What do you reach for when you're not feeling well—a bottle of prescribed pills or a mug of turmeric tea? Do you trust lab results over your body's natural cues? In an age where medical advancements are saving lives daily, why are more people embracing ancient remedies based on nature? Ayurveda vs. Western medicine is more than an argument over timelines—it's an argument over what we look at when considering health itself. One is influenced by numbers, medication, and immediate results. The other wants balance, diet, and chronic healing. Can't it just be both, though?

How these two potent systems—one grounded in science, the other rooted in hundreds of years of tradition—may not actually be in conflict at all. Instead, they may become partners in devising a more holistic and aware path to wellness.

The ancient art of Ayurveda continues to be appealing to seekers of wholeness and integration. Yet with healthcare being highly individualized today, there remains a pivotal question—can modern medicine and Ayurveda in fact co-exist? Can they be rivals or synergistic forces aiming in the same direction: sustainable well-being?

Dr. Rohit Madhav Sane, a renowned Ayurvedic doctor and wellness professional, is of the opinion that it is not only possible but also essential for traditional healing systems and modern innovations to come together. "Emergency care and swift interventions are superbly done by modern medicine," he says, "but Ayurveda promotes the source of health, causing the body to heal from the inside out."

This article discusses the interaction between Ayurveda and conventional medicine, not as a conflict of tradition versus science, but as a dialogue of respect and working coexistence.

Modern medicine is certainly a wonder of the scientific age. In its power to diagnose and cure acute disease rapidly and precisely, it has revolutionized the face of emergency and symptomatic care. A patient with high cholesterol, for example, can be quickly prescribed a statin. In a matter of weeks or days, cholesterol falls. The reaction is rapid and quantifiable.

But this strategy usually falls short of treating the cause. Unhealthy lifestyle, chronic stress, and unbalanced diet often lie behind many illnesses. "What modern medicine tends to do," says Dr. Sane, "is to manage parameters. It's great at controlling symptoms, but it may not fix the site of disease."

This is not a defect, but an emphasis—contemporary medicine exists to stabilize, not always to cure in the long run.

How Ayurveda Addresses the Cause of Disease?

Conversely, Ayurveda approaches much more slowly, and on an individual basis. It aims to re-balance by finding and addressing the underlying causes of imbalance. For elevated cholesterol, an Ayurvedic practitioner might recommend dietary modification, daily yoga, meditation, and adding certain herbs.

This treatment modality does not offer overnight cures. Rather, it cooperates with the body's intrinsic intelligence to restore balance. "Ayurveda believes in enhancing the host," explains Dr. Sane, "rather than simply attacking disease."

Patients tend to notice improvements not only in particular parameters such as cholesterol but in energy, digestion, mood, and immunity as well. It is this end-to-end shift that makes Ayurveda most appropriate for long-term conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or even autoimmune disease.

Acute vs. Chronic: Knowing When to Use What

Both systems excel in different situations. A heart attack, for example, is not the moment to drink herbal tea. It's a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away—angioplasty, drugs, and hospital monitoring. In such situations, contemporary medicine saves lives.

But what follows after the crisis has been overcome?

Here comes Ayurveda into play—providing recuperative treatment. Through the interventions of therapies such as Abhyanga (medicated oil massage), medicinal medications, and tailored nutritional support, Ayurveda aids in restoration of the body and decreases the likelihood of relapse. "Ayurveda can bring about the change of patients from drug dependency to sustained well-being," Dr. Sane comments.

In lifestyle illnesses such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes, an integrated approach is usually the most effective—first pharmaceutical treatment, followed by Ayurvedic treatment to minimize or eliminate the requirement for long-term medication.

What is Ayurvedic Panchakarma?

One of Ayurveda's hallmark practices, Panchakarma, provides a systemic cleansing unlike anything found in modern times. It's a strict, doctor-supervised regimen aimed at cleansing toxins from the body's innermost tissues.

Consider Panchakarma a body reboot," Dr. Sane says. "It doesn't only detoxify—it reprograms your metabolism and builds up your body's inner reservoirs.

Scientific research increasingly validates the detoxification role in minimizing systemic inflammation, a major contributor to chronic disease. Panchakarma involves treatments such as Basti (medicated enemas), Virechana (purging), and Nasya (nasal treatment), each selected according to individual body types (doshas). After detox, patients commonly experience enhanced mental clarity, improved sleep, and increased energy—effects that persist beyond the treatment period.

How Ayurveda and Modern Medicine Can Work Together?

