Ayurveda is an ancient system of healing focused on balance, natural therapies, and a patient’s total wellness. These days, many people are shifting towards supplements of natural health, which is expected to reach a whopping $300 billion by 2028. Herbs such as turmeric are now popularly used to aid digestion, bolster immunity, and control inflammation. As stress and modern living concerns rise, there is a great demand for simple yet effective solutions.

In this article, we will explain how to integrate leading Ayurvedic practices and supplements into your daily life.

Meaning of Ayurveda

Dating back over 25,00 years, Ayurveda is a natural healing system that originated in India. Ayurveda, or “the science of life”, is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘ayus’ (life) and ‘veda’ (science). The ancient healing technique involves maintaining equilibrium in the body, mind, and spirit by means of diet, natural treatment, and a healthy lifestyle. Ayurveda considers health as the harmony between a person’s surroundings, way of living, and their internal energies called doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Ayurvedic Supplements for Wellness: Principles & Practices

What makes a supplement Ayurvedic?

Supplements come from the holistic healing practices in ancient India, which aimed at the body, mind, and spirit. They are made from herbs, plants, and minerals that each have their specific functions in maintaining good health. Natural supplements are defined as Ayurveda because they take into account the entire system to harmoniously restore balance instead of simply alleviating symptoms.  

Importance of doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) in choosing herbs

In Ayurveda, each individual has a distinct combination of three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. All three are associated with different energies of the body. To restore equilibrium, herbs selected for supplements should be tailored to a person's dosha. For example, Vatas require stabilizing herbs, Pittas may need cooling herbs, and Kaphas might need stimulating herbs that enhance energy and aid digestion.  

Whole-body approach: prevention over cure

Traditionally, Ayurveda emphasizes curing illness instead of weakening the immune system. Ayurvedic supplements focus on enhancing immunity and overall well-being. This enhances the quality of life by decreasing the burden of chronic ailments through eating, exercising and herbal medicines.

How herbs are selected and formulated in the Ayurvedic tradition

In Ayurvedic practices, Herbs are carefully picked according to their properties, which include hot, cold, refreshing, dry, and oily effects. Simply put, every herb has a direct impact on the body. Ayurvedic practitioners expertly blend these herbs to meet specific requirements for every patient, which also assures that the herbs work together for better health rather than working in opposition. The formulation is designed to assist in regaining equilibrium rather than simply resolving a problem.

Herbal Supplements and Their Role in Natural Health

Rise in popularity of natural health supplements

Globally, herbal supplements are on the rise. The NCCIH reported in 2023 that more than 40% of adults in the United States use some form of natural supplements to maintain their health. Herbal products are becoming more common as people attempt to seek gentler, plant-based alternatives to strong medication with debilitating side effects.

How Ayurveda fits into modern self-care trends

Ayurveda is the ancient Indian system of medicine, and it is becoming more prominent as a greater number of individuals search for holistic self-care approaches. Its principles on balance, daily rituals, and the use of plants for medicine align with contemporary movements such as self-care, clean living, and personalised medicine.

Science is catching up with ancient herbal wisdom

Science is catching up with age-old medical traditions. More research is testing and proving the effectiveness of numerous Ayurvedic herbs, including ashwagandha and turmeric. For instance, research conducted in 2022 showed ashwagandha's potential in stress alleviation and sleep optimisation. This helps validate old traditions as useful and now backed by science.

Benefits of Ayurvedic Herbs for Holistic Healing

• Restores balance – Ayurveda focuses on balancing Vata, Pitta, and Kapha for good health and well-being.

• Stress reliever – Ashwagandha helps in managing anxiety and stress as it reduces cortisol levels in the body, which is a proven scientific fact.

• Supports controlling inflammation – Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and helps in easing the joints and detoxifying the body due to its active compound called curcumin.

• Improves digestion – The blend of three fruits called Triphla is known for enhancing and supporting the health of the gut microbiome.

• Strengthens immunity – The body’s natural defence against oxidative stress and illness is aided and strengthened by ayurvedic herbs.

Turmeric as an Ayurvedic Remedy for Inflammation & Detox

Anti-Inflammatory and Detox Properties

Ayurveda believes in the healing power of nature, and turmeric has been used as a remedy in Ayurvedic traditions for centuries. Turmeric in Ayurveda is well-known for its potent anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties. It is frequently employed for the relief of arthritis joint pain from arthritis. Turmeric aids the liver in detoxification and also supports the health of the skin. Furthermore, turmeric is known to enhance skin tone and promote clear and radiant skin from the inside.

Turmeric for Digestion and Immunity

These days, turmeric is also regarded as very important when it comes to digestion. It increases bile production, which serves the purpose of breaking down food and nutrient absorption. Turmeric assists with both inflammation and clear skin. We know that a healthy gut is directly related to a strong immune response, and inflammation and knee swelling contribute to easing gut swelling and increasing immunity. Consuming turmeric as an Ayurvedic remedy to treat or support is an effective way to achieve the best health.

How to Select the Best Organic Turmeric Supplements

Consider the presence of standardised curcuminoids for consistency and black pepper extract (BioPerine®) for enhanced absorption when selecting a turmeric supplement. 

Organic products are always safe and pure: devoid of harmful fillers or pesticides. Herbal Botonics Turmeric 1000 mg surpasses expectations since it’s USDA organic and non-GMO. It also contains high doses of turmeric and BioPerine® for better bioavailability. 

References 

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2. Pandey, M. M., Rastogi, S., & Rawat, A. K. S. (2013). Indian Traditional Ayurvedic System of Medicine and Nutritional Supplementation. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/376327

3. Worth, T. (2021, March 20). What is ayurveda? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/balance/ayurvedic-treatments

4. Vallish, B. N., Dang, D., & Dang, A. (2022). Nature and mechanism of immune boosting by Ayurvedic medicine: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. World Journal of Methodology, 12(3), 132–147. https://doi.org/10.5662/wjm.v12.i3.132

5. NIH analysis reveals a significant rise in use of complementary health approaches, especially for pain management. (2024, January 31). NCCIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/news/press-releases/nih-analysis-reveals-a-significant-rise-in-use-of-complementary-health-approaches-especially-for-pain-management

6. National Institutes of Health. (2023, October 24). Office of Dietary Supplements - Ashwagandha: Is It Helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep? Ods.od.nih.gov. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Ashwagandha-HealthProfessional/

7. Brown, M.-E. (2022, December 15). Turmeric Benefits. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/turmeric-benefits

8. Jaiswal, Y. S., & Williams, L. L. (2017). A glimpse of Ayurveda – The forgotten history and principles of Indian traditional medicine. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 7(1), 50–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.02.002