Though Ayurveda has existed for more than 5,000 years, there are still some common myths and misconceptions about this traditional and holistic science of healing. Below, you will find answers to some frequently asked questions that you may have regarding Ayurvedic treatment. We believe this will help you make an informed decision, whether you are undergoing Ayurvedic treatment or plan to go for one in the near future.

Why Ayurveda?

Who is an Ayurvedacharya?

Based on specialisation, an Ayurvedacharya is a physician, surgeon, academician or a scientist academically qualified in Ayurveda and the concerned University awards the title under the Government of India’s regulatory authority CCIM - Central Council of Indian Medicine. The CCIM Issues registration under AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, on completion of the 5 ½ years B.A.M.S - Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery course inclusive of one year of internship. Every Ayurvedacharya registers in the central register with a valid registration number. An Ayurvedacharya can choose to pursue higher studies in MD, MS and PhD to the prevention, management and a possible cure for conditions that pose a challenge in the modern world.

How do you compare Ayurveda medicines with other systems ?

Medicines in Ayurveda are derived from herbal, animal (honey, ghee, milk etc), metallic bhasmas and or minerals that are adequately detoxified and enriched and made safe for human use without any adverse effects in therapeutic doses. Ayurveda has consistently and efficiently served the mankind all the way through evolution. Its antiquity supports its status as a clinically time tested system of healthcare.

Can the concepts of modern medicine and Ayurveda be integrated ?

In the contemporary practice of Clinical Ayurveda, it is very common to find situations where the patients are on both sets of remedies to make up for the deficits of the individual systems if any.

What are the methods involved in an Ayurveda based treatment ?

Suggested lifestyle changes, customized dietary recommendations, prescribed internal medications, external therapies, Shodhana Panchakarma or detoxification procedures, Yoga and Meditation are some of the methods involved in an Ayurveda based treatment regimen.

Can the progress or otherwise be monitored ?

Monitoring can be done by clinical observation, patient feedback, biochemical lab tests, culture, microscopic studies, endoscopic methods, radiology, and all other conventionally available diagnostic methods. An extensive collection of such documented data is available on our Case Studies page. The advantage of progress in the field of modern diagnostics is that all data can be interpreted seamlessly in accordance with the principles and practice of Clinical Ayurveda.

How Old Is Herbal Medicine?

Herbal medicine is the oldest form of medicine. Records go back over thousands of years to the earliest days of Western, Oriental and American civilisation. Many modern medicines have their origins in plants. For instance warfarin, the blood-thinning drug, is derived from sweet clover (Melliotus officinalis). The herbal medicine practiced today combines this historic knowledge with the latest research on herbs, to make the treatment strategies even safer and more effective.

Is Herbal Medicine Safe?

Qualified herbalists and naturopaths are trained to consider the safety of herbs when prescribing. When preparing your prescription, herbalists consider your own unique health circumstances, any drugs you are currently being prescribed plus all the latest safety data on the herbs in your prescription. The level of training and consideration given to our patients mean that medical herbalists have an excellent safety record.

Is Herbal Medicine Similar To Homeopathy?

Both naturopathic medicine and homeopathy use herbal remedies. This is where the similarity ends. The philosophy and general approach to treatment is very different. Homeopathy uses very diluted medicines. In fact, there is unlikely to be any pharmacologically active ingredients in a homeopathic plant medicine. Herbal medicine, on the other hand, uses the whole herb which contains active plant constituents that have an effect on the body. The broad range of chemicals in the herbal remedy work together to help the body to return to normal function. The herbalists skill is in selecting the appropriate herbal formula for each individual. .

How Many Ayurvedic Treatment Sessions Will I Need?

There is no standard course of treatment and the number of sessions you will need depends on your health condition and your current symptoms. It will also depend on the severity of your condition and how your condition progresses with the treatment. Your practitioner will review your progress regularly throughout your treatment to give you an idea of the length of treatment you will need. Some herbs may take longer to have an effect on the body than conventional medicines, so you might not see an improvement in your condition for weeks or months - your herbal practitioner will advise you on this. Take this information into account when thinking about the cost of your treatment. .

Will Ayurveda take a long time to improve or cure my problem?

