Ayurvedic Therapies to Target the Microbiome: Evidence and Possibilities.

CONTEXT: The microbiome is a constantly evolving entity, being influenced by diet, lifestyle, age, genetics, medication, and environment; keeping the microbiome in good health is a step toward better health for the body. Ayurveda emphasizes a healthy internal milieu that synchronizes with the circadian and seasonal rhythms, in addition to reacting to other stressors.

OBJECTIVE: The current review intended to provide an overview of Ayurvedic principles related to health and disease and their management and to briefly discuss the current understanding of the human microbiome and explore Ayurvedic herbs and therapies that have been studied for their effects on the microbiome.

DESIGN: The team included researchers in India and Canada. A Pubmed search was performed using the keywords Ayurveda therapies, Ayurvedic therapies, Gut microbiome, Panchakarma, Therapeutic purgation, Therapeutic emesis, medicated enema.

RESULTS: Research connecting Ayurvedic interventions and the gut microbiome is yet in a nascent stage. Several Ayurvedic herbs have been researched for their potential in altering the gut microbiome. Among the Ayurvedic therapies, virechana (therapeutic purgation) and basti (medicated enema) have been studied for their gut microbiome altering effects. However, the limited number of such studies prevents from drawing categorical conclusions currently, about the effects of Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy on the human microbiome.

CONCLUSIONS: Studying where and how the Ayurvedic herbs and therapies can exert their influence on the human microbiome provides a challenging yet novel opportunity and can help address multiple health and disease conditions.