WHAT IS AYURVEDA?

Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health and wellness that focuses on achieving balance and harmony in one's physical body, mind, and spirit. This ancient Indian practice emphasizes the importance of lifestyle interventions, natural treatments, and remedies to prevent disease and promote general well-being. Ayurveda recognizes the uniqueness of each individual and defines a person's specific constitution, or prakriti, which determines their physical, psychological, behavioral, and immunological traits. By incorporating diet, sleep, exercise, stress management, and other resources, Ayurveda aims to promote balance and optimal health for all.

THREE DOSHAS

Ayurvedic philosophy believes that each individual has a unique constitution made up of three doshas - vata, pitta and kapha. These doshas dictate our emotional strengths and weaknesses, the foods our body needs, the exercises that work best for us and more. When these doshas are out of balance, illness occurs. Ayurvedic practitioners use nutrition, stress management, exercise and herbs to help regain balance. It is important to understand your dosha type to achieve optimal health and wellbeing. For instance, if you have trouble getting up and moving, a restorative yoga practice might not be the best option. Instead, you might want to try some energizing sun salutations.

VATA DOSHA

Ayurveda philosophy believes that vata plays a vital role in controlling the movement of the body and mind. Those who are dominant in vata tend to be creative, flexible, and quick to act, but they may also experience anxiety and worry. To manage excessive vata, Ayurvedic practitioners suggest grounding techniques such as meditation, regular sleep-eat schedules, and rest and relaxation. Walking meditation is a particularly effective technique for those who struggle to sit still, especially during the morning as the sun rises. Understanding vata and seeking Ayurvedic help can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

PITTA DOSHA

Pitta, one of the three doshas in Ayurvedic theory, is responsible for controlling digestion, hormones, and metabolism. Individuals who are dominant in pitta tend to possess qualities such as strong-will, confidence, and focus, making them great leaders. However, when pitta is off balance, it can lead to inflammation, rashes, skin conditions, and digestive issues. Ayurvedic practitioners suggest participating in cool, calming activities and consuming cooler foods or a Mediterranean diet to balance pitta. Understanding and balancing your pitta can lead to improved overall health and well-being.

KAPHA DOSHA

Kapha is an important element in the body, responsible for providing support and lubrication to muscles, bones, and ligaments. However, when imbalanced, it can lead to excessive fatigue, weight gain, and disinterest in new activities. To combat this, it's important to maintain a healthy diet and increase physical activity. Essential oils can also be helpful in balancing kapha, and individuals are encouraged to incorporate lighter foods like fruits and vegetables in smaller portions throughout the day. By following these practices, those with kapha dominance can maintain their endurance and loyalty while avoiding the negative effects of an imbalance.

DOES AYURVEDA WORK?

In India Ayurveda is considered a formal medical care system equivalent to conventional Western medicine. It’s estimated that 80% of India’s population of 1.2 billion people use some form of traditional Ayurvedic medicine. In India, there are many government and private Ayurvedic medical schools, clinics and hospitals. And Ayurvedic medicine is an important aspect of traditional Indian culture. Proponents of Ayurveda feel strongly in its effectiveness, citing its history of use over millennia.

However, very few rigorous studies that meet Western standards of scientific validity have been conducted. Even fewer have demonstrated effectiveness.

Of particular concern is that approximately 20% of Ayurvedic medicines fall into a class called Rasashastra. This category intentionally combines and processes minerals, metals and gems for therapeutic purposes. The resulting Bhasmas, depending upon their raw ingredients, may or may not be safe. Some Bhasmas are intentionally made with lead and mercury. These have been associated with hundreds of reported cases of lead poisoning. Some Ayurvedic proponents state these are safe based on their preparation, and those that cause toxicity weren’t prepared properly. However, there isn’t any published scientific evidence to support these claims.

Studies by Cleveland Clinic’s Chair of Wellness & Preventive Medicine Robert Saper, MD, MPH, have shown approximately 20% of Ayurvedic medicines available in the marketplace and online contain potentially harmful levels of lead, mercury and arsenic. Because of this, Dr. Saper suggests avoiding any products that contain Bhasmas in their ingredients.

“The source of heavy metals in Ayurvedic medicines can come from intentional addition, contamination from the environment and contamination during the manufacturing process,” says Dr. Saper. “Regardless of the cause, lead is toxic and there are no safe levels to consume it.”

Although Ayurveda doesn’t have a nationally recognized licensure program in the United States, some institutions offer Ayurvedic certifications. The National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) has also pushed for raising awareness about the Ayurvedic profession in the United States and an increase in scientific research to validate its existence.

If you’re interested in pursuing Ayurveda, you should speak with your healthcare provider to ensure any herbal medicines have been tested by an independent laboratory such as Consumerlab.com for heavy metals and other contaminants. By working with an integrative medicine physician, you can receive a holistic evaluation that will help you bridge both traditional and complementary medicine techniques safely and effectively.

“We evaluate the person holistically through mind, body and spirit perspective,” says Dr. Lin. “We dive into your lifestyle, how you’re eating, how you’re taking care of yourself, your thinking process, your spiritual beliefs, your stress management, your exercises and your environment. We take all these factors into consideration to understand what may have contributed to your imbalance, then make a plan to help you restore balance.”

From there, you can work with your healthcare provider to find small lifestyle changes you can make each day that can benefit you and provide balance. Some lifestyle changes may include adjusting your bedtime, carving out a space for self-care and reflection, or even just increasing your physical activity.

Working with a specialist, you may incorporate specific safe herbs like ashwagandha, turmeric and ginger to help with stress, anxiety and inflammation.

Speak with your healthcare provider before beginning any supplements to ensure they’re safe.

IS AYURVEDA RIGHT FOR YOU?

Ayurvedic medicine has a rich history of thousands of years, but to be truly integrated into Western medical systems, more research is needed. Integrative medicine offers a safe and effective way to integrate ancient healing traditions, such as Ayurveda, with mainstream medicine. If you're interested in incorporating Ayurveda into your lifestyle, consulting with an integrative medicine specialist is a great place to start. You can also explore Ayurvedic recipes and cooking with Ayurvedic herbs and spices to get started on your wellness journey.