Amidst the challenges of the modern world- environmental pollution, sedentary lifestyles, and chronic stress which increasingly impact our well-being, the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda offers a refreshing perspective. Ayurveda, a traditional system of healing that has its roots in India for thousands of years, provides a holistic approach to managing chronic conditions such as psoriasis and heart disease. Its philosophy revolves around the belief that the body, mind, and spirit are inextricably linked, and that true healing comes from restoring the balance of the internal energies known as doshas.

The story of Ayurveda begins with an understanding of the human body as a microcosm of the universe. In Ayurvedic thought, the body is governed by three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—that represent different combinations of the five elements. When these energies are balanced, the body thrives; however, when they fall out of balance, illnesses manifest. Psoriasis, for example, is often viewed through the lens of an aggravated Vata dosha, which causes dryness and scaling of the skin, combined with an imbalance in Kapha that leads to the thickening of skin layers. In this narrative, the skin becomes a canvas upon which the story of internal disharmony is vividly painted.

Throughout history, Ayurvedic practitioners have used a blend of dietary guidance, herbal formulations, and lifestyle modifications to restore balance. For those suffering from psoriasis, the journey begins with the food they eat. Ayurveda advises embracing a diet that is cooling and detoxifying. Traditional recipes often include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and herbs that soothe the body and reduce inflammation. Such diets are not merely nutritional regimens; they are rituals that honor the body’s natural rhythms. The emphasis is placed on fresh, unprocessed foods, while spicy, oily, and sour foods—believed to aggravate the Pitta dosha—are limited, allowing the skin to heal gradually from within.

Herbs have always played a central role in Ayurvedic healing. Neem, for example, is celebrated for its potent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a valuable ally for soothing the irritated skin of psoriasis patients. Turmeric, with its active compound curcumin, is another star in the Ayurvedic herbal repertoire. This spice, long revered for its healing virtues, is thought to reduce inflammation and promote the regeneration of skin cells. Aloe vera, with its cooling and hydrating effects, further complements this therapeutic arsenal. These herbs are used in various formulations, from topical applications to internal decoctions, all aimed at quelling the fiery symptoms and restoring natural balance.

But Ayurveda is more than just a system of herbs and food; it is a way of life. Modern research increasingly supports the idea that stress, inadequate sleep, and a lack of physical activity can exacerbate skin conditions like psoriasis. In response, Ayurvedic practitioners advocate for practices that nurture the mind and body simultaneously. Yoga and meditation are not only physical exercises but also meditative rituals that calm the nervous system and reduce stress—a key trigger for psoriasis flare-ups. Regular practice helps to harmonize the doshas, fostering an environment where the skin can regenerate and heal.

Just as the skin reflects internal imbalances, so too does the heart reveal the deeper state of our overall health. Heart disease, which has become a leading cause of mortality worldwide, is viewed in Ayurveda as a condition known as Hridroga. In this framework, the heart is seen as both a physical organ and the seat of emotions and consciousness. It is believed that an overactive Pitta dosha can lead to inflammation and high blood pressure, while an imbalanced Vata dosha may result in irregular heart rhythms and chronic anxiety. In this intricate dance of energies, the heart becomes the focal point of the body’s struggle to maintain equilibrium in the face of modern stressors.

The modern epidemic of heart disease is not merely a product of genetics or chance; it is, according to Ayurveda, a reflection of the lifestyle choices that have come to dominate contemporary life. Sedentary habits, poor dietary choices, and relentless stress contribute to the disruption of the delicate doshic balance. In the Ayurvedic narrative, a diet that emphasizes whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables, while limiting processed foods and unhealthy fats, is essential for maintaining heart health. The inclusion of spices such as turmeric, fennel, and cumin is not accidental; these ingredients are known for their antioxidant properties and their ability to support cardiovascular function.