One of the fundamental principles of Ayurveda is to treat a patient on a holistic level. Instead of just providing relief from symptoms, it identifies the root cause of the disease and aims to give you a permanent cure, wherever possible. Instead of a short-term cure and instant relief, Ayurveda focuses on giving you long-term health and well-being, which is bound to take some time. Similar to any type of treatment, the time taken for improvement or cure of your disease in Ayurveda depends upon the severity and type of your disease. The stage at which you go for Ayurvedic treatment makes a huge difference. If you have been living it for the last 5-10 years, you can't expect to see improvements in a few weeks. The longer you wait to go for Ayurvedic treatment, the longer it will take to get relief and treat the condition. However, if you sincerely follow the diet and lifestyle advice given to you by your Ayurvedic doctor, and take your medicines regularly on time, Ayurvedic treatment is sure to show improvements in a relatively shorter period of time. .

Do I have to follow many food restrictions while undergoing Ayurvedic treatment?

An Ayurvedic doctor will advise food restrictions depending upon the state, severity and the type(s) of disease you are suffering from. There are some food restrictions in Ayurveda because while a particular food can be beneficial for a specific disease or problem, the same food can worsen another disease or aggravate the symptoms. As such, diet plans are carefully designed by your Ayurvedic doctor so that the food you take works as medicine provided you take them as per instructions. The doctor may ask you to avoid certain foods because they have the capacity to aggravate symptoms, while others are recommended because they have the capacity to not only alleviate symptoms, but aid in making the treatment more effective. If you follow dietary restrictions and a proper diet plan, you can avoid further deterioration of the disease and take a step closer to healing. This is regardless of whether you are taking Ayurvedic or some other types of treatment. .

Do Ayurvedic medicines contain toxic metals?

Most Ayurvedic preparations contain only herbal ingredients while a few of them contain minerals. Preparations with minerals are fast-acting and the ingredients are thoroughly purified before being added to the medicine. The herbo-minerals that we use in making medicines at Jiva have never been found to be harmful. At Jiva, we manufacture medicines and products at our HACCP and GMP certified manufacturing facility where we follow stringent quality control and hygiene to ensure that you get the medicine in the purest and safest form.

Can I take Ayurvedic medicines along with my regular allopathic medicines?

We generally don't advise to immediately discontinue allopathic medicines if you are under treatment for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, neurological disorders, arthritis, mental disorders and heart diseases. Besides, there is no harm in taking both types of medicines as long as you keep your Ayurvedic doctor informed. However, it is important to maintain at least an hour's gap between the two types of medications. In due course of time, depending on your progress, the Ayurvedic doctor may reduce the dose of the allopathic medicines. Make sure that you follow any advice or recommendation given by your Ayurvedic doctor regarding this process.

Though Ayurveda has existed for more than 5,000 years, there are still some common myths and misconceptions about this traditional and holistic science of healing.

Below, you will find answers to some frequently asked questions that you may have regarding Ayurvedic treatment. We believe this will help you make an informed decision, whether you are undergoing Ayurvedic treatment or plan to go for one in the near future.

Will it pain to take Vasti?

Not at all. There’s no pain in taking any kind of Vasti. Vasti is always given by trained & expertise therapists.

Is KsharShutra Treatment for Piles/Fistula/Fissure, painful?

During procedure of Ksharsutra there’s absolutely no pain as the area is locally anaesthetized. Post procedure medicines are given to heal and pacify any discomfort in that area

Is Uttara Vasti painful?

Uttara Vasti is not painful.

Will initially the symptoms aggravate when I start Ayurvedic Treatment?

There is no aggravation of symptoms in ayurvedic treatment procedures.

Can I take the therapy after having food. Please inform the guidelines?

In some cases you can take treatment after having food infact in Ayurvedic Samhita it is written to do Matra Vasti ( one of Panchakarma therapy) just after taking food. But in some cases you have to take the treatments in empty stomach also. Normally External treatment doesn’t have any kind of as such restrictions

What is Shodhana therapy ?

Shodhana refers to the detoxification of body for the prevention of diseases. Toxins can collect inside the human body due to a variety of factors, and treatment helps remove them through the excretory system.

What are the benefits of shodhana therapy?

  • Expels out disease-causing vitiated blood from the body.
  • Prevent tumors and edema.
  • Helps to balance Pitta dosha aggravation.
  • Beneficial in bleeding disorders.
  • Prevents allergies and repeated hives.
  • Helps to manage high blood pressure and arthritis.
  • Treats chronic diseases, such as psoriasis.

What is the treatment for panchakarma?

Panchakarma is a method of cleansing the body of all the unwanted waste after lubricating it. Panchakarma are 5 (five) in number; hence the term PANCHA (five) – KARMA (procedures). Panchakarma treatment is unique in the sense that it includes preventive, curative and promotive actions for various diseases.