AYURVEDA MEETS THE GUT MICROBIOME: INTEGRATING ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE WITH CONTEMPORARY MICROBIOME RESEARCH

Abstract

The human gut microbiome plays a central role in digestion, metabolism, immune regulation, intestinal integrity, and communication along the gut–brain axis. Growing interest in traditional medical systems has created new opportunities to examine Ayurvedic principles through the lens of contemporary microbiome science. This review explores the possible connections between key Ayurvedic concepts, including Agni, Ama, Ojas, Prakriti, and Dosha balance, and modern understandings of microbial homeostasis, dysbiosis, host metabolism, and disease susceptibility. It further evaluates how Ayurvedic dietary practices, seasonal and daily routines, meal timing, fasting, yoga, stress regulation, medicinal herbs, polyherbal formulations, Rasayana therapies, and Panchakarma may influence gut microbial diversity and function. Particular attention is given to commonly used interventions such as Triphala, curcumin, ginger, and ashwagandha, along with the role of microbial biotransformation in modifying the bioavailability and activity of phytochemicals. The review also discusses emerging evidence linking Ayurvedic interventions with gastrointestinal, metabolic, inflammatory, immune, and neuropsychological conditions. However, major limitations remain, including small sample sizes, methodological heterogeneity, insufficient standardization of formulations, and limited longitudinal and randomized clinical evidence. Future research should integrate metagenomics, metabolomics, and other multi-omics approaches with carefully designed clinical trials to establish mechanistic validity and therapeutic relevance. Such integration may support the development of personalized, preventive, and microbiome-informed healthcare rooted in both traditional knowledge and modern biomedical science.