‘Ayush Joshanda’ : Ayush for Immunity

Ayurveda is made up of two words Ayu which means “Life” and Veda which means “Knowledge” or “Science”. Ayurveda, being the science of life, propagates the gifts of nature in maintaining healthy and happy living. Ayurveda’s extensive knowledge base on preventive care derives from the concepts of “Dinacharya” - daily regimes and “Ritucharya” - seasonal regimes to maintain healthy life. It is a plant-based science.

The simplicity of awareness about oneself and the harmony each individual can achieve by uplifting and maintaining his or her immunity is emphasised across Ayurveda’s classical scriptures. Ayurveda, being an ancient science have both medicinal and cultural values and had stimulated our kitchen and influenced what we ate in different seasons and the remedies we used for common ailments. Herbs such as Tulsi, Marich, Sunthi, Dalchini are the most commonly used and easily available drugs in home.

Vyadhi-ksamatwa, as it is understood in Ayurveda has much wider implications than the term “Immunity” used in modern medicine. Chakrapanidatta has interpreted the term Vyadhi-ksamatwa as Vyadhi bala Virodhitwa i.e., antagonistic to the strength and virulence of the disease and Vyadhyutpada Pratibandhakatwa i.e., the capacity to inhibit and bind the causes and factors of the disease.

In the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, entire mankind across the globe is suffering. Enhancing the body’s natural defence system (immunity) plays an important role in maintaining optimum health. We all know that prevention is better than cure. While there is no medicine for Covid-19 as of now, it will be good to take preventive measures which boost our immunity in these times. Considering the importance of immunity boosting measures in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak, the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India with the interest of health promotion of the masses, recommends ‘Ayush Kwath’ or ‘Ayush Kudineer’ or ‘Ayush Joshanda’ which comprises of four medicinal herbs (Table 1)

Sl. No	Sanskrit Name	Scientific Name	Part Used	Quantity
1	Tulsi	Ocimum sanctum	Leaves	4 parts
2	Dalchini	Cinnamomum zeylanicum	Stem bark	2 parts
3	Sunthi	Zingiber officinale	Rhizome	2 parts
4	Krishna Marich	Piper nigrum	Fruit	1 parts

METHOD OF PREPARATION AND USE: Take all the ingredients in dry form as per standards laid down in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia given above and make coarse powder. Make sachets or tea bags each of 3 grams of powder or 500 mg. tablet of aqueous extract, to be consumed like tea or hot drink by dissolving in 150 ml of boiled water, once or twice daily. Gud (Jaggery) / Draksha (Resins) and/or Lemon Juice can be added while consuming the formulation.