Immunity boosting drugs and Ayurveda – Facts you must know - Prof. Dr. Shriram Savrikar

Immunity boosting drugs and Ayurveda – Facts you must know* 

In the last post, I brought to your notice facts about Chyawanprash, the most popular Ayurvedic drug. In the present post let us talk about another hot topic of the day, immunity boosting drugs and Ayurveda.

Immunity: Immunity, in common man’s words, can be described as a protection against the infection. This can be either general, known as ‘Innate’ or specific to a disease, known as Acquired, to be gained by vaccination. General or innate immunity is said to be acquired by using micronutrients like Vit. A, C, D, B2, B12, Folic acid, iron, zinc, selenium etc. However, it is not that simple as it appears. Because if it would have been that simple, why everybody is seen running from pillar to post in search of immunity boosters like Chyawanprash and other drugs? It clearly indicates that we need much more than only immunity boosting to fight the disease. This much more is provided by Ayurveda.

Disease tolerance vis a vis Immunity: Immunity is equated with disease tolerance, described as ‘Vyadhi Kshamatva’ in Ayurveda. However, this disease tolerance is much more than immunity. It is a wholesome effect of dietary and behavioural practices, and not dependent only on nutrients. Every human being every day succumbs to tongue licking temptations, harmful to the health. Considering them Ayurveda has introduced many preventive measures in our diet to overcome the harmful effects of these overtures and to escape from these honey traps. A class named as Aharayogi Varga, referred as Food supplements today, is described by Ayurveda. These food supplements, prominently missing from the western food, play a significant role in promoting the benefits, and preventing the harmful effects of the ingested food. Moreover, not only food but your behavioural practices have a significant impact on your disease tolerance. Remember this is not a one day or few days’ activity. It has to be a regular practice.

Food supplements: The principal function of the Aharayogi Varga (Food supplements) is to facilitate smooth digestion of ingested food and absorption and ensure distribution of nutrients to every cell inside the body. The class comprises of edible oils and all spices having immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects. Spices like ginger (Shunthi), black pepper (Maricha), Turmeric (Haladi- not spicy), cumin seeds (Jeera), coriander seeds (Dhaniya), dill seeds, cinnamon bark (Dalchini) etc. are regularly used in Indian diet. They all have anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory effect. Use of pickles, chutney, raita etc. also compliment these activities.

Indian Thali: an immunity booster:

Our food plate is usually divided into two parts. The two parts are separated by a pinch of salt. On the right side of salt, principal foods like Daal, Subji and sweets (if any), are placed. Whereas on the left side of salt, supplementary items like chutney, pickles, raita; are placed. In the centre chapati, roti or rice is placed. Thus our food thali is self-sufficient in all respect.

The above described Indian thali has disappeared from most of Indian homes as a result of impact of westernization of our culture. Therefore, people are trying to pop in antioxidant and immunity boosting pills and get safe. But this will never happen unless healthy food practices are followed and flirting with them is stopped.

Spices as food supplements and as drug:

  Spices or other food supplements mixed in food have virtually no restrictions except in diseased states. But when consumed as drug, have a different role and hence all rules related to drug, such as indications, contra-indications, dose, duration, time of administration; become applicable. Many formulations containing spices and other Ayurvedic drugs are being sold in the market presently as immunity boosters. It is necessary to know the facts about these formulations.

Almost all these formulations contain spices like Shunthi (ginger), Pippali (long pepper), Maricha (black pepper), Dalachini (cinnamon bark) with Tulasi (holy basil), Haldi (turmeric) etc. which are basically acrid and irritant in nature. Because of this nature they act as digestants and digestive stimulants. These drugs should not be consumed by Pitta Prakruti individuals. In simple words these formulations are not good for people who have a very soft and sensitive bowel (stomach) and people who can’t tolerate spicy food. These formulations are also not good for people suffering from hyperacidity, gastric ulcer, heartburn, stomatitis, piles, fistula, irritable bowel and bleeding disorders. It has been recently reported that some people have suffered from constipation, hyperacidity and bleeding from rectum and nose, following consumption of such formulations.

Dose of Ayurvedic drugs: Dose of these formulations depends on who, how and in what form the formulation is being taken. Usually these formulations are available as 500 mg tablets made of aqueous extracts. In this from in compound formulations, the dose needs to be between 3 to 5 gm per day, depending on at what stage of disease, the drug is being taken. In any case it can’t be less than 3 g per day for an average individual.

Jaggery or sugar in drugs?: Regarding mixing of sweeteners like jaggery or sugar or artificial sweeteners. Ideally nothing should be added in it. Remember almost all these drugs are digestive stimulants. According to principles of Ayurveda bitter, pungent tastes have a significant role in promoting digestive activity. All sweeteners reduce this activity. These drugs need to be taken with pre-boiled lukewarm water. Don’t mix them in milk, tea, coffee or any other drink.

Duration of drug consumption: Regarding duration, the promoters of these formulations are silent on this front. General notion appears to be that these formulations can be consumed lifelong. This is a most dangerous notion. There is nothing except food and water, in this world which can be consumed safely for life time. Some drugs such as hypoglycaemic in diabetes, need to be taken for life time. It doesn’t mean that they don’t produce any harm. But since this harm is affordable and with no option left, the drug is consumed for life time. Ayurvedic drugs are no exception to this rule. Usually, any drug is to be taken for one week. It is the privilege of a doctor, Ayurvedic or else; to decide whether the drug needs to be continued further or not. 

Non-spicy immunity boosters: Another class of Ayurvedic drugs being promoted as immunity boosters, belongs to non-spicy category. This class includes Giloy or Guduchi (Tinospora), Ashvagandha, Shatavari, Haldi, Kalmegha (Andrographis), Chirayta etc. Although these are not acrid and irritants, they also have indications, dose, and duration. They should not be consumed randomly. They have specific indications.

The most popular myth about Ayurvedic drugs, is that they don’t have any side effects. I will write about this issue some other time. For now, a drug considered not to have side effects will not have any effects as well. But rest assured Ayurvedic drugs do have wonderful effects, provided they are used wisely. So the wisest thing to do for now is don’t become your own doctor and don’t allow social media to drive you.  

Author credentials: *Prof. Dr. Shriram Savrikar,

Chairman, Scientific Body, PCIM&H, (Govt. of India),

Advisor to State Minister of AYUSH, Govt. of India

Former Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Ayurveda University,

Former Advisor (Ayurveda), Govt. of India.

Former Dean, Faculty of Ayurveda, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nasik (Inida),

Former Professor, R.A. Podar Medical College (A), Mumbai (India).