In today’s world, many people are turning to non-mainstream approaches to health and wellness. We see that people are choosing alternative therapies and medicines. Recently, terms like “complementary,” “alternative,” and “integrative” are often used to describe these practices. But, do we know what exactly do they mean? If you are also hearing about these terms but are new to the whole world of "alternative" therapies and medicines, then this guide breaks down these terms and explores the various approaches that fall under them, including traditional healers, Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, and functional medicine.

Complementary vs. Alternative Medicine

The terms complementary and alternative are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Complementary medicine refers to non-mainstream approaches that are used alongside conventional medical treatments. For instance, someone may use acupuncture to manage pain while continuing to take prescribed medication. On the other hand, alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medical treatments. A person might choose to treat their illness exclusively with herbal remedies rather than seeing a doctor.

The main difference is the complementary medicine is used as something that complements along with the ongoing prescription. It is an additional support, whereas, the alternative medicine is more of a "this or that" choice. Here, you are expected to substitute a different kind of medicine from what you have been prescribed by a doctor.

Most individuals who use non-mainstream treatments also continue to rely on conventional healthcare for certain aspects of their well-being.

Integrative Health

What happens in integrative health is that it blends conventional medicine with complementary approaches. This happens in a very coordinated manner. It is important to emphasize that a person's healing depends on three elements, physical, mental, and emotional state and this is what integrative health focuses on. This approach combines various treatments, such as medication, psychotherapy, acupuncture, and yoga, to provide a holistic care plan. It has been increasingly popular in the United States, particularly in the management of chronic pain, cancer recovery, and mental health.

Functional Medicine

Functional medicine is a term often used in conjunction with integrative health. It takes a personalized approach to medicine, focusing on identifying and addressing the root causes of health issues. Functional medicine practitioners consider factors such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle when treating conditions. Though it shares similarities with integrative health, functional medicine tends to prioritize diet and lifestyle modifications, alongside traditional treatments.

Traditional Healers and Alternative Practices

Many complementary approaches stem from long-established traditions and cultures around the world. Here are some of the prominent practices:

Traditional Healers: In various cultures, traditional healers have been the primary source of medical care for centuries. These healers often use natural remedies and spiritual practices to treat illnesses and promote wellness. The role of these healers varies by region, but their approach is deeply rooted in cultural traditions and knowledge passed down through generations.

Ayurvedic Medicine: Originating in India, Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine that seeks to balance the body’s energies, or doshas. It emphasizes a personalized approach, using herbs, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications to treat illness. Ayurveda has been practiced for over 5,000 years and is recognized as one of the oldest medical systems in the world.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): TCM is an ancient practice that focuses on restoring the balance of energy, or qi, within the body. It uses a variety of treatments, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy, to address imbalances and promote health. TCM is based on the idea that the body and mind are interconnected, and both need to be in harmony for optimal health.

Homeopathy: Homeopathy is based on the principle that "like cures like." Homeopathic practitioners use highly diluted substances that, in larger doses, would cause symptoms similar to those the patient is experiencing. It is a controversial and highly debated approach, with critics questioning its efficacy due to the extreme dilution of substances used.

Naturopathy: Naturopathy combines various natural therapies, such as herbal medicine, nutrition, and physical therapies, to promote healing. Naturopaths believe in the body’s ability to heal itself and aim to support this process by removing toxins and restoring balance. This practice incorporates elements of traditional medicine from many cultures, particularly those in Europe and North America.

The Role of Complementary Approaches in Health

Complementary health approaches can take many forms, ranging from nutritional methods (such as dietary supplements and herbs) to physical therapies (like yoga and massage). These approaches are often used alongside conventional treatments to enhance healing and improve overall well-being.

Research on complementary therapies continues to evolve, and some studies have shown promising results. For example, acupuncture has been shown to help reduce chronic pain, while yoga has been beneficial for mental health and managing stress.

However, it’s important to approach these practices with an understanding that not all treatments are backed by strong scientific evidence. Individuals interested in these therapies should consult healthcare professionals and consider integrating them with conventional treatments when appropriate.

