Ayurveda (Aye-your-veda) is the ancient Indian medical system, and was first documented 5000 years ago in ancient texts. You may have heard about it in yoga class, since it is considered the sister science to yoga. Ayurveda is similar to Traditional Chinese Medicine in that it uses qualities and elements from the earth to describe the human body. (If you suffer from congestion, this is considered damp or wet quality. If you have a type A personality, you have a lot of fire.)

Ayurveda believes that food is medicine, and health begins in the gut. We are only as healthy as the strength of our digestion and elimination. This is why it is not enough just to kill parasites and pathogens. We must also begin eating in a way that strengthens and protects our GI tract. Only this long-term approach will prevent re-infection and promote lifelong health.

The science of Ayurveda was developed in a time when doctors were rare and villagers relied on food, herbs and ancient wisdom to treat themselves. Even in today’s modern world, food and herbs can still heal. Lifestyle practices like oil pulling, tongue scraping and deep breathing are all ayurvedic remedies. Maybe you’ve already participated in ayurveda and you didn’t even know it!

You may be seeking out alternative medicine because modern medicine has left you without answers. If your blood tests are normal but you are still suffering, it is the perfect time to see what ayurveda can offer. Traditional Indian medicine brings real-world knowledge and healing to our modern life. There is a chasm between modern medicine and chronic illness where many of us live. Ayurveda and alternative modalities can restore your quality of life.

One of the cornerstones of ayurveda is knowing your dosha. A dosha is a body type and even though we are made up of all three doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) we each have a predominant type. Knowing your unique code can help you tailor your food, lifestyle, sleep and exercise for your specific body. Ayurveda says no remedy is good for everyone, but every remedy is good for someone.

Do you have a friend who swears by fasting, but you tried it and it wrecked your hormones? Did your doctor tell you how important sleep is, but when you oversleep or nap you feel more sluggish and tired? These paradoxes can be explained by knowing your dosha. Some of us can oversleep and not all of us should be fasting. Superfoods like kale and bone broth are not super for everyone. How can you heal yourself amongst such conflicting advice? Discover your dosha. Never fall victim to supermarket advice again – learn your dosha, know yourself deeply and get on the path to your best health!