Dr Vaishali Shukla - I Want to Focus More on the Prevention Aspect of Health (Founder at Vedamrit | BAMS, MD )


Things that we all must do to improve our health and longevity. As per Ayurveda, the health of a healthy should be preserved with better nutrition, lifestyle, daily practices, and mind work. 

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I am an MD Ayurvedic doctor. My journey started with a school trip to an Ayurvedic college when I was in 8th standard. I was fascinated by the potential plants and herbs can hold to treat human beings. 

We roamed around and were taken to different departments so we could be aware of how the ancient Indian medicinal system played a huge role in prevention and cure. Little did I know and understand then about it, came back home and told my parents how I was really intrigued by Ayurveda that day. Thought about it for a few more days and decided to be an Ayurveda doctor. 

As an Ayurveda student - It was a struggling journey to study and understand Sanskrit verses from Ayurveda textbooks and at the same time study Morden anatomy and physiology books in the first year. 

From the second year, got accustomed to it and studied Ayurveda and modern books combined, trust me it was really fun! Cutting things short now, later years went well, and completed my internship, cleared the PG entrance exams, and got admitted to college to do my Masters in Panchakarma. Completed my thesis, and research in 3 years, took exams, and then my master's got over too and I am filled with gratitude for the same. All this while one thought that has been consistent is - that I did not choose Ayurveda, rather Ayurveda chose me!

As a practitioner - One can only propagate Ayurveda if they practice it in their daily life. I have adapted little Ayurveda Dincharya, Ritucharya, and Eating practices in my life which have helped me heal & promote all my health compartments. As a practitioner, I have also witnessed Ayurveda doing miracles in places where nothing else was working. I have seen people with disabilities coming on stretchers and going back on their legs with the help of Panchkarma. 

I have seen people getting a boost in their confidence, and getting a complete understanding of their bodies so they can take care of it better. When I see my patients getting better, I sleep better at night. When I don’t see that, it makes me strive more for knowledge so I can make a difference and get their belief firmer on Ayurveda.


2. Despite so much of talent in India, why do people look abroad for treatment?

The healthcare education system is too complicated to answer this question but here are a few things can could be potential reasons- 

  • The number of applications in India is too high and the reservation system makes it difficult for many people to enter medical schools. 
  • The medical school curriculum is diverse and there are many options one can opt for like MBBS, BAMS, BHMS, Dentistry, Unani, Physiotherapy, etc. 
  • Seats for government colleges for all of these are pretty limited and donations for private collages are too high, literally higher than perusing med school out of India. 
  • Moreover, it could be subjective from person to person. For some, it’s a choice and for some it’s circumstantial. 
  • Perusing master's outside India in reputed colleges that give more exposure to research is very common as well 


3. How important is super specialization for doctors?

It’s subjective from person to person. Some doctors get great exposure with patients and cement their practice with multiple disorders and make great General practitioners (GP). 

Whereas some doctors want to take up academics as a career and specialization, research is important to them. However, if one has a particular interest like Emergency medicine, Gynaecology, Dermatology, etc, it’s important to take up specialization.


4. What is your take on virtual methods of providing treatment?

It’s a great way to provide treatment hassle-free without long waiting lines in the comfort of one’s home. 

All you have to do is fix an appointment. The virtual treatment modalities that have recently gained attention are one of the best ways that work for patients and doctors as well. 


5. What do you think are the key differences in studying medicine in India and other countries?

It largely depends on where one wants to practice. 

If you study in India and want to practice here, you get a better understanding of a person’s background, environment, genetic history, lifestyle, food habits, etc. It builds the practice stronger.

A few key differences would be

  • Financial perks 
  • Quality lifestyle 
  • Scope from country to country


6. Which is your favorite book and why?

There are many books that I would like to put up on this list but two of my very favorite books are-

  • The power of the subconscious mind by Dr. Joseph Murphy. It scientifically helps us understand what a human mind is capable of, it gives many examples for the same. 
  • When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. Story of a Dr written while he himself got diagnosed with cancer. It beautifully narrates what a man goes through when he knows he just has a few months left. 


7. What impact do you want to create in the medical field.

I want to focus more on the prevention aspect of health. Things that we all must do to improve our health and longevity. As per Ayurveda, the health of a healthy should be preserved with better nutrition, lifestyle, daily practices, and mind work. 

We live in a world with bombarded information and misinformation, and I want to create an awareness to choose wisely and subjectively. No one size fits all. 

Brief Bio:

Dr Vaishali Shukla 
BAMS, MD 
Founder at Vedamrit 

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Interviewed By - Priya

Edited By - Aarya Gode

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