Ayurveda experts warn against 7 viral wellness trends

Ayurvedic experts have cautioned against blindly following viral wellness trends promoted on social media, including detox teas, DIY Panchakarma, prolonged fasting, and self-prescribing herbs. Dr Deepak Rathi from Maharishi Ayurveda Hospital told Times Now that Ayurveda is a personalised, evidence-informed system of medicine and not a collection of hacks. He said factors such as body constitution, digestive capacity, and current health condition determine what is appropriate for each individual.

The seven trends flagged include detox teas, which Ayurveda does not recommend for everyone as excessive cleansing can cause digestive problems and weakness. DIY Panchakarma is described as a specialised therapy that requires supervision. Oil pulling should complement, not replace, dental care. Prolonged fasting may affect digestion and cause nutritional deficiencies. Self-prescribing herbs such as Ashwagandha and Triphala can interact with medicines. Drinking too many herbal concoctions may disturb the body's balance, and copying celebrity wellness routines is ineffective because each person's needs differ.

Dr Rathi emphasised that diet, herbs, therapies, and lifestyle recommendations should be tailored to the individual. The classical Ayurvedic principle 'Prati purusham veekshet' calls for assessing each person before planning treatment. The expert advised seeking guidance from qualified practitioners before adopting any trend.