Immunity and infection
The immune system is programmed to protect the body from a variety of infections right from birth. The activity of different organ systems and thereby the immunity also varies with age 8. Changes in the environment can also result in immuno-depression which is manifested through different characteristics 9. Usually, early infections (called the ‘intermediate state’) are transient and self-healing. Virulent infections break the intermediate stage and are triggered by the transmission of putrefying pathogens 10. The source of infection belongs to a wide range of factors 11 but categorical comprehension of the infective pathology is dependent upon the study of immuno-modulation in a specific way 12.
Immuno-modulation by Āyurveda
Bhūtābhisanigaja jvara 13, graha roga 14, rājayakshmā 15, kushtha 16, etc. are due to micro-organisms like viruses, bacteria, fungi respectively, causing pathogenesis affecting the nerves, skin, etc. with neuro-physio-pathological characteristics. The infective organisms get embedded in the process of the disease and result in localised or general abnormalities 17. Micro-organisms create anomalies in the respective organs and become virulent as they multiply due to an overload on the immune system 18. The immunological systems can be detoxified by administration of the specific immuno-modulation therapy 19.
Single or compound drugs are used in a fixed dose or in increasing followed by decreasing doses. This is well described in the Āyurvedic texts for mitigating particular diseases 25. The significance of the use of rasāyana has assumed a greater importance in the case of serious and fatal infections in immuno-compromised patients 27. The use of Embelica officinalis and Samecarpus anacardium enlighten the view of immuno-promotion and immuno-suppression respectively in different infections.
Almost all infective diseases can be prevented by the use of achāra rasāyana as it regulates the neuro-transmitters to maintain the psychological threshold so that individuals can keep themselves alert 28. Simultaneously the use of seasonal fruits, drink(s) and aphrodisiac drugs can prevent infections and the administration of madhutailika and yapanbasti are known to increase the IgG and IgM levels 29.
To summarise, infections produce disease in our bodies when the immunity goes down which can be arrested through immuno-modulatory drugs in the testified form.
