It isn’t unusual nowadays to come across Āyurvedic supplements while walking the aisles at the grocery store. Sometimes you find them incorporated into teas and tinctures, their benefits plastered across the packaging, "Ancient Āyurvedic Herb Promotes Rest and Relaxation!" And where on one hand I want to support the acceptance of Āyurveda in the mainstream (because I want people to know what Āyurveda even is), on the other hand, it makes me a little uncomforable, because I know that just taking random herbs from India isn’t what Āyurveda is; it's not how Āyurveda works, and it's not how herbs work either. When it comes to herbs, their effects can vary depending on the way that they are being administered and on the state of the person who is taking them. This means that the same herb can have completely different results for two different people!
Ashwagandha, for example, is one of the “Āyurvedic herbs" that has made its way to the mainstream. It is often advertised as a calming herb that can help with sleep and anxiety, and I tend to find it added to teas and tinctures that promote relaxation and stress relief. Because of its sudden popularity (and because anxiety is incredibly common in a society that respects conquest and conquer over rest and healing), clients often ask me if Ashwagandha right for them.
The answer, however, is complex...
Where Ashwagandha is known for helping some people relax, it can increase irritability and agitation in others. Ashwagandha is a heating herb that is difficult to digest, so if you have systemic build up or a weak digestive fire, it probably isn't right for you. And if you have a lot of heat in your constitution, or if you have an imbalance of heat (those who are familiar might know this as Pitta Dosha), Ashwagandha could make you feel irritable and anxious, and that can get in the way of your ability to sleep or relax. This is why it is important to consult an Āyurvedic Practitioner/Doctor before you begin any herb regimen, especially if we are talking about herbs that are popularized by Āyurveda (less known in the West). Because if you do not understand how to work with these herbs, or you don’t have access to a knowledgable person who does, your herbs could be working against you (or not working at all).
I also want to mention that I put “Ayurvedic herbs” in quotes earlier for a reason; the truth is that every single substance in existence is Āyurvedic (from the perspective of Āyruevda anything can have the potential to be a medicine or a poison, depending on when/how/why and on whom it is being used). So when we call an herb Āyurvedic as a sales pitch, we might be erasing or obscuring the true meaning of Āyurveda in an attempt to commodify and capitalize on it. Before buying or selling something labeled "Āyurvedic," I feel that it is important to ask if the item is erasing the essense of Āyureda in order to market or to promote it as a brand. This isn't a deal breaker for me. I realize that survival under capitalism asks many to compromise in ways they may not have even considered. But I feel that in order to honor the source of Āyurveda, I have to at the very least acknowledge this much.
Like I said at the beginning, I have mixed feelings about all of this because I want people to walk this path with me. I believe in Āyurveda's ability to heal, to connect us with our inner truth, and with the greater truths of existence. I also believe that the natural order will attract those who want to learn and practice Āyurveda in earnest to this path, regardless of the way that they come across it in the world initially. So I have mixed feelings all around... I know that what I can do is to continue to do my best to honor Āyurveda by sharing, teaching, and guiding others on their journey of healing and connection, in service to the truth of what Āyurveda is.
So here are the takeaways:
1. All herbs are Āyurvedic.
2. You do not need to go out and buy fancy supplements to practice Āyurveda.
3. You should not be taking Ashwagandha without consulting with someone who understands how it works.
Thanks for reading.
~danielle
