Meghan Markle reveals reason she turned to Ayurveda doctor during pregnancies on latest podcast
The duchess made the revelation in the newest episode of her podcast
Meghan Markle has opened up on her podcast about turning to ancient Indian medicine during her pregnancies with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, revealing how the holistic philosophy of Ayurveda shaped her approach to motherhood.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, made the personal admission in the latest episode of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.
The episode was released today (May 6), coinciding with Archie’s sixth birthday.
Meghan Markle opens up about using holistic medicine during pregnancies on her podcast
Speaking to Hannah Mendoza, founder of wellness brand Clevr Blends, Meghan shared how Ayurveda – an ancient system of medicine from India – became an influence during her pregnancies.
“During my pregnancies, I had an Ayurvedic doctor,” Meghan shared. “So much of it was about seeing food as medicine.”
Ayurveda means “knowledge of life” in Sanskrit. The practice focuses on balancing the body and mind through diet, lifestyle and natural remedies.
Meghan explained that this philosophy helped her rethink wellness at a fundamental level.
In the candid conversation, the duchess also praised adaptogens.
Adaptogens are naturally occurring substances like herbs or mushrooms which are believed to help the body manage stress.
“There are these items and ingredients that have been part of our natural ecosystem and dietary system for a long time,” she said. “You say mushrooms, and now people have a connotation attached to it. But it’s really just a food trend.”
While some critics may associate mushrooms and adaptogens with “psychedelic” or “hippie-dippy” culture, Meghan insists the conversation around them is evolving.
She said: “If you aren’t familiar with adaptogens, you can go to this place of ‘Oh, it’s feeling a little psychedelic and super woo-woo.'”
She added that Hannah Mendoza was “far ahead” of the trend when it came to recognising the benefits of natural ingredients.
Meghan’s birth of son Archie
Meghan’s holistic approach wasn’t limited to nutrition.
In Prince Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare, he revealed that the couple listened to Sanskrit songs in the delivery room during Archie’s birth. This came after the advice of their Ayurvedic doctor.
Harry also wrote that they were told to whisper affirmations of love to their baby in the first moments of life, because newborns absorb everything they hear in the initial 60 seconds after birth.
Following her and Harry’s departure from full-time royal duties in 2020, Meghan became an investor in Clevr Blends. The organic superlatte brand is known for its adaptogenic drinks.
The podcast release follows a controversial interview Prince Harry gave to BBC News last week. It came as he lost his court battle over his security in the UK.
During the interview, Harry stated that he didn’t know “how much longer my father has” amid his cancer battle.
Harry also admitted he misses the UK and would love to reconcile with his family.
Following the interview, Meghan shared a black and white photo of Prince Harry with Archie and Lilibet.
The image showed the duke walking with the children through a garden. The family-oriented image was seen as an attempt to shift focus back to their personal life.
Read more: Meghan Markle dealt savage ‘new verdict’ on her using HRH title in private
What do you think? Are you listening to Meghan’s podcast? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page.
