What is Ojas? How It Can Impact Your Health? - An Ayurvedic View

Ayurveda defines Ojas as ‘vigour’. It is the vital energy or core essence that nourishes all tissues and is responsible for the optimal functioning of our body, mind and spirit. 

Last Modified Date: 03 Jun, 2026

Published Date: 24 Feb, 2025

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Key Takeaways:

1. Ojas is your body's core vital energy - it sustains immunity, mental clarity, and physical strength, not just temporary bursts of energy.

2. You are what you eat - nourishing foods like almonds, dates, and bananas build Ojas, while processed foods, alcohol, and refined sugar deplete it.

3. Build Ojas inside and out - combine a healthy diet and Ayurvedic supplements with self-massage (abhyanga) and productive daily habits.

When you lift weights in the gym, that’s your physical energy at work. However, the Ojas determines your willingness to show up at the gym every day and feel energetic even after your workout sessions. This subtle force, the innate drive, makes you do more and achieve more, no matter the circumstances.

Low energy levels don’t always mean low Ojas; however, low Ojas can lead to low energy levels.

Ojas is the sustainable energy that is different from those temporary bouts of energy that you get from caffeine or eating sugar-rich foods. Instead, Ojas energy builds up with time as you follow a healthy lifestyle and consume a plant-based diet. Ojas in Ayurveda is seen as the purest essence of Kapha. It is also considered the body’s natural elixir that provides strength and vigour from within.

Weak Ojas can often impair your ability to perform mentally and physically. This leads to discontentment and a lingering sense of despair. Sometimes, weak Ojas can also make you feel restless and cloud your decision-making ability. Unfortunately, given the modern pace of life, weak Ojas among the youth is common.

WRITTEN BY

Dr. Harsha Joy BAMS

Dr. Harsha Joy is a distinguished Ayurvedic practitioner with over five years of experience as a medical writer, combining her clinical expertise with her passion for sharing Ayurvedic knowledge. Read more

REVIEWED BY

Dr. Anjali Raichur BAMS, PGCPKSr. Physician

Dr. Anjali Raichur has over 25 years of experience as Ayurvedic practitioner with expertise in Panchakarma and holistic wellness. Read more

Ojas and Immunity

Ojas is the vital energy that influences the body’s immune system. Weak Ojas affects your immunity and keeps you in low spirits. Furthermore, the signs of weak Ojas become evident over time, some of which include:

  • Dull and dry skin
  • Pale complexion
  • Low energy levels
  • Poor mental and emotional clarity
  • Musculoskeletal pains, especially in the calves and back
  • since they support your body’s weight.
  • High sensitivity to sound and light
  • Vulnerability to seasonal flu and other illnesses
  • Inability to focus, negative fixations and anxiety

Having any combination of these signs without any underlying condition can mean weak Ojas and poor immunity. Even if the person may not be clinically sick, weak Ojas can lead to a similar situation. That's even worse because you don’t realise that you need help.


Nonetheless, having weak Ojas is not the end of the world. Ayurveda recommends various Ojas building foods to revive your sustainable energy. Over time, you can get back to living a healthy and active life.

How to increase Ojas?

The best way to replenish your Ojas energy naturally is by consuming Ojas increasing foods and exercising every day. Doing so will keep your digestive fire and metabolism in proper working order. It is also recommended to keep your eating habits in check. According to Ayurveda and the holistic healing system, if you drink your food and chew your water, you will never overeat or have digestive issues in your life. That’s one habit you can develop and solidify over time. But it is also important to eat certain foods to revive and maintain your Ojas.

Aswagandhadi Lehyam

4.4
Ashwagandhadi Lehyam | To Boost Stamina & Helps In Healthy Weight GainAshwagandhadi Lehyam | To Boost Stamina & Helps In Healthy Weight Gain
Ashwagandhadi Lehyam
Kerala Ayurveda Ashwagandhadi Lehyam is a time-tested formulation that promotes physical strength and overall well-being. Enriched with the goodness of Ashwagandha, Musali, and sesame seeds, Ashwagandhadi lehyam helps enhance strength, stamina, and energy levels. It also reduces stress and improves vigor and vitality in individuals.
Sale price ₹310

The best way to replenish your Ojas energy naturally is by consuming Ojas increasing foods and exercising every day. Doing so will keep your digestive fire and metabolism in proper working order. It is also recommended to keep your eating habits in check. According to Ayurveda and the holistic healing system, if you drink your food and chew your water, you will never overeat or have digestive issues in your life. That’s one habit you can develop and solidify over time. But it is also important to eat certain foods to revive and maintain your Ojas.

