Ayurveda

Written by Emily Whitton
Emily Whitton
Therapy Directory Content Team

Last updated 29th June 2022 | Next update due 28th June 2025

Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of traditional medicine native to India. According to Indian philosophy and its theory of evolution, the universe is comprised of five basic elements. These are air, fire, water, earth and ether. While these are present in all living things, within the human body they manifest as doshas.

The ultimate purpose of Ayurveda is to connect the body, mind and spirit. It is believed that reaching this balance will encourage wellness and prevent illness.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda, meaning “the science of life” is a healing system. Your practitioner will create a programme personally suited to your problems. The programme will consist of a range of treatments they believe will be most effective. These may include massage, diet, herbal remedies, panchakarma and sweat treatments.

The main three doshas (air, fire and water) are bio-energies, which run throughout the body. Each of them has a specific site and function. The treatment is based on the principle that ill health is caused by an imbalance of forces in the body. The main objective of Ayurveda is to restore the body’s dosha equilibriums.

The difference between Ayurveda and conventional western medicine is that conventional medicine devotes most of its efforts to isolating the differences in disease. Ayurveda focuses on the qualities of each individual and how disease affects everyone differently.

The focus of Ayurveda is to prevent illness, rather than cure the body.

Despite this, an Ayurvedic practitioner would not reject the use of prescription medications. One of Ayurveda’s central principles is that we should utilise any healing modality that will restore balance to the body and improve health. This can include herbal remedies, dietary changes, psychotherapy, prescription medications and exercise.

Ayurveda therapists

What are the doshas?

Doshas are energies originated from the five basic elements; ether, earth, fire, water, and air. The three human doshas correspond to the active elements, air (Vata), fire (Pitta), and water (Kapha). The ancient tradition believes that keeping these doshas harmoniously in balance is the key to good health and well-being.

In Ayurveda, the human doshas are believed to be manifestations of our body-mind types. Each one describes our individual characteristics, traits, and tendencies. Generally, we are all made up of a combination of doshas, with one acting as the more dominant.

Pitta (fire) - Those with a dominant Pitta dosha are usually natural leaders. They will be confident, passionate, and organised. But a Pitta dosha overload can result in skin irritation, overheating, heartburn and ulcers.

Kapha (water) - Kapha types are loyal, kind-hearted, calm, and loving. Too much Kapha can result in lethargy, weight gain, congestion and bad digestion.

Vata (air) - People with a dominant Vata dosha tend to be of a creative nature with lots of imagination and vision. If their dosha becomes unbalanced they may become anxious, forgetful and often uptight. Typical health issues caused by unbalanced Vata are bloating, anxiety or joint disorder.


Ayurvedic 'guiding principles'

The premise behind Ayurveda is that the mind can influence the body in the direction of sickness and health. Ayurveda was developed as a system to connect us to our own inner intelligence, to bring it to balance and, in turn, to bring balance to the body.

Ayurveda has seven basic principles for restoring and maintaining the mind-body equilibrium. These are still relevant today:

  1. Eat a colourful, flavourful diet.
  2. Sleep soundly at night.
  3. Engage in regular exercise that enhances flexibility and strength.
  4. Take time daily to quiet your mind and meditate.
  5. Cultivate loving relationships.
  6. End what does not serve you.
  7. Awaken your passion.

What to expect from a session with an Ayurvedic therapist

In your initial consultation, you will likely be asked to explain your diet, lifestyle, and mental and emotional states. You will likely need to take a detailed medical history. You may also be asked to have pulse and tongue readings or other forms of body examinations.

Usually, an initial consultation will last for an hour or longer. It is important for the practitioner to make a detailed analysis and listen to what you have to say with great attention.

The analysis will help to diagnose the root cause of your dosha imbalance. This will allow your practitioner to select the treatments they believe to be appropriate. You will receive a tailor-made treatment plan that may include simple advice on diet and lifestyle. This may include what supplements could be beneficial to you, or any physical and psychological treatments such as massage, meditation or counselling.


Ayurvedic treatments

Ayurveda is an entire healthcare system; because of this, it incorporates many Ayurvedic treatments. The practitioner will select and build what they believe is most beneficial into the treatment plan tailored to your symptoms. You may find that your personal plan is made up of mostly physical treatments, or a combination of different kinds. Your treatment plan really is at the hands of your practitioner and what Ayurvedic treatment they believe will best relieve your issue.

