Boosting immunity in kids

Immunity can be compared to OJAS.  According to Ayurveda, ojas is the vital energy of the body. It has been considered vital in the defense mechanism of the body. Any food that transforms quickly into ojas is good for immunity. If food tends to create ama, it leads to depletion of immunity.

According to Ayurveda, Kalaja Bala is a kind of immunity related to time.  It depends upon the time of day,
season, and one’s age. Strength is more in early morning, spring season and youth than in evening, summer and old age. Up to 16 years of age, our body is dominated by kapha dosha which imparts good immunity to the body. But we just need to maintain that immunity level through daily routine or by using supplements. We all have maximum vital energy in youth level. As the age grows up, immunity depletes.

Suvarna prashan is mentioned in Ayurveda to enhance the immunity of children. It is one of the most important. Ayurvedic oral vaccinations which have to be compulsorily administered to every child. The process in which Suvarna bhasma (purified ash of gold) is administered with fortified ghee prepared with herbal extracts and honey in liquid or semisolid form. It can be given up to age group of 0-16yrs. It can be done daily early in the morning or at least on every Pushya nakshatra, an auspicious day which comes after every 27 days. If suvarna prashana is given on this day it provides excellent benefits.

• One can go for healthy and easy to digest foods. It includes whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and light dairy products. For example – apple, pineapple, pomegranate, papaya and mangoes.
• Avoid foods that are processed, frozen or packaged as they are harder to digest. Intake of such 
• food items creates ama (toxins) which has negative impact over the immunity.
• Flavor the food with spices as they tend to boost the immunity. If you add mild spices to vegetables, grains and legumes while cooking, the food will convert more quickly to ojas.
• When we cook the food, it becomes easily digestible. But you should not cook it too much as it can 
• lower the immune-boosting effect.
• Encourage the child to have meals at a proper time. Consume your main meal in the middle of the day, 
• when sun is highest and digestion is strong. Eat lighter at breakfast and at night, when digestion is weaker. Good digestion yield nutrients from the food we eat. Thus, it will boost immunity.
• Eat food in proper quantity. Consuming right amount according to body type - not too much or too 
• little - enhances ojas and supports the immune system.
• Go for exercise (Vyayama). Doing exercises daily for around 50% of your exertion capacity enhances digestion, fastens tissue metabolism and boosts immunity.
• In Ayurveda, various ras-rasayana (tonics) which provides power to the body and fights diseases. 
• Chawanprash, amlaki rasayana, giloy, chitrak haritaki aveleha, triphla with honey, brahmi, shankhpushpi and yashtimadhu  medicines provide energy to the body to fight germs and enhance immunity.
• One can spice up the milk of children with dalchini or elaichi as it makes milk easily digestible. 
• Moreover, it has warming effect over body to prevent from cold and flu.
• Consuming foods having all tastes promotes immunity.
• Regular use of cow milk and ghee (clarified butter) boost up immunity in kids.
• Consuming amla as it bears rejuvenating action over the body’s immunity.
• Encourage the child to speak truth always. It will strengthen the inner power of the body.
• Encourage to not suppress the natural urges as it helps to balance the doshas in the body.
• Do not consume contradictory food articles at the same time. For example - milk should not consume with green vegetables, onion, sour fruits and salty food articles. If these are taken together, it will produce toxins in the body.
• Teaspoon of honey in the milk boosts immunity in kids and adults as well.

Especially in winter

• Since honey is yogvahi. One teaspoon can be taken on empty stomach to combat toxins. Moreover, honey can balance anions and cations in our body. So, prevent us from the harmful effect of free radicals.
• Tulsi or adarak can be used in medicated tea.
• One can mix 5-6 leaves of tulsi (Indian gooseberry), 5-6 kali mirch (black pepper) granules and 
• honey. Consume this mixture once or twice a day.
• Consume khajur, around 1-5 pieces daily are enough to boost immunity.
• Intake of pudding prepared from besan and ghee. 
• One can add sonth, kalimirch, dalchini , tejpatra and lavang to it. Do consume hot milk after this. It is very old remedy to relieve cold and flu. 
• Consume sitopaladi churna along with honey twice daily to relieve cough and cold.
• One can consume ladoo prepared from wheat flour and ghee. Various nuts, mashmelon seeds, kishmish, chuara, alsi seeds can be added to enhance immunity.
• Garlic fights infection and bacteria. It is rich in antioxidants. It is one of the easiest options to be included in diet.