Herbs also find a place in the treatment of heart disease. One such herb, Arjuna, is particularly valued in Ayurvedic medicine for its cardio-protective benefits. Arjuna is believed to strengthen the heart muscle, improve blood circulation, and even help in managing blood pressure. Alongside dietary changes, Ayurvedic practitioners recommend lifestyle modifications aimed at reducing stress—a known risk factor for heart disease. Practices like meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises), and even aromatherapy are woven into daily routines, helping individuals cultivate inner peace and resilience against the onslaught of modern stressors.

Integrating these ancient practices into a contemporary lifestyle is not always straightforward. The pace of modern life, with its constant demands and distractions, often leaves little room for the mindful rituals prescribed by Ayurveda. Yet, many who have embraced these traditional methods report not only an improvement in their skin and heart health but also a renewed sense of vitality and balance. This transformation is not instantaneous; it is a gradual process that requires commitment and patience. Ayurveda teaches that healing is a journey, one that is as much about rediscovering one’s connection to nature as it is about physical recovery.

The journey toward healing begins with small, deliberate steps. For those facing the challenges of psoriasis, it might start with a simple change in diet or the introduction of a daily meditation practice. For individuals at risk of heart disease, it could be the decision to incorporate more whole foods into their meals or to set aside time for regular physical activity. These changes, though modest, are powerful. They represent a return to a way of living that honors the body’s intrinsic wisdom and its ability to heal when given the proper support.

In reflecting on these ancient practices, one is reminded of the enduring wisdom of Ayurveda—a system that sees disease not as an isolated event, but as a disruption of the natural order of life. Its holistic approach is a reminder that true health comes from within, nurtured by a balanced diet, mindful practices, and the careful use of nature’s own remedies. While modern medicine offers many advancements, the principles of Ayurveda remind us that there is still much to learn from the past. The ancient sages of India understood that the path to health is not found in a pill or a quick fix, but in the continuous, mindful journey of nurturing the body, mind, and spirit.

As we navigate the complexities of modern health challenges, the teachings of Ayurveda offer both solace and guidance. They remind us that by restoring balance within ourselves, we can address even the most persistent of ailments—whether manifested as patches on the skin or as strains on the heart. In this narrative of healing, the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda continues to inspire and guide those who seek a deeper, more harmonious way of living.

When doctors give you a tiny pill, saying it will provide instant relief. You swallow it, and in a matter of minutes, the pain starts to fade. What if that pill was just sugar? Welcome to the intriguing realm of the placebo effect—where faith can create physical healing. But what if a medical system—such as Ayurveda—is routinely criticized as being placebo-based? Can traditional remedies hold their own against modern science?

In a wellness-driven world, more people are turning to alternative healing systems like Ayurveda, seeking natural remedies that promise holistic health without side effects but one lingering question remains—do these remedies truly work, or are they merely benefiting from the placebo effect?

To answer this, we spoke to Dr. Rohit Sane, an Ayurvedic physician—a healthcare organization committed to merging ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with modern medical scrutiny. Their studies, particularly in cardiovascular health, are not just challenging the placebo narrative—they’re redefining how we look at holistic healing.

What is a Placebo Effect?

Placebo, by its nature, is treatment with zero therapeutic effect. Yet patients feel improved after ingestion of placebos because they assume that they have received actual medication. The body responds to anticipation—releases endorphins, alters perception, and even modifies pain. The effect is so powerful that today's pharmaceutical company drug tests incorporate a control or placebo arm so that efficacy may be validated and measured objectively.

As Dr. Sane points out, "The placebo effect is evidence that our minds play a huge influence over our body health. But to use placebo alone as a treatment is risky—particularly with chronic or potentially fatal diseases. That's where Ayurveda comes into the conversation with actual real-world results."

Challenge of Testing Ayurveda the Western Way

In contemporary medicine, therapy is frequently centered on isolated molecules—a single active ingredient attacking a single symptom. Ayurveda, by contrast, is holistic in nature. It combines herbal mixtures, dietary regimens, individualized therapies, and lifestyle modifications. Challenging this whole ecosystem with a classical placebo model creates a methodological challenge.