Ayurveda is not merely treatment—it's empowerment. It builds what Dr. Sane refers to as "inner reserves." These are your body's capacity to recover from trauma, resist disease, and adapt to stress.

For instance, coronary flow reserve—the heart's capacity to endure stress—may be increased using Ayurvedic principles: regular Dinacharya (routine), conscious eating, and Rasayana therapies (rejuvenation). It's this proactive body building that puts Ayurveda not just as a system of healing, but also of prevention.

The future isn't a matter of sides. It's a matter of integration.

Contemporary medicine provides diagnostic means—blood work, MRI scans, genetic testing. Ayurveda brings with it individualized therapies grounded in Prakriti (constitution), Agni (digestive fire), and Ojas (vital energy). Combined, they can enable clinicians to know both the what and the why of disease.

"Integrated medicine is not a fad," Dr. Sane points out. "It's the future."

As healthcare evolves, the fusion of Ayurveda and modern medicine offers a more complete, compassionate model. Quick fixes and deep healing, emergency care and long-term resilience—when these strengths are harnessed together, patients receive the best of both worlds.

For a world facing rising rates of chronic disease, stress, and lifestyle disorders, this integrative approach isn’t just ideal—it’s essential.

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

As temperatures soar during summer, it is not just sunburns and sweat we need to worry about. Our internal balance could be affected too. According to Ayurveda, an ancient system of natural healing, summer is the season of pitta dosha, a bio-energy composed of fire and water elements. When this dosha becomes aggravated, it can lead to symptoms like skin rashes, acidity, indigestion, irritability, and even emotional outbursts.

But the food we eat can play a powerful role in restoring balance. Ayurvedic wisdom offers simple dietary choices to help cool the body and soothe the mind—without necessarily relying on cold drinks or air conditioning. Here is what you should know.

Choose Cooling Over Cold

Ayurveda teaches that cooling foods are always cold in temperature—they have a cooling energy, explains Lauren Gernady of the Kripalu School of Ayurveda. Think cucumbers, melons, and leafy greens—not necessarily chilled but naturally pacifying to pitta.

Hydrate The Ayurvedic Way

Staying well-hydrated is key, but plain water isn't your only option. Coconut water with a squeeze of lime is highly recommended by Ayurvedic practitioner Larissa Hall Carlson. This refreshing drink helps replenish electrolytes and balances internal heat.

Leafy Greens And Seasonal Fruits

Foods with bitter and astringent tastes help regulate pitta. Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, watercress, and arugula are ideal. Seasonal fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, and berries also help calm the body’s heat while offering essential hydration and nutrients.

Avoid Heat-Generating Foods

To stay in balance, experts advise avoiding pitta-aggravating foods like fried, oily, overly salty, spicy dishes, and processed or canned items. Even common kitchen staples like onions and garlic can stir up pitta, says Erin Casperson, former Dean of the Kripalu School of Ayurveda.

Herbs That Heal And Cool

Adding fresh herbs to your meals is another easy way to stay cool. Mint, cilantro, and basil not only bring refreshing flavor but also carry anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties. “These herbs contain volatile oils and flavones, which are powerful phytonutrients,” notes nutritionist Annie B. Kay. A homemade cilantro-mint chutney is a delicious way to incorporate these into your diet.

Think Twice Before Reaching For Iced Coffee

While iced coffee may seem like the perfect summer pick-me-up, it could do more harm than good. “Caffeine is both stimulating and dehydrating,” warns Hilary Garivaltis, Executive Director of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association. She recommends switching to herbal teas instead. And if you must have your drink on ice, allow it to sit a bit—too much cold can dampen digestion, a key concern in Ayurveda.

DIY Cooling Spice Blend

To enhance your meals while keeping your inner thermostat in check. You can try this Ayurvedic spice mix for the same.

3 tbsp cumin seeds

3 tbsp coriander seeds

2 tbsp fennel seeds

2 tbsp ground turmeric

Dry-roast the whole seeds over medium-low heat until fragrant, then add turmeric and roast for 30 seconds. Let cool, grind, and store in an airtight jar. Sprinkle over fruit, yoghurt, or veggies.

Kanji drink in question is a deep purple to reddish-brown fermented North Indian beverage made with black carrots, mustard seeds, water, black salt, red chilli powder, sugar, jaggery, and ginger. Caraway seeds or ajwain are sometimes added as an optional ingredient. Known for its tangy and spicy flavour, kanji is especially popular during the winter months in North India.

