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Supplements are everywhere in the wellness world.
From Ashwagandha and collagen to minerals, probiotics, and herbal formulas, many of us are taking something every day in the hope of feeling better, supporting our health, or preventing future problems.
But how do we know when supplements are truly supporting us — and when they might be creating more burden for our bodies?
In this episode, I explore supplements through the lens of Ayurveda and share why “natural” does not always mean “appropriate for everyone.”
We explore:
🌿 Why Ashwagandha may be supportive for some people but aggravating for others
🌿 Why your digestive fire and liver capacity matter when taking supplements
🌿 Why more supplements do not necessarily equal more nourishment
🌿 Why long-term supplement use may benefit from cycles and breaks
🌿 Why stacking multiple protocols can overwhelm the body
🌿 How to build a deeper relationship with herbs instead of simply consuming them
🌿 The Ayurvedic perspective of looking at the whole “fish tank” rather than focusing only on one isolated factor
Ayurveda does not ask us to fear plants, nor does it encourage us to blindly consume them.
Instead, it invites us into a relationship — one where we learn to listen, adapt, and understand what our unique body needs at this particular moment in time.
Because healing is not something we outsource to a bottle.
It is something we cultivate through our daily rhythms, our relationship with food, our emotions, our environment, and the way we live.
Resources mentioned:
📖 BBC article that inspired this episode
🌿 Interested in personalised Ayurvedic support?
If you would like to explore working together and understand how Ayurveda can support your unique constitution, current imbalances, and lifestyle, you can book a discovery call here.
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🎧 Related episodes:
- Episode 31: Tulsi — Building a Relationship with Sacred Plants
- Episodes 38 & 39: Ayurvedic approaches to balanced summer living
- Episode 22: Hormone Health Through an Ayurvedic Lens
- Episode 27: Building Ojas Through Ayurvedic Body Oiling
A note on the BBC article: the conversation around supplements and liver health is an important one, as some research has highlighted that certain herbal and dietary supplements can be associated with liver injury, particularly in cases of high doses, concentrated extracts, or inappropriate use.
As always, this episode is not about fearing supplements or herbs. It is an invitation to approach them with awareness, respect, and a deeper understanding of your own body.
If you enjoyed this episode, I would love for you to share it with someone who is navigating the overwhelming world of supplements.
Learn more about my work: https://leanonayurveda.com/
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