"Ayurvedic medicine isn't a pill. It's a protocol—a way of living," says Dr. Sane. "You can't isolate one variable and expect to understand the whole system."

That makes randomized, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs)—the gold standard of scientific acceptance—challenging to design for Ayurvedic regimens. But difficult doesn't equal impossible.

One persuasive reference point is the ORBITA trial—a landmark study that looked at whether angioplasty works for people with stable angina. Patients who had what they thought was a real procedure (when actually it was just a simulation) had outcomes as good as those who had the actual procedure. The outcome? A major heart procedure, when compared to placebo, didn't have the strong benefit many had anticipated.

This highlights the significance of not brushing off Ayurvedic treatments as placebo. Contrary to ORBITA's results, trials have shown quantifiable, long-term gains without surgery.

Aside from heart health, studies indicate Ayurvedic treatments favorably impacting parameters such as:

• Regulation of blood pressure
• Cholesterol control
• Increased metabolic efficiency
• Long-term weight loss
• Increased cardiac output

Dr. Sane comments, "These are not merely patient perceptions—they are objective measures, monitored and recorded under medical supervision."

This real-world applicability gives Ayurveda an edge in managing chronic disease where pharmaceuticals often treat symptoms not the underlying cause.

Clinical evidence mounts that Ayurveda, rather than being a retro system or a placebo-based wellness fad, can be used alongside contemporary medicine. Its greatest value is in prevention, lifestyle modification, and sustained health.

Scientists are now calling for methodological pluralism—a strategy that permits the scientific assessment of holistic systems such as Ayurveda through measures other than those applied in conventional pharmaceutical trials.

As Dr. Sane summarizes, "Ayurveda isn't competing with modern science. It's a complementary model—based on centuries of knowledge, but now entering the world of evidence-based care."

So, does Ayurveda function outside of the placebo effect? Although its multifaceted nature makes it difficult to fit into standard research protocols, recent studies—show real-world effectiveness. With increased scientific scrutiny and improved study design, Ayurvedic treatments are losing their "alternative" status to be accepted as legitimate, complementary healing methods.

If you're considering Ayurvedic treatments, always consult qualified practitioners and seek interventions that are part of evidence-backed protocols because healing shouldn’t rely on belief alone it should be grounded in results.

Dr Rohit Madhav Sane is a Ayurvedic doctor and founder of Madhavbaug in India

You’re eating clean, barely touch alcohol, and still feeling bloated, irritable, or constantly fatigued. Your liver panels are slightly off, but nothing seems to explain why. Now, what if the answer wasn’t in your plate or your glass—but in your pent-up rage or that unresolved tension you brush under the rug?

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of holistic medicine, has long warned us about something modern science is just beginning to catch up with—that your emotional landscape, particularly unchecked anger and stress, can be just as damaging to your liver as any toxin. Yes, your emotions might be silently inflaming your liver, disturbing digestion, and setting off a chain reaction that messes with everything from hormones to metabolism.

Anger isn’t just a fleeting emotion but a heat that fuels inflammation, stagnation and long-term organ dysfunction. Dr. Manoj Kutteri, Ayurvedic doctor and Naturopathy expert, reveals how our modern “go-go-go” lifestyle—laden with cortisol, quick fixes, and bottled-up emotions—throws our doshas off balance and overburdens the liver, the body’s chief detox organ.

When we think about liver damage, alcohol is often the usual suspect. While it's true that excessive alcohol consumption takes a significant toll on liver health, emerging insights from Ayurveda—the ancient Indian system of medicine—suggest there’s more to the story. Emotional factors like anger, stress, and anxiety may be silently impacting liver function too.

Dr. Kutteri emphasizes that the liver is not only a metabolic powerhouse but also a seat of emotion and energetic balance. “Whether it’s long-term anger, stress, alcohol consumption, or digestive issues, the root often leads us back to the liver—and more importantly, to our doshas and Agni,” he says.

The liver is one of the most vital organs in the body—second only to the heart and lungs. It performs over 500 essential functions including detoxification, digestion, hormone regulation, and energy metabolism. From filtering the blood to breaking down old red blood cells, the liver is constantly at work.

What’s often overlooked is that liver diseases are “silent” in their progression. Symptoms typically appear only when significant damage has occurred. This makes proactive liver care—not just reactive treatment—crucial.

Do Your Liver Reflect Your Emotions?

In Ayurveda, the liver is not merely a physical organ—it is energetically and emotionally linked to overall well-being. It's considered the seat of Pitta dosha, the dosha associated with heat, transformation, and metabolism. Dr. Kutteri explains, “Pitta governs digestion and blood quality. When it gets imbalanced due to anger, alcohol, spicy food, or stress, the liver is the first to suffer.”

This view helps explain why some individuals with minimal alcohol exposure still develop liver dysfunction. Their inner emotional and metabolic environment may be fuelling silent inflammation.

Effect of Tri-Dosha on Liver Health

Ayurveda recognizes three primary forces—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—known as doshas. Each governs different bodily and emotional functions. When imbalanced, these doshas can impair liver health in distinct ways:

Pitta imbalance: Leads to excessive heat, inflammation, bile disruption, and can exacerbate emotional outbursts like anger.

Kapha imbalance: Causes sluggish metabolism, fatty deposits in the liver, and toxin accumulation.

Vata imbalance: Disrupts circulation and nervous system communication, resulting in erratic digestion and poor detoxification.

According to Dr. Kutteri, “A disturbed doshic balance doesn’t just reflect in liver enzymes or fat buildup. It shows up as mood swings, sugar cravings, skin breakouts, fatigue—subtle signs your liver is crying for help.”

How Anger Contributes to Diseases?

Western medicine is increasingly acknowledging the gut-brain-liver axis. Ayurveda, thousands of years ago, already made the link between emotions and liver health. Anger, in particular, is seen as a potent disruptor.

“Chronic anger or suppressed frustration creates heat in the body and disturbs bile flow,” says Dr. Kutteri. This not only upsets digestion but also leads to inflammatory responses—fueling gut issues, skin conditions, and metabolic imbalances.

In practical terms, if you’re someone who gets easily irritated, holds grudges, or experiences frequent emotional burnout, your liver may be silently bearing the burden.

What Ayurveda Says About Alcohol?

Yes, alcohol is still a villain—but Ayurveda explains why it affects people differently. For those with Pitta dominance, alcohol intensifies inner heat, disrupts digestion, and congests the liver. Kapha types may experience fat buildup and sluggish detoxification, while Vata types can suffer from dryness, anxiety, and erratic metabolism with long-term use.

“Ayurveda doesn’t just say avoid alcohol—it teaches you how your body constitution interacts with it,” says Dr. Kutteri.

Role of Agni in Digestive Fire

A central concept in Ayurveda is Agni, or digestive fire. When Agni is strong, the liver thrives. When weak, it leads to Ama (toxins), which accumulate in the liver and bloodstream. There are four types of Agni:

Sama Agni – Balanced digestion, indicating optimal liver health

Vishama Agni – Irregular digestion, seen in Vata imbalance

Tikshna Agni – Overactive digestion, associated with Pitta dominance

Manda Agni – Sluggish digestion, common in Kapha types

To maintain liver health, it’s essential to support Agni through mindful eating, herbal detox therapies, seasonal routines, and balanced emotions.

In Ayurveda, practices like pranayama (breathing), yoga, meditation, chanting, journaling, and chakra healing are not optional—they’re essential. These rituals help balance the doshas, release suppressed emotions, and support liver regeneration.

“In a world driven by productivity, we’ve ignored how emotional stress silently disrupts our organs. The liver is particularly vulnerable,” Dr. Kutteri stresses.

