An increasing number of women in New Zealand's Indian community are embracing ayurvedic massages as part of their postnatal recovery, blending traditional cultural practices with modern motherhood.
Ayurveda is a traditional form of Indian medicine based on herbs and massage.
While the wholistic medical system has been practised for many years in India, it is now seeing a resurgence in use among migrant families in New Zealand.
"It is a complete, wholistic approach to well-being," said Ajit Singh, an Ayurvedic doctor who has been practising in New Zealand for more than 30 years.
Singh said Ayurveda focused on identifying the root cause of an issue - physical, mental or emotional - rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
"Our main focus is to identify the causes of the problem than masking the symptoms," he said.
He said many people did not fully understand the depth and authenticity of Ayurvedic practices.
Last year, Medsafe issued a warning after several cases of lead poisoning were reported in Auckland and Bay of Plenty linked to the use of certain Ayurvedic remedies.
Singh acknowledged the safety concerns but said not all products contained harmful substances.
"Not every Ayurvedic medicine contains heavy metals, but that issue is definitely important and needs to be addressed," he said.
Ajit Singh has been practicing Ayurveda in New Zealand for more than 30 years. Photo: Supplied
Singh said Ayurvedic medicine included a range of treatment levels, and some products should only be used under the supervision of a trained practitioner.
"Unfortunately, due to a lack of specific regulations, people often buy these medicines online or bring them from India. This has become quite common," he said.
"The problem arises when people choose substandard brands. The prices vary greatly. Strangely, people are willing to buy the most expensive alcohol or wine, but when it comes to medicine they look for the cheapest options, which leads to issues," he said.
He advised consumers to find medicine that had been certified by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which regulates therapeutic products in Australasia.
"The problem is people still buy from Indian grocery shops or online stores where regulation is lacking," Singh said. "That's something I hope will change, though I'm not sure when."
He said rigorous training was required to become a qualified Ayurvedic doctor in India.
"In India, you need to [study for] six years in a university and practise in an Ayurvedic hospital for a year as an intern before you start practising," he said.
Singh said Ayurveda placed significant emphasis on women's health, especially during and after pregnancy.
"Forty days after giving birth, a woman's body needs strength and Ayurveda has a specific diet that gives nourishment which helps rebuild her body and at the same time to the little one too," he said.
He said Ayurvedic postnatal massages are designed to alleviate body pain and aid recovery after childbirth.
Anju Philips, who gave birth a few years ago, received Ayurvedic treatment at a clinic in Hamilton.
"I went for a short treatment and the massages actually helped me relieve neck pain and muscle pain after my pregnancy and childbirth," she said.
"It's a common practice back in India and most of us are aware of its benefits," she said.
Anjana Aravind, who had a baby last year, took postnatal treatments while visiting India.
"I had an opportunity to visit India and used that time to get some postnatal care," she said.
"It is said to rejuvenate our body after childbirth, and I had [received] massages and other treatments for five days."
She said treatments typically varied depending on whether a woman had experienced a normal birth or a caesarean section.
Ayurvedic postnatal massages are designed to alleviate body pain and aid recovery after childbirth. Photo: 123rf
Nina Mitchell said she hadn't considered an Ayurvedic massage until a friend gave her a voucher as a gift.
"The massage was so much more than I expected," she said. "It wasn't just a physical treatment, it was a moment of true care for my body and mind."
Mitchell said the aches she experienced from caring for her baby eased and she began sleeping better.
Rachel Dunlop also gave the treatment a go.
"I had a couple of massages during my pregnancy and even postbirth," she said. "I felt grounded and rejuvenated."
Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora does not have specific guidelines relating to Ayurvedic treatments in postnatal care.
"We understand traditions and practices from a woman's culture will have an influence and impact on her childbirth experience," said Laura Aileone, national chief midwife at Health NZ.
"Maternity providers in Aotearoa are expected to demonstrate cultural safety and competency as part of their core professional competencies," she said. "This includes acknowledging and respecting culturally specific treatment, while ensuring safety and alignment with evidence-based practice."
A Medsafe spokesperson said Ayurvedic products fell under the Medicines Act 1981 if they claimed a therapeutic purpose or contained certain ingredients that were believed to have a therapeutic purpose.
"Medsafe does not directly regulate Ayurvedic practitioners or their practices," the spokesperson said.
"If a product is considered unsafe and concerns are raised with Medsafe, then we can look into these and undertake regulatory actions if it falls within the scope of the Medicines Act."
Medsafe published reports around concerns on products such as Ayurvedic medicines on its website to keep the public and health practitioners informed, the spokesperson said.
ISSUE
