People Should Understand The Basic Principles Of Ayurveda: Dr. Lakshmi

Dr. Lakshmi S is a seasoned Ayurveda practitioner based out of Bangalore. She has over 15 years of experience. She is trained in Yoga too. In her long Ayurveda journey, Dr. Lakshmi s has seen the ups and downs in Ayurveda Industry and despite that all she has kept to her practice of pure Ayurveda through all these years. In the past she has worked at her own Clinic Ayush Ayurvedic Centre for four years. Currently she is working as consultant physician at the Bangalore chapter of the famous Kottakkal arya vaidya sala. We spoke to her about her experiences and journey as Ayurveda is finally getting recognized across the world. Read our interview with Dr. Lakshmi S below.

Please tell us about your professional qualifications.

I did my B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) from Government Ayurvedic College under Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore. I was part of the first batch. I have also undergone the Yoga Instructor Course (YIC) at Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA), Bangalore.

Why did you choose Ayurveda, Dr. Lakshmi?

I was interested in medical science since my adolescence. But in the nick of time I witnessed and realized that the modern medicine was failing drastically. So I decided to take up ayurvedic studies. It goes without saying that that was the best decision of my life.

How is your experience with the patients? Do they trust Ayurveda treatment?

In my 15 years of experience in various cities, I have come across different types of patients. Some people come to Ayurveda as the last resort. In the beginning of my career, I used to get very few patients for consultation. Out of those few, 50% the patients would just come to have an idea and give it a try. But once the treatments proved beneficial, they would start bringing their friends and relatives to Ayurveda happily. The times are changing though. Today I see a lot of difference; people come in even for the cure of minor ailments like cold, cough, and fever. They also bring their kids, saying they don’t want the side effects of Allopathic medicines to affect their children.

What challenges you face as a practitioner?

I did face a lot of challenges in my career. I had made up my mind from the beginning that I’d practice pure Ayurveda and do justice to the system as I had seen my own father recover from severe Cervical Spondylitis. due to this decision, my initial income was low as compared to what the M.B.B.S. Doctors would earn. Besides, it was a trend that Ayurvedic Doctors were treated inferior to Doctors practising western medicine. In the past few years this has gradually changed and that is a good sign.

Any out of ordinary situation that you have faced so far?

Not really. Every patient case is unique though.

How effective is the traditional medicine as a cure?

Traditional medicine is very effective in curing the diseases as well as in maintaining the overall health of the patients without causing any adverse effects.

What do you think of Ayurveda’s future?

Ayurveda definitely has a bright future. It has gained importance not only in India but in many foreign countries as well. Ayurveda is not just a health system, but also a way of life. It not only aims to cure a disease but also helps maintain the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of a person through daily and seasonal regimens.

Do you think Nirogstreet is making a difference by striving to connect Ayurveda practitioners and benefit the mainstream?

Nirogstreet is doing a great job by connecting all the Ayurveda practitioners on one platform. The main drawback in Ayurveda’s progress was that the earlier physicians never disclosed the line of treatment to younger generation. But now with technology-driven platforms like Nirogstreet, there would be a whole lot of necessary exercises like documentation, recording, and knowledge sharing. The reach would also be far more.

What are your hobbies, Dr. Lakshmi?

I am quite fond of two sports: Badminton and Carrom. I also love music. These are my favorite pastimes.

What is you message to the people on their Wellbeing?

As a Ayurveda practitioner, I’d like to convey to the people that they should understand be aware of the basic principles of Ayurveda. It not only cures an ailment, but also helps maintain the balanced state of mind and body.

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