Is there a place for coffee in Ayurveda or should I avoid it altogether? - #21934

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. 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 an Ayurvedic doctor trained at one of the most reputed institutes (yeah, the kind that makes u sweat but also feel proud lol) where I completed my BAMS with 70%—not just numbers but real grind behind it. My focus during & after graduation has always been on treating the patient not just the disease, and honestly that philosophy keeps guiding me even now. I usually see anywhere around 50 to 60 patients a day, sometimes more if there's a health camp or local rush. It’s hectic, but I kinda thrive in that rhythm. What matters to me is not the number but going deep into each case—reading every complaint, understanding symptoms, prakriti, current state, season changes etc. and putting together a treatment that feels “right” for that person, not just for the condition. Like, I don’t do one-size-fits-all plans. I sit down, make case reports (yup, proper handwritten notes sometimes), observe small shifts, modify herbs, suggest diet tweaks, even plan rest patterns when needed. I find that holistic angle super powerful. And patients feel it too—some who come in dull n restless, over weeks show clarity, skin settles, energy kinda gets back... that makes the day worth it tbh. There’s no shortcut to trust, and i get that. Maybe that’s why patients keep referring their siblings or maa-papa too. Not bragging, but when people say things like “you actually listened” or “I felt heard”, it stays in the back of my mind even when I’m dog tired lol. My goal? Just to keep learning, treating honestly and evolving as per what each new case teaches me. Ayurveda isn’t static—it grows with u if u let it. I guess I’m just walking that path, one custom plan at a time.

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 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 an Ayurvedic doctor, someone who’s pretty much built her clinical journey around natural healing, balance and yeah—just trying to help ppl feel a bit more whole again. I work mostly with conditions that kinda stay with people... like joint pain that won’t go away, periods all over the place, kids falling sick again n again, or just the kind of stress that messes up digestion n sleep n everything in between. A lot of my practice circles around arthritis, lower back pain, PCOD-ish symptoms, antenatal care, immunity problems in kids, and those quiet mental health imbalances ppl often don't talk much about. My approach isn’t just pulling herbs off a shelf and calling it a day. I spend time with classical diagnosis—checking Prakriti, figuring out doshas, seeing how much of this is physical and how much is coming from daily routine or emotional burnout. And treatments? Usually a mix of traditional Ayurvedic meds, Panchakarma (only if needed!!), changing food habits, tweaking the daily rhythm, and honestly... just slowing down sometimes. I’m also really into helping ppl understand themselves better—like once someone gets how their body is wired, things make more sense. I talk to patients about what actually suits their dosha, what throws them off balance, and how they can stop chasing quick fixes that don’t stick. Education's a big part of it. And yes, I’ve had patients walk in for constant cold and walk out realizing it’s more about weak agni n poor gut routines than just low immunity. Every case’s diff. Some are simple. Some not. But whether it’s a young woman trying to fix her cycles without hormones or a 6-year-old catching colds every week, I try building plans that last—not just short term relief stuff. Healing takes time and needs trust from both sides. End of the day, I try to keep it rooted—classical where it matters but flexible enough to blend with the world we're livin in rn. That balance is tricky, but worth it.

I am an Ayurvedic physician with around 7 yrs clinical experience, though honestly—feels like I’ve lived double that in patient hours. I studied from a govt. medical college (reputed one) where I got deep into classical Ayurvedic texts n clinical logic. I treat everything from chronic stuff like arthritis, IBS, eczema... to more sudden conditions that just pop up outta nowhere. I try to approach each case by digging into the *why*, not just the *what*. I mean—anyone can treat pain, but if you don’t catch the doshic imbalance or metabolic root, it just comes bak right? I use Nadi Pariksha a lot, but also other classical signs to map prakriti-vikruti, dhatu status n agni condition... you know the drill. I like making people *understand* their own health too. Doesn’t make sense to hand meds without giving them tools to prevent a relapse. My Panchakarma training’s been a core part of my work. I do Abhyanga, Swedana, Basti etc regularly—not just detox but also as restorative therapy. Actually seen cases where patients came in exhausted, foggy... and post-Shodhana, they're just lit up. That part never gets old. Also I always tie diet & lifestyle changes into treatment. It’s non-negotiable for me, bcs long-term balance needs daily changes, not just clinic visits. I like using classical formulations but I stay practical too—if someone's not ready for full-scale protocol, I try building smaller habits. I believe healing’s not just abt treating symptoms—it’s abt helping the body reset, then stay there. I’m constantly refining what I do, trying to blend timeless Ayurvedic theory with real-time practical needs of today’s patients. Doesn’t always go perfect lol, but most times we see real shifts. That’s what keeps me going.

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 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 an Ayurvedic doc trained mainly in Shalakya Tantra—basically, I work a lot with issues of the eyes, ears, nose, oral cavity, head... all that ENT zone. It’s a really specific branch of Ayurveda, and I’ve kind of grown to appreciate how much it covers. I deal with all kinds of conditions like Netra Abhishyanda (kinda like conjunctivitis), Timira and Kacha (early or full-on cataract), Adhimantha (glaucoma stuff), Karna Srava (ear discharge), Pratishyaya (chronic colds n sinus), Mukhapaka (mouth ulcers), and even dental stuff like Dantaharsha (teeth sensitivity) or Shirashool (headaches & migraines). I use a mix of classic therapies—Tarpana, Nasya, Aschyotana, Karna Purana, even Gandusha and Dhoomapana when it fits. Depends on prakriti, the season, and where the person’s really struggling. Rasayana therapy and internal meds are there too of course but I don’t just throw them in blindly... every plan’s got to make sense to that individual. It’s kind of like detective work half the time. But honestly, my clinical work hasn't been just about Shalakya. I’ve got around two yrs of broader OPD experience where I’ve also handled chronic stuff like diabetes, thyroid issues, arthritis flares, PCOS, IBS-type gut problems, and some hormonal imbalances in women too. I kind of like digging into the layers of a case where stress is playing a role. Or when modern bloodwork says one thing, but the symptoms are telling me something else entirely. I use pathology insights but don’t let reports override what the patient's body is clearly saying. That balance—between classical Ayurvedic drishtis and modern diagnostic tools—is what I’m always aiming for. I also try to explain things to patients in a way they’ll get it. Because unless they’re on board and actually involved, no healing really works long-term, right? It’s not all picture-perfect. Sometimes I still re-read my Samhitas when I'm stuck or double check new case patterns. And sometimes my notes are a mess :) But I do try to keep learning and adapting while still keeping the core of Ayurveda intact.