Ayurveda

Reviewed by the HeyPsych Medical Review Board

Board-certified psychiatrists and mental health professionals

Indications

Primary Indications

Knee osteoarthritis and chronic pain (adjunctive)Functional GI complaints (IBS, dyspepsia) adjunctiveStress, anxiety, and insomnia (with yoga/pranayama)Metabolic risk support (diet + lifestyle)

Mechanism

Ayurveda targets whole-person regulation through diet, circadian routines, sleep optimization, herbs, and bodywork to restore dosha balance. Biomedically, specific botanicals show anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and adaptogenic effects (e.g., curcuminoids, withanolides, guggulsterones). Oil-based massage and heat/steam may reduce nociceptive signaling and muscle tone, while yoga/pranayama modulate autonomic balance and stress pathways.

Protocol

Preparation

Constitution and imbalance assessment; review of medical history and medications; shared goal-setting; informed consent about benefits/risks and product quality.

Procedure

Diet and lifestyle plan (meal timing, food choices matched to constitution, sleep and daily routines).
Prescription of herbals/topicals (e.g., Triphalā for bowel regulation, turmeric-based formulas for inflammation, ashwagandha for stress/sleep when appropriate).
Bodywork (e.g., abhyanga oil massage, localized oil treatments; shirodhara in select cases).
Consider Panchakarma only with medical screening and trained supervision.

Frequency: Follow-ups every 2–4 weeks initially; bodywork 1–2×/week during active phase.

Duration: Initial course 6–12 weeks; longer for chronic conditions.

Total Treatment Time: Highly individualized; reassess outcomes every 4–8 weeks.

Treatment Variants

Diet-first, herb-light protocols for conservative care
Herbal-centric plans (standardized extracts) with monitoring
Bodywork-focused programs (Kerala style)
Panchakarma (multi-step detoxification) in residential settings

Expected Outcomes

Immediate

Relaxation, improved digestion comfort after diet changes/bodywork

Short Term

Reduction in pain/stiffness, better sleep and energy, improved bowel regularity

Long Term

Sustained symptom control with lifestyle adherence; possible reductions in pain medication needs; improved stress resilience

Side Effects

common

GI upset from new herbs/spices
Skin irritation from oils
Fatigue after intensive bodywork

uncommon

Headache or dizziness with steam/heat therapies
Electrolyte disturbance with purgatives

rare

Hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity from certain botanicals or contaminated products
Heavy metal exposure from poorly manufactured remedies

Contraindications

absolute

Unsupervised aggressive detox (emesis/purgation) in medically fragile patients

relative

Pregnancy/lactation (avoid many herbs such as ashwagandha, guggul; use diet/lifestyle only)
Bleeding disorders/anticoagulation (some herbs affect platelets/coagulation)
Liver or kidney disease (avoid hepatotoxic/nephrotoxic botanicals; require monitoring)
Autoimmune/thyroid disorders (certain herbs may alter immune or thyroid activity)

special considerations

Source herbs from reputable suppliers with third-party testing (heavy metals, pesticides, adulterants).
Coordinate with medical team; review medications to avoid interactions (e.g., with anticoagulants, antidiabetics, sedatives, thyroid meds).
Hydration and gentle pacing for any cleansing procedures.

Patient Selection

ideal candidates

Individuals seeking lifestyle-based, holistic adjuncts for chronic conditions
Patients with osteoarthritis or stress-related symptoms wanting nonpharmacologic options
Motivated patients who can implement diet and routine changes

screening required

Medication and supplement review for interactions
Pregnancy status when applicable
Liver/kidney function if planning prolonged herb use
Suitability evaluation before Panchakarma

Integration Support

concurrent therapies

Physical therapy and exercise
Mindfulness/yoga and breathwork
Evidence-based pain management
Nutrition counseling for metabolic health

lifestyle recommendations

Regular sleep-wake schedule and mealtimes
Balanced, minimally processed diet matched to symptoms
Daily movement and stress-reduction practices

Cost Considerations

typical session cost: $80–$200 for consult; $80–$150 for bodywork session

total treatment cost: Herbs/topicals vary ($20–$150+/month). Panchakarma programs can range from $2,000–$8,000+ depending on duration and setting.

insurance coverage: Variable/limited; some services (e.g., integrative visits) may be covered; products typically out-of-pocket.

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Clinical Notes

Prioritize lifestyle and well-sourced, standardized botanicals; avoid polyherbal stacking without rationale.
Track outcomes (pain scales, sleep, GI symptoms, weight/waist, labs when relevant).
Educate on product quality and heavy-metal risk; prefer GMP and third-party tested brands.
Introduce one change at a time to isolate benefits and side effects.

References

NCCIH: Ayurveda: In Depth WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine Cochrane Review: Ayurvedic interventions for osteoarthritis (various formulations)

This treatment information is for educational purposes only. Treatment decisions should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals based on individual circumstances, symptoms, and medical history. Do not attempt treatment without professional guidance.

Interested in this treatment?

This information is for educational purposes. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.

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