Understanding Viruddha Ahara Thailam (Sesame oil). Ghritam (Ghee). Madhu (Honey). In Ayurveda, these aren’t just kitchen staples — they are śamana, balancing medicines for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha respectively. They’re…
Humanity is facing an unprecedented mental health challenge. Nearly 1.2 billion people globally are living with a diagnosable mental health disorder. This marks a staggering 95.5% increase since 1990. Anxiety…
The Silent Intelligence Beneath Thought Ever have a gut feeling? Or butterflies in your stomach when you are really nervous or excited about something? Have you ever been told to…
Swami Pranaka is a medical doctor and traditional health scholar with an MBBS from Thanjavur Medical College, a Master's degree in Alternative Medicine, and a certification in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), USA. He has been a full-time volunteer at the Isha Foundation since 2008 and served as Project Coordinator for Action for Rural Rejuvenation (2008-2015), contributing to large-scale rural health programs across Tamil Nadu. His work in public health has focused on grassroots health delivery, community wellness models, and integrative approaches to rural healthcare. He currently volunteers as the Head of the Department of Bhāratīya Ārogya śāstra at Sadhguru Gurukulam Samskriti, where he mentors students in the study, research, and practical applications of Siddha and Ayurveda. Under his guidance, Gurukulam students have presented 12 research papers at international conferences on topics such as Nadi Pariksha, Siddha manuscript analysis, Ayurveda-based community outreach methodologies, and doşha-based applications in integrative clinical practice. He also guided the publication of a book based on an ancient Siddha manuscript, showcasing his commitment to reviving classical health sciences for modern use. Swami Pranaka's expertise lies in integrating Indian health systems with Functional Medicine, with a focus on Nadi Pariksha, root-cause analysis, therapeutic diet planning, botanical formulations, and yogic health practices. His academic interests span classical Siddha and Ayurveda texts, AYUSH diagnostics, dietary sciences, dinacharya, and community health outreach. His work continues to bridge traditional medical knowledge with contemporary healthcare, inspiring a new generation of practitioners rooted in Bhāratīya Arogya śāstra.
