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Nutraceuticals 2020: Nutraceuticals for Immunity as per Ayurveda

R K Khandal

As per Ayurveda, every living specie is made up of five (Panch) elements (Mahabhuta) i. e. Akash(Space), Vayu(Air), Agni(Fire), Jal(Water) and Prithvi(Earth). Interactions between any two of them will result in a life force called Dosha. There are three Doshas viz. Vata, Pitta and Kapha, based on interactions involving any two of them. Akash and Vayu give Vata, Agni and Jal result in Pitta and Jal and Prithvi create Kapha. Each human has all these three Doshas but one of them is is a little more prominent. So humans are divided into three categories as per their dominating Dosha. Any imbalance in Doshas would be the cause of a disease. In other words, bringing Doshas back to original situation of all three balanced would eliminate an ailment. A patient can easily do this merely by following these basic concepts of Doshas. Just like humans, foods also have Doshas in same way. Based on body type, a person must eat food compatible with the given Dosha. All constituents of food will also be governed by the same principle.