If your goal is to prevent chronic diseases like insulin resistance, diabetes, PCOS, or cardiovascular conditions—or even if you just want clearer skin, better sleep, and a calmer mind—start with your liver. It’s not just alcohol that burdens this mighty organ. Your anger, stress, lifestyle habits, and even your thought patterns play a role. Fortunately, Ayurveda offers us a holistic, practical, and deeply intuitive roadmap to heal from within.

So the next time you clench your jaw in traffic or hold back that outburst at work, remember: your liver might be absorbing more than just your diet—it’s absorbing your emotional leftovers too.

Dr. Manoj Kutteri is a wellness expert with specialization in Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Nutrition, Acupuncture, Yoga and Physical culture at the Atmantan Wellness Centre in India

Ayurveda has been a part of Indian culture for a millennia, in fact, it is history itself, as we learn about what medicines and remedies were used before modern medicine came into being. Derived from nature itself, Ayurveda is the science of life that allows you to heal naturally as well as live an organic and healthy life! Ayurveda enhances your body’s natural defense system. There are a lot of ayurvedic remedies you find on the internet, but not every remedy can be used. There are many basic ayurveda health tips that do not require all the paraphernalia.

Most of the medicines in Ayurveda comes from the things around us, here are some daily healthy habits given by the Ministry of AYUSH, you can adopt in your daily life to improve overall health and well-being. These care tips come from ‘Dinacharya’ which are daily regimes and ‘Ritucharya’ which are seasonal regimes that you should follow for a healthy life. These measures were recommended by Vaidyas across the country and the advisory suggested these to be followed at the individual's convenience.

Warm Water

Drink warm water throughout the day. Many studies have shown that warm water promotes digestion, increases circulation as well as relieves you from cold!

Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation

Practice Yogasana, Pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation for at least 30 minutes daily. Yoga is an all body exercise that allows you to unlock your healthy self, whether it is through muscle health, flexibility or many other benefits like heart, and mental health

Spices in Cooking

Use spices like Haldi (turmeric), Jeera (cumin), Dhaniya (coriander), and Lahsun (garlic) in your cooking. These spices are known for having many health benefits like Haldi for inflammation, jeera for digestion, Dhaniya for blood pressure control and Lahsun for boosting immune system.

Chyavanprash

Start your day with a teaspoon (10 grams) of Chyavanprash to boost your immunity. This traditional Ayurvedic jam is rich in antioxidants. For those managing diabetes, opt for the sugar-free version to maintain blood sugar levels.

Herbal Tea (Kadha)

Drink a tea made with Tulsi (basil), Dalchini (cinnamon), Kalimirch (black pepper), Shunthi (dry ginger), and Munakka (raisins) once or twice a day. You can add jaggery (natural sugar) or lemon juice for flavor. Enjoy this Kadha once or twice daily to enhance respiratory health. Add jaggery or lemon for taste and added benefits.

Clove and Honey

For cough or throat irritation, mix clove powder with natural sugar or honey. Consume this mixture 2-3 times a day to alleviate symptoms. Clove's natural properties can provide relief.

Golden Milk

Prepare Golden Milk by mixing half a teaspoon of Haldi (turmeric) powder into 150 ml of warm milk. Consume this soothing drink once or twice daily to reduce inflammation and strengthen your immune system. It's warm, comforting nature is ideal.

Other Immunity System Boosting Practices You Can Try

Nasal Oil Application (Pratimarsh Nasya)

Apply a few drops of sesame oil, coconut oil, or ghee into your nostrils, morning and evening. This practice, known as Pratimarsh Nasya, helps moisturize nasal passages and improve respiratory health.

Oil Pulling

Practice oil pulling by swishing a tablespoon of sesame or coconut oil in your mouth for 2-3 minutes. Follow with a warm water rinse. This oral hygiene technique helps detoxify and promotes healthy gums.

Steam Inhalation

Relieve congestion and soothe your throat with steam inhalation. Add fresh mint leaves or caraway seeds to the water for added therapeutic benefits. Practice this once daily to ease respiratory discomfort.