction). The main problem in this ritu, kapha related disorder. In this time digestive fires become weak and we are affected by many diseases. So, there are various rules which boost immunity in our body.

Diet (aaharvidhi) regimen: Immunity boosting foods

• Rukshadravya (dry substances) should be taken in our diet.
• Tikta, Kashaya, Katu rasa should be taken in our diet.
• Vegetables like bitter gourd, methi, radish, patola, tender leaf of neem reduce any type of virus and bacterial infection.
• Ajwain (Trachyspermum amni), pippali (Piper longum), sunthi/dry ginger (Zingiber officinale) can be taken.
• Food substance prepared from wheat; barley should be taken.
• Honey with ginger juice reduces respiratory disorder due to cold.
• Mango fruit juice, grape juice.
• One can take beverages or fermented product.
• Madhur rasadravyas (Sweet taste) are not advised but honey is advised for having quality to aggravate cough. Vasantaritu is the time of season change. It is also known as ritu sandhi.
• Lukewarm water should be taken.
• Oily and heavy food must be avoided because digestive fire is weak in this season.

What is the lifestyle-related practice to strengthen immunity system?

• Daily exercise.
• Nasya-therapy (Nasal administrations of medication).
• Vaman-therapy (Therapeutic emesis).
• Inhalation of steam by using leaf of Vasak (Adhatoda vasica), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) is very beneficial.
• Herbal Powder message with oil before bathing (udvartan). It decreases kaphadosha and gives luster to the skin.
• After bathing, one should apply lepa( Coating) on body with aromatic substance like sandalwood paste, Agaru (Aquilaria agallocha), Karpoor/camphor (Cinnamomum camphora), saffron (Crocus sativus)
• Take rest in a pleasant place after eating a meal.
• Avoid day sleep because it enhances kaphadosha.

Seasonal vegetables and fruits in Spring season-Broccoli, cabbage, carrot, kiwi, lettuce, lime, pea, pineapple, spinach, strawberry, lemon.

Grishmarituchariya (Summer season Regimen):

The Sun is very powerful. Kaphadosha decreases in summertime and Vata dosha increases.

Diet (aaharvidhi) regimen: Immunity boosting foods

• Light food should be taken.
• Madhur rasa (sweet), snigdha (unctuous), and sheeta dravya (cool substance)are advised to take because these are light to digest.
• Meat soup, buttermilk, curd, mango juice, or other fruit juice in sweet taste.
• One can take boiled rice, with mungdal (yellow lentils), green fresh vegetables.
• Excessive salt, pungent and sour food must be avoided.
• Antioxidant reach food substances should be taken. Amalaki is a very rich source of antioxidants and having cooling property. It gives a strong appetite.
• Heavy food must be avoided.
• Drink much amount of water and take seasonal fruit.
• A cold substance must be taken.
• At bedtime, milk with sugar candy is beneficial for health.
• Alcohol must be avoided because it produces inflammation in the digestive tract.
• Avoid exposer to direct sunlight in the daytime.

What is the lifestyle-related practice to strengthen immunity system?

• Stay in a cool place.
• Apply sandalwood paste over the skin. It reduces the burning sensation of the body.
• Wear light and cotton dresses.
• Sleeping in the daytime is beneficial, give energy to our body.
• Excessive exercise or physical activity must be avoided.
• At night, one should sleep in a moonlight or a comfortable environment.

Seasonal vegetables and fruits in summer– Orange, Lemon, mango, watermelon, cucumber.

Varsha-rituchariya (Rainy Season regimen):

The digestive fire is weak at this time and it produces many diseases. Body strength is medium in these times.

Diet (aaharvidhi) regimen: Immunity boosting foods

• Amla, lavan rasa dravya are advised to take.
• One can take wheat, barley, rice, cereals, meat soup.
• Sneha dravya (oily) or fatty substances are good for health.
• Boiled water is advised to drink.
• Heavy food materials should be avoided.
• Churned preparation, excessive liquid substance, alcohol must be avoided.

What is the lifestyle-related practice to strengthen immunity system?

• Oil massage or abhyanga.
• Bath in lukewarm water.
• Avoid wet in rain.
• Avoid day sleep and hard work.

Seasonal vegetables and fruits in monsoon–Bitter gourd, cucumber, pears, carrot, figs, litchi, papaya, jamun, kiwi, pomegranate, mosambi (sweet lemon).

Sharad-rituchariya (Autumn regimen):

Diet (aaharvidhi) regimen: Immunity boosting foods

• Madhur, tikta rasa substance should be taken.
• One can take wheat, green gram, meat, patola / pointed gourd(Trichosanthes dioica)etc which are easy to digest. The digestive fire is moderate during this time.
• Honey is advised to take.
• Cow ghee improves digestive fire.

What is the lifestyle-related practice to strengthen immunity system?

• Abhyanga practice.
• Panchakarma therapy (Detoxification regimen) is important for detoxifying the whole body.
• Day sleep must be avoided.
• Exposure to eastern wind should be avoided.

Seasonal vegetables and fruits in Autumn–Pumpkin, sweet potato, squash, carrot, broccoli, celery, spinach, pineapple, banana.

Hemanta-rituchariya (Late Autumn regimen):

In this ritu, digestive fire becomes strong. One should take a full stomach meal at this time.

Diet (aaharvidhi) regimen: Immunity boosting foods

• One should take sweet, sour, salt substances. This rasa increases the strength of the body.
• Meat soup, milk and milky products, sugar cane products, jaggery, rice, wheat, black gram, flour,tila etc should be taken.
• Drink a lot amount of warm water.

What is the lifestyle-related practice to strengthen immunity system?

• Abhyanga or oil massage to body and scalp by using mustard oil or til tail pacifies vata related disorders, reduce dryness of the body, and improves blood circulations.
• Massage oil under feet.
• Take bath in lukewarm water.
• Apply various aromatic substances on the body after bath.
• Inhale steam by adding medicated herbal drugs.
• Expose to sunlight.
• Use footwear all time.

Seasonal vegetables and fruits in late autumn/ Early Winter:

Carrot, beetroot, tomato, coriander leaves, methi-saag, ash gourd, pumpkin, mushroom, dates, amalaki, lemon, papaya.

The seasonal regimens are very important to maintain good immunity to stay healthy in all seasons. A strong immunity helps to stay happily by maintaining various infections and preventing disease.

Conclusion:

By following this rule of dinachariya and rituchariya one should add codes of conduct to their daily life. In Ayurveda, it is called sadvritta (Good conduct).

It plays an important role in body and mind. If it is maintained,

It gives a disease-free long life with mental peace.

Strengthening the immunity system is not only a scientific manner but it is an art of well being and healthy living. At present arena, we have nothing to do but to follow blindly the golden rules of Ayurveda to boost our immunity system naturally, and perhaps it is the most scientific practice how far the medical science approaches in the search of immunity boosters!

Stay tuned, stay immune!! 🙂