In the ancient healing system of Ayurveda, the belly button, known as the Nabhi, is considered a very important spot. It's seen as a central point of energy, health, and balance in the body. Applying warm oil to the navel is a simple but powerful self-care ritual that is believed to bring deep healing benefits to both the body and mind.

In modern science, our belly button holds little to no value, some even considering it a scar, as the only purpose it served was as a source of food for babies in the womb. However, considering it was the only source of nutrition we had, one wonders how it can lose its value outside the womb.

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According to the California College of Ayurveda, navel oiling practice is based on the idea that the Nabhi is connected to our digestive system, or Agni, and helps spread energy throughout the body. By oiling it, you can nourish your core and bring balance to your body's three energy types, or doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Does Oiling Your Belly Button Actually Have Benefits?

For people who are just learning about this ayurvedic practice, this is the first question they ask. In a video, Smt. Hansa Ji from the Yoga Institute of India explained that the benefits of naval oiling are immense.

For Your Skin: Applying oils like coconut, sesame, or almond oil directly to the navel can help deeply hydrate the skin, making it less dry.

For Digestion: For issues like indigestion, bloating, or stomach pain, a mixture of ginger and peppermint essential oils with coconut oil can be applied. This practice is thought to reduce bloating and strengthen your digestive fire.

For Hormones: Gently warming castor oil and massaging it into your navel is believed to help balance hormones and reduce menstrual pain. For fertility concerns, some people use olive oil or guava leaf oil.

For Detoxification: Using neem or castor oil in the navel may help the body flush out toxins and support liver health.

Some other benefits, as mentioned by the California College of Ayurveda were,

For Pain Relief: A little warm castor oil on the navel may help reduce stomach cramps, menstrual pain, and stiff joints by balancing your Vata dosha.

For Eyes and Lips: Oiling the navel with pure ghee or mustard oil is said to improve eyesight and prevent chapped lips by nourishing your body from its center.

For Fertility: Applying ghee or coconut oil to the navel is believed to nourish the reproductive organs and boost overall vitality.

How to Choose the Right Oil

Different oils have different properties, so you can choose one based on what you want to achieve:

• Coconut oil is cooling and is great for balancing a Pitta imbalance.
• Sesame oil is warming and perfect for a Vata imbalance. It also helps with circulation.
• Mustard oil is known for its cleansing properties and benefits to digestion and joint health.
• Castor oil is a powerful healing oil that can help reduce pain and swelling.
• Pure ghee is very nourishing and helps to rejuvenate your body's tissues.
• Neem oil is great for cleansing and is often used for acne-prone skin or for detoxification.

How to Practice Navel Oiling

To do naval oiling one can start by warming up just 2-3 drops of your chosen oil. You can then lie down comfortably and apply the oil directly into your belly button. You can use a dropper for this.

After you are done putting oil in your naval, gently massage the area in a circular motion for about a minute. Leave the oil on overnight or for at least 30 minutes before you wash it off.

Remember to always use pure, high-quality, cold-pressed oils. If you have sensitive skin, it's a good idea to test a small patch of skin first. You should also avoid this practice if you have any infections or open wounds near your navel.

Adding navel oiling to your daily or weekly routine can have a powerful effect on your overall health, from improving your skin and digestion to balancing your hormones and emotional well-being.

Medical studies that support navel oiling

While studies directly linking naval oiling to health benefits are limited, a 2015 research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, showed the usage of essential oils for navel oiling can help reduce stress, headaches, insomnia and muscle pain. Another 2023 article published in the Frontier explains how massaging your abdomen may improve your digestion and improve problems like constipation.

Note: Putting oil in your naval is unlikely to harm you but there are still chances of allergens being present or a specific oil not suiting your skin, causing you irritation. Make sure to do a skin patch test and take guidance from a medical professional for advice.

For women grappling with fertility issues or irregular cycles, Ayurvedic practitioners often begin with something that feels surprisingly personal—understanding your prakriti, or unique body constitution. Instead of focusing solely on symptoms, the ancient system emphasizes balance: cleansing the body of toxins, restoring harmony among the three doshas, and gently resetting the system through lifestyle and herbal support. For women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), this individualized approach can feel like finally being seen, not just diagnosed.

