Cold and Flu: Can Ayurveda Offer a Long-Term Solution? - #16305

I am Dr. Shazia Amreen, an Ayurvedic physcian with a little over 7 years of hands-on experience in clinical practice. I did my MD in Ayurveda from Government Ayurveda Medical College, Bangalore—and honestly, those years helped me go much deeper into the classical texts and the clinical ground. Not just theory... actual healing. Since 2017, I’ve worked closely with a diverse set of patients—from chronic gut problems to skin & hair concerns, musculoskeletal issues, hormonal imbalances, kidney stones, you name it. My core strength really lies in Panchakarma and gastrointestinal healing, where I don’t just jump into detox, but take time to see where the agni is, how deep the ama has gone, and whether the body’s ready to reset. I’m very rooted in classical assessment—looking at dosha imbalance, dhatu state, and prakriti before planning anything. But also, I keep it grounded in modern daily life. What’s the point of a great herbal blend if the person can’t sleep on time or digest their food properly, right? That’s why I focus big on Ahara-Vihara guidance. I don’t just hand over a diet list—I walk people through why those changes matter, and how to make them sustainable. In my practice, I often blend Rasayana chikitsa with basic lifestyle coaching, especially for cases like IBS, PCOS, eczema, migraines, or stress-triggered flareups. Each case is unique, and I don’t believe in repeating the same formula just because it worked for someone else. I also emphasize emotional reset, especially in long-standing chronic cases—sometimes people carry fear, shame, or frustration about their illness. I try to hold space for that too. Whether it’s someone coming in for general detox, a fertility consult, or just confused by their symptoms—I aim to build a plan that makes sense to them. It should feel doable. Balanced. And over time, it should make them feel like they’re coming back home to their own body. That’s the kind of Ayurvedic care I believe in—and try to deliver every single day.

I am working right now as a Consultant Ayurvedic Ano-Rectal Surgeon at Bhrigu Maharishi Ayurvedic Hospital in Nalgonda—and yeah, that name’s quite something, but what really keeps me here is the kind of cases we get. My main focus is managing ano-rectal disorders like piles (Arsha), fistula-in-ano (Bhagandara), fissure-in-ano (Parikartika), pilonidal sinus, and rectal polyps. These are often more complex than they look at first, and they get misdiagnosed or overtreated in a lotta places. That’s where our classical tools come in—Ksharasutra therapy, Agnikarma, and a few other para-surgical techniques we follow from the Samhitas...they’ve been lifesavers honestly. My work here pushes me to keep refining surgical precision while also sticking to the Ayurvedic core. I do rely on modern diagnostics when needed, but I won’t replace the value of a well-done Nadi Pariksha or assessing dosha-vikruti in depth. Most of my patients come with pain, fear, and usually after a couple of rounds of either incomplete surgeries or just being fed painkillers n antibiotics. And I totally get that frustration. That’s why I combine surgery with a whole support plan—Ayurvedic meds, diet changes, lifestyle tweaks that actually match their prakriti. Not generic stuff off a handout. Over time, I’ve seen that when people follow the whole protocol, not just the procedure part, the recurrence drops a lot. I’m quite particular about follow-up and wound care too, ‘cause we’re dealing with delicate areas here and ignoring post-op can ruin outcomes. Oh and yeah—I care a lot about educating folks too. I talk to patients in OPD, sometimes give community talks, just to tell people they do have safer options than cutting everything out under GA! I still study Shalya Tantra like it’s a living document. I try to stay updated with whatever credible advancements are happening in Ayurvedic surgery, but I filter what’s fluff and what’s actually useful. At the end of the day, my aim is to offer respectful, outcome-based care that lets patients walk out without shame or fear. That’s really what keeps me grounded in this field.

I am Dr. P. Prasad, and I’ve been in this field for 20+ years now, working kinda across the board—General Medicine, Neurology, Dermatology, Cardiology—you name it. Didn’t start out thinking I’d end up spanning that wide, but over time, each area sort of pulled me in deeper. And honestly, I like that mix. It lets me look at a patient not just through one lens but a whole system-wide view... makes more sense when treating something that won’t fit neatly in one category. I’ve handled everything from day-to-day stuff like hypertension, diabetes, or skin infections to more serious neuro and cardiac problems. Some cases are quick—diagnose, treat, done. Others take time, repeated check-ins, figuring out what’s really going on beneath those usual symptoms. And that’s where the detail matters. I’m pretty big on thorough diagnosis and patient education—because half the problem is ppl just not knowing what’s happening inside their own body. What’s changed for me over years isn’t just knowledge, it’s how much I lean on listening. If you miss what someone didn’t say, you might also miss their actual illness. And idk, after seeing it play out so many times, I do believe combining updated medical practice with basic empathy really shifts outcomes. Doesn’t have to be complicated... it just has to be consistent. I keep up with research too—new drugs, diagnostics, cross-specialty updates etc., not because it’s trendy, but cuz it’s necessary. Patients come in better read now than ever. You can’t afford to fall behind. The end goal’s the same tho—help them heal right, not just fast. Ethical practice, evidence-based, and sometimes just being there to explain what’s going on. That’s what I stick to.

