Q&A on Ayurveda & Immunity

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CGH Earth Ayurveda follows the strict tenets of traditional Ayurveda at our NABH-accredited hospitals in Kerala – Kalari Kovilakom & Kalari Rasayana – to treat the root cause of your ailments, not just the symptoms, by looking at all aspects of your being – mind, body, and soul. This holistic approach is strengthened by our specialists – doctors, therapists, nutritionists, yoga practitioners, chefs – who work as a team to craft an Ayurvedic lifestyle personalised for you. Whether you are just discovering Ayurveda or deepening an existing journey, this is an invitation to return to balance, vitality, and conscious living.

Welcome to a path where wellness is not a trend, but a timeless way of being, at CGH Earth Ayurveda.

Does Ayurvedic cuisine help build some degree of immunity to disease?

Yes, Ayurvedic cuisine provides good life, health, and wellness. It also helps to improve the immune system. 

How does it do that?

A balanced state of Tridosha (Vatha, Pitha, and Kapha) is the very definition of good health. Ayurvedic cuisine is prepared on the basis of Tridosha. So, it directly helps to improve the immune system.

Which vegetables/grains/herbs should we include in our diet to improve immunity?

It is always better to eat freshly cooked and easily digestible foods for proper nutritional assimilation. Locally available vegetables and grains are the best. Bitter vegetables like bitter gourd, moringa, arugula, artichoke, etc. help to reduce inflammation.

Instead of sticking to one or two kinds of grains, consuming diverse types of grains ensure we get different essential micronutrients in our system. 

Spices like curcuma, ginger, garlic, black pepper, and long pepper are immunomodulatory herbs, which are very helpful, especially for your lung and respiratory system.

Essentially, what type of food builds immunity?

A low-fat and plant-based diet is very helpful to increase immunity.

Vegetarian food helps to increase the good flora in the intestine which directly helps increase immunity. Avoid fried and junk foods.

What are the characteristics of Ayurvedic cuisine?

Ayurvedic cuisine not only nourishes the body, but it also nourishes the mind and soul. The digestive capacity of each person may be different. A Dosha-based diet helps to provide the right quality and quantity of food that is necessary for a healthy life. Food taken in proper quantity provides strength, vigour, good complexion, and nurtures the health and immune system.

Is there a special way to cook the food so that it retains its nutritive and curative properties?

Every ingredient needs to be cooked differently, but in general, to retain the nutritive and curative value, it is better to cook on low flame. Adding the appropriate spices for each cuisine make the food compatible and balance its adverse actions.

What type of oil is best? Or should one only use ghee?

That is also based on Tridosha. For a Vatha person or Vatha increased condition, sesame oil is good. For Pitha – ghee, coconut oil or olive oils, and for Kapha – mustard oil is better. In general, using different kinds of oils is helpful to get all the essential fatty acids.

Which spices/vegetables are good for Vatha, Pitha, and Kapha?

Spices should be used according to the condition of the person. For a healthy Vatha person, spices should be used in moderation. For Pitha, it is better for the person to use less spices and avoid heavy spices like chillies. For a healthy Kapha person, most of the spices can be consumed.

A Vatha person can have most of the vegetables, but they should be properly cooked, and they should eat less leafy vegetables and raw salads.

A Pitha person can eat all the bitter and astringent vegetables, but must reduce pungent or sour vegetables like onions, tomatoes, hot peppers, carrots, beets, eggplant, raw leeks, and chilli peppers.

A Kapha person can have all the vegetables except tubers and starchy vegetables like potato, sweet potato, yam, pumpkin, tapioca, etc.

Please define and give examples of Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic foods.

According to Ayurveda, the mind is directly influenced by the quality of food we eat. The way we prepare the food, its freshness, aroma, etc. are factors that influence the mind directly.

Sattvic food such as fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, milk, honey, nuts; when eaten in the right quantity will balance all three Doshas, bring mental harmony, and evoke conscious awareness.

Rajasic food such as coffee, alcohol, meat, fried food, spicy food; will stimulate fantasy, jealousy, and ego.

Tamasic food such as frozen foods, leftover food, certain root vegetables and meats that will need more energy to digest, may enhance emotions like ignorance, greed, and laziness.

Although these emotions may appear as negative aspects, some of these emotions are needed to lead a normal life. So Rajasic and Tamasic food should be included in the diet in moderation, according to the condition of each person.

Should one eat at certain times of the day for maximum benefit?

Morning, noon, and evening are considered as Kapha, Pitha, and Vatha times respectively.

Vatha individuals must eat three proper meals a day and even go for fruits and nuts in between meals. They can take their main meals at breakfast and dinner.

Pitha individuals can take their main meal at noon, with a maximum of three meals per day.

Kapha individuals can take two main meals per day, in the morning and evening, keeping a gap of 8 hours between the meals.

Is there a ritual that one should observe/practise before a meal to ensure proper assimilation?

The person must focus on eating. A relaxed and calm mind is recommended for optimal digestion. Chew the food properly before swallowing. All the five sense organs should participate for proper assimilation of food. It is recommended not to eat with overpowering emotions such as stress, anger, grief, etc. These may lead to indigestion and the production of toxins.

How can one incorporate the health benefits of Ayurvedic cuisine in everyday life?

Those who follow an ayurvedic diet regularly will be able to maintain a balanced state of Vatha, Pitha, and Kapha. It promotes proper digestion and elimination. It keeps our immunity strong and promotes sound sleep. That means long-term wellbeing. 

In Ayurveda, the three pillars of health are eating proper food, performing the right exercises according to your body strength, and getting rejuvenating sleep. A Vatha person should sleep 8+ hours, a Pitha individual needs 7+ hours, and a Kapha person needs only 6 hours of sleep per day.

The second thing that supports the immune system or health is to listen to the body or respond to our natural urges on time.

Those who strictly follow this will lead a healthy life, free from any kind of infection.

Talk to our doctors at CGH Earth Ayurveda – Kalari Kovilakom & Kalari Rasayana – for a better understanding of immunity, long-term wellbeing, and how ancient Ayurveda holds the answers to modern day pandemics.

Disclaimer

The sole purpose of this article is to provide information about Ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease. If you have an acute or chronic health concern, please consult an Ayurveda doctor who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively.