HEALTH FILE

THERE’S MORE TO AYURVEDIC PRACTICE THAN A GOOGLE SEARCH

Hemant Gupta is the Director of Holistic Ayurveda Institute and Wellness Centre in Ottawa (www.holisticayurveda.ca).

Ashwagandha pills, prescribed in Ayurveda for a host  of ailments from high blood pressure to anxiety and boosting immunity, are now available in some Canadian retail and online stores.

If you have considered picking up some, anxious as we all are about immunity in these times of pandemic worries, the good vaidyas at the Canadian Ayurvedic Members Alliance (CAMA) have a word of caution.

Their short answer: Don’t self-medicate, consult an Ayurvedic practitioner first.

The wisdom behind this advice is self-evident. There could be underlying causes that manifest as symptoms that one experiences, and a qualified vaidya will be able to steer you to the right Ayurvedic remedial action.

Ayurveda is said to have originated in India at least over 3000 years ago. There are hundreds of Ayurvedic practitioners in Canada and, unlike in the case of mainstream medical practice, it is often confusing for most people to tell if the person has the right qualifications to offer the service – if qualified at all.

Here is where CAMA comes in, says Ottawa-based Ayurvedic vaidya Hemant Gupta, the President of the Alliance.

A BAMS degree (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) from an Indian institution, is one thing to look for in an Ayurvedic practitioner, he says. Some in Canada have a master’s degree and some have earned their PhD in the discipline as well. And CAMA intends to make the search easier by publishing a list of its members, along with their qualifications, on its website, www.camaayurveda.com.

Hemant Gupta has a MD in Ayurveda, and is the Director of Holistic Ayurveda Institute and Wellness Centre in Ottawa.

“Ayurveda is a consciousness-based system of health that puts emphasis on overall well-being of body, mind, and spirit with prevention being a key factor,” he says. Using the analogy of watering the roots to nourish the tree, he describes Ayurveda’s approach as treating the root causes. “Ayurveda is empowering because it is comprehensive.”

Holistic Ayurveda offers a range of certificate programs in Ayurveda.

Shanthi Balasubramaniam of Ajara Ayurvedic Wellness Center in Mississauga, Ontario.

Mississauga-based Shanthi Balasubramaniam of Ajara Ayurvedic Wellness Center is well-known in the desi community in the Greater Toronto Area, and she is the General Secretary of the Alliance. “There’s a myth that Ayurveda is about oil massages and that it’s just herbal treatment,” she says. Of course, an oil massage or the use of certain herbs are a part of this ancient science, but only if the course of treatment requires them, she adds.

Colds, headaches, migraine, blood pressures issues – these are some of the common complaints that Balasubramaniam encounters and there are ready remedies for these that provide immediate relief, and there are long-term solutions as well. The treatment is as unique as each individual.

Her first consultation can run up to 45 minutes, she says. “I have to understand a client’s specific situation first, their lifestyle, their diet. I then explain to them how my course of treatment will work for them, and what they should expect.” It’s more than just looking at a chart on the wall and matching an ailment with a bottle of pills, she laughs.

Ajara Ayurvedic Wellness Center also offers certification and diploma programs as well as Self Healing courses for all age groups and educational backgrounds. They also have a free monthly meet on social media for one hour on various Ayurvedic topics – all are welcome.

Jyothi Nanjundiah.

Alliance member Jyothi Nanjundiah is a registered herbalist and Ayurvedic practitioner based in Calgary.

She points out that differences in climate, say between India and Canada or even Toronto and Edmonton, could have a bearing on Ayurvedic treatment. “It’s a vast science,” she says, with a knowledge base accrued over millennia. She describes Ayurveda as curative and preventative – the latter part is about appropriate diet, lifestyle and staying ahead with a good immune system.

“Ayurveda has no side effects,” says Alliance board member Chandralekha Nair. She is based in Sault Ste. Marie. “But no one should self-administer Ayurvedic products without proper consultation. There can be implications and side effects when taken incorrectly. Ayurvedic medicines in right dosage combination are absolutely harmless, but if the dosage is wrong or combination is wrong then problems may occur. People watch YouTube channels or TV shows and self-medicate, and that could lead to problems,” she emphasises.

Chandralekha Nair.

Hemant Gupta points out that he and his fellow members at CAMA have two things in common – a sound academic background in Ayurveda and a deep commitment to the science in the best interests of their Canadian clients.

That’s a lot more than a simple Google search.