I am Dr. Maitri, currently in my 2nd year of MD in Dravyaguna, and yeah, I run my own Ayurvedic clinic in Ranoli where I’ve been seeing patients for 2 years now. Honestly, what pulled me into this path deeper is how powerful herbs really are—when used right. Not just randomly mixing churnas but actually understanding their rasa, virya, vipaka etc. That’s kinda my zone, where textbook knowledge meets day-to-day case handling. My practice revolves around helping people with PCOD, acne, dandruff, back pain, stiffness in knees or joints that never seem to go away. And I don’t jump to giving a long list of medicines straight away—first I spend time figuring out their prakriti, their habits, food cycle, what triggers what… basically all the small stuff that gets missed. Then comes the plan—herbs (single or compound), some diet reshuffling, and always some lifestyle nudges. Sometimes they’re tiny, like sleep timing. Sometimes big like proper seasonal detox. Being into Dravyaguna helps me get into the depth of herbs more confidently. I don’t just look at the symptom—I think okay what guna will counter this? Should the drug be snigdha, ushna, tikta? Is there a reverse vipaka that’ll hurt the agni? I ask these questions before writing any combo. That’s made a huge diff in outcomes. Like I had this case of chronic urticaria that would flare up every week, and just tweaking the herbs based on sheetala vs ushna nature... helped calm the system in 3 weeks flat. Not magic, just logic. I also work with women who are struggling with hormonal swings, mood, delayed periods or even unexplained breakouts. When hormones go haywire, the skin shows, digestion slows, and mind gets foggy too. I keep my approach full-circle—cleansing, balancing, rejuvenating. No quick fixes, I tell them early on. What I’m hoping to do more of now is make Ayurveda feel practical. Not overwhelming. Just simple tools—ahara, vihara, aushadha—used consistently, with some trust in the body’s own healing. I’m still learning, still refining, but honestly, seeing people feel in control of their health again—that’s what keeps me rooted to this.

I am practicing Ayurveda for about 8 years now, feels strange saying that because honestly the learning never stops. My work is all about finding balance in the body, not in some abstract way, but literally working with each person’s unique prakriti and the vikriti they’re dealing with at that moment. I follow the classical principles — herbal formulations, Panchakarma therapies, diet corrections, lifestyle tweaks — but nothing is “one size fits all”. Each treatment plan is shaped by the person infront of me, their health history, and the small details you only catch when you really listen. Over time I’ve worked with people dealing with digestion troubles, joint pains, hormonal shifts, stress-related health dips, and even stubborn chronic stuff that didn’t respond much to other methods. My approach is to go for the root cause first, because treating just the symptoms feels like putting tape over a crack... it hides it for a while but doesn’t fix it. That’s also why I focus on prevention — if you stop the imbalance before it grows, you save a lot of pain later. I keep my learning alive by reading classical Ayurvedic texts and joining continuing education whenever I can fit it in (sometimes late nights with too much chai). And I try to pass that clarity on to patients, explaining why a certain herb or therapy is chosen, what changes they might notice, and how they can keep supporting themselves after treatment ends. For me, this is more than just work. It’s a way of living… making choices every day that keep the mind, body, and emotions in some kind of harmony. My goal is still the same as day one — offer care that’s authentic, safe, and actually works for the long run, while making sure the person feels heard and understood through the whole process.

I am Dr. Gursimran Jeet Singh, born and raised in Punjab where culture and traditions almost naturally guided me toward Ayurveda. From very early days I felt more drawn to natural ways of healing, and this curiosity finally led me to pursue Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) at Shri Dhanwantry Ayurvedic College, Chandigarh—an institution known for shaping strong Ayurvedic physicians. During those years I learned not only the classical texts and treatment methods, but also how to look at health through a very practical, human lense. For the past five years I worked in clinical practice, where patients come with wide range of concerns—from chronic digestion troubles to autoimmune illness—and I try to integrate both Ayurveda and modern medical knowledge to give them the most complete care I can. Sometimes western diagnostics help me to understand the stage of disease, while Ayurveda helps me design treatment that address root cause. This bridging approach is not always easy, but I believe it’s necessary for today’s health challanges. Currently I am also pursuing higher studies in Panchakarma therapy. Panchakarma is an area I feel very strongly about—it is not just detox, it is a whole system of cleansing, rejuvenation, rebalancing, and I want to deepen my expertise here. In practice, I combine Panchakarma with lifestyle guidance, diet planning, herbal remedies, yoga and mindfulness practices depending on what a patient actually needs at that moment. No two cases are same, and Ayurveda reminds me daily that healing must be personal. My approach is always focused on root-cause management rather than temporary relief. Diet, herbs, therapeutic oils, meditation routines, and simple daily habits—they all work together when chosen rightly. Sometimes results come slow, sometimes faster, but I try to keep care sustainable and compassionate. Helping someone regain energy, sleep better, or reduce pain, that is the real achievement in my journey. And I continue learning, because Ayurveda is deep, it doesn’t finish with one degree or one training, it grow with every patient and every experiance.My specialties lie in treating a range of chronic and lifestyle-related conditions using Ayurveda’s time-tested principles, tailored to each individual’s unique constitution (Prakriti). I have significant expertise in managing digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, constipation, diabetes, obesity and inflammatory bowel diseases. I also specialize in addressing stress-related and mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and burnout, which are increasingly common in today’s fast-paced world. By integrating therapies like Shirodhara (oil pouring on the forehead) to calm the nervous system, Abhyanga (herbal oil massages) to balance Vata dosha, and adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha and Brahmi, I help patients achieve mental clarity and emotional resilience. In the field of musculoskeletal and joint health, I excel in treating conditions like arthritis (rheumatoid and osteoarthritis), back pain, sciatica, and sports injuries. Using therapies such as Kati Basti (localized oil retention on the lower back) and potent anti-inflammatory herbs like Guggulu and Shallaki, I focus on reducing inflammation, improving joint mobility, and strengthening tissues. My treatments have helped many patients, particularly those seeking non-invasive alternatives, regain mobility and reduce pain through a blend of internal medications and external therapies. Skin disorders are another key area of my practice, where I address conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, and pigmentation issues holistically. By focusing on blood purification and balancing Pitta dosha and detoxifying Panchakarma techniques like Raktamokshana (bloodletting). My approach targets dietary and lifestyle triggers, offering sustainable results for clients who previously relied on temporary solutions like topical steroids. My dual expertise in Ayurveda and modern medicine allows me to create integrative treatment plans that are both effective and safe. I am deeply committed to patient education, empowering individuals to embrace Ayurvedic principles for sustainable health. Through this online platform, I am excited to offer virtual consultations, making the profound benefits of Ayurveda accessible to all. Whether you seek relief from a specific condition or aim to enhance overall vitality, I look forward to guiding you on your journey to balance and well-being with compassion and expertise.

I am a BAMS graduate and currently running my own clinic, where I see patients on a regular basis and try to give them honest, practical care. My daily work involves understanding different health concerns, listening properly to what the patient is going through, and then planning treatment in a way that actually fits their routine. I believe treatment should not feel confusing or rushed, and sometimes even small changes make a big difference. Running my own clinic has taught me a lot about responsibility and consistency. Some days are busy, some are slow, but every patient brings a different challenge and learning. I focus mainly on Ayurvedic treatment methods, lifestyle correction and long-term health balance, rather than quick fixes. There are times when progress takes longer, but I stay patient and keep working with the person step by step. I try to keep my approach simple, practical and honest. For me, real success is when a patient feels better in daily life, sleeps better, eats better and slowly regains balance. That is what keeps me going and improving every day.

I am Dr. Sushma M and yeah, I’ve been in Ayurveda for over 20 yrs now—honestly still learning from it every day. I mostly work with preventive care, diet logic, and prakriti-based guidance. I mean, why wait for full-blown disease when your body’s been whispering for years, right? I’m kinda obsessed with that early correction part—spotting vata-pitta-kapha imbalances before they spiral into something deeper. Most ppl don’t realize how much power food timing, digestion rhythm, & basic routine actually have… until they shift it. Alongside all that classical Ayurveda, I also use energy medicine & color therapy—those subtle layers matter too, esp when someone’s dealing with long-term fatigue or emotional heaviness. These things help reconnect not just the body, but the inner self too. Some ppl are skeptical at first—but when you treat *beyond* the doshas, they feel it. And I don’t force anything… I just kinda match what fits their nature. I usually take time understanding a person’s prakriti—not just from pulse or skin or tongue—but how they react to stress, sleep patterns, their relationship with food. That whole package tells the story. I don’t do textbook treatment lines—I build a plan that adjusts *with* the person, not on top of them. Over the years, watching patients slowly return to their baseline harmony—that's what keeps me in it. I’ve seen folks come in feeling lost in symptoms no one explained… and then walk out weeks later understanding their body better than they ever did. That, to me, is healing. Not chasing symptoms, but restoring rhythm. I believe true care doesn’t look rushed, or mechanical. It listens, observes, tweaks gently. That's the kind of Ayurveda I try to practice—not loud, but deeply rooted.

I am Dr. Anjali Sehrawat. Graduated BAMS from National College of Ayurveda & Hospital, Barwala (Hisar) in 2023—and right now I'm doing my residency, learning a lot everyday under senior clinicians who’ve been in the field way longer than me. It’s kind of intense but also really grounding. Like, it makes you pause before assuming anything about a patient. During my UG and clinical rotations, I got good hands-on exposure... not just in diagnosing through Ayurvedic nidan but also understanding where and when Allopathic tools (like lab reports or acute interventions) help fill the gap. I really believe that if you *actually* want to heal someone, you gotta see the whole picture—Ayurveda gives you that depth, but you also need to know when modern input is useful, right? I’m more interested in chronic & lifestyle disorders—stuff like metabolic imbalances, stress-linked issues, digestive problems that linger and slowly pull energy down. I don’t rush into giving churnas or kashayams just bcz the texts say so... I try to see what fits the patient’s prakriti, daily habits, emotional pattern etc. It’s not textbook-perfect every time, but that’s where the real skill grows I guess. I do a lot of thinking abt cause vs symptom—sometimes it's not the problem you see that actually needs solving first. What I care about most is making sure the treatment is safe, ethical, practical, and honest. No overpromising, no pushing meds that don’t fit. And I’m always reading or discussing sth—old Samhitas or recent journals, depends what the case demands. My goal really is to build a practice where people feel seen & understood, not just “managed.” That's where healing actually begins, right?

I am currently pursuing my MD in Panchakarma, and by now I carry 3 yrs of steady clinical experience. Panchakarma for me is not just detox or some fancy retreat thing — it’s the core of how Ayurveda actually works to reset the system. During my journey I’ve handled patients with arthritis flares, chronic back pain, migraine, digestive troubles, hormonal imbalance, even skin and stress-related disorders... and in almost every case Panchakarma gave space for deeper healing than medicines alone. Working hands-on with procedures like Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya, and Raktamokshana gave me a lot of practical insight. It's not just about performing the therapy, but understanding timing, patient strength, diet before and after, and how their mind-body reacts to cleansing. Some respond quick, others struggle with initial discomfort, and that’s where real patient support matters. I learnt to watch closely, adjust small details, and guide them through the whole process safely. My approach is always patient-centric. I don’t believe in pushing the same package to everyone. I first assess prakriti, agni, mental state, lifestyle, then decide what works best. Sometimes full Panchakarma isn’t even needed — simple modifications, herbs, or limited therapy sessions can bring results. And when full shodhana is required, I plan it in detail with proper purvakarma & aftercare, cause that’s what makes outcomes sustainable. The last few years made me more confident not just in procedures but in the philosophy behind them. Panchakarma isn’t a quick fix — it demands patience, discipline, trust. But when done right, it gives relief that lasts, and that’s why I keep refining how I practice it.

I am Dr Soukhya, completed my BAMS degree under Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Science, and sometimes I still can’t believe how fast that year of full-time practice went by… feels like I m still figuring small things while already handling so many female disorders and skin related conditions every day. I work mostly with Ayurveda treatments for gynic cases, hormonal ups-and-downs, chronic skin troubles and a few other things that always need more gentle hands than people expect. I am practicing for a year now, but honestly the learning kind of never stop, each patient shows something new… sometimes I even pause thinking “wait, did I explain that right” and then go again with more clarity. My focus stays on understanding the root-cause, balancing doshas properly, and giving care that feel practical not over complicated. I treated many gynic issues, from irregular cycles to pregnency related discomforts, and a lot of cosmetology concerns too (acne, pigmentation and stuff that people get worried about really quickly!). I am also running offline yoga classes for pregnant women and others too… it started simple but grew into this small supportive space where I see how much differnce breathing and mindful movement makes. Sometimes the schedule gets messy, or I m not sure if the batch timing was perfect, but the sessions still turn meaningful. Ayurveda, yoga, routine corrections — all these tie together in my approach. I try to keep things straighforward, even if my notes get a bit scattered here and there or a comma miss somewhere, but the intention stays steady: help people feel better with methods that respect body’s natural healing.