Aswagandharishtam

4.7
Aswagandharishta | Helps Reduce Stress, Improve Stamina & VitalityAswagandharishta | Helps Reduce Stress, Improve Stamina & Vitality
Aswagandharishta
Aswaganharishta from Kerala Ayurveda is a potent herbal elixir that helps improve strength, stamina, and vitality in individuals. Consuming Aswagandharishta aids reduces stress and anxiety and improves energy levels. The supplement boost vigour, vim and vitality in men, thus promoting male reproductive health.
Sale price ₹250

Weak Ojas can reduce your energy levels and vigour. When you have low energy levels, it also affects your confidence and self-esteem. This may lead to stress that can again affect your Ojas levels.

Aswagandharishtam is a herbal supplement fortified with rejuvenating ingredients to enhance strength and vigour. It contains herbs like Ashwagandha, Manjistha, Musali and Ksira Vidari that are excellent energy boosters, whether used alone or in a combination.

Aswagandharishtam is one of the highly revered herbal formulations in Ayurveda because of its multiple benefits. It helps in improving the Ojas while enhancing metabolism and immunity. It helps calm the mind and revitalises body functions.

Did you know?

Ojas as a subtle concept spanning physical, mental, and spiritual health, not merely a single physical substance.
Imagine your body is like a lamp.
Food, sleep, breath, emotions, and lifestyle are the oil you pour into the lamp.
When everything is good - you eat well, digest well, sleep well, feel emotionally balanced, and don’t overwork yourself - the lamp burns with a steady, bright flame. 
That steady brightness is what Ayurveda calls Ojas.

Chyavanprash

4.6
Chyavanprash with Amla for Natural Immunity SupportChyavanprash with Amla for Natural Immunity Support
Chyavanprash with Amla for Natural Immunity Support
A daily Chyavanprash for families who want gentle, natural immunity support without refined sugar or preservatives. Blending Amla with time-honoured Ayurvedic herbs, this lighter, balanced recipe comes from Kerala Ayurveda’s long-trusted tradition and has a clean, easy taste that everyone at home can enjoy. From busy mornings to changing seasons, it’s a safe, simple way to support the daily wellness of children, adults, and elders alike.
Sale price ₹369 Regular price₹410

Chyawanprash is an age-old Ayurvedic supplement that has been around for thousands of years. It is a rich source of Vitamin C and other vital nutrients that help improve strength, immunity and longevity. Another potential benefit of Chyavanprash is that it pacifies elevated doshas and enhances ojas ensuring optimal body and mind functioning. Chyavanprash can also aid digestion to prevent gut-related illnesses and subsequent health issues.

Chyavanprash by Kerala Ayurveda is prepared while strictly adhering to the authentic recipe from the ancient Ayurvedic text- Ashtanga Hridayam. It is enriched with the power of handpicked wild Amla from the forests of Chhattisgarh, raisins from Afghanistan, and Pippali from Bengal and Assam. Kerala Ayurveda Chyavanprash is sweetened only with multi floral unprocessed wild honey and jaggery. It is the finely crafted blend of hand-picked herbs like Giloy or Guduchi, Asparagus or shatavari, Winter cherry or Ashwagandha. It may taste different. That’s because it is sweetened with jaggery and honey, unlike other similar products on the market that contain refined sugar.

Kerala Ayurveda Chyavanprash can be consumed twice a day, all throughout the year, by all members of the family. It should ideally be followed by a cup of milk for maximum effect. But in case you are vegan, lactose-intolerant/ sensitive, or simply want to skip milk, you can consume it with a cup of lukewarm water.

Conclusion

We hope this article answers most of your questions, such as what is Ojas in Ayurveda and how to increase Ojas. But before you go, there’s something very important that you should know about.

In addition to taking supplements and eating healthy food, you can build Ojas externally through self-abhyanga. It is recommended to use warm medicated oil for the massage. It has a special mention in Ayurveda texts for offering a variety of physical and neurological benefits. It helps destress and helps you attain peace and calm.

It is also important to channel your Ojas by engaging in productive activities rather than squandering it on social media, unnecessary arguments with friends and colleagues or excessive indulgence in parties and substance abuse. If health is wealth, then Ojas is gold. It makes sense to build and preserve it.

References

  1. Chu, S. K., & Rho, M. E. (2016). Hamstring Injuries in the Athlete: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Return to Play. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 15(3), 184–190. doi:10.1249/jsr.0000000000000264
  2. Feland, J. B., Myrer, J. W., Schulthies, S. S., Fellingham, G. W., & Measom, G. W. (2001). The Effect of Duration of Stretching of the Hamstring Muscle Group for Increasing Range of Motion in People Aged 65 Years or Older. Physical Therapy, 81(5), 1110–1117. doi:10.1093/ptj/81.5.1110
  3. Heiderscheit, B. C., Sherry, M. A., Silder, A., Chumanov, E. S., & Thelen, D. G. (2010). Hamstring Strain Injuries: Recommendations for Diagnosis, Rehabilitation, and Injury Prevention. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 40(2), 67–81. doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.3047

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