The immune system from a Western perspective

Our bodies are constantly exposed to various bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. We owe the fact that we don't get sick all the time to our immune system, which fights off these invaders with the help of lymphocytes (white blood cells originating in the bone marrow) and antibodies. Other vital organs that support the immune system include the spleen, thymus, tonsils, bone marrow, and a network of capillaries and lymphatic vessels.

In Western immunology, a distinction is made between an innate (non-specific) and an acquired (specific, adaptive) immune system. The innate immune system, found in almost all living organisms, elicits a non-specific response and lacks immunological memory. The adaptive immune system, on the other hand, which to date has only been found in jawed vertebrates, is characterized by a) specificity and b) memory. The former refers to the immune system's adaptability, enabling it to recognize specific structures of invaders and produce appropriate antibodies against these antigens. The latter means that the immune system "remembers" previously invaded pathogens and can activate the antibodies produced specifically for them more quickly should reinfection with the same microorganism occur.

Immunity can be acquired either through infection or through vaccination against a specific disease.

The immune system in Ayurveda

Ayurveda described numerous measures for boosting the immune system in detail over 2000 years ago. The core goal of Ayurveda is longevity (“Ayus"), in the best possible physical and mental health. To achieve this goal, a person needs strength ("Bala“) and a healthy essence (“Ojas“), as the finest product of a perfect metabolism, enabling the body to overcome or resist illness. Both Bala and Ojas are, on the one hand, constitutionally innate and, on the other hand, individually acquired and therefore modifiable. And this is precisely where Ayurvedic prevention and healing concepts come into play.

Constitutionally, Bala and Ojas are associated with healthy Kapha, so people with a dominant Kapha dosha tend to have the strongest immune systems. Pitta types, on the other hand, are prone to skin infections, allergies, and inflammatory processes. With Vata dominance, the immune system is weakest. To understand the immune system from an Ayurvedic perspective, we must think holistically. Its condition reflects the balance of body, senses, and mind, which mutually influence each other. Ayurvedic immunology therefore always works multimodally, employing all available therapeutic methods. Ayurvedic therapies for strengthening the immune system can be divided into palliative and purifying measures. Palliative measures include taking dietary supplements and optimizing diet and lifestyle. Purifying therapies are further divided into internal and external cleansing.

NutritionFresh and easily digestible food builds body tissue, promotes Bala (strength), and leads to the formation of immune-boosting Ojas (the essence of a healthy metabolism). Ayurvedic meals are predominantly warm and freshly prepared. Raw food should only be consumed at midday, as this is when the digestive fire Agni is strongest. Meals should be spaced 4-8 hours apart, and snacking should be avoided.

lifestyleThe decision is v.aA healthy sleep, which should be between 6 and 8 hours; according to Ayurvedic understanding, more sleep increases Kapha, less Vata dosha – both of which can lead to a weakening of the immune system.After waking up, the Ayurvedic morning routine includes drinking hot water (to stimulate the digestive fire, Agni), removing tongue coating with a tongue scraper, and rinsing the mouth with oil (usually sesame oil). Deep and conscious breathing through the nose is also of great importance; various breathing techniques exist, such as alternate nostril breathing or Ujjayi breathing, which are said to reduce stress and strengthen the immune system. Regular exercise is also important in Ayurveda. The intensity of this exercise depends largely on the individual's Dosha: while Kapha types should engage in regular, intense exercise, those with a Pitta constitution prefer calmer activities such as walking or cycling.

Dietary supplement: are widely used in Ayurveda to strengthen the immune system v.a. Ashwagandha, Guduchi, Pippali (long pepper), Amalaki and Tulsi.

External cleaning and careThis is about v.a...to prevent pathogens from entering the body through the skin, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract. Skin and mucous membranes should always be well-supplied with blood and moisture to ensure adequate defenses. This is how Ayurveda works. v.a...through oil massages. But moist heat (Svedana) also has an immune-boosting effect in Ayurveda.

Internal cleaningAccording to Ayurvedic understanding, illnesses originate in the accumulation of insufficiently metabolized food. Prevention and therapy address this issue with appropriate cleansing measures such as enemas to eliminate metabolic waste.

