Ayurveda: The Secret to Better Health

How Ayurveda works

Ayurveda sees health as a dynamic balance between body, mind and environment. It goes beyond symptom management, aiming to uncover and address the root cause of imbalance using personalised, holistic methods.

Practitioners assess the pulse, tongue, eyes, skin and digestion, as well as emotional and lifestyle factors, to understand the full picture of health. Treatment may include tailored dietary guidance, herbal remedies, detoxification therapies like Panchakarma, and daily routines aligned with nature’s rhythms.

What sets Ayurveda apart is its focus on prevention. It empowers individuals to recognise subtle shifts, such as dryness, irritability or fatigue, before they develop into deeper imbalances, supporting long-term resilience and vitality.

Understanding the doshas

At the heart of Ayurveda is the belief that health and wellbeing depend on a delicate balance between the individual’s unique constitution and the natural world. This balance is governed by three fundamental energies, or doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

• Vata is associated with air and ether. It governs movement, communication and the nervous system.
• Pitta is linked to fire and water. It oversees digestion, metabolism and transformation.
• Kapha is related to earth and water. It controls structure, lubrication and stability.

Each person has a unique combination of these doshas, known as their prakriti or constitution. When the doshas are in balance, you experience health. When they are out of balance, you may see symptoms or disease.

Signs your dosha may be out of balance

When one or more of the doshas becomes aggravated, due to stress, diet, lifestyle, environment or seasonal changes, imbalance can occur. These imbalances often show up as physical or emotional symptoms.

Tuning into these early signs allows you to make changes to bring the body and mind back into alignment.

Using food as medicine

In Ayurveda, food is central to health and healing. The saying “you are what you digest” sums it up perfectly. A strong, balanced digestive fire (agni) is key to converting food into energy and eliminating toxins (ama).

Meals are tailored to your dosha and the current season. For example:

Vata types, prone to dryness and anxiety, benefit from warm, grounding foods like stews, root vegetables and oily textures.

Pitta types, who run hot and tend to be driven or irritable, do well with cooling foods like cucumber, coconut and leafy greens.

Kapha types, who can be prone to sluggishness and congestion, are supported by light, spicy and warming foods like ginger, lentils and bitter greens.

Eating mindfully, in a calm setting, and avoiding overeating or snacking between meals are all part of the Ayurvedic approach to digestion and nourishment.

Healing herbs in Ayurveda

Ayurveda draws on a vast pharmacopeia of herbs to balance the doshas, strengthen organs and eliminate toxins. These herbs are often combined into synergistic formulas and taken as powders, teas, oils or tablets – always tailored to the individual’s constitution and health goals.

Some popular Ayurvedic herbs include:

• Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen traditionally used in Ayurveda to support the body’s response to stress, boost energy and stamina, promote restful sleep, and help balance hormones, especially during times of chronic stress or burnout.
• Turmeric is well known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, thanks to its active compound, curcumin. It’s often used to help reduce systemic inflammation and support joint health, digestion and liver function
• Triphala is a gentle yet effective blend of three fruits (Amalaki, Bibhitaki and Haritaki) which is traditionally used to support regular bowel movements, improve digestion, and aid natural detoxification processes without being overly harsh.
• Tulsi (Holy Basil), known as the ‘Queen of Herbs’, is cherished for its calming and uplifting properties. It helps balance mood, supports the immune system and promotes clear breathing, especially useful during seasonal changes.
• Brahmi is a revered brain tonic in Ayurvedic medicine. It’s used to enhance memory, concentration and mental clarity while nourishing the nervous system and helping to calm anxious or racing thoughts.

Lifestyle and daily rhythms

Living in harmony with nature’s rhythms is a core Ayurvedic principle. This includes rising with the sun, eating at regular times, and aligning with seasonal changes. The concept of dinacharya (daily routine) promotes self-care habits that maintain balance and prevent disease.

Common Ayurvedic lifestyle practices include:

• Tongue scraping and oil pulling first thing in the morning to support oral and digestive health. Tongue scraping removes toxins that accumulate overnight on the tongue, while oil pulling (swishing oil in the mouth) helps draw out impurities, support oral hygiene and stimulate digestion.
• Abhyanga (self-massage with warm oil) to nourish the skin, calm the nervous system and improve circulation.
• Going to bed by 10pm when the body’s natural detox cycle begins.

These simple daily habits, when practised consistently, can profoundly impact long-term health and vitality.

Tune into your body to optimise health

Ayurveda offers timeless wisdom in an age of fast-paced living and chronic stress. Its holistic, preventative approach helps you tune into your body, understand your unique needs, and make conscious choices to support wellbeing on every level. Whether you’re using herbs, adjusting your diet, or adopting a daily routine, Ayurveda reminds us that healing begins with living in balance.