There are a range of Ayurvedic techniques. Your practitioner may include the following when creating your treatment plan:

  • massage
  • acupuncture
  • meditation
  • breathing exercises
  • dietary changes
  • herbal medicine
  • yoga
  • sound therapy and the use of mantras

Common Ayurvedic treatments include:

Panchakarma - This Ayurvedic treatment is thought to be extremely effective in cleansing the body and restoring a healthy metabolism. Panchakarma is comprised of five actions. These cleanse the body of the toxic materials left by poor nutrition and disease.

Imbalanced doshas cause a build-up of unwelcome Ama in the body. Panchakarma aims to rebalance the doshas by pushing out the excess doshas and the Ama. This is through waste evacuation channels such as sweat glands, urinary tract and intestines.

Shirodhara - This treatment involves running a fine stream of warm liquid on the forehead. It is believed to be particularly effective for diseases that are connected with the eye, nose, nervous system, head and neck.

Nasya - This treatment aims to clear the channels in the head and neck. It involves cleaning out the nose with medicated powders or liquids.

Netra Tarpana - This treatment involves bathing the eyes with medicated oils. It is thought to be effective in treating eye fatigue and other eye issues.

Karna Purna - Karna Purna aims to help ease issues such as earache, tinnitus, hearing problems and lockjaw. It involves filling the ears with warm, medicated oils.


What can Ayurveda help with?

The Ayurveda system can treat a number of symptoms at once, depending on what your concerns are. Ayurvedic medicine claims to have many benefits and can treat a range of disorders, including supporting the following concerns:

  • asthma
  • anxiety
  • arthritis
  • eczema
  • stress
  • digestive problems
  • high blood pressure
  • high cholesterol

Ayurvedic treatment for cancer symptoms

According to Cancer Research UK, some aspects of Ayurveda can help to ease and relieve symptoms related to cancer. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine involves the use of many different therapies such as massage or meditation and is used to treat different kinds of illnesses.

Meditation, for example, is believed to be effective in reducing anxiety. Regular practice of meditation is also known to lower blood pressure and boost general well-being. Recent research has shown that practising yoga can improve sleeping patterns in lymphoma patients, as well as reduce stress in people with prostate or breast cancer.

It is important to know that some herbal medicines may interrupt treatments. You may experience side effects when combining them with conventional medicines. It is recommended you check with your doctor before taking any form of treatment.

The therapeutic approach of Ayurveda has been divided into four categories as health maintenance, disease cure, enhancing immunity and restoration of normal body function and spiritual approach.

In this article, V. Prathima Nagesh discusses Ayurveda for cancer care

How much does Ayurveda cost?

The cost will differ depending on the treatments suggested. Usually, the initial consultation will cost between £25 and £65, however, this does vary between practitioners. Follow-up appointments often cost less than the initial meeting. 

If you are concerned about the cost of the treatments, get the full cost and treatment information during the initial consultation. This is best discussed before agreeing to any suggested treatment plan. It is also important for you to consult your GP before any treatments to ensure they are safe and will not harm your health.


How many sessions will I need?

The types of treatment mentioned above will usually last between one and two hours. The duration of your treatment will vary. It will depend on your personalised treatment plan and your practitioner.

If the practitioner suggests you take a combination of treatments, the cost will vary. Once you have had your initial consultation, you will be able to discuss the duration of the course.

In terms of how many sessions you will need, this will be included in your treatment plan, based on your personal diagnosis. Some people choose to carry on with Ayurveda once their course of treatment is completed. This is common as it can continue to promote good health and enhance well-being.

What's the difference between consultants and practitioners?

Those training in Ayurveda can become practitioners or consultants. Practitioners should have undertaken the necessary training to diagnose clients from an Ayurvedic perspective and prescribe herbal medicines. Consultants can offer general advice on well-being, treat a range of common ailments and identify the predominant dosha and imbalances.

What training and qualifications should therapists have?

There are currently no laws in place about the training and qualifications an Ayurvedic practitioner should have to practice in the UK. While there are professional associations practitioners can choose to register with, it is not a requirement.

These associations should have their own code of ethics and complaints procedures. They also tend to have a set of requirements that individuals need to meet in order to become a member. The requirements will vary in each association but it is preferred that practitioners have had training and a certain level of experience.

Ayurvedic therapists and practitioners listed on Therapy Directory have shown evidence of training and insurance, or are members of a professional body. You can find out more about this on our Proof Policy page.


Finding an Ayurvedic practitioner 

If you think you would benefit from Ayurveda therapy, you can find an experienced and qualified practitioner on Therapy Directory using our advanced search tool. This will allow you to find a professional who is best suited to you and your needs. 

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