To know about ayurvedic Immune System

Immune System
General Functions: When the Śleshma (Kapha) is in normal state, it is called ‘Bala’ as well as‘Ojas’; but when it attains an abnormal state, it is then called ‘Mala’ (Waste)and ‘Pāpmā’ (Disease) (Ca.Sū. 27/117). From the above statement it is clearthat ‘Bala’, ‘Ojas’ and ‘Kapha’ are identical entities, at least when ‘Kapha’is in normal state. When ‘Kapha’ is in its normal state, it providescompactness, stability, virility, immunity and resistance (Ca.Sū. 18/51).
Importance: The most essential fraction of all bodilytissues is called ‘Ojas’. Eventhough it resides in the heart, itcirculates all over the body to maintain the normal healthy status of the body.It is ‘Snigdha’ (unctuous) and ‘Somātmaka’ (mild and cool) in nature. Though predominantlywhite in colour, it has got some yellowish and reddish tinge. If this is lost,life also is lost and if this remains intact, life continues (A. H. Sū.11/37-38).
‘Ojas’ has been described to exist in different forms in thebody. The fraction of ‘Ojas’ that circulates all over the body through thecardiovascular system, moves along with ‘Rasa Dhātu’. This is called ‘RasātmakaOjas’. Another form of ‘Ojas’, is present in all tissues and is called‘Dhātutejorūpi’. This indicates the immune mechanisms present at tissue-level.A third form of ‘Ojas’ is ‘Śukra mala rūpi’. This enters the fetus to provide protectionto the fetus during intrauterine life. Another form of ‘Ojas’ is described as ‘Jivaśonhita rūpi’ (Hemādri on A.H. Sū 11/37-38).
Classification of Immunity:
Immunity isclassified in to three types: Innate (Sahaja),Acquired (Kālaja) and Artificial(Yukti kr ta) (Ca.Sū. 11/36).
Factors Influencing Immunity: The following factorsinfluence the promotion of immunity:
place of birth, time of birth, favorable weather, excellenceof genetic qualities, excellence of properties of food being consumed,excellence of physique, good ability to tolerate various factors, excellence ofmental status, favorable factors related to nature, youthfulness, exercise andcheerful attitude (Ca. Śā. 6/13).

Antigen-Exposure and Host Response:
Substances, which have opposite qualities to those of bodilytissues, (when gain entry into the body) encounter the opposition by the bodilytissues (Ca. Sū. 26/91). Etiological factors, ‘Doshas’, and‘Dhātus’ determine the bodily immunity or susceptibility for thedisease. When all the three factors do not support each other or when they areweek due to passage of time, either the disease does not manifest at all or ittakes some time in manifestation or the disease is very mild or all its signsand symptoms are not fully manifested. If the situation is opposite to that ismentioned above, the corresponding results also will be otherwise (Ca. Ni.4/4). This means that susceptibility of a particular tissue to any antigenicattack plays an important role in the manifestation or non manifestation of adisease. At the same time, the potency of the causative agent also is important.Virulent strains of infectious agents produce severe symptoms. Along with thesetwo factors, homeostatic mechanisms also are important. If immune system isnormally functioning, injurious agents will be tackled effectively.

Concept of Active and Passive Immunity:
Treatment of thediseases manifested due to the presence of opposing agents in the body, shouldbe planned either by administering the substances having opposite qualities tothem or by prior sensitization of thebody by administering the similar substances as those of offending agent (Ca.Sū. 26/104). This forms the basis of active and passive immunity. Priorsensitization of the body with specific antigen makes one develop activeimmunity. On the other hand, antibodies can be procured out of an animal inwhich active immunity has been already produced, and can be administered to theindividual suffering from the same disease. Other functions of immune systemare described under the functions of ‘Kapha’

Concept of ‘Kapha’:
Functions of immune system and all such other protective mechanismsin the body have been grouped under ‘Kapha’ in Ayurveda. ‘Ojas’ is also closelyrelated with ‘Kapha’.

‘Avalamhbaka Kapha’: Situated in the thorax, ‘Avalamhbaka Kapha’ protects the‘Trika’ and other vital structures like heart, through what is called ‘Amhbukarma’. Other anatomical sites where other types of ‘Kapha’are situated also are dependent on this (A.H. Sū. 12/15-16).
‘Trika’ region indicates the meeting point of three bones.As this is present in thorax, it must be indicating the junction between thesternum and clavicles, behind which, the thymus gland is situated. ‘Amhbu’ means liquid or water. So, ‘Amhbukarma’ must be referring tolymphatic drainage.

‘Kledaka Kapha’: This is present in stomach and it moistensthe ingested food (A.H. Sū. 12/16-17). Mucous secreted in stomach playsimportant role in offering protection to mucous membrane of the stomach alongwith providing liquid medium for digestive process. Also, Gut AssosiatedLymphoid Tissue helps in providing protection by preventing the entry of any microbesthrough gut. HCl secreted in stomach also provides innate immunity to someextent. All these mechanisms can be explained through ‘Kledaka Kapha’.

‘Bodhaka Kapha’: This is said to be present in oral cavityand helps in the perception of taste. Salivary juice secreted in the oralcavity not only helps in the process of taste perception but also performs someprotective functions. Root of the tongue is the site of ‘Bodhaka Kapha’.Tonsils are the important lymphoid tissue-containing structures present there.

‘Tarpaka Kapha’: This sub-type of ‘Kapha’ is present insidethe head and is responsible for the protection and nourishment of sense organs.Microglia and other similar Glial cells of brain tissue are some of theimportant entities, which may represent ‘Tarpaka Kapha’.
‘ŚleshakaKapha’: This Kapha is present in the bony joints and is responsible forlubrication and easy movements.Movements are most obvious in synovial variety of joints and synovial fluidreduces the friction between two articular bony surfaces. But ‘Slesaka Kapha’is not only synovial fluid. For several reasons known and unknown, these jointsare the sites of prominent inflammation in most of the systemic autoimmunediseases like Systemic Sclerosis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoidarthritis. Such involvement must be, therefore, ascribed to the problems of‘Śleshaka Kapha’