Conventional medicine has made enormous strides in managing health conditions, but when it comes to PCOS, most treatments stop at controlling symptoms with hormone pills, insulin sensitizers, or surgical interventions. The root causes—sluggish metabolism, chronic inflammation, and stress-driven hormonal chaos often remain unaddressed. This is where Ayurveda steps in, not as a replacement but as a deeper, more integrative path to healing.

“PCOS isn’t viewed only as a hormonal disorder; it’s seen as a reflection of deeper imbalances within the body,” says Dr. Manoj Kutteri, Ayurvedic expert in nutrition, acupuncture, yoga, and physical culture. “These imbalances can affect digestion, metabolism, and even mental and emotional well-being.”

Instead of targeting one hormonal pathway, Ayurveda examines the full picture: how your gut is functioning, whether your body can efficiently remove toxins, and how emotional stress shows up physically. This perspective transforms treatment from surface-level management to whole-body healing.

What Is The Role of Doshas in PCOS?

At the core of Ayurveda lies the concept of doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Everyone carries all three, but in different proportions. PCOS is often linked to Kapha imbalance, which manifests as weight gain, irregular cycles, slow metabolism, and excess fluid retention. Still, no two women with PCOS present exactly the same way.

“By identifying your individual balance of these energies, Ayurveda designs a treatment plan that’s personalized to you, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach,” Dr. Manoj explains.

For one woman, reducing Kapha heaviness through lighter, warming foods may bring relief. For another, calming Vata might be more important to regulate cycles and ease anxiety. The process is highly individual.

Detox as a Reset Button

A cornerstone of Ayurvedic care for PCOS is detoxification, or Shodhana Kriya. Unlike fad cleanses, these are gentle, physician-guided therapies aimed at clearing ama, toxic buildup that clogs the body’s channels and disrupts hormonal flow.

“Gentle Ayurvedic detox therapies help get rid of ama, which is built-up toxins that block different channels in the body and throw off the balance of hormones,” says the expert. Panchakarma, a series of cleansing therapies, may be recommended in clinical settings, while at-home practices like drinking warm herbal teas, body exfoliation, and mindful eating, serve as accessible daily rituals.

This cleansing process is less about deprivation and more about renewal. By unblocking energy channels and supporting digestion, detox helps the body find its rhythm again.

Lifestyle as Medicine

Unlike quick fixes, balancing the doshas requires sustained changes across all areas of life. Sleep, food, emotional state, and even how you process stress are all seen as part of the healing process.

“You must implement major, mindful lifestyle changes,” Dr. Manoj notes. “Everything from the type of food you eat to the quality and number of hours that you sleep, how you feel emotionally, how you deal with the stress in your body, and self-analysis, everything comes into the picture.”

Herbs such as Shatavari, Asoka, Punarnava, Guduchi, and Triphala often appear in treatment plans. But Ayurveda never prescribes herbs in isolation—they’re always woven into a broader program of nutrition, movement, and emotional balance.

Daily routines also play a central role. Eating freshly prepared meals, practicing gentle yoga, keeping regular sleep schedules, and cultivating emotional awareness aren’t just lifestyle “tips”; they’re considered medicine.

What Are The Signs of Healing from PCOS?

Ayurveda frames healing as a journey rather than a destination. Women with PCOS may first notice subtle shifts lighter digestion, more energy in the mornings, or a steadier emotional state. Over time, cycles regulate, skin clears, and metabolism steadies.

“Ayurveda encourages women with PCOS to listen and understand their bodies, restore their natural rhythm and harmony, and reconnect with their natural vitality and inner self,” says the expert. This philosophy reframes PCOS not as a lifelong battle but as an opportunity to deepen self-awareness and resilience.

Globally, PCOS has become one of the most pressing reproductive health issues, affecting up to 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. With rising rates linked to lifestyle, diet, and environmental stress, the condition demands more than band-aid solutions. Ayurveda’s individualized, root-cause approach offers a complementary path one that empowers women to take charge of their health and fertility.

