What in the World is Ayurvedic Medicine?

We tend to believe the adage “newer is better.”  From wrinkle-free skin to the newest fitness trend, our health habits change with the decades. Although leg warmers may be back in style, much of old medical wisdom is just that…old. From thinking Wonder Bread was a wonder food, to believing weight lifting was just for musclemen, it’s a good thing some of our opinions have changed along with science.

But then there’s Ayurvedic Medicine - a 5,000-year-old science. As an alternative form of medicine, it’s catching quite renewed attention.

We spoke with Simmi LaTulippe, Master Herbalist, Ayurvedic Medicine Practitioner and Nutritional Therapist, who works at Gaia Clinic in Canmore and InLIv in Calgary. Simmi kindly helped us to understand some of the basics of Ayurveda and which pieces of health advice really do stand the test of time.

What is Ayurvedic Medicine? Why were you drawn to it?

Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health where we consider the whole patient: mind, body, spirit, and environment. There are two tools we use in Ayurveda: one is nutrition, and the other is supplementation. I was born into this tradition within a long linage of traditional Ayurvedic Doctors.

What has changed over time with Ayurvedic medicine?

The dosha diet was a lot stricter, but in the past, people in India had help with cooking, shopping and preparing meals for the family. The middle and well-off classes had servants to support their healthy nutritional needs. In North America, we have to do all this ourselves.  Sometimes our stressful lives get in the way of eating healthily. Today there are more processed and packaged foods on the market, which Ayurveda considers as 'dead' foods. They have no prana (lifeforce) and they cannot nourish the way cooking from scratch can.

What is a dosha?

The doshas correspond with different elements and we all have a combination of the three types with one dominant dosha. For example, Vata is air/space and is often attributed to the movers and shakers. Pita is fire/water and generally the type A go-getters. Kapha is earth/water, which is the most grounded and stable of the three. Diet is determined as per your dosha type.

How do you think that knowing your dosha can help achieve health balance? 

Knowing your dosha will address which are the right foods for you, proper supplementation, lifestyle and exercise needs. This continues to change based on age, time of year, current lifestyle habits and stress levels.

Can there be a general healthy lifestyle for all doshas?

Taking the time to shop, prepare and cook healthy foods can heal the body, mind and spirit for all doshas. Cooking with love can nourish you from the inside out.

Is there a religion behind Ayurvedic medicine?

No, as India has so many religious beliefs.

What is an Ayurvedic response to the common cold?

A response is certainly to strengthen the immune system so you don't catch colds! A cold can also be your body’s signal that you are doing too much and you need to take time to rest.

To find out more about your dosha, there are many surveys online. For a more detailed analysis, you can see an Ayurvedic Medical Practitioner such as Simmi. In the meantime, eat well, treat yourself right and try not to catch a nasty winter cold. 

In any tradition, sounds like just what the doctor ordered.

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Courtney Sunday has two cats and a boyfriend who are very patient with her health and wellness obsessions. She teaches yoga, Pilates and indoor cycling and gives Thai massages through her Toronto business Om at Home Yoga. When she is tuckered out, she takes up the sport of sleeping.