It might look like a mouthful, but this beautiful word from the Sanskrit language — Ayurveda — is pronounced AA-yur-VAY-da. According to one of India’s most respected Ayurvedic physicians, Dr Vasant Lad, Ayurveda translates to “the science of life.” Broken down further, Ayu means “life” or “daily living,” and Veda means “knowledge” or “wisdom” (Lad, 2004).
Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world and is still widely practised today in its home country, India — the same ancient culture that gifted yoga to the world. This holistic healing system has been used continuously for over 5,000 years.
At its core, Ayurveda is designed to help a person maintain health and vitality, while also addressing dis-ease when imbalance arises. Unlike modern medicine, which often views the body as a collection of separate parts, Ayurveda sees the human being as a whole, interconnected system. What is happening in the body is deeply linked to what is happening in the mind, emotions, and spirit.
A truly individual approach to health
Western medicine often looks at a particular condition that many people share and offers a standard treatment. Ayurveda, on the other hand, recognises that no two people are the same. It seeks to understand why a particular issue is happening for you and addresses the underlying cause, rather than simply managing symptoms.
The traditional system of Ayurveda includes eight main branches of medicine, such as:
- Kaaya Chikitsa (Internal Medicine)
- Baala Chikitsa (Treatment of Children / Pediatrics)
- Graha Chikitsa (Psychology)
- Urdhvaanga Chikitsa (Treatment of disease above the clavicle)
- Shalya Chikitsa (Surgery)
- Damstra Chikitsa (Toxicology)
- Jara Chikitsa (Geriatrics, Rejuvenation)
- Vrsha Chikitsa (Fertility and reproductive health)
What does Ayurvedic treatment involve?
Ayurvedic treatment is gentle, practical, and deeply personalised. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, recommendations are tailored specifically to you, your constitution, your current state of balance, and your lifestyle.
Depending on your needs, Ayurvedic support may include:
- Dietary guidance, focusing on foods that best support your digestion, energy, and overall balance
- Herbal medicine, using traditional Ayurvedic herbs to gently support the body’s natural healing processes
- Daily routines (Dinacharya) to support sleep, digestion, and nervous system health
- Lifestyle recommendations, including movement, rest, and stress management
- Mind–body practices, such as breathing techniques, meditation, or gentle yoga
- Seasonal guidance, helping your body adapt to environmental and hormonal changes throughout the year
The aim is not perfection or restriction, but rather to create small, sustainable shifts that support balance over time.
Conditions Ayurveda may support
While Ayurveda works to bring the whole person back into balance, it can support a wide range of modern health concerns, including:
- stress and anxiety
- digestive issues (such as bloating or IBS)
- inflammation
- skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis)
- high blood pressure or cholesterol
- fatigue and low energy
- poor sleep
- peri-menopause, menopause, and post-menopause
There is also growing research exploring Ayurveda’s effectiveness in supporting conditions such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Type 2 diabetes
- PCOS and sub-fertility
Personally, Ayurveda was a very important part of my support system when I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, but I’ll post another blog about that.
Restoring balance, naturally
At its heart, Ayurveda aims to maintain balance within the body — supporting its natural ability to regulate, heal, and adapt. By restoring harmony between body, mind, and lifestyle, Ayurveda can help reduce dis-ease and slow the wear and tear of everyday life.
If you’re curious about whether Ayurveda could support your health, I’d love to talk with you. You’re welcome to book a complimentary 10-minute call with me to discuss your needs and see if Ayurveda is the right fit for you.