The immune system in Traditional Chinese Medicine

While Western medicine largely uses a digital distinction between "healthy" and "ill" as a description of a condition, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) understands health as a dynamic process that is continuously confronted with influences from both within and without. The "Wei Qi“Wei” (meaning “outside”) is considered in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to be the seat of the immune system and is meant to prevent harmful substances from entering the body from the outside. The stronger the “Wei Qi”, the stronger the body’s defenses.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these harmful (pathogenic) influences impede the free flow of vital energy (Qi) in the meridians, leading to energy blockages that weaken the immune system. Accordingly, TCM addresses this issue. v.a. with the Protection of the organism from influences that weaken it.These include, for example, climatic conditions such as heat or humidity, as well as injuries, genetic predisposition, stress, and poor diet. Prevention and therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therefore focus on strengthening the vital energy Qi and removing energy blockages.

As in Ayurveda, the Nutrition This also holds special significance in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): while in Ayurveda warming food is meant to strengthen the digestive fire Agni, in TCM it is about strengthening Qi through warming foodsExamples include winter vegetables, legumes, cinnamon, ginger, smoked fish, nuts, and pomegranate. It is important to note that hot foods (which, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, also include spicy foods) should be avoided, as they open the pores and thus have a cooling effect on the body. Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the recommendation resulting from Western understanding... citrus fruits Eating these foods to strengthen the immune system contradicts the understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as they have a cooling effect on the body and thus weaken Qi and therefore the immune system instead of strengthening it.

Besides nutrition, other factors also play a role. Sleep and exercise It plays an important role in maintaining strong Qi. According to the organ clock of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), one should go to bed between 9 and 11 pm. Meditative forms of movement, such as...Qi Gong, as well as acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion and cupping, help to dissolve energy blockages.

Important nutrients that can help strengthen our immune system

zinc Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system. According to the National Nutrition Survey (NVS II) for Germany, the average zinc intake is 8 mg per day for women and 11 mg per day for men. The German Nutrition Society recommends that women consume 7-10 mg and men 11-16 mg of zinc per day (depending on the phytate content of their diet). Zinc deficiency is therefore frequently observed, particularly in men. Ayurveda recommends taking zinc with amla (Amalaki) to improve its bioavailability, although this has not been scientifically proven.

Vitamin D and Vitamin C contribute to the normal function of the immune system.

Rosehips Rosehips are known for their high vitamin C content, containing even more than lemons or sea buckthorn. Depending on the rose variety and ripeness, rosehips can contain up to 5000 mg of vitamin C per 100 g. Hildegard von Bingen already relied on rosehip tea to strengthen the immune system and prevent colds.

Amla In Ayurveda, it is the "king fruit", an essential component of Triphala and balances all three doshas. v.a...but the Pitta dosha. The tannins contained in amla are said to have a vitamin C-like effect on the immune system by accumulating in leukocytes and activating T cells. Furthermore, amla has a very high concentration of antioxidants; for example, it contains approximately 30 times more polyphenols than red wine. This is also confirmed by the demonstration of a very high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value in certain amla powders (see...). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841576/ ).

Astragalus is a tragacanth root, which is one of the most important medicinal plants in TCM and is considered immunomodulating there, d.hIt stimulates a weak immune system and reduces excessive immune reactions, for example in allergies or autoimmune diseases. Its roots are considered a Qi tonic. d.hIn Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these ingredients strengthen vital energy. Therefore, chicken broths, popular in TCM for boosting the immune system, also contain them. i.d.RAstragalus root. The root is now also known in the West, and its active ingredients have been well researched. For example, astragalus is frequently used to relieve the symptoms of allergies such as hay fever.

ABM Agaricus blazei is an almond mushroom that exhibits very high concentrations of long-chain polysaccharides, particularly beta-glucans. Beta-glucans can support both the innate and the acquired, adaptive immune system by, for example, increasing phagocytosis as an important component of the cellular immune system and stimulating the production of cytokines that regulate cell growth and differentiation (see [reference]). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24774968/ The almond mushroom even has higher concentrations of beta-glucans than Reishi or Shiitake.

Legal consumer information

German and European law aims to protect consumers from potentially misleading claims about product effects. The statements made here refer to original Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) texts. This millennia-old, traditional knowledge is based on experiences passed down from generation to generation. It is not claimed that the products described here have any effect in the sense of Western medicine. All products are dietary supplements; they are not medications and have no medicinal effect.If you are ill and require medical attention, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.