What are the 18 types of Viruddha Ahara in Ayurveda, and can you give examples? - #12431

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 always looking at the body a bit differently, maybe because Ayurveda keeps reminding me that most issues, especially skin troubles or hormonal swings, start way inside before they show outside. Sometimes I find myself going back to the basics—Agni, Ama, all that stuff people think is too simple, but it actually explains so many messy patterns I see in pts every day. When digestion isn’t steady, nothing else really stays in balance, and I say this after watching case after case where the skin flares or cycle gets disturbed even when the person didn’t change much in their routine. I try not to just chase the symptoms, because honestly that never gives long-term peace. Instead I focus on detoxifying gently, correcting the root imbalance, letting the system reset its own rhythm. It takes time, and some patients get a bit impatient, but once the digestion start improving the glow on the face or clarity in mind kind of speaks for itself. I keep reminding myself also that each body reacts in its own way, so I depend a lot on Prakriti understanding before planning anything. Sometimes I have to pause and rethink if the plan suits their nature or if I’m pushing too much. My treatment plans end up being pretty personalised, maybe too detailed sometimes, mixing herbs, diet shifts, daily habits, a few small lifestyle tweaks, and guiding them toward a more stable hormonal cycle or calmer skin response. And yes, a little inconsistency happens in the way I explain things, but I try to keep it honest and simple so the patient really gets what’s happening inside them. In the end my whole approach is about restoring balance from within rather than covering things up from the outside.

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 a Senior Ayurveda Physician with more than 28 years in this field — and trust me, it still surprises me how much there is to learn every single day. Over these years, I’ve had the chance to treat over 1 lakh patients (probably more by now honestly), both through in-person consults and online. Some come in with a mild cough, others with conditions no one’s been able to figure out for years. Each case brings its own rhythm, and that’s where real Ayurveda begins. I still rely deeply on classical tools — *Nadi Pariksha*, *Roga-Rogi Pariksha*, proper *prakriti-vikriti* mapping — not just ticking symptoms into a list. I don’t believe in ready-made cures or generic charts. Diagnosis needs attention. I look at how the disease behaves *inside* that specific person, which doshas are triggering what, and where the imbalance actually started (hint: it’s usually not where the pain is). Over the years I’ve worked with pretty much all age groups and all kinds of health challenges — from digestive upsets & fevers to chronic, autoimmune, hormonal, metabolic and degenerative disorders. Arthritis, diabetes, PCOD, asthma, thyroid... but also things like unexplained fatigue or joint swelling that comes and goes randomly. Many of my patients had already “tried everything else” before they walked into Ayurveda, and watching their systems respond slowly—but surely—is something I don’t take lightly. My line of treatment usually combines herbal formulations (classical ones, not trendy ones), Panchakarma detox when needed, and realistic dietary and lifestyle corrections. Long-term healing needs long-term clarity — not just short bursts of symptom relief. And honestly, I tell patients that too. I also believe patient education isn’t optional. I explain things. Why we’re doing virechana, why the oil changed mid-protocol, why we pause or shift the meds after a few weeks. I want people to feel involved, not confused. Ayurveda works best when the patient is part of the process, not just receiving instructions. Even now I keep learning — through texts, talks, patient follow-ups, sometimes even mistakes that taught me what not to do. And I’m still committed, still fully into it. Because for me, this isn’t just a job. It’s a lifelong responsibility — to restore balance, protect *ojas*, and help each person live in tune with themselves. That’s the real goal.

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 Dr. Snehal Vidhate, born n brought up in Maharashtra—and honestly, for as long as I remember I’ve felt this pull towards Ayurveda. Not the fancy version ppl throw around, but the deep, real kind that actually helps ppl. I did my BAMS from YMT Ayurvedic Medical College in Kharghar. That’s where I got my basics strong—like really studied the shastras, understood prakriti, doshas, the whole deal. Not just crammed theory but started to see how it shows up in real lives. After finishing BAMS, I got into this one-year certificate course at Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, Delhi—honestly a turning point. I was super lucky to learn Kerala Ayurveda from my Guru, Prof. Dr. G.G. Gangadharan. He’s got this way of seeing things... simple but deep. That time with him taught me more than any textbook ever could. It kinda reshaped how I look at health, healing n how precise Ayurveda can be when you respect its roots. Right now I’m doing my MD in Panchakarma from SDM Ayurveda College, Bangalore. This place is like a hub for serious Ayurveda work. The Panchakarma training here? Super intense. We go deep into detoxification & rasayana therapy—not just theory again, but hands-on. I’m learning to blend classical techniques with today’s clinical demands.. like how to make Vamana or Basti actually doable in modern patient setups. My current practice is really about merging tradition with logic. Whether it’s chronic skin issues, gut problems, stress burnout or hormone stuff—my goal is to get to the root, not just hush the symptoms. I use Panchakarma when needed, but also a lot of ahara-vihara tweaks, medhya herbs, sometimes just slowing ppl down a bit helps. I really believe Ayurveda’s power is in its simplicity when done right. I don’t try to fix ppl—I work *with* them. And honestly, every patient teaches me something back.

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 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 someone who’s honestly just really drawn to how deep Ayurveda goes—like really deep—not just treating what’s showing on the surface but getting into what’s actually causing it underneath. I really believe that even those complicated lifestyle diseases, stuff like diabetes or BP or obesity that people think they’ll just have to live with forever, can totally be managed with Ayurvedic principles. Not magically or overnight, but through proper diagnosis, diet tweaks, daily habits, and herbs that actually work if you use them right. That’s the part I focus on—making Ayurveda work practically, not just in theory. After finishing my BAMS, I’ve worked with chronic conditions for over a year now in clinical setups. Mostly patients dealing with long-term stuff that doesn’t go away with one pill—usually the kind of disorders rooted in stress, wrong food choices or too much sitting. I’ve seen that if you really listen first, like actually listen—hear their story, feel where they’re coming from—half the work’s already done. Then when you assess their Prakriti, figure out where the doshas are out of balance, and connect that with their history (plus any modern test reports they might bring), it gives you this full picture that’s so valuable. My treatment plans aren't one-size-fits-all. Sometimes it’s about bringing agni back into balance. Sometimes just clearing aam helps. Most people are shocked that things like bloating or even periods issues can shift just by aligning food and herbs with their constitution. And if the case is acute or there’s a red flag, I have no problem referring for emergency allopathic care. Integrative care makes sense—Ayurveda doesn’t have to be isolated from modern medicine. My aim? It's not just to fix a symptom. I want people to feel at ease in their own body again. To build habits they don’t need to break later. To know their own rhythm, not just follow some generic health trend. That’s what Ayurvedic healing means to me... not perfect, but real.

I am an Ayurvedic doctor currently practicing at Ayushakti Ayurveda—which honestly feels more like a learning ecosystem than just a clinic. Being here has changed the way I look at chronic conditions. You don’t just treat the label—you go after the cause, layer by layer, and that takes patience, structure, and real connection with the person sitting in front of you. Ayushakti has been around 33+ years, with global reach and seriously refined clinical systems. That means I get to work with protocols that are both deeply rooted in traditional Ayurveda and also super practical for today’s world. Whether I’m managing arthritis, asthma, skin issues like eczema or psoriasis, hormone trouble, gut problems, or stress overload—my first step is always a deep analysis. Prakriti, doshas, ahar-vihar, past treatments—everything gets mapped out. Once I’ve got that picture clear, I create a plan using herbal medicines, detox programs (especially Panchakarma), Marma therapy if needed, and definitely food and routine corrections. But nothing’s random. Each piece is chosen for *that* person. And I don’t just prescribe—I explain. Because when someone knows *why* they’re doing a certain thing, they stick with it longer, and the results hold. One thing I’ve learned while working here is how powerful Ayurved can be when it's structured right. At Ayushakti, that structure exists. It helps me treat confidently and track results properly. Whether I’m working with a first-time visitor or a patient who’s been dealing with the same thing for 10 years, my goal stays the same—help their system return to a natural, sustainable state of balance. What I really enjoy is seeing how people’s mindset changes once they start to feel better. When they stop depending on just temporary relief and start building their health from within—that’s when the real shift happens. And being part of that shift? That’s why I do this.

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.