Ayurveda vs. Western Medicine: A Healing Journey

A quiet moment of reflection—where healing truly begins.

I grew up a product of Western culture—fast-paced, high-stress, and always reaching for a quick fix. By the time I was in my 30s, I was on antidepressants, ADD medication, and antacids. I had test after test for recurring symptoms—urinary issues, insomnia, heart palpitations, anxiety—but nothing ever gave me true answers. I didn’t feel like myself anymore—I felt like a walking diagnosis.

My Wake-Up Call

Then came the turning point: liver pain. The tests revealed early signs of fatty liver. When the doctor brushed it off—“most people have it”—something inside me shattered. I spiraled into depression. And even though I had already begun practicing Ayurveda and completed my training, this moment forced me to go deeper. I realized I wasn’t embodying what I knew. That spark became a fire—a call to truly live the wisdom I had learned through Ayurveda.

From symptom-chasing to self-connection—Ayurveda brought me home to myself.

Seeing the Whole Person

Ayurveda opened my eyes to a system that saw me as a whole person—not a collection of symptoms. It asked the deeper questions: How was I living? What was I eating? What was my relationship to rest, to joy, to nature? It saw my imbalances not as random malfunctions, but as signals. And it offered a roadmap for healing.

Where Each System Shines

Where Western medicine excels in acute care—emergency situations, surgeries, trauma—Ayurveda shines in chronic conditions. These include diabetes, arthritis, digestive disorders, autoimmune diseases, and hormonal imbalances—conditions where understanding and addressing the root causes truly matters.

Western medicine treats disease. Ayurveda treats the individual.

Mind, Body, and Beyond

Ayurveda addresses the body, yes—but also the mind, emotions, energy, and even karmic inheritance. It teaches that we are made of the same elements as nature, and that healing comes from aligning with those rhythms.

Today, I no longer rely on medications to get through the day. I use castor oil packs on my liver. I massage with coconut oil. I drink dandelion tea. I honor my agni. I listen to my body.

Integration, Not Rejection

This isn’t about rejecting Western medicine—it’s about integration. It’s about choosing the right tools for your healing, and understanding that true wellness often lies at the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern care. About choosing what supports your healing. There is space for both systems when used wisely.

But if you’re navigating chronic illness and feel like the answers just aren’t coming… consider the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda. It changed my life. It can change yours too.

💛 Ready to Begin Your Ayurvedic Journey?

I offer personalized Ayurveda Health Counseling, rejuvenating body therapies like Abhyanga or Vishesh, and supportive herbal blends such as TLC Tea and Ayur-Chai.

I recently have opened Tuesday - Thursday virtual Ayurveda Health Counseling sessions by request via email. If this better suits your schedule, please email me at jennifer@jenzenliving.com to find an evening that works for you.

Ayurveda Health Counseling - Intake

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You can purchase online and choose to have them shipped to you or arrange for pick-up at the Treehouse Studio.

A Gentle Closing

If you’re reading this and feeling unseen, unheard, or uncertain on your path—please know that you are not alone. I’ve been there. I’ve sat in the doctor’s office with unanswered questions and a deep longing for something more.

Ayurveda didn’t just treat my symptoms—it helped me remember who I was underneath it all. It reconnected me to nature, to rhythm, to my intuition. And most importantly, it gave me the tools to become an active participant in my own healing.

Wherever you are in your journey, may you know that healing is possible. And it begins with listening—to your body, your breath, your heart.

With much love and light,

Jennifer