Immune Health, an Ayurvedic & Yogic Perspective

In 2020 we experienced a wave of fear and uncertainty which swept the planet. This fear came in the shape of a virus, one we hadn’t known before and to which we were not immune. Undoubtedly, the order of human life was changed forever and we remain hopeful that a new way of life might yet emerge.

For me, what the pandemic really shone a light on, was that fear is also a virus, it spreads and infects us to our very core. It is in fear that we give away our power as we desperately seek others to make things better or safer. In yogic philosophy we learn that within every moment there lies a choice and that every choice is directed by two states of consciousness - love or fear. It’s that simple. You will react from one of these two places, no matter what the choice. It’s hard to imagine that anyone would actively choose a life of fear, but the reality is, we often do. And the past few years has really shown how we can be herded into a fear mentality, especially around our health.

Can we imagine a world where we make every choice our around health from a place of love? If so, then the starting point must be at home, making self-directed, consistently loving choices for mind, body and spirit. Self care = self love - this isn’t a hippy dippy phenomenon, it’s a reality.

In Ayurveda we live cyclically, always preparing our bodies for the season ahead. So, as we approach Winter (in Ayurveda this is Dec, Jan Feb) let’s think about how we can get really prepared to keep ourselves as healthy as possible. Remember, fear can arise when we feel helpless or disempowered, so let’s stay calm, centered and focussed on what we CAN do, not on what we can’t impact.

Supporting the health & safety of yourself and your loved ones and communities are things we CAN do and so we should make them a priority. Regardless of age or underlying health concerns, we CAN take steps to boost our immune system and fortify our energetic, physical, emotional, spiritual and mental bodies. Apart from anything else, it is incredibly self empowering to know you are doing something which can be of benefit to yourself and others. In this blog post I want to look at some Ayurvedic & Yogic tools you may like to start adding into your daily practices.

Also, remember, knowledge is power. Never be discouraged from visiting your GP when you’re healthy and asking for some routine blood tests so you know exactly what’s going on for you. It is especially important as we go into winter that our Vitamin D levels are good. You can also get a kit online to test this with a simple prick test.

OK, some simple Ayurvedic tips to add into your days going forward:

Morning Routine

·      Scrape tongue 

·      Oil Pulling & gargling are especially helpful at protecting the mouth and throat and helping to draw impurities out of the body.  Oil pulling is ideally done with warm sesame oil (see blog on Dinacharya).  After Oil Pulling you can then open one capsule of Triphala powder into warm water, mix and gargle. I add clove essential oil to my sesame oil for oral health.

·      Brush teeth

·      Wash sinuses with warm saline water using a neti pot.  Add 1-2 drops of Shadbindu oil to the water to help alleviate dryness.  After washing the sinuses add another 1-2 drops into each nostril and slowly breath in, try to spit any out which trickles into mouth.  

·      Drink 200 mls hot water on an empty tummy (add a squeeze of lemon and slice of ginger if you like) 

·      Move the body & breathe.  3-5 rounds of Sun Salutations and 3-5 mins of Breath of Fire are ideal.  It is vital to exercise the lungs and circulate fresh prana (life force).  Consider joining an online Yoga Platform to enjoy a sense of community in your practice.  At The Threshold we will be bringing this to you soon.  

Drink

·      Drink fresh lemon & ginger (or use a tea bag) 3 x per day after each meal to stoke the Agni. You can also chop a small piece of ginger and chew on it (don’t swallow) before each meal.

·      TULSI tea.  Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil or Ocimum Sanctum is especially renowned for its use in respiratory conditions and strengthening the lungs.  Make a flask and sip throughout the day. 

·      Dissolve 1tsp of Chyawanprash in hot water and sip mid morning and mid afternoon. It’s main ingredient is Amla, Indian Gooseberry, which has been found to have the highest content of Vitamin C of any fruit.  It is a wonderful antioxidant.  

Herbal Supplements

·      Neem – a bitter herb used to help cleanse the liver.  It is known for it’s anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-protozoal and anti-viral qualities.  2 caps per day with meals.  Not to be used if trying to conceive or pregnant.  

·      Triphala – a cornerstone of Ayurvedic health care.  known for its ability to effectively clean the colon, which is of the upmost importance for optimum health.  2 caps per day at bedtime. Not to be used if pregnant.

·      Turmeric – One of the most effective herbs for reducing inflammation in the body. 2 caps per day with meals. Check with GP if pregnant or on meds to lower BP.

·      Tulsi – as above.  A respiratory tonic for optimum lung health.  2 caps per day with meals. Check with GP if pregnant.

Food tips

·      Avoid faulty food combinations.  

·      Avoid all cold dairy products

·      Avoid cold/carbonated/iced drinks

·      Avoid raw food

You BOOK for an in-depth consultation if you’d like a more personalised plan.

Rituals of self-Care

·      It is vital we attend to our Central Nervous Systems at times of high stress, worry and fear.  I recommend beginning a practice of Self Abhyanga as many times a week as you can fit in.  

·      Draw impurities out of the body with an evening Salt Foot Bath.  At night it can be really beneficial for disease prevention or to speed recovery to take a Dead Sea Salt foot bath.  Not only is this an extremely calming ritual that promotes deep, restful sleep but sea salt is also well known for it’s ability to draw impurities out of the body.  Three nights in a row is ideal.  Children can do this too, just make the water less hot. Add a few drops of lavender & Eucalyptus essential oil to salts first then dissolve in water.  

Mantra

“The creative projection of the mind through sound”. The science of mantra is based on the knowledge that sound is a form of energy having structure, power and a definite predictable effect on the chakras and human psyche. Playing or singing mantras on repeat is an incredible practice in it’s own right to blast through negative thought patterns and manifest change.

As I write this, in these uncertain times, I am listening to Triple Mantra on repeat in my car, my home and even when out walking. There is a beautiful version by Nirinjan Kaur on her album Mantras for Protection. The Triple Mantra clears all types of psychic and physical obstacles in one’s daily life. It is a sure protector against the unforeseen. It cuts through all opposing vibrations, thoughts, words and actions. Listening to or chanting Triple Mantra will strengthen your magnetic field and keep negativity away.

There are three parts to the mantra. The first part will surround you with a powerful light of protection; the second part will remove obstacles from your spiritual path; and the third part will remove all types of obstacles from your daily life.

Yoga, Pranayama & Meditation

If you don’t have a yoga, breathing or meditation practice yet, I encourage you to make this No 1 priority for your daily life from now on. This is a wonderful way to steady yourself, check out from the world and check in with ‘you’. With daily practice you will find a sense of calm, grace and a growing sense of intuition which is so important when we are being bombarded with what other people think. Click here for a beautiful meditation which I’ve chosen for these times, it’s called Meditation for a Calm Heart. Click here for a wonderful Yoga Kriya for the lungs - short and sweet, it’s only 22 mins!