What Is Ayurveda? A Guide to Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine

While there are many possible benefits of practicing ayurvedic medicine, it’s important to keep in mind that though it has been around for thousands of years, there are few clinical trials published in Western journals to show its efficacy, per the NCCIH. Still, the following are potential health perks of the ayurvedic approach.

May Foster Stress Resilience

Through the use of diet, lifestyle changes, exercise and movement, as well as yoga and breath work, ayurveda enhances your body’s resilience against stress. “The goal is to create an inner experience of composure and confidence that allows you to be able to handle stress like water rolling off your back,” says Douillard. “The ayurvedic lifestyle allows you to go through the day preventing stress in lieu of the alternative, which is breaking your body down and then recovering.” Ultimately, this mental and emotional work can take on a spiritual component for some, fostering inner peace and self awareness.

May Promote a General Sense of Well-Being

One popular and more well-researched ayurvedic herb in the United States is ashwagandha, a shrub that’s used as an adaptogen, which are plants that improve your body’s response to stress, anxiety, and fatigue, per Cleveland Clinic.

In one study, college students who took 700 milligrams of ashwagandha root for 30 days reported more energy, mental clarity, and better sleep compared with a placebo group, all of which resulted in a heightened sense of well-being.

Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that ashwagandha supplementation had generally positive effects on participants’ physical performance variables that affected strength, power, and cardiorespiratory fitness, compared with controls.

Though it’s important to consult your doctor before taking any supplement, including ashwagandha, research has found that the extract is generally safe for healthy people. Additional potential benefits that are being explored include improvements in heart function, strength, and muscle recovery; enhanced sexual function; and even body weight management, notes the study.

May Enhance Overall Wellness

Ayurveda may help counteract today’s busy lifestyle in impactful ways. “[The system] prioritizes peacefulness, balance, and tranquility,” says Hall Carlson. Often, this includes reconnecting with nature through walks and hikes, sitting in the park, stargazing, and swimming in natural bodies of water.

Per research, exposure to nature has been shown to improve cognitive function, brain activity, mental health, blood pressure, and sleep. It’s posited that spending time in nature may indeed counteract the mental fatigue of modern life, as well as activate the “rest and digest” parasympathetic nervous system and encourage more physical activity.

“Zooming out and connecting to the weather, sky, trees, and flowers and breathing fresh air is really needed in modern times,” she says.

Additionally, researchers evaluated the effects of several ayurvedic interventions delivered to participants via wellness retreat-style courses with a mind-body-spirit focus. Those enrolled reported improved psychosocial well-being during and after, compared with a vacation control group.