Abstract

IMMUNOMODULATORY INSIGHTS OF AYURVEDA: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF AYURVEDIC CONCEPTS AND CONTEMPORARY CORRELATIONS IN THE LIGHT OF RASAYANA

*Dr. Suman Kundu, Dr. Hazera Khatun, Dr. Ruma Dey, Dr. Samarpita Bhattacharjee, Dr. Ramit Singha

Abstract

Concept of human defense mechanism is long acknowledged in Ayurveda which is now understood in modern system as Immunity. The immune system protects the body like a guardian from harmful influences from the environment and is essential for survival. The immune system in a broad sense is a mechanism that allows a living organism to discriminate between "self" and "non-self’” and maintains homeostasis by eliminating damaged cells and removing pathogens from body. In Ayurveda the system that protects human body from diseases has been termed as Vyadhikshamatva. In Ayurvedic literature human defense mechanism also has been categorized into two functional segments, Vyadhiutpad pratibandhakatwa (Defense mechanism that acts against causative factors of diseases) and Vyadhi bala virodhitwa (Defense mechanism that prevent the progression of a disease). Vyadhikshamatva in Ayurveda is synonymous to Bala, the innate capacity for disease resistance. Based on the scope of intervention to modulate, Bala has been categorized into three types, Sahajabala (Defensive mechanisms which are innate in nature), Kalaja bala (Defensive mechanisms which are modulated according to seasons or age) and Yuktrikrita bala (Defensive mechanisms which can be modulated by dietary and therapeutic intervention). Sahaja Bala has been introduced in Ayurveda based on the scope of modulation. Sahaja Bala are not modifiable according to Ayurveda. Kalakrita Bala may be considered as modulation of immune mechanism associated with age and seasons. Concept of Yuktrikrita Bala provides a therapeutic option to strengthen human defense mechanism. According to Acharya Chakrapani Dutta, Yuktrikrita bala may be achieved by administration of various Rasayan yoga. In Ayurveda, Rasayana drugs are considered as the natural agents, which combat age related degenerations and subsequent pathological condition. This comprehensive review article has been written to establish the concept of Immune Modulation and Rasayana in Ayurveda by bridging Ayurvedic Wisdom and Modern Immunology.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Immunity, Vyadhikshamatwa, Bala, Rasayana.