One of the oldest healing modalities in the world, the Indian discipline of Ayurveda has been around for over 5,000 years, yet it’s still not all that widespread in the US. It’s all about preventing and managing illness by balancing the patient’s doshas, or mental, physical, and emotional constitution. What’s beautiful about Ayurveda is that it’s very personalized. It allows us to examine everything we do on a daily basis, and to determine if it’s adding to the burden on the body or decreasing it.

AYUR means "life" and VEDA means "knowledge". It is pronounced [ah-yer-vey-duh]

One of the greatest arguments for the safety and effectiveness of Ayurveda is its historical longevity. Although it is still unknown to much of the Western world, it has been officially recognized by the WHO (World Health Organization). In India, where Ayurveda originated over 3,000 years ago, the government and institutions support the clinical research and the practice of Ayurveda. Ayurveda uses minerals, herbs, and detox procedures that should be administered by a trained practitioner.

You’ll probably start seeing superficial changes pretty quickly—within four to seven days of starting herbs. However, for healing that lasts, you’ll need to be patient. (For those with very deep-rooted health issues, you may need to receive treatment for a year or more). The good news? There’s a total point of cure with Ayurveda!

First of all, make sure you clear your calendar! Your first Ayurvedic medicine appointment could last up to 90 minutes. During that time, expect to open up about everything, from your diet to your bathing habits to your oral care routine. You should also prepare for a thorough, hands-on assessment.

Once your doctor has pinpointed the problem, she’ll give you a list of “causative factors” to avoid in your lifestyle and diet. In many cases, you’ll also get a prescription for individualized herbs or a recommended detoxification program.