Although the practice of Ayurvedic medicine has many benefits, it is important to keep in mind that although it has been around for thousands of years, there are few clinical trials published in Western journals to demonstrate its effectiveness, according to the NCCIH. Nevertheless, here are the potential health benefits of the Ayurvedic approach.
May promote resilience to stress
Through diet, lifestyle changes, exercise and movement, as well as yoga and breath work, Ayurveda improves the health of your body. resilience against stress. “The goal is to create an inner experience of calm and confidence that allows you to be able to handle stress like water running down your back,” says Douillard. “The Ayurvedic way of life allows you to spend the day prevent stress instead of the alternative, which is to break down your body and then recover. Ultimately, this mental and emotional work can take on a spiritual component for some, promoting inner peace and self-awareness.
May promote an overall sense of well-being
Ashwagandha is a popular and best studied Ayurvedic herb in the United States, a shrub used as an adaptogen. These are herbs that improve your body’s response to stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Cleveland Clinic.
In studyStudents who took 700 milligrams of ashwagandha root for 30 days reported more energy, mental clarity, and better sleep compared to a placebo group, leading to an increased sense of well-being.
Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that ashwagandha supplementation had generally positive effects on participants’ physical performance variables that affected strength, power, and cardiorespiratory fitness, compared to controls.
Although it is important to consult your doctor before take any supplementincluding ashwagandha, research found that the extract is generally safe for healthy people. Other potential benefits that are being studied include improved heart function, strength and muscle recovery; improved sexual function; and even body weight management, the study notes.
May improve overall well-being
Ayurveda can help counteract today’s hectic lifestyle effectively. “(The system) prioritizes peace, balance and tranquility,” says Hall Carlson. This often involves reconnecting with nature through walks and hikes, sitting in the park, stargazing, and swimming in natural bodies of water.
By research, exposure to nature has been shown to improve cognitive function, brain activity, mental health, blood pressure, and sleep. It is postulated that spending time in nature can indeed counteract the mental fatigue of modern life, activate the “rest and digest” parasympathetic nervous system, and encourage more physical activity.
“Zooming out, connecting to the weather, the sky, the trees and flowers and breathing fresh air is really necessary in modern times,” she says.
In addition, researchers evaluated the effects of several Ayurvedic interventions delivered to participants via wellness retreat-style classes focused on mind-body-spirit. Those enrolled reported improved psychosocial well-being during and after, compared to a vacation control group.