There is a lot of wisdom behind the saying “prevention is better than cure”, which is the philosophy under which our immune system works. Our immune system protects us, as best it can, against germs which come in the form of bacteria and viruses. Our immune system helps us fight off infections and generally keeps us healthy. However, there are two things that can happen to the immune system which can lead to serious illness, so using Ayurveda practices to help boost your immune system makes perfect sense.

A breaking down of the immune system

One of the early signs our immune system isn’t working properly is our susceptibility to picking up colds, the flu, stomach bugs, cold sores, skin infection etc., according to Medical News Today. If you’ve ever wondered why some people always seem fit and healthy while others seem to be permanently unwell, the reason usually lies in the difference between how their individual immune systems are working.

The immune system can go into overdrive and start attacking the body

In certain circumstances when our immune system isn’t working properly, it can misconstrue chemical messages sent out physiologically, and also psychologically. On such occasions, our immune system can mistake ‘friendly’ cells for dangerous ones, and attack them in the same way. This is known as an autoimmune disorder, and which includes rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, asthma, etc.

Using Ayurveda to boost your immune system

Ayurveda isn’t a form of medicine; it is a way of life. There is no one element of Ayurvedic practice that can optimise the effectiveness of our immune system, it is a combination of herbs and minerals, yoga, and exercise, all balanced with a good nutritional diet. According to OM Shanti, the basic tenet of a “disease-free society” is a balanced immune system.

Ayurvedic natural remedies

The following is a short list of herbs and spices that are ‘Ayurvedic approved’:

Amla – This is a powerful antioxidant and excellent for good liver health. As the liver is responsible for removing toxins from the body, it makes sense to look after it! If your body isn’t full of toxins, your immune system can concentrate on protecting you from other things.

Ashwaganda – This promotes metabolic activity and positively affects the mobilisation and activation of immune cells. Through its tonifying effect on the metabolic and endocrine systems in the body, this increases our defense against harmful viruses and bacteria.

Turmeric – While many of us associate turmeric as a cooking spice, its popularity lies also in its health benefits, particularly as an anti-inflammatory agent. Also its principal ingredient, curcumin, has been proven to be as effective against inflammatory illnesses as aspirin.

Neem – Ayurveda promotes this as an anti-microbial herb, the oils within which containing elements which work well in the fight against pathogens, whilst also having a positive effect on many varieties of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Other natural herbs to consider using include Holy Basil and Guduchi, though there are many, many more.

Ayurveda promotes the importance of reducing/eliminating levels of stress

One of the most important aspects of Ayurveda involves a combination of exposing the body to potential threats in order for it to naturally build up and strengthen its immune system, while also avoiding the harmful effects stress can have on the immune system through the release of stress hormones such as cortisol, which can severely suppress the immune system. Meditation and yoga have been proven for thousands of years to be beneficial for reducing stress and these both play an important role in Ayurveda. Image Source URL: https://images.app.goo.gl/eLcv5vw1TRBuFyzb6

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Shirodhara is intertwined with many Ayurvedic health and wellbeing practises and has long been associated with a means of reducing stress. In Sanskrit, ‘shiro’ means ‘head’ and ‘dhara’ means ‘flow, which is the perfect description for the slow stream of warm oil that flows down from a bowl, or dhara chatti, onto the area of the forehead between the eyebrows, traditionally referred to as the ‘third eye’.

While there are numerous health benefits that can be gained through shirodhara, its principal holistic benefit surrounds the nervous system. We have identified four of the principal ones, which we have described below:

Shirodhara can counteract the effects of stress

While practiced for many thousands of years, only with advancements in modern medicine are we able to explain why shirodhara is so effective at reducing stress. The flow of hot oil induces what Dr. Herbert Benson calls the relaxation response. This then switches on the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxing muscles, slowing down the heart rate and conserving energy. The heart rate is slowed down as a consequence of the breathing rate also falling, which also reduces diastolic blood pressure.

Shirodhara tackles anxiety

The ‘third eye’ is also known as the ‘anja marma’ and is recognised as an extraordinary energy point in acupuncture. The constant trickle of warm oil activates the anja marma, which in turn reduces the sense of agitation and anxiety. One particular study on shirodhara treatments arrived at the conclusion: “The relaxed alert state, after Shirodhara, was co-related with an increase in alpha rhythm in EEG,” the alpha rhythm being a brain pattern recognised as representation of an increase in a sense of serenity and reduction in stress levels.

Shirodhara improves quality of sleep

How often have we heard someone say: “Don’t worry, it won’t seem so bad after a good night’s sleep”? It is impossible to overstress the importance of sleep in connection with both physical and mental wellbeing. As with tackling anxiety, the inducement of the alpha rhythm was been found to be highly beneficial for those suffering from sleep problems like insomnia. The Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine conducted a study with the conclusion that shirodhara was viable “to improve sleep quality and quality of life in persons with sleep problems.”

Shirodhara can calm your Vata Dosha

Holistically, the Vata Dosha is a combination of both air and space. When the Vata reaches an excessive level in your body, the result can manifest itself in the form of forgetfulness, fragmented thoughts, inability to concentrate and restlessness. Shirodhara has long been seen as one of the most effective Ayurvedic ‘treatments’ to reduce an excess of Vata through the pacifying properties of the stream of warm oil.

Ayurveda and Ayurvedic treatments may be a ‘way of life’, and when one or more elements of Ayurveda are combined, the results can be quite marked. However it would be a mistake to think that holistic Ayurvedic remedies cannot be enjoyed and beneficial as ‘stand-alone’ treatments. In particular, Shirodhara is a wonderful introduction to Ayurveda and may well open your eyes to a whole new health and wellbeing philosophy.

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To understand how a kalari marma massage can be so effective at not only treating pain, but preventing injury, knowing the roots of this form of massage will help tremendously.

Origins of the kalari marma massage

Kalari is one of the oldest forms of a martial art in India and kalari warriors were some of the most feared. In Sanskrit, ‘marma’ means ‘hidden’ or ‘secret’, and the definition of a marma point is that place in the body where two different tissue types connect. Examples of marma points are where veins and muscles meet, or ligaments and bones. Originating in northern Kerala, the kalari massage was developed to strengthen warriors, both mentally and physically, in order to reduce the likelihood of sustaining an injury in battle. Curiously, these warriors were also trained to target the most vulnerable marma points on the enemy’s body, with 12 marma points identified that if struck sufficiently hard, will result in instant death.

There are 107 or 365 marma points in the body, depending on where you are from

Not dissimilar to meridians associated with acupuncture and acupressure, marma points are the focus of the kalari marma massage as it has long been known that applying pressure to marma points is good for reducing hypertension, as well as treating neurological problems and stomach ailments. In Tamil there are 107 marma points (the mind is seen as the 108th marma), while there are 365 marma in traditional Kerala karali. These marma all correspond to the body’s seven chakra, or energy centres of the body.

Reducing pain with a kalari marma massage

Marma pressure points in the body are key to reducing pain through massage, which helps to improve blood circulation. Additionally, part of the ‘secret ingredient’ of the kalari marma massage is the use of herb-infused oils. By searching the India National Health Portal, the use of these herbal infused oils can extend to bolus (kizhi). It includes delicately fried herbs, wrapped in muslin which is then soaked in warm medicinal oils, and applied to problem areas. In addition to reducing pain by targeting neuro-muscular junctions in the body, the kalari marma massage also improves the tone of the muscle and tissue surrounding the target marma, so helping to reduce the likely reoccurrence of the problem which has resulted in pain and discomfort.

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