Introduction
Ayurveda describes numerous medicinal herbs with Vyadhirodhak Chamatav (disease-resisting potential), emphasizing their role in maintaining health and supporting immune function. These herbs are broadly classified into Rasayana and non-Rasayana categories. With increasing interest in natural therapeutics, Ayurvedic medicinal plants have gained importance in healthcare and pharmaceutical research worldwide. 1,2
Immunomodulatory potential of Ayurvedic herbs
Herbs that influence the immune system, either specifically or non-specifically, are considered immunomodulatory. They may act on both innate and adaptive immunity and play an important role in conditions associated with immune dysfunction. 3
Rasayana herbs and immune support
Rasayana is a specialized branch of Ayurveda dedicated to enhancing vitality, nourishment, and resistance to disease.
- The term combines Rasa (nutrition) and Ayana (transport or pathway).
- Rasayana therapy is considered beneficial for strengthening immune protection, particularly during the degenerative phase of life.
- Several Rasayana plants have been investigated for their immunomodulatory potential, with 34 plants identified as immune-enhancing agents.
- Clinical studies have reported improvements in protein metabolism, albumin-globulin ratio, and adrenal and testicular functions.
Non-rasayana herbs and the concept of Ama
Non-Rasayana herbs also demonstrate significant immunomodulatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antirheumatic activities.
According to Ayurveda, Ama is formed due to improper digestion and contributes to the pathogenesis of various disorders. Herbs may act by:
- Preventing the formation of Ama through enhancement of digestion, such as Piper longum, Zingiber officinale, Plumbago zeylanica, and Trachyspermum ammi.
- Digesting existing Ama, as seen with herbs such as Curcuma longa, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, and Terminalia bellerica.
Future perspective
As immune-related disorders continue to increase, there is growing interest in identifying effective immunomodulatory agents from Ayurveda. While Rasayana herbs are widely recognized for their immune-supportive properties, non-Rasayana herbs also possess considerable therapeutic potential and warrant further exploration.
Conclusion
Ayurveda provides a broad spectrum of immunomodulatory herbs through both Rasayana and non-Rasayana approaches. These medicinal plants support immune function through diverse mechanisms, including enhancement of vitality and regulation of Ama. Continued scientific evaluation of both categories may further strengthen their role in integrative healthcare.4
References:
1. Masood E. 'Medicinal plants threatened by over-use'. Nature. 1997;385(6617):570. doi:10.1038/385570a0. https://www.nature.com/articles/385570a0
2. Wang ZG, Ren J. Current status and future direction of Chinese herbal medicine. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2002;23(8):347-348. doi:10.1016/s0165-6147(02)02051-5. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0165-6147(02)02051-5
3. Ziauddin M, Phansalkar N, Patki P, Diwanay S, Patwardhan B. Studies on the immunomodulatory effects of Ashwagandha. J Ethnopharmacol. 1996;50(2):69-76. doi:10.1016/0378-8741(95)01318-0. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0378874195013180?via%3Dihub
4. Doshi GM, Une HD, Shanbhag PP. Rasayans and non-rasayans herbs: Future immunodrug - Targets. Pharmacogn Rev. 2013;7(14):92-96. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.120506. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3842000/