Magical ayurvedic herbs and spices that can boost our immunity.” MOJ Food Process Technols. 2020; 8(3):99-102.

Abstract

Today world is facing an unprecedented pandemic COVID 19 caused by SARS COV 2. In present scenario it’s become more important to build our defense system more strong against it as no evidence-based treatment for COVID-19 is developed yet. Since time immemorial, traditional spices and herbs have played a vital role as immuno-boosters in Indian cuisine. Herbs and spices were well known from ancient times for their medicinal properties. More than 80 spices are grown in different parts of the world, particularly in Asia. India is home to several spices that are used extensively in traditional medicine. Spices like turmeric, saffron, cloves, cinnamon, carom seeds, ginger and garlic are known to have a plethora of beneficial properties. Herbs like mint, tulsi (Holy Basil), leaves of neem, ashwagandha, giloy are said to have several health benefits. Herbs and spices are wonderful because, unlike drugs, we don’t need to “take” them. Instead, we can add them to our favorite dishes for a kick of flavor and increased immunity.

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Introduction
Today worldwide, a novel corona virus disease (COVID-19)
caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus 2
(SARS-CoV-2) has emerged like a havoc to the humanity. The
disease has unfolds globally and caused more than three lakh
casualty. Worldwide many efforts and measures have been taken by
the countries to control this pandemic but it is ceaselessly spreading.
Now the dimension of pandemic forces us to explore the available
options present in all knowledge systems practicing globally. A ray of
hope has come from China wherever they used Traditional Chinese
Medicine to treat COVID-19 cases and nd better recovery results.
This can also draws attention of scientic community to Ayurveda
classics and its experimental knowledge to get explored for nding
cure for this pandemic.
According to ancient Indian texts, “aushadham ucchyathe sarvam”,
which implies that food is the absolute cure and healer. Ayurveda,
which is a traditional Indian system of medicine and promotes several
herbs, spices and roots that help boost the immune system naturally.
In Ayurveda, spices and herbs are used to cure long standing health
conditions by eliminating metabolic conditions and commonly
termed as ‘cleansers’. Traditionally, in Indian cuisine, herbs and
spices are used in a dish according to their nutritional benets and
their ability to strengthen our immune system, which in turn, can
protect us from ailments and infections. A strong immune system
helps the body ght u, disease-causing viruses, as well as bacteria.
People with compromised immunity are more prone to falling sick
and their symptoms for any disease are more severe as compared to
others. That’s why the need of strong immune system is extremely
important because that will enable us to live a healthy life. And how
the covid-19 is wreaking havoc, it’s even more important to build our
defenses against it.
According to the World Health Organization, around 80% of the
world population uses herbal medicines for primary health care,
particularly across South Asia and Europe. Research studies indicate
that along with building up the body’s immunity, they also have anti-
inammatory properties and relatively have less side effects. This
mini review discussed about some important herbs and spice that
can be used as potent immunity booster. At a time when the world
is reeling under the effects of COVID-19, these Ayurvedic herbs and
spices should be added in our daily diet to boost your immunity:
Giloy
(Tinospora cordifolia) commonly known as ‘Guduchi’ or
‘Amrita’, is a plant being used from centuries for its medicinal values.
Many studies have reported the hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic,
hepatoprotective, antibacterial, anti-inammatory, antiosteoporotic,
antiobesity, anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic properties of giloy.1–9
Its antioxidant potentials were also investigated in many studies.10 It
is also very effective against lead toxicity, diabetic foot ulcers and
diabetic neuropathy. It also improves learning and memory power.11–13
The immunomodulator properties of giloy was studied in various
models.14,15 α-D-glucan, the main chemical constituent of giloy
stimulate natural killer cells, B cells, and T cells with simultaneous
production of various immune-stimulatory cytokines.15 It also reduces
the total leucocyte count (TLC), neutrophil and eosinophil counts
when its extract has been given to Human Immuno-deciency Virus
(HIV) positive patients.16 In a study done on male wistar rats using
alcoholic extract of giloy showed an increase in the white blood cell
(WBC) counts, bone marrow cellularity, serum Ig concentrations
which further validates the immunomodulatory potential of this
plant.16
Ashawagandha
(Withania somnifera) is a very revered herb of the Indian Ayurvedic
system. It is used for various kinds of disease processes and especially
as a nervine tonic. In Sanskrit Ashwagandha, means “the smell of a
horse” because of its vigour and strength of a horse. Ashwagandha is
an adaptogen which is a class of plants and herbs that help to bring
the body’s stress response to normal levels. Such herbs make us more
MOJ Food Process Technols. 2020;8(3):99‒102. 99
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Magical ayurvedic spices and herbs that can boost
our immunity
Volume 8 Issue 3 - 2020
Sunita Singh
Department of Chemistry, Navyug Kanya Mahavidyalaya,
University of Lucknow, India
Correspondence: Dr. Sunita Singh, Assistant Professor,
Department of Chemistry, Navyug Kanya Mahavidyalaya,
University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226004 (U.P), India,
Email
Received: June 29, 2020 | Published: July 30, 2020
Abstract
Today world is facing an unprecedented pandemic COVID 19 caused by SARS COV 2. In
present scenario it’s become more important to build our defense system more strong against
it as no evidence-based treatment for COVID-19 is developed yet. Since time immemorial,
traditional spices and herbs have played a vital role as immuno-boosters in Indian cuisine.
Herbs and spices were well known from ancient times for their medicinal properties. More
than 80 spices are grown in different parts of the world, particularly in Asia. India is home
to several spices that are used extensively in traditional medicine. Spices like turmeric,
saffron, cloves, cinnamon, carom seeds, ginger and garlic are known to have a plethora of
benecial properties. Herbs like mint, tulsi (Holy Basil), leaves of neem, ashwagandha,
giloy are said to have several health benets. Herbs and spices are wonderful because,
unlike drugs, we don’t need to “take” them. Instead, we can add them to our favorite dishes
for a kick of avor and increased immunity.
Keywords: giloy, ashwagandha, garlic, turmeric, ginger
MOJ Food Processing & Technology
Review Article Open Access

Magical ayurvedic spices and herbs that can boost our immunity 100
Copyright:
©2020 Singh
Citation: Singh S. Magical ayurvedic spices and herbs that can boost our immunity. MOJ Food Process Technols. 2020;8(3):99‒102.
DOI: 10.15406/mojfpt.2020.08.00247
resilient at times of stress (physical /emotional) and restore a state of
balance. The root of ashwagandha is regarded as tonic, aphrodisiac,
narcotic, diuretic, anthelmintic, astringent, thermogenic and
stimulant.17 Studies show that withanolides,18 the major constituent
of ashwagandha is responsible for its antimicrobial, antitumor,
and immunomodulating properties.19 The antioxidants found in
ashwagandha play a vital role in its ability in boosting the immune
system.20 Studies also showed that the body naturally increases nitric
oxide production in the face of infection, which accounts for a part
of the immune-boosting effects of the herb. Ashwagandha increases
the production of nitric oxide which is responsible for activating the
macrophage al actions of the immune system and improves the ability
to ingest invader foreign cells.21 Ashwagandha also helps in lowering
the inammation by reducing the number of C-reactive protein in the
body. This lowering effect of chronic inammation helps our immune
system to perform efciently by improving the action of Natural Killer
cells which are a part of the innate immune system, and thus play a
vital role in host-rejection of both tumors and viral infected cells.22
Research showed that ashwagandha helps to increase the natural killer
cells in humans studies.
Garlic
(Allium sativum) belongs to genus Allium which are known for their
production of organosulfur compounds, which possess interesting
biological and pharmacological properties. The compounds extracted
and isolated from garlic exhibits a broad spectrum of benecial
effects against microbial infections as well as cardioprotective,
anticancerigenic, and anti-inammatory activity.23–27 Recently,
garlic has been suggested as a promising candidate for maintaining
the homeostasis of the immune system. Several studies have been
carried out in animal models to examine the effect of different garlic
components and formulations on immunomodulatory activities.28–29
S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (alliin) and 𝛾-glutamyl cysteine
derivatives are the major constituents of garlic. When garlic is crushed
or chewed, this compound turns into allicin, the main active ingredient
in garlic responsible for its distinctive smell and taste.30 However,
allicin is unstable, so it quickly converts to other sulphur-containing
compounds which exhibits medicinal properties.31 These compounds
have been shown to boost the disease-ghting response of white blood
cells in the body when they encounter viruses, such as the viruses that
cause the common cold or u.32 Aged garlic extract contains fructans
(fructoligosaccharides) which selectively stimulate some benecial
bacteria in colon, modulating immune responses.33
Turmeric
(Curcuma longa) the “Indian saffron” is a yellow orange spice
and medicinal herb that has been used for thousands of years. It is
one of the most well researched spice, explored for its therapeutic
properties. Previous nding has proven that it has therapeutic
potential as antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inammatory, and
management of other pharmacological activities.34–38 Curcumin, the
major constituent of turmeric has been proven responsible for its
clinical therapeutic properties Curcumin also shows pivotal role in
the modulation of immune system. The prebiotic-like properties of
turmeric has been explored which enable it to make changes in the
gut microbiota and support the gut-immune connection.39 Curcumin
is capable of lowering cortisol levels which in turn help in
maintaining balance in the immune system. It is important because
all immune cells contain cortisol receptors; alteration in cortisol
levels causes impairment in immune responses.40–41 The excessive
pro-inammatory activity of immune cells leads to suboptimal
health conditions; however, studies also proved that turmeric may
help in regulating hyperactivity of immune cells.42
Ginger
(Zingiber ofcinale) is widely used spice around the world. In
Chinese, Ayurvedic and Tibb-Unani herbal medicines it has been
used for the treatment of catarrh, rheumatism, nervous diseases,
gingivitis, toothache, asthma, stroke, constipation and diabetes.43 The
medicinal, chemical, and pharmacological properties of ginger have
been extensively reviewed the evidence for the effectiveness of ginger
as an antioxidant, anti-inammatory agent, antinausea compound,
and anticancer agent as well as the protective effect of ginger
against other disease conditions are reviewed. Presence of ketones,
especially the gingerols, which appear to be the primary component
of ginger, is responsible for its spicy aroma.43 The gingerols, paradols,
sesquiterpenes, shogaols, and zingerone, are responsible for powerful
anti-inammatory and antioxidant properties.44 –45 Studies on various
models showed that the ginger extract reduces inammation in those
with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, inammatory gut disease,
asthma, and certain cancers. A clinical trial on human using ginger
powder signicantly reduced levels of inammatory proteins like
tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and C-reactive protein
(CRP).46 In another study, male athletes who received 1.5 grams of
ginger powder daily for 6 weeks had a signicant reductions in levels
of inammatory markers, such as TNF-alpha, interleukin 6 (IL-6),
and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1-beta), compared to athletes who received
a placebo.47
Conclusion
In the wake of the COVID 19 outbreak, entire mankind across
the globe is suffering. Enhancing the body’s natural defence system
(immunity) plays an important role in maintaining optimum health.
We all know that prevention is better than cure. While there is no
medicine for COVID-19 as of now, it will be good to take preventive
measures which boost our immunity in these times.
Funding
None.
Acknowledgments
The author is grateful to Department of Chemistry, Navyug kanya
Mahavidyalaya Lucknow for the support.
Conicts of interest
The author declares that there was no conict of interest.
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DOI: 10.15406/mojfpt.2020.08.00247
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