Ayurveda Services

​Why Choose Ayurveda Services at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center?

Ayurveda focuses on managing chronic disorders through natural approaches. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is pleased to have one of the nation’s foremost Ayurvedic doctors, Dr. Hari Sharma. Dr. Sharma has written several books on Ayurveda, and has been published in respected medical journals and textbooks.

It’s rare to find a doctor in the West who practices Ayurvedic medicine. It’s even rarer to find Ayurveda services offered side by side with medical doctors and other health professionals in a multi-practice setting. This makes it even easier for all of your doctors and health professionals to work together to give you just the right personalized care – body, mind and spirit.

Ayurvedic medicine services at The Ohio State Center for Integrative Health and Wellness improves lives by:

• Providing the highest quality of Ayurvedic medicine
• Educating faculty, staff, students and patients about Ayurveda

Benefits of Ayurveda

According to the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine​, Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems.

Developed in India thousands of years ago, Ayurveda is a natural, comprehensive approach that includes:

• Diet and nutrition
• A healthy lifestyle and daily routine
• Stress management, including meditation
• Herbs and other dietary supplements
• Detoxification
• Rejuvenation therapy (Rasayana)
• Self-massage (Abhyanga)
• Breathing exercises (Pranayama)

Ayurveda’s purpose is to manage chronic disorders, and restore a healthy balance that prevents disease and maintains optimal health.

Insurance Coverage for Ayurveda

More and more health plans will pay for Ayurvedic care when a licensed doctor provides it. For example, The Ohio State University Health Plan (for OSU faculty, staff and students) covers Dr. Sharma's office visits. You will need to check with your insurer to see if your health plan covers Ayurveda and if you need a referral from your doctor.

Contact Dr. Hari Sharma

At Ohio State, we’re pleased to have one of the nation’s notable Ayurvedic doctors, Dr. Hari Sharma.​​​​​​

Ayurveda FAQs:

1. What is Ayurveda?
   ANSWER: Ayurveda is a holistic healthcare system that started in the ancient Vedic times of India. Ayurveda means “the science of life.” It focuses on managing chronic disorders through natural means and remedies. Ayurveda aims to prevent disease and promote health.
   
   
2. What does an Ayurveda consultation include?
   ANSWER: You will fill out questionnaires to help determine your constitution (your physical and psychological tendencies, and the way your body works to stay healthy) and system imbalances. Dr. Sharma will confirm this by examining you and diagnosing your pulse. He will then give you a personal management plan that may include several Ayurvedic approaches including:
   • Dietary recommendations
   • Herbs and other dietary supplements
   • Daily and seasonal routines to promote health
   • Rejuvenation therapy (Rasayana)
   • Self-massage with an oil specific to your individual constitution
   • Yoga postures
   • Breathing exercises (Pranayama)
   • Spontaneous Meditation
   
   
   
3. What are the Ayurvedic dietary recommendations?
   ANSWER: In Ayurveda, dietary recommendations are personalized to your individual constitution and lifestyle
   
   
4. What is Pranayama (breathing exercises)?
   ANSWER: Prana is considered the vital life force. Pranayama are breathing practices that aim to balance or increase your life force. Pranayama includes different breathing exercises to suit different people. Ayurveda believes Pranayama helps your health and all aspects of life by enhancing your vital force.
   
   
5. What is Spontaneous Meditation?
   ANSWER: Spontaneous Meditation is a way to get in touch with your inner Self. Dr. Sharma teaches Spontaneous Meditation, a unique type of meditative practice that is not concentration, contemplation, or self-hypnosis. You do not need to change your behavior, diet, religion, or belief system to practice Spontaneous Meditation. Spontaneous Meditation aims to strengthen and support both the mind and body to enhance health and well-being.
   
   
6. What are the side effects of Ayurveda?
   ANSWER: Ayurveda is extremely safe when provided and supervised by an experienced, licensed practitioner.
   Please check with your insurer to see if your health plan covers Ayurveda. More and more health plans will pay for Ayurvedic care when a licensed doctor provides it. For example, The Ohio State University Health Plan (for OSU faculty, staff and students) covers Dr. Sharma's office visits.