Ancient Wisdom – Dr. Sugesh

By Dr. Sugesh, Ayurvedic Doctor and Wellness Consultant

In our modern world, stress has become an almost accepted part of daily life. Yet, beneath the surface of constant pressure and mental overload, our bodies are quietly crying out for balance, rest, and nourishment. As an Ayurvedic doctor, I have seen how chronic stress can silently erode physical health, emotional stability, and spiritual clarity.

The good news? Ayurveda has been addressing stress for over 5,000 years, not as a disease, but as a signal—a sign that something is out of harmony. Through its deep understanding of mind-body balance, Ayurveda offers practical, time-tested tools for not only managing stress but building long-term resilience from within.

Understanding Stress in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, stress is seen as an imbalance in the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each person reacts to stress differently depending on their unique constitution.

Vata imbalance often leads to anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia.
Pitta imbalance can cause anger, irritability, and burnout.
Kapha imbalance may result in lethargy, depression, and emotional withdrawal.

The first step in managing stress is recognizing how it shows up in your body and mind—and then working to bring the doshas back into balance using daily habits, herbs, diet, and spiritual practices.

My Go-To Ayurvedic Tools for Stress Relief

1. Abhyanga (Self-Oil Massage)

Every morning or evening, I recommend my patients take 10–15 minutes for self-massage with warm oil specific to their dosha. This isn’t just a luxury—it’s medicine.
Abhyanga calms the nervous system, promotes circulation, and fosters a deep sense of groundedness.

For Vata: Warm sesame oil with ashwagandha or bala
For Pitta: Cooling coconut oil with brahmi
For Kapha: Warming mustard oil or oils infused with trikatu herbs

2. Adaptogenic Herbs

Adaptogens help the body adapt to physical and emotional stress while building long-term resilience. A few of my favorites:

Ashwagandha – A grounding herb for calming the mind and supporting restful sleep
Brahmi – Nourishes the brain and enhances memory, clarity, and peace
Tulsi (Holy Basil) – Supports emotional balance and enhances spiritual awareness

Always consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for the right dosage and form.

3. Dinacharya (Daily Routine)

Ayurveda teaches that consistency is the antidote to chaos. A stable daily routine soothes Vata and strengthens the body’s natural rhythm.

Wake before sunrise
Eat meals at the same time each day
Limit screen time in the evening
Sleep before 10 p.m.

Even small shifts in daily rhythm can bring profound calm.

4. Pranayama and Meditation

Breath is life. Pranayama techniques regulate the nervous system and restore inner peace. I often recommend:

Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) for balance
Bhramari (humming bee breath) for calming the mind
Guided meditation or japa (mantra repetition) for spiritual anchoring

Just 10 minutes a day can reset the stress response.

5. Sattvic Diet for the Mind

What you eat affects how you think and feel. A sattvic diet nourishes both body and mind.

Favor fresh, cooked foods: seasonal vegetables, whole grains, ghee, and herbal teas
Minimize caffeine, sugar, leftover food, and stimulants
Eat in a calm environment, with full attention and gratitude

Final Words from Dr. Sugesh

Stress is not just in your head—it lives in your tissues, your breath, your digestion, and your energy. Ayurveda doesn’t ask you to escape your life. It invites you to re-align with it—with the wisdom of nature, with the rhythm of your body, and with the stillness that already exists inside you.

Through Ayurveda, we don’t just manage stress—we transform our relationship to it. We learn to meet life’s demands from a place of balance, clarity, and inner strength.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or simply out of rhythm, know this: you don’t need to fight your body. You need to listen to it. And Ayurveda can help you hear what it’s saying.

With care and calm,
Dr. Sugesh
Ayurvedic Doctor & Wellness Consultant

Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, is a well-respected and time-tested approach to healthcare. At its core, Ayurveda emphasizes a holistic approach to wellness, treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms of an illness. One of the most important texts in Ayurveda is the Bṛhat Trayī, which includes Caraka Saṃhitā, Suśruta Saṃhitā, and Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya.

Synthesis of Knowledge: Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya was written by Vāgbhaṭa, a renowned Ayurvedic physician. It’s believed that Vāgbhaṭa wrote this text in the 7th century A.D. and that it synthesizes the principles of Caraka and Suśruta, creating a harmonious narrative that enriches our understanding of Ayurveda. Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya is essentially a compilation of the most important concepts found in these earlier texts, giving it a unique and comprehensive perspective on Ayurveda.

Unique Contributions: Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya introduces unique perspectives, offering fresh insights into key concepts and providing a nuanced understanding of Ayurvedic principles. For example, Vāgbhaṭa emphasized the importance of purifying the body and mind to achieve optimal health. He also introduced new concepts, such as the six stages of disease and the three types of imbalance or dysfunction. These innovative ideas give Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya a distinct voice in the world of Ayurveda.

Comparative Analysis: When we compare Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya to Caraka and Suśruta, we can see shared principles that create a holistic foundation for Ayurvedic practice. Tridoṣa and Saptadhātu, for example, are two concepts that are found throughout Bṛhat Trayī. Understanding these shared principles is crucial to developing a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of Ayurveda.

Diverse Approaches: Recognizing the unique contributions of each text in Bṛhat Trayī allows practitioners to appreciate the diverse approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and overall healthcare. There’s no one “right” way to practice Ayurveda, and each text offers a unique perspective and approach to achieving optimal health. By embracing this diversity, practitioners can develop a more individualized approach to treatment that’s tailored to each patient’s specific needs.

Practical Applications: Bṛhat Trayī’s wisdom transcends time, finding practical applications in modern healthcare. Integrating these timeless principles into contemporary practices allows for a holistic and personalized approach to well-being. For example, the individualized approach emphasized in Bṛhat Trayī aligns with the growing trend of personalized medicine, reflecting a profound understanding of the uniqueness of each individual’s constitution.

Our journey into the Bṛhat Trayī unveils a treasure trove of Ayurvedic wisdom that’s just as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. Whether you’re a practitioner of Ayurveda or simply interested in learning more about this ancient system of medicine, exploring Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya offers a rich and rewarding experience. By synthesizing the principles of Caraka and Suśruta and introducing unique perspectives and concepts, Vāgbhaṭa’s text acts as a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern healthcare.

Tag: Ancient Wisdom

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