Ayurveda: Common Myths & Their Facts

Ayurveda is one of the oldest forms of medicine in India that dates back to over 5000 years. Yet, despite all its benefits and a great number of followers, there are many misunderstandings prevailing the practice. So, in an attempt to dispel the uncertainty, here are some of the common myths and facts of this ancient practice.

Myth #1 Ayurvedic treatment is absolutely harmless

Most people think that since Ayurveda uses natural remedies to cure an ailment, it is harmless. Hence, they tend to go for self-treatment via ayurvedic medicines available in the market.

The Fact:

All medicines, ayurvedic or not, have their side-effects if the dosage is not taken as prescribed. For ayurvedic medicine prescriptions to work, the following four factors, which are also the four pillars of the practice, need to be taken into consideration. They are: the doctor, the patient, the caretaker, and the medicine. An imbalance in any one of these can cause harm to one’s health and only make things worse.

Myth #2 Ayurveda is not a legal practice

The reason why some people restrain themselves from undergoing Ayurvedic treatment is their doubt about it being a legitimate practice.

The Fact:

The science of Ayurveda bases its concept of treatment upon the imbalance of the three doshas

present in our body, which might be responsible for one or more ailments we might be suffering from. Hence, Ayurveda doctors, unlike allopathy, do not require to refer you to different specialists for different problems. Ayurveda is a legitimate medical practice and all practitioners are trained by well-recognized institutions and equipped with a license to practice.

Myth #3 Only vegetarians can undergo Ayurvedic Treatment

It is a common belief that Ayurveda only uses herbs to create medicines and bans the consumption of meat products and onion, which are considered as “Tamasic food” that are harmful to the body.

The Fact:

The truth is that many ayurvedic doctors actually recommend the consumption of onion and garlic owing to the great medicinal properties that both have to offer. While garlic helps in combating colds, cholesterol, and purifies the blood, on the other hand, onions can help us avoid sunstrokes, nose bleeding, and assists in cleansing breast milk. Meat is also prescribed in certain amounts to balance the levels of iron in the body, provide protein, and to ward off infections.

Myth #4 Ayurveda only uses herbs

This is a common myth among people because the form of science is really ancient and then herbs were the only source of making medicines back then.

The Fact:

Ayurveda does not use some powerful herbs as ingredients in their medicine but it also includes the use of other products like milk, honey, ghee, rock salts, and other minerals. Some medicines also use ingredients like bones, ash and gallstones.

There are many other myths that surround this ancient and effective form of medicine that people still deem true. The four mentioned above are just some of them. So, if you still have a doubt, and want to get ayurvedic attention, it’s time that you get in touch with a certified ayurvedic doctor and clear it all out.