From Ayurveda to Apheresis with Gillian Ehrlich, DNP, ARNP
Mar 11, 2025
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In this engaging discussion, Gillian Ehrlich, founder of NeuroVeda Health, shares her journey merging Ayurvedic principles with modern medicine. She emphasizes personalized treatment, exploring how individual constitutions influence health outcomes. Kundalini rising through Ayurvedic herbs for sensitive patients is highlighted, alongside the impact of stress on autoimmune diseases. Gillian also delves into innovative techniques like plasmapheresis, demonstrating the potential of integrating traditional wisdom with contemporary health practices to treat complex conditions.
Ayurvedic medicine emphasizes individualized treatment through understanding personal constitutions, enhancing health with tailored dietary and herbal interventions.
Integrating contemporary practices like plasmapheresis with Ayurvedic detoxification principles offers a comprehensive approach to managing autoimmune conditions.
Proper digestion is central to Ayurvedic concepts of health, with many modern ailments linked to poor digestive function affecting immune system communication.
Deep dives
Understanding Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurvedic medicine is a comprehensive system rooted in Indian traditions, focusing on individual constitution through a framework known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These constitutions encompass a range of qualities derived from the five elemental forces: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. The speaker describes how this ancient practice has evolved, emphasizing the importance of balancing one's current constitution with their original one for optimal health. For instance, certain foods or herbs that may be beneficial for one person could be harmful to another, illustrating the personalized approach central to Ayurveda.
Integrating Ayurveda with Modern Medicine
The integration of Ayurvedic principles with contemporary medical practices can enhance patient care, particularly for complex health issues. The speaker emphasizes that treatments are tailored to individuals, incorporating various modalities from both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicine. This approach allows practitioners to customize interventions based on a patient's unique constitution, whether that involves herbs, dietary adjustments, or western medical treatments. For example, specific Ayurvedic herbs may be combined with antihistamines or other medications for patients with mast cell activation syndrome, enhancing effectiveness.
The Role of Plasmapheresis in Treatment
Plasmapheresis is highlighted as a key therapeutic tool that removes harmful substances from the blood, paralleling traditional Ayurvedic detoxification practices. This procedure can provide relief for patients experiencing a range of autoimmune conditions by lightening the burden on the body and allowing for better healing. By focusing on removing toxins rather than solely adding treatments, plasmapheresis aligns with Ayurvedic principles of restoring balance and health. The procedure is described as intensive but is crafted to be integrated with other supportive therapies such as bodywork and nutritional interventions.
Addressing Autoimmunity and Digestion
The podcast discusses how Ayurveda conceptualizes autoimmune disease as being interconnected with digestive health, emphasizing the importance of proper digestion in preventing ama, or metabolic waste. Factors such as stress, pollution, and disrupted circadian rhythms are identified as contributors to poor digestion and subsequent autoimmune conditions. The speaker notes that many modern health issues stem from the body's inability to efficiently process food and waste, leading to communication breakdowns within the immune system. Effective treatment strategies focus on revitalizing digestion and supporting cellular communication to combat these health challenges.
Customized Care for Complex Conditions
In treating complex conditions like POTS or mast cell activation syndrome, the emphasis is on individualized care that combines holistic philosophies with evidence-based protocols. The speaker shares that understanding the patient's unique constitution is crucial for developing a treatment plan that addresses both symptoms and underlying causes. Irrespective of whether patients receive Ayurvedic herbs or mainstream medications, practitioners should focus on stabilizing symptoms while enhancing overall health. This patient-centered approach allows for flexibility and responsiveness to individual needs, ultimately aiming to improve quality of life.
Gillian Ehrlich's NeuroVeda Clinic in Seattle treats complex patients with a wide variety of treatments including peptides, Ayurvedic medicine, diet and nutrition, imaging, mind-shifting therapeutics, plasmapheresis, and more. In this episode, Dr. Tania Dempsey interviews Gillian about her Ayurvedic approach and also her experiences with plasmapheresis. More information about Gillian and her clinic is available here.
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Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.
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