Who is your Ayurvedic practitioner? Truths and myths

Spoiler: Alternative medicine doesn’t mean alternative reality.

Does a true alternative medicine practitioner look like someone who might summon a spirit just to charge her kombucha? Or the kind of person who whispers to trees—and they actually listen?

Do you have to be a non-shaving vegan with grey hair to belong to this “clique”?

There are definitely extremists in my field, but I’d like to debunk some of the stereotypes—at least when it comes to my own practice.

Myth 1: Alternative healers must look mystical, spiritual, and fit a certain image.

Well… I happen to love fashion and makeup (I’ve gathered a list of favourite brands that work great and have clean beauty ingredients). Is that my unhealed ego and vanity? Maybe someone would think so. But have you ever seen temples in India, overflowing with flowers and color? Beauty and adornment can also be expressions of devotion. In fact, it is often harsh judgment—rather than eyeliner —that blocks a truly spiritual outlook on life.

Myth 2: Alternative healers would never set foot in a hospital.

That wouldn’t be wise … The most effective healing tools can come from all sorts of toolboxes. Modern allopathic medicine is unrivalled in emergencies (no amount of chanting is going to fix a ruptured appendix), and I often recommend patients work with a medical doctor—or undergo diagnostic tests—alongside Ayurvedic care.

To me, fanaticism is a red flag for narrow-mindedness. I would rather gravitate toward nuance, not extremes.

Myth 3: Ayurvedic practitioners and yogis must all be vegetarian.

It’s true that a vegetarian diet is often seen as more sattvic—light, harmonious, elevating. But did you know that Ayurveda sometimes prescribes meat products? Anthropologically speaking, humans are omnivores. If your body doesn’t crave animal products, wonderful—you may thrive without them. But one size never fits all, especially when it comes to health.

At the end of the day, Ayurveda isn’t about stereotypes, costumes, or dogma—it’s about healing. Beyond the myths, Ayurveda is a system of practical, time-tested healing—adapted to your unique body and lifestyle. My role as a practitioner is not to enforce extremes, but to help you discover balance with the right tools for you.

If you’ve ever felt put off by clichés about alternative medicine—or if you’re simply curious how Ayurveda could meet your real-life needs—I’d love to guide you through it. Healing doesn’t have to be mystical or extreme; it just has to start.

👉 Ready to experience Ayurveda in a way that’s down-to-earth, modern, nuanced, and tailored to you? Let’s work together.