What this really means is that Ayurveda doesn’t replace modern medicine, but it fills in the gaps addressing the subtle but crucial links between digestion, metabolism, stress, and reproductive health. For many women, this integrated lens offers both hope and tangible results.

PCOS can feel overwhelming, especially when conventional treatments focus narrowly on managing cycles or insulin resistance. Ayurveda broadens the view, inviting women to see their condition not as a permanent burden but as a signal to restore balance physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Healing isn’t instant, but it is possible, when the focus shifts from suppressing symptoms to nurturing the whole self.

Dr. Manoj Kutteri is a Ayurvedic and wellness expert with a comprehensive background in Mind-Body Medicine, Nutrition, Acupuncture, Yoga, and Physical Culture- Medical Director & CEO of Atmantan Wellness Center in India

The monsoon brings with it that dreamy smell of rain-soaked earth, endless chai cravings, and… surprise guests in the form of clogged pores, excess oil, and stubborn breakouts. Humidity and temperature swings are basically a free buffet for acne-causing bacteria. Most of us immediately reach for new face washes or a stronger toner, but according to Ayurveda, you might be missing the most important step, fixing what is on your plate.

“Seasonal changes can aggravate doshas, especially Vata and Pitta during the monsoon, leading to inflammation, acne, and rashes,” says Ayurveda practitioner Dr Madhumitha Krishnan. “Along with skincare, it is essential to bring balance through diet by choosing foods that are sweet in nature and slightly oily, which soothe the body and keep skin issues at bay.”

Here are her top five Ayurvedic superfoods that do more than taste good; they keep your skin glowing even when the weather is a mess.

1. Almonds

If almonds could talk, they would probably brag about how well they can multitask. Primarily sweet in taste and slightly oily in nature, they help balance both Vata and Pitta doshas, making them perfect rainy-season companions. Ancient Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani texts all sing praises for almonds’ skin-enhancing abilities.

“They nourish the skin from within and maintain dosha balance during humid months,” explains Dr Krishnan. The trick? Soak them overnight. This makes them easier to digest and allows their nutrients to work deeper magic on your skin, keeping it supple and radiant.

2. Turmeric

This golden spice is not just for your grandma’s curries; it is basically edible skincare. Known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory powers, turmeric supports digestion (which in Ayurveda is key to skin health) and balances Vata dosha.

By slipping turmeric into your daily cooking, you help reduce the inflammation that often fuels acne. “It purifies the blood, wards off infections, and leaves the skin healthier from the inside out,” says Dr Krishnan. Think of it as the quiet hero who works behind the scenes, preventing those surprise breakouts.

3. Amla

Indian gooseberry, or amla, might be tiny, but it is a tridosha balancer with big skin benefits. It boosts immunity, slows down skin ageing, and helps detoxify the body, all of which lower your risk of monsoon breakouts.

“Amla is one of Ayurveda’s most powerful rejuvenators,” says Dr Krishnan. “Its detoxifying action removes impurities that would otherwise show up on the skin.” Whether you have it as juice, powder, or simply raw with a pinch of salt, your skin will thank you.

4. Neem

If breakouts are the troublemakers at the club, neem is the bouncer at the door. Its antibacterial, antifungal, and blood-purifying properties make it one of the most reliable Ayurvedic remedies for clear skin.

“Neem works by flushing toxins from the bloodstream,” explains Dr Krishnan. Neem juice might not win any taste awards, but it’s a small price to pay for skin that stays calm through the muggy season.

5. Garlic

Garlic might not win you any points in the “fresh breath” department, but it is a skin-saving legend. With its Vata-balancing qualities, it fights inflammation from within and supports overall detox.

Dr Krishnan says, “Many wellness experts recommend eating one raw clove of garlic on an empty stomach; it is a potent way to keep skin and overall health in check.” This practice has even gone viral on social media, proving that sometimes ancient remedies can become modern trends.

If you want to win the clear-skin game this monsoon, do not just attack the surface problem. As Ayurveda reminds us, beauty begins from within, quite literally. By adding almonds, turmeric, amla, neem, and garlic to your diet, you’re not just treating your taste buds; you are giving your skin an internal spa treatment.