And how this ancient healthcare system is being embraced in the West through Eastern-originating brands today.
For many, the past few days have been filled with festivities and indulgence, which, whilst being a fulfilling treat, may have left you feeling full, heavy, and in need of a good detox. My personal interest in holistic wellness, particularly when it comes to food and diet, has led me to learn more about the ancient history of Ayurveda. If you're experiencing the post-cheese, wine, and chocolate slog, you might find it helpful to reflect on how herbs and food can bring more peace and balance to your life, helping to get your body, mind, and soul in shape for the new year. And if you’re interested in going one step beyond the plate, take a look at how emerging brands originating in the East are bringing a modern perspective to Ayurvedic medicine, incorporating traditional ingredients into innovative wellness formulas.
History of Ayurveda
Originating in India and dating back to 1500 BCE, Ayurveda is a system of medicine derived from the Vedas—ancient texts that encompass spiritual, philosophical, and medicinal knowledge. Still widely practiced in India, the government has a formal structure to regulate its quality, education, and practice.
Commonly referred to as the ‘Science of Life,’ the Sanskrit meaning of Ayu is life, and Veda is science or knowledge.
Ayurveda places strong emphasis on food and digestion, adopting a holistic and personalized approach to treating the body. While some of its treatment methods, such as using mercury to treat certain diseases, have been shown to be ineffective and even harmful, there is no doubt that Ayurveda has hugely influenced global wellness practices for centuries. Despite its lack of efficacy in treating many illnesses and diseases, some doctors acknowledge the value of its personalized care. Ayurveda is also a person-centered medicine (PCM), focusing on healthy lifestyles, health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
The Three Doshas: An Ancient Personality Test
In Ayurvedic medicine, treatment is tailored to your personality type and is broken down into three doshas. These are derived from the five elements: ether (space), air, fire, water, and earth. Each person has a unique combination of these doshas, with one or two often predominating, which defines their constitution (prakriti).
If you want to find out your dosha combination, there are numerous online quizzes available, like this one here.
My strongest dosha is Pitta, but I also have a lot of Vata and a tiny bit of Kapha.
Here’s a little info to get you started:
The Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
Vata (Air + Ether):
Traits: Light, dry, cold, mobile.
Body: Slim, dry skin, irregular habits.
Mind: Creative, energetic, prone to anxiety.
Imbalance: Insomnia, bloating, restlessness.
Pitta (Fire + Water):
Traits: Hot, sharp, oily, intense.
Body: Medium build, warm, strong digestion.
Mind: Focused, driven, easily irritated.
Imbalance: Inflammation, heartburn, anger.
Kapha (Water + Earth):
Traits: Heavy, steady, cool, soft.
Body: Sturdy, smooth skin, slow metabolism.
Mind: Calm, nurturing, resistant to change.
Imbalance: Congestion, lethargy, weight gain.
The Role of Food
In Ayurveda, food is not just about sustenance but a tool for achieving harmony with your dosha. Proper nutrition supports digestion (Agni), which is seen as the root of vitality and health.
If you were to tailor your diet according to Ayurvedic recommendations, it might look something like this:
Vata: Warm, moist, and grounding foods like soups, stews, and healthy oils.
Pitta: Cooling, mild, and non-spicy options like salads, sweet fruits, and dairy.
Kapha: Light, warm, and dry foods, including spices, legumes, and leafy greens.
Ayurveda also emphasizes incorporating the six tastes—sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent—into meals for balance and encourages eating fresh, seasonal ingredients. That said, as an amateur but passionate foodie, I’d argue this boils down to ensuring your food tastes good! For a modern twist, check out Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, which explores balancing flavours.
Alongside what to eat, Ayurveda also emphasises how to eat, promoting mindful eating practices such as avoiding distractions, chewing properly, maintaining consistent meal times, and having your heaviest meal at lunch. Personally, I’ve benefited from avoiding eating three hours before bed and having a lighter dinner.
The reason we feel sleepy after a big meal is that our body uses a significant amount of energy to digest food. If we eat right before sleep, we redirect energy away from vital cell regeneration.
Where Are We Seeing Ayurveda in the Western World?
So why am I telling you all this? We all know we need to eat better, be more mindful, and work with our bodies. What I find fascinating about Ayurveda right now is how the West is waking up to it. This ancient system is starting to shine through brands placed on the shelves of everyday stores like Sephora and Waitrose.
Ranavat, a luxury skincare brand founded by Michelle Ranavat, blends Ayurvedic traditions with modern skincare science. It’s the first South Asian skincare brand to launch in Sephora in the US and has since expanded to Sephora UK. The formulas in this brand’s range use ingredients like saffron, a spice derived from the flowers of the Crocus sativusplant, prized for its skin-brightening and anti-aging properties.
Other Ayurvedic ingredients, such as ashwagandha—an adaptogenic herb rich in antioxidants that claims to fight signs of aging, improve skin elasticity, and protect against environmental stressors like pollution—are featured in other skincare and makeup brands like Inde Wild and Mango People.
And I’m sure most of us have tried incorporating turmeric into our diets in one way or another. For those seeking peace and wellness, beloved teas like Pukka and Yogi with Ayurvedic blends are widely available in health food stores.
Being mindful of Ayurveda
Reflecting on all of this, it’s important to be mindful of how we represent Eastern philosophies in the West. When learning about Ayurveda or considering how to bring its principles into our lives, we should remember that it’s rooted in ancient religious texts (the Vedas), which form the foundation of Hinduism. As the West has a habit of misappropriating Eastern philosophies and cultures, it’s essential to maintain a learning mindset, fostering understanding through discussion and supporting smaller, Eastern-originating brands that modernise Ayurvedic ingredients.
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