The primary aim of Ayurveda is to prevent diseases. This prevention of diseases is achieved by the proper maintaining of the body immunity. Till date for COVID-19, no medicine or therapy has demonstrated promising results in either preventing the disease or improving its prognosis. The best way of preventing COVID-19 infection is by enhancing an individual's body immunity or Ojas. Ojas is a living protoplasmic substance that is the basis of the physical immunity of every cell and protects the integrity of the individual. It is formed from the last (reproductive) tissue of the Shukra/Arthava and contains essence of all the seven Dhatus (bodily tissues). It passes through the heart, circulates around the body and maintains the natural resistance of all tissues.
As per Ayurveda Ojas is one the most essential things for maintaining a healthy body. It is your splendor, your inner light, your luster, vitality, energy and bodily strength. This vital sap is necessary for a complete and full life. Without it, immune systems weaken, spirits sink and basic abilities falter in the face of adversity. A person with good Ojas is serene, healthy, creative, energetic, and youthful in appearance. These are the people we come across in our day to day lives that simply shine a light on our routine. A person who is deficient is timid, weak, anxious, lacks vitality, has a poor complexion, gets sick easily and has a general deficient appearance.
Day today factors like stress, overworking, exhaustion, physical trauma (e.g. Car accident, injury), emotional trauma (e.g. Break-up, loss of a loved one), poor sleep habits, selfishness, nervousness, anger, excessive orgasms, chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, arthritis, and cancer, chronic pain, indigestion , excessive travel and aging (50+) can withdraw ojas from your body.
Ayurveda is a system of lifestyle medicine that works improving one's vitality or modulating immunity and can, therefore, be used as a preventive approach. Several measures can be used to improve immunity against infections. This may be useful in this current scenario where we are facing a COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are simple daily Ayurvedic ways to enhance Ojas
Have a good nutrition and digestion
Ojas is the final by-product of good nutrition and digestion. So, the first step is to ensure you are eating good quality, fresh, in season whole food. The second is to ensure digestion is strong with minimal indigestion. Foods that are highest in Ojas building qualities include dates, almonds, ghee, saffron, raw cow’s milk, honey, whole grains such as basmati rice and mug beans. Foods to avoid that deplete Ojas include excessive dry, raw, and undercooked foods; canned, frozen, fried, or old foods, alcohol, refined sugar; refined flour and heavily processed foods.
Prioritize balanced sleep
An important function of sleep is enhancement of Ojas or energy – the master coordinator between mind, body and soul. Ojas, being the fine product of digestion and life-supporting element, helps to insulate the mind from daily stress and exertion.
Minimize stress
Managing stress is extremely detrimental to our immune response because stress hormones very effectively suppress the immune system. Reducing exposure to stressful situations will undoubtedly preserve Ojas and bolster the immune system.
Perform daily exercise
Exercises help to release accumulated toxins through sweating, move stagnant mental and emotional energy, and improve circulation. It also kindles Agni, improves digestion, bolsters the body’s detoxification mechanisms, encourages proper elimination, promotes relaxation in the body, and supports sound sleep - all of which serve to protect Ojas and support the immune system
Practice Yoga and meditation
Yoga is another Ojas stimulating practice. It helps to dissipate tension, clears stagnation, and encourages fluidity throughout the tissues. Certain Kundalini Yoga exercises create a connection between the pineal and pituitary gland, turning on the brain's potential. The spine becomes relaxed and tension blocking any energy is removed. Stimulating ojas in this way benefits all systems in the body.
Meditation helps in cultivating a passive awareness and thus, calms our nerves, lowers stress and prepares us for a healthier response to stressful situations.
Self-Massage/Abhyanga
Abhyanga is one of the best practices for balancing the nervous system and reducing stress, which in turn strengthens the immune system. Regular self-massage increases ojas and nourishes the tissues, while relieving insomnia and pain. The massaging oil creates a protective layer that shields the body from both physical and energetic toxins. A sesame or coconut oil is ideal for its warm and nourishing qualities. Before bathing spend about 10-15 minutes massaging the warm oil all over your body.
Avoid Excessive Sex
Ojas is a strong factor in our sexual potency. Abusing, misusing, or exhausting our vital sexual energy is a common way of depleting the Ojas in the system. Instead, keeping control over this sacred energy and using it in a healthy manner will preserve our Ojas and preserve our vitality.
Promote Positivity in Your Life
Increase the positive energy in your life and increase your Ojas. Some simple ways to increase positive energy are by keeping good company and surrounding yourself with positive, loving, compassionate people. Keep positive thoughts, even when times are hard. Positive energy promotes positive energy, and this promotes healthy Ojas.
Ojas-increasing herbs
Ayurveda also prizes certain herbs as great Ojas builder. In Ayurveda, Ojas has a direct link to rejuvenation (Rasayana). The first step to restore lost Ojas or energy reserves is to use Rasayana or restorative herbs. These are health-promoting and rejuvenating herbs which help your body build resistance against diseases. Ojas is responsible for good health and strong immunity and Rasayana are highly regarded as Ojas promoting herbs in Ayurveda and are also used to address immunological regulations and immunodeficiency disorders. Rasayana promotes the optimal strength and vitality, not of one isolated tissue or system, but of the entire organism. Thus, Rasayana ensure stable Ojas.
Rasayana herbs are employed in Ayurveda to enhance the quality of life, promote ojas and eventually boost your immunity. To mention a few from the extensive list of Rasayana, Ayurveda holds Guduchi, Ashwagandha, Amla, Gokshura, Shatavari, Pippali and Bala. Their blend armors your body to stabilize Ojas and boost your immunity.
Boosting immunity is the new requirement of today’s world. Ojas is one of the key factors responsible for immunity. Ojas connects the mind to the body and consciousness. It nourishes all body tissues and influences the physical, psychological and emotional life of a person directly. It’s no surprise that our diet and lifestyle choices are directly connected to our sense of vitality. Ayurveda instructs us that Ojas and strong immunity are the common results of good wellbeing, which relies upon a sound eating regimen, a strong way of life, and a fair sensory system.
DIY for increasing OJAS:
