I met Lara Ecroyd at university when she was studying Pharmacy. She is one of my great friends who over the past few years, I have watched her grow into her field and learn more about her passion for living healthily and taking charge of your life through your physical health. Lara now practices and runs a business focused entirely on Ayurveda – an Indian practice and method of medicine. Our health is something we all need more clarity on and at a time when our wellbeing and stability is more important than ever. It seems to me from speaking to Lara that if you manage to bring your body into balance via what you consume, then a vast amount of other factors of your life align like sleep, mood digestion, focus, fitness and productivity.

 Since finding out about her exciting new venture, I had immediately thought about how thorough and reliable such a technique would be when partnered and supported with the science background she had already attained through her undergraduate degree.

 It was really interesting discussing the practice of Ayurveda with Lara and I encourage you to do the same, to feel more aligned and informed.

  What is Ayurveda?

 Ayurveda is one of the oldest healthcare systems in the world. This ancient healing science originates from the Indian subcontinent and has been practised for over 5,000 years. To this day, Ayurveda is still widely used throughout India and Sri Lanka. In the UK, Ayurveda is considered an alternative form of medicine but one that is rapidly growing in popularity. It centres on the principle that for the body to be healthy (physically and mentally) we need optimum digestion and a sustained balance between our internal and external environments.

 What drew you to Ayurveda?

 I have always had a fascination with science and the human body and this is what led me to pursue my career as a hospital pharmacist. I trained at one of the largest and most advanced hospitals in the country: St George’s in London. Modern medicine is truly amazing and can only be praised for how effectively it treats acute conditions and life-threatening situations. However, whilst working, it quickly became apparent just how many people with chronic conditions wasn’t seeing any benefit from their treatment and as a result, felt stuck unsupported.

 I was drawn to Ayurveda as it offers a complete and holistic approach to chronic disease management. This approach is gentle yet comprehensive, honouring the complexity of the body and its ability to heal if the conditions are right.

 After experiencing the benefits Ayurveda had for my digestion, asthma, skin and overall wellbeing, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue and eventually offer others. 

 How do you feel Ayurveda can help us in our daily lives?

 The word Ayurveda translates to the ‘knowledge of life.’ In the simplest terms, it teaches us how to live well, acting both to restore health and prevent disease.

Although I have talked about chronic disease so far, Ayurveda can be beneficial for all of us. Whether that’s finding the root cause of digestive symptoms, having a pain free period, less stress or simply getting more satisfaction and fulfilment out of life. It puts you back in control and helps you to understand your body and what it needs to function optimally.

   Is it easy to make changes and include them in our routines?

 The changes can be as easy or as comprehensive as you want them to be. We are already so busy, I aim to enhance your life through Ayurveda not add another task to your to-do list. That being said Ayurveda is not a quick fix, if you have persistent symptoms it may take a few months to treat. No changes are permanent useless you want them to be!

  What are your top tips diet wise?

• Respect your digestion. Only eat when hungry, chew properly and stop when satisfied. When the body is full there will be a very small burp, if we are distracted when eating we won’t realise it has happened. Eating beyond this point over time will weaken digestion.

• Add spices to everything you can (yes even at breakfast!), they not only improve the taste but also aid digestion.

• Avoid cold drinks especially ice. Try having warm or hot water instead.

• Appreciate the way food is prepared, what it’s paired with and what time of the day it is eaten. This is just as important as the food itself.

    What would you say are some common misconceptions regarding diet?

•  Raw food is good for us all. Only those with particular strong digestion can get the nutrients out of raw food. For the rest of us, we are too busy trying to ‘cook’ this food in our stomachs that we are not able to get the nutrients out of it.

• Smoothies are a good breakfast option every day, so many people experience afternoon bloating because of smoothies.

• Eating fruit straight after a meal is healthy. Fruit should in fact be eaten on its own away from other foods. This is a key change if you experience regular bloating.

• What we eat is paramount. Instead, we need to place more emphasis on what we digest. Everyone has unique digestion, what works for you may not work for someone else. It might surprise you that some ‘healthy’ foods may not be severing your health right now. Getting to know yourself and your digestion is a key part of Ayurvedic treatment.

 What is it that you ask your clients?

We talk about every area of your life that you are happy to discuss. We’ll touch on all aspects of your health and current lifestyle which includes past medical history, symptoms, diet, eating habits, exercise, appetite, work-life balance and relationships. This not only helps to establish the root cause of symptoms but also gives an idea of how you may respond to the treatment.

   How quickly can people see results from treatment or lifestyle changes?

This is completely dependent on the person, the symptoms they present with and for how long these symptoms have been there. In the case of some digestive disorders, improvements can be seen quickly but for deep-seated conditions, several sessions will be required. Ayurveda is not a quick fix, but the time invested can have huge effects on your health and overall quality of life.

     Are there any parallels between Modern medicine and Ayurveda?

 Yes, so many. I love that modern medicine is catching up to Ayurveda’s time tested knowledge. The greatest example of this is the discovery of the gut-brain axis. This has to be one of the biggest developments in modern medicine over the last few decades. We are acknowledging the role the gut has to play in both physical and mental health more. It is now thought that the way we think, feel and act is all related to our gut health. This is the cornerstone of Ayurveda and what has been taught for thousands of years.

 I am a massive advocate of the need to combine both old and new healthcare systems. Only when we play to each other’s strengths will we create a balanced healthcare system that truly supports the current needs of the population.

    What do you specialise in treating?

My practice is focused on treating digestive and hormonal imbalances especially IBS and endometriosis. Many of my clients also have other symptoms such as tiredness, anxious thoughts, period pain and brain fog. I treat the body holistically and will consider all symptoms when formulating your treatment plan.  

    What positive impact and influence does your science/healthcare background have upon your approach?

 I first want to stress that for successful treatment with Ayurveda it certainly isn’t necessary for a practitioner to have a western medical background. Openness, empathy and compassion are the only prerequisites.

 Not all clients I treat will have a diagnosis from their GP or Consultant, but for those that do, my training provides a grounding in that condition and its western treatments. I understand the way medicines work in the body and the effect this may be having on symptoms and disease progression.

 A key part of training to be a pharmacist is recognising when someone needs to be referred elsewhere for treatment or further investigation. This remains of paramount importance in my practice. Although Ayurveda can benefit everyone it may not be the best option for every client at that point in time.

       How can people work with you?

 I offer two separate treatment packages; either an introductory package (one consultation and one follow up) or a 12-week bespoke treatment package for those that require more ongoing support.

 I also offer a free introductory call to anyone interested in treatment, to ensure Ayurveda is right for you.

 Want to learn more? Follow on Instagram @lara.ayurveda or visit Lara’s website at www.laraayurveda.com

 As well as being a very proud friend, I have become increasingly fascinated by this topic which appears to provide an endless amount of possibilities and solutions for supporting ones physical and mental health and wellbeing. At the C Word Mag, we love celebrating strong women who have used their passions and initiative to help others and also create a business by doing so.