Immunity

According to Ayurveda, immunity is determined by the quality and level of Ojas (OH-jas) stored in the body. Ojas has two meanings: physically, it pertains to our energy, strength, and resilience, while mentally and spiritually, it relates to our expression of consciousness and our emotional balance and health.

Ojas is the most refined and pure byproduct of our digestive process. As food is digested, assimilated, and nutrients are absorbed and transformed into the seven Dhatus (tissues) comprising our bodies.

This lengthy process of producing Ojas relates to digestion, and the first product of digestion is a nutrient fluid called Rasa (sap, juice, or liquid). With the help of digestive fire (agni), it is transformed into blood (Rakta). This then becomes muscle tissue (Mamsa) with the aid of blood-based enzymes. The muscle then converts into fat (Medha) with the help of muscle enzymes. The fat is converted into bone tissue (Asthi) and nerve tissue (Majja). The nerve tissue then becomes reproductive fluid (Shukra), which is stored in semen and the female egg. Finally, the substance known as supreme Ojas is released and stored in the heart, nourishing the subtle energy of the body, which, in turn, enhances the body's immunity. 

In Western thought, Ojas is believed to be the hormone melatonin produced by the brain's pineal gland. This gland produces less and less melatonin as we age, which is directly linked to the importance of building vitality and immunity. 

According to Ayurveda, excessive activity and stress deplete Ojas, creating free radicals that cause damage. Our health is determined by our body's ability to properly digest not only food but also the constant stream of information and stresses that we encounter each day.  

Practices that build Ojas include creating a balanced, grounded lifestyle; being of service to others; finding a personal exercise program that removes toxins; incorporating spiritual practices; finding time to be in nature; and consuming fresh, wholesome, and Sattvic foods. 

In Yogic and Ayurvedic philosophy, Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas are known as Gunas (meaning thread, merit, quality, or attributes). These concepts primarily concern the movements of the mind and consciousness, but are also related to the qualities of what we ingest and, ultimately, the production and quality of Ojas. Sattva is understood as purity, positivity, and balance. Rajasic represents energy, turbulence, and activity, while Tamasic is characterized by heaviness, dullness, and lethargy. 

When it comes to food, the gunas have these qualities:

Sattvic foods are energy; they purify the body, calm the mind, and bring presence and higher consciousness. 

Rajasic food stimulates the body and mind into action, but in excess, it can cause restlessness, anger, irritability, and sleeplessness. These foods included overly spiced foods, onions, garlic, tea, coffee, fried foods, excessively sugary foods, chocolate, alcohol, and soft drinks. A Rajasic person might eat on the run, have poor digestion and health, and usually be a bit aggressive and overflowing with energy.

Tamasic foods are dead, canned, frozen, or processed, which deplete our energy and can lead to disease. They do nothing to lift our energy and consciousness; in fact, they pull us down into a state of laziness and dullness. Living tamasically can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease.