Is your body really attacking it's own cells? A unique view on autoimmune conditions (Hashimoto's, arthritis, psoriasis)
- Martyna Bajer
- Oct 18
- 5 min read
In modern medicine, autoimmune diseases are classified as conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, psoriasis, lupus... All fall into this group.
When we hear the word autoimmune, most of us imagine the body “turning against itself” theory. It’s a frightening idea that our own immune system could mistake our healthy cells for invaders, right?
The Ayurvedic wisdom invites us to see this differently.
The body never works against us because it’s infinitely intelligent. Every symptom is a message and every inflammation a sign of communication. The body is not attacking itself but it’s rather trying to eliminate what doesn’t belong - what it perceives as harmful, even if it’s something we’ve accumulated over time (physically or emotionally).
How to understand autoimmunity?
Personally, I am a fan of blood test - This advanced and affordable tool is there to really show us tangibly what is happening inside of our internal environments. Blood tests often reveal inflammatory markers such as:
CRP (C-reactive protein) - elevated levels indicate inflammation
(Ayurvedically = heat and toxins - ama - circulating in the bloodstream);
WBC (white blood cells) - often high, showing the immune system is in defense mode.
(Ayurveda sees this as a sign that Vata, Pitta, and Kapha energies are in conflict, fighting to destroy toxins);
RBC (red blood cells) - frequently low, leading to fatigue and anemia.
(This corresponds to a depletion of blood tissues (rakta dhatu) and the essence of vitality immunity - ojas).
So: how to treat it?
Western medicine offers anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and immunosuppressants - and yes, they are effective in calming the storm in the short-term.
These approaches soothe Vata and Pitta, bringing temporary relief and preventing further tissue destruction. But we want to gon a step further.
Instead of suppressing the fire, we want to seeks the source of it.
Because unless the nidana - the root cause - is addressed, the cycle will continue.
What causes autoimmunity then?
From a Western biomedical viewpoint, immunity depends on the health and regulation of the immune system. If the communication within this system breaks down - the body mistakes its own cells as “foreign,” leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage.
Western medicine calls it a malfunction.
Ayurveda, on the other hands, leans more towards calling it a miscommunication due to toxicity (physical and mental) as well as disturbed digestive fire.
At the heart of all autoimmune conditions in Ayurveda lies ama - the toxic residue of undigested food, emotions, and experiences.
When agni (digestive fire) weakens - due to poor diet, stress, irregular routines, or unresolved emotions - the body cannot fully transform what it takes in. This ama seeps into tissues, clogging channels (srotas) and confusing the intelligence of the immune system.
The immune response we see as “self-attack” is actually the body’s attempt to cleanse itself. The heat, pain, swelling - are the body’s own ways of saying: “I’m trying to clear the blockage and I need help.”
Ayurvedic therapy for autoimmune imbalances
Agni deepana – rekindling the digestive fire.
Ama pachana – burning and digesting existing Ama through herbs and spices.
Langhana – lightening therapy, often by simplifying food.
Katu virechana – mild purgation to clear excess inflammation (Pitta dosha).
Sneha pana – internal and external oleation with medicated oils to protect and nourish tissues.
Ruksha vasti – cleansing to remove deep-seated ama from the colon.
These treatments are supported by bodywork, and emotional release therapies because in Ayurveda, healing is never only physical.
Arthritis: when ama settles in the joints
In autoimmune arthritis, the immune system attacks joint linings, leading to inflammation and pain. Ayurveda explains this as ama accumulating in the joints due to poor digestion and weak digestive fire. The body tries to expel this ama - resulting in heat, swelling, and stiffness.
As a result of causes, ama is created in the stomach ->
Ama travels to the upper part of the chest and joints (due to vitiated Vata) ->
Ama is fermented to form specific qualities of Pitta (acidity) ->
Ama with Pitta qualities is carried by blood circulatory system ->
Ama comes to rest in the Vata and Kapha sites in the body such as joints and synovial membranes
Makes sense, right?
While Western tests like CRP and WBC confirm inflammation, Ayurveda helps us understand why it’s happening, not just what is happening.
It is possible to cure arthritis when ama stops being produced!
Psoriasis: when Pitta meets Vata on the skin
Psoriasis is more than a skin condition.
It's a message from the body that something inside is overactive, overheated, or trying to detoxify. Pitta governs transformation and when aggravated, it pushes ama out through the skin. Vata joins in, causing dryness, flaking, and irregular patterns.
Ayurveda treats psoriasis by cooling Pitta, moistening Vata, and supporting gentle detoxification. Diet and herbs are crucial but emotional healing is equally vital.
Why? Because psoriasis often reflects internalized anger or frustration - emotions that the body now tries to release through the skin.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Personally, this topic is very close to my heart; I got diagnosed with Hashimoto’s at the age of 15 and have been taking the medicine blindly until I realized that this is not an answer.
Let me explain the logic behind this diagnosis!
According to the Western medicine, the immune system produces antibodies (particularly anti-TPO and anti-TG that attack thyroid tissues).
Over time, this leads to inflammation and destruction of thyroid cells, reducing thyroid hormone production.
Lab tests usually show:
Elevated TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) - the pituitary tries to “push” the thyroid to work harder;
Low T3 and T4 (thyroid hormones) - indicating hypothyroidism;
Positive antibodies - confirming the autoimmune nature.
Treatment in the Western model focuses on replacing thyroid hormones (e.g., levothyroxine) but the antibodies are not really addressed.
Ayurveda again takes the explanations to the next level here!
Where the immune system targets the thyroid gland, is a condition deeply tied to Vata and Kapha imbalance, and often emotional depletion.
The thyroid governs metabolism, communication, and transformation - both physical and emotional. When someone chronically suppresses their voice, overgives, or constantly “pushes through” exhaustion, Vata and Pitta overheat the system, leading to depletion of the vitality (ojas) and disturbance in the digestive fire (agni).
Ayurvedic healing here focuses on stabilizing Vata and Pitta energies (with diet, lifestyle and herbal remedies), grounding, nourishment, and rebuilding trust between body and mind.
Every autoimmune condition has an emotional story beneath it
Autoimmunity often arises in people who have been in long-term survival mode - constantly “on,” giving, or fighting - until their body says no more.
Ayurveda reminds us that true healing means restoring harmony across all layers: body, mind, and spirit.
When we reawaken out digestive and emotional fires, clear ama, and restore ojas, the body stops fighting - it remembers its intelligence.
REMEMBER: The body is not our enemy, it’s our greatest ally. It’s not attacking itself but it’s protecting us, in the only way it knows how.
✨ Are you’re navigating an autoimmune condition and want to understand and address their root causes through the lens of Ayurveda? Book a 1:1 consultation package with me - We will need a few sessions to sort it all out:
