Ayurveda – The Art of Living Well
Beyond Symptom Control: Ayurveda for Autoimmune Health
When the immune system becomes dysregulated and begins mistaking the body’s own tissues as a threat, life can quickly become challenging. Autoimmune conditions often present as flare-ups, inflammation and persistent fatigue, leaving many people feeling as though their body is at war with itself.
There is rarely a single cause. Genetics, past infections, nervous system stress, gut imbalances, food sensitivities and environmental exposures can all contribute. Whatever the trigger, the end result is often the same - a body that feels like it is working against you rather than for you.
In New Zealand, some of the more common autoimmune conditions include Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes and chronic spontaneous urticaria. Symptoms can range from rashes, joint pain and digestive disturbance to weight fluctuations, brain fog and deep, lingering tiredness.
The conventional allopathic approach
Modern medicine typically focuses on diagnosis through blood tests and imaging, followed by long-term symptom management. Depending on the condition, this may involve corticosteroids, immunosuppressants or biologic drugs. For urticaria, antihistamines are common, while thyroid-hormone replacement is the standard for Hashimoto’s. This care can be lifesaving, yet many patients are told their condition is “incurable” and must be managed with lifelong medication, sometimes at the cost of side effects and reduced quality of life.
The Ayurvedic approach
Ayurveda takes a different path - treating the person as a whole, not just the symptoms, and working to address root causes. An Ayurvedic assessment considers Agni, the digestive fire; Ama, the build-up of inflammatory and metabolic waste; and Ojas, the body’s vitality and resilience. Based on these findings, a personalised treatment plan is created for each individual, which may include tailored dietary guidance, daily rhythms and lifestyle practices aligned with their unique constitution.
Ayurvedic herbs such as Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) and Turmeric and are often prescribed to calm reactivity, support gut-immune balance and restore resilience.
Panchakarma: a cornerstone therapy
A central therapy in Ayurveda is Panchakarma, the time-honoured programme of deep cleansing and rejuvenation. Through carefully sequenced preparation, elimination and renewal phases, Panchakarma helps loosen and clear deep-seated toxins, calm the nervous system and reset immune balance.
At Ayurveda New Zealand we see many clients with autoimmune conditions, and Panchakarma has often been pivotal in their care.
Our client, Supriya Z., shared her experience:
“Experiencing Panchakarma treatment was truly life-changing for me. Since December 2023, I have been struggling with Urticaria and Angioedema. Almost everything I ate triggered reactions, leaving my body covered with itchy rashes and my face swollen nearly every day. During this challenging period, I lost 7.5 kg. I was desperate and lost hope of ever getting better. With my understanding of Ayurveda, I knew that Panchakarma was my last and best hope for improvement. That's when I met Sarita. Her professionalism and expertise shone through from the start. She conducted a thorough diagnosis and crafted a personalized treatment plan for me. After just seven days of Panchakarma therapy, I noticed immediate results. I could enjoy home-cooked meals again, and the swelling reduced significantly.”
A new way forward
If you’re living with an autoimmune condition or autoimmune-like symptoms, consider an Ayurvedic consultation to explore root causes and supportive treatments. Panchakarma may also be recommended as part of your care.
Ayurveda is a complementary medicine and works best alongside Western care and your GP. Never change or stop prescribed medicines without medical guidance.
For preventative care, Panchakarma is often recommended every six months to maintain health and wellbeing.
Ready for a different approach? Start with an Ayurvedic consultation.
To book your appointment, visit www.ayurvedanz.co.nz
