{"id":98354,"date":"2025-05-13T15:16:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T15:16:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/98354\/"},"modified":"2025-05-13T15:16:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T15:16:11","slug":"a-little-psychedelic-meghan-duchess-of-sussex-says-she-turned-to-ayurveda-and-adaptogenic-mushrooms-during-pregnancy-health-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/98354\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018A little psychedelic\u2026\u2019: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, says she turned to Ayurveda and adaptogenic mushrooms during pregnancy | Health News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, recently opened up about turning to ancient Indian health practices<\/a><\/strong> during her pregnancies, sparking fresh curiosity about the safety and efficacy of alternative wellness tools during this sensitive time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Speaking on her podcast Confessions of a Female Founder, Meghan revealed, \u201cDuring my pregnancies, I had an ayurvedic doctor, and so much of it was about seeing food as medicine.\u201d Her comment points to a growing trend where expectant mothers seek natural approaches to health and healing, often merging traditional wisdom with modern lifestyles.<\/p>\n

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In a conversation with Hannah Mendoza, co-founder of the superfood drinks brand Clevr Blends, Meghan also spoke about her belief in the power of adaptogenic mushrooms \u2014 non-psychoactive fungi believed to support stress relief, energy, and sleep. \u201cI think a lot of people, when they hear mushrooms<\/a> <\/strong>think \u2018oh okay she\u2019s just being hippy dippy and grounded\u2019 and all these things. [If people] aren\u2019t familiar with adaptogens, you can go to this place of \u2018oh it\u2019s feeling a little psychedelic and super woowoo\u2019 [but they are] part of our natural ecosystem and dietary system,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Describing them as a \u201cfood trend\u201d with genuine wellness potential, Meghan emphasised their ability to make people feel different \u201cin a really safe way.\u201d<\/p>\n

But, how safe is it for pregnant women to follow Ayurvedic dietary principles, and what are some common precautions?<\/b><\/p>\n

Dr Rajshree, B.A.M.S, tells indianexpress.com<\/a>, \u201cAyurveda isn\u2019t a one-size-fits-all set of rules. During pregnancy, it focuses on warm, nourishing, easy-to-digest foods \u2014 think ghee, rice, moong dal, and cooked fruits. The goal isn\u2019t detox. It\u2019s stability. But just because something is \u2018Ayurvedic\u2019 doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s automatically safe. Some herbs \u2014 like ashwagandha or triphala \u2014 can be too stimulating or cleansing when the body needs calm and build.\u201d<\/p>\n

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She stresses that if you\u2019re curious about this route, don\u2019t DIY it. \u201cWork with a legitimate Ayurvedic doctor and your OB-GYN side by side. No internet blends, no random powders.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Dr Shaily Sharma, consultant gynaecologist at Cloudnine Hospital, Faridabad, informs, \u201cWhile these natural remedies can have benefits, they are not always harmless. Some adaptogens can interfere with prescription medications or affect blood pressure, blood sugar, and hormone levels in ways we don\u2019t fully understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ayurvedic treatments, though rooted in tradition, may use herbs or minerals that aren\u2019t regulated, and some may even be contaminated or toxic if not sourced properly, Dr Sharma stresses. \u201cMore importantly, relying solely on these methods can delay proper diagnosis or treatment of serious medical conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Can adaptogenic mushrooms be safely consumed during pregnancy?<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cThese mushrooms are being sold as nature\u2019s stress shields. And they are powerful \u2014 but that\u2019s exactly why you need to be cautious,\u201d alarms Dr Rajshree.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She adds, \u201cThere\u2019s barely any research on their effects during pregnancy. What little we know shows they can influence hormones, immune response<\/a><\/strong>, and the nervous system \u2014 which are all doing acrobatics right now inside you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unless you\u2019ve got a medical guide who understands both pregnancy and adaptogens, she says,\u00a0 it\u2019s best to skip these during this phase. \u201cJust because it\u2019s natural doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s harmless.\u201d<\/p>\n

How should pregnant women approach the idea of \u201cfood as medicine\u201d?<\/b><\/p>\n

Dr Rajshree explains, \u201cSometimes, in trying to \u2018eat right,\u2019 women end up cutting out key nutrients \u2014 carbs, fats, dairy \u2014 thinking they\u2019re doing the right thing. That\u2019s not wisdom. That\u2019s diet culture in disguise.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Here\u2019s a better way to think about it: food isn\u2019t medicine instead of real medicine. \u201cIt\u2019s medicine alongside it. It supports your body \u2014 but it doesn\u2019t replace checkups, supplements, or honest-to-God naps,\u201d says Dr Rajshree.<\/p>\n

DISCLAIMER:\u00a0This article is based on information from the public domain and\/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.<\/p>\n