How to Become an Ayurvedic Doctor

Ayurveda is a practice of alternative medicine that utilizes herbs.

Ayurveda is a practice of medicine originating in India that concentrates on balancing the body, soul and mind. It's considered to be an alternative medicine in the western world, but California, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma and Rhode Island have laws allowing patients to seek out alternative health care providers. Montana even has an alternative health licensing board. Other states allow alternative practitioners to complement conventional medicine. No license to practice Ayurveda exists in the United States, but the National Ayurvedic Medical Association provides a degree of self-regulation. If you want to become an Ayurvedic doctor, do it the ethical way through a program approved by NAMA.

Instructions

1. Enroll in an Ayurvedic degree program at a school that specializes in the practice. Look for institutions certified by NAMA. Request proof that an institution's NAMA certification is current.

2. Enter an internship with an existing Ayurvedic practice. Study how the doctors utilize the tenets of the Ayurvedic constitution, yoga recommendations and herbs in making judgments. Begin to incorporate this knowledge into your own judgments.

3. Join an Ayurvedic practice or set up shop for yourself. Make connections with other alternative practitioners and join an alternative-medicine referral network. Keep up-to-date with trends in the community.

Tips & Warnings

• Always stay current on your state's laws regarding alternative health care. Your state may allow patient treatment---but not diagnosis---from alternative health practitioners.

• Look for schools at which the curriculum exceeds the 500-hour minimum mandated by NAMA and include some conventional medical coursework so that you are better prepared to work with patients who use your services in conjunction with a conventional doctor.

• Don't set up a practice as an Ayurvedic doctor without formal training. Not only is it irresponsible, it's not in your self-interest. There is no license to practice Ayurvedic medicine in the United States, but a NAMA certificate acts as a proof of standards for American practitioners.

References

• Mount Madonna Institute College
• American University of Complementary Medicine: Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine
• California Health Freedom Act
• MedIndia: Proposal to License Ayurveda Practitioners in US
• National Ayurvedic Medical Association