Ayurvedic Health Benefits Of Kanji

Aids Digestion, Especially During Hormonal Fluctuations

Kanji is a fermented drink packed with probiotics, which means it helps populate the gut with healthy bacteria. Regular consumption of kanji has been found to improve digestion, particularly in women facing hormonal imbalances that cause bloating, gas, or discomfort. As gut health is deeply linked with overall well-being, drinking kanji can be a natural way to maintain digestive balance during difficult hormonal phases such as PMS or menopause.

Acts As A Natural Detoxifier

If you're looking for a traditional drink that supports clearer skin and reduced inflammation, kanji may be a great option. The fermentation process not only enhances its probiotic content but also helps flush out toxins from the body. This detoxifying effect can help improve skin clarity and reduce breakouts or puffiness that are often triggered by internal inflammation or gut-related issues.

Low In Calories, Helps Control Hunger

Kanji is low in calories but rich in flavour, making it an ideal replacement for sugar-loaded beverages. Despite its low calorie content, it helps control hunger pangs, offering a feeling of fullness that can prevent overeating. Women looking to cut down on processed sugar or manage their weight in a healthy, sustainable manner may find kanji a useful addition to their diet. It satisfies cravings without the calorie overload, making it suitable for mindful snacking or as a mid-meal drink.

Boosts Immunity And Wards Off Illnesses

With its high antioxidant and probiotic content, kanji also strengthens the immune system. This is particularly beneficial for young women leading hectic lives, who are often prone to falling ill due to stress or poor dietary habits. Regular consumption can help build resistance to common seasonal infections and reduce the frequency of digestive or respiratory issues, thanks to the natural immune-boosting properties of the ingredients.

Incorporating kanji into your daily routine during the winter can be a simple yet effective way to support your digestive health, detoxify your system, control cravings, and strengthen your immune system — all without reaching for processed supplements or sugary alternatives.

How To Make Kanji Drink At Home

Traditionally, this drink is made with black carrots. Kanji is spiced with ground mustard seeds, red chilli powder and black salt or salt. The carrots, spices, seasonings are mixed with some boiled, cooled water and kept to ferment for a few days. The entire drink with its ingredients is filled in a glass or ceramic jar. These jars are kept in the sunlight and the drink is allowed to ferment for 2 to 3 to 4 days. So the drink can be kept for 4 to 5 days if the sunlight is not enough sunlight. But if it is hot or very hot, then 1 to 2 to 3 days are enough for the drink to get naturally fermented.

Ayurvedic herbs have been proven to improve our health in many ways. While many people disregard historical practices, many studies show how good they are. These herbs have been in use for years in the ayurvedic practices and many people now are adopting the same practices that people ignored for modern medicine.

One such herb that is not only good to reduce inflammation but also keeps oral infections away is Boswellia. Available in the forms of resin, pill and cream, Boswellia, also called Indian frankincense, comes from the Boswellia serrata tree-which is used to make natural medicine. It could be helpful for folks who have certain health problems where swelling is an issue, making it a natural way to try and feel better.

Important Facts About Boswellia

According to journal LiverTox , for a very long time, people in countries like India and Africa have used Boswellia tree resin as natural medicine. They believed it could help with illnesses that cause long-lasting swelling, like arthritis, and also with other health problems.

The journal suggests it might really help with inflammation in the body. Because of this, it could be useful for people who have conditions like osteoarthritis, which causes joint pain, or rheumatoid arthritis, another type of swelling in the joints. It might also help people with breathing problems like asthma or with tummy troubles like inflammatory bowel disease, offering a natural way to manage these issues.

How Does It Help Inflammation And Swelling?

When your body gets inflamed, it makes certain tiny helpers called leukotrienes. These leukotrienes can cause swelling and can also make asthma symptoms worse. Some research shows that the special stuff in Boswellia, called boswellic acids, can stop your body from making these leukotrienes. By doing this, Boswellia might be able to calm down the swelling in your body and help ease things like joint pain or breathing difficulties in a natural way.

Boswellia can also help with swelling, it might also work to make pain feel less intense. If you have sore joints from something like arthritis, Boswellia could potentially help them feel better. Also, some studies think it might even help protect the soft stuff in your joints, called cartilage, from breaking down. Interestingly, very early research suggests it might even have a role in fighting some types of serious illnesses like leukemia and breast cancer, but more studies are needed.

Even though boswellia is natural, it might not always work well with other medicines you are taking, especially those that also help with inflammation, like ibuprofen or aspirin. Boswellia could possibly make these other medicines less effective. So, it's really important to talk to your doctor before you start using any boswellia products, especially if you are already taking other medications to make sure everything is safe for you.