The immune system from a Western perspective

Our bodies are constantly exposed to various bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. The fact that we don't constantly get sick is thanks to our immune system, which fights the 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 gland, tonsils, bone marrow, and a network of capillaries and lymphatic vessels.

In Western immunology, a distinction is made between an innate, nonspecific, and an acquired, specific (adaptive) immune system. The innate immune system, found in almost all living beings, elicits a nonspecific response and lacks immunological memory. The adaptive immune system, on the other hand, which until now has only been found in jawed vertebrates, is characterized by a) specificity and b) memory. The former refers to the adaptability of the immune system, in that it is able to recognize specific structures of intruders and produce appropriate antibodies against these antigens. The latter means that the immune system "remembers" pathogens that have invaded once and can more quickly activate the antibodies produced specifically for them should a re-infection 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 has described in detail numerous measures to boost the immune system over 2,000 years ago. The core goal of Ayurveda is longevity ("Ayus"), with the best possible physical and mental health. To achieve this goal, man needs strength ("Bala“) and a healthy essence (“Ojas"), as the finest product of a perfect metabolism, to overcome or resist disease. Both Bala and Ojas are, on the one hand, constitutionally innate and, on the other hand, individually acquired and thus influenceable. And this is precisely where Ayurvedic prevention and healing concepts come into play.

Constitutionally, Bala and Ojas are associated with healthy Kapha, so that people dominated by Kapha dosha have the strongest immune systems. Pitta types, on the other hand, are prone to infections or skin allergies, as well as inflammatory processes. In Vata-dominant individuals, 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 influence each other. Ayurvedic immunology therefore always works multimodally, utilizing all therapeutic approaches. Ayurvedic therapies to strengthen the immune system can be divided into soothing and cleansing measures. Soothing measures include taking nutritional supplements and optimizing diet and lifestyle. Purifying therapies are further differentiated between 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 foods 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 snacks should be avoided.

lifestyle: Deciding is v.a. Healthy sleep, which should be between 6 and 8 hours; according to Ayurvedic understanding, more sleep increases Kapha dosha, while less sleep increases Vata dosha – both of which can weaken the immune system.After getting up, the Ayurvedic morning routine includes drinking hot water (to stimulate the digestive fire Agni), removing tongue coating with a tongue scraper, and rinsing with an oil mouthwash (usually with sesame oil). Deep and conscious breathing through the nose is also very important; there are various breathing techniques for this, 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 not least on the individual dosha: while Kapha types should regularly engage in vigorous exercise, those with a Pitta dominance prefer more tranquil activities such as walking or cycling.

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

External cleaning and care: This is about v.a. to prevent pathogens from entering the organism through the skin, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract. Skin and mucous membranes should always be well supplied with blood and moisturized to ensure adequate defenses. This is done in Ayurveda. v.a. through oil massages. Moist heat (Svedana) also has an immune-boosting effect in Ayurveda.

Internal cleansingAccording to Ayurvedic understanding, diseases originate from the accumulation of insufficiently metabolized food. This is where prevention and treatment begin, with appropriate cleansing measures such as enemas to eliminate metabolic waste.

The immune system in TCM

While Western medicine largely distinguishes between “healthy” and “ill” as a description of a condition, TCM understands health as a dynamic process that is continuously confronted with influences from both inside and outside.Wei Qi" (“Wei” means “outside”) is considered the seat of the immune system in TCM and is intended to prevent external pests from entering the organism. The stronger the “Wei-Qi,” the stronger the body's defenses.

According to TCM, these harmful (pathogenic) influences impede the free flow of life energy (Qi) in the meridians, resulting in energy blockages that weaken the immune system. Accordingly, TCM deals with v.a. with the Protection of the organism from weakening influencesThese include climatic conditions such as heat or humidity, as well as injuries, genetic makeup, stress, and poor nutrition. Prevention and treatment in TCM therefore focus on strengthening the vital energy Qi and removing energy blockages.

As in Ayurveda, the Nutrition also has a special meaning in TCM: while in Ayurveda warming food is supposed to strengthen the digestive fire Agni, in TCM it is about strengthening the Qi through warming foodsThese include, for example, winter vegetables, legumes, cinnamon, ginger, smoked fish, nuts, and pomegranate. It is important to note that hot foods (according to TCM, this also includes spicy foods) should be avoided, as they open pores and thus have a cooling effect on the organism. Furthermore, it should be noted that the recommendation resulting from Western understanding, Citrus fruits to strengthen the immune system contradicts the TCM understanding, as these have a cooling effect on the body and thus weaken Qi and thus the immune system instead of strengthening it.

In addition to nutrition, Sleep and exercise plays an important role in maintaining strong Qi. According to the TCM organ clock, one should go to bed between 9 and 11 p.m. Meditative forms of movement, such asQi Gong as well as acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion and cupping help to dissolve energy blockages.

Important nutrients that can help strengthen our immune system

zinc Contributes to the normal function of the immune system. According to the National Nutrition Study (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). Therefore, zinc deficiency is often observed, particularly in men. To improve the bioavailability of zinc, Ayurveda recommends taking it with amla (amalaki), although this has not been scientifically proven.

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

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

Amla is the “king fruit” in Ayurveda, an essential component of Triphala and balances all three doshas, v.a. but the Pitta dosha. The tannoids contained in Amla are said to have a vitamin C-like effect on the immune system by accumulating in leukocytes and activating T cells. Amla also has a very high concentration of antioxidants; for example, Amla contains approximately 30 times more polyphenols than red wine. This is also confirmed by the very high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) values ​​found in certain Amla powders (see [link missing]. 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 to be immunomodulatory, d.h. stimulates a weak immune system and reduces excessive immune reactions, e.g., in allergies or autoimmune diseases. Its roots are considered a Qi tonic, d.h. strengthen the life energy in the TCM understanding. Therefore, the chicken soups popular in TCM for strengthening the immune system also contain i.d.RAstragalus roots. The root is now also known in the West, and its active ingredients have been extensively researched. For example, Astragalus is often used to relieve the symptoms of allergies such as hay fever.

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

Legal consumer information

German and European law seeks to protect consumers from supposedly misleading claims of effectiveness. The statements made here refer to the original Ayurvedic and TCM texts. This ancient knowledge, handed down for thousands of years, is based on experience passed down from generation to generation. It is not intended to claim that the products described here have an effect in the sense of Western medicine. All products are dietary supplements; they are not medications and have no medical effect.If you are ill and need medical attention, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.