King Charles III, who disclosed his cancer diagnosis in February, has sparked much speculation about his treatment plan. Known for his interest in alternative therapies, his recent itinerary took a fascinating turn during a foreign trip that included visits to Australia and Samoa. Instead of the traditional return route, he and Queen Camilla opted for a three-day stopover at the Soukya international holistic health centre, a renowned wellness retreat situated near Bangalore, India.
Soukya, a favourite among royals, offers a comprehensive range of ayurvedic treatments. King Charles celebrated his 71st birthday there in 2019, and Queen Camilla has visited with friends on several occasions. Local media reports indicate that during his latest visit, the King underwent a variety of rejuvenating, detoxifying, and immune-boosting ayurvedic therapies.
The centre’s treatments encompass practices like panchakarma, which involves consuming ghee throughout the day to facilitate a complete gut purge, shirodhara, wherein milk from sacred Vechur cows is poured onto the forehead, and jal neti, a technique involving the passage of saltwater through one nostril and out the other. This list also includes treatments utilizing mud and magnets, among others.
Ayurveda, meaning “the science of life” in Sanskrit, is a holistic system that traces its roots back over 3,000 years. Its central tenet revolves around achieving a harmonious balance between prakriti (one’s inherent constitution) and dosha (life forces) rather than focusing solely on cures.
The concept of doshas is crucial to ayurvedic principles. Vata governs movement in the body, kapha governs structure and lubrication, and pitta governs digestion and metabolism.
If a particular dosha is deemed out of balance, increasing the intake of certain fruits and vegetables may be recommended. While many might view the idea of silk pajamas, bamboo slippers, yoga, meditation, and fresh vegetarian cuisine as appealing aspects of Soukya, the centre’s commitment to Ayurvedic principles extends to the absence of a refrigerator in its kitchen. Every meal is prepared fresh, just an hour before consumption. For hot meals, the heat source is derived from cow dung, further emphasizing the center’s dedication to ancient practices.
The renaissance of interest in ayurvedic medicine globally has been driven in part by its long-standing nutritional philosophy, which pre-dates industrialization and promotes a fresh, vegetable-based diet—an approach that resonates with contemporary concerns about gut health and processed foods. However, this resurgence has not been without its critics. Some voice concerns regarding rasashastra, ayurveda’s pharmaceutical branch, noting that some preparations contain high levels of lead, mercury, and arsenic. A 2022 report confirmed that many ayurvedic preparations exceed World Health Organisation limits for zinc, mercury, arsenic, and lead.
Dr. Edzard Ernst, a British-German physician and former advocate for alternative medicine, now views the King’s visit to Soukya with considerable apprehension. Twenty years ago, the King even sought his advice on how to introduce complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into mainstream practice.
Ernst’s perspective, however, has evolved. He now describes himself as an "arch-sceptic." He recounts receiving a call from the King’s office in 2005 requesting he collaborate on a report commissioned by the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health (now disbanded).
"Sad to say, when I had a peek at gede draft and saw it full of misleading nonsense I felt dealt with," he says of the Smallwood report, which aimed to demonstrate the economic benefits of integrating CAM practices into the NHS. He resigned from the project, leading to a 13-month investigation by his university, Exeter University.
While Dr. Ernst maintains the investigation was unjustified, the experience left him disillusioned. Despite the controversy surrounding the Smallwood report, the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health continued its work, closing its doors in 2010 after its finance director was convicted of fraud. Dr. Ernst, on the other hand, became a prominent critic of CAM and authored the book "Charles: The Alternative King," which criticizes the monarch’s interest in alternative medicine.
On the other side of the debate, advocates like Dr. Vijay Murthy believe that ayurveda can provide a valuable complement to conventional medicine. Dr. Murthy, a Harley Street physician, utilizes ayurvedic principles in his practice and believes it offers insight into understanding the root cause of health problems, rather than just treating symptoms.
While devoting himself to the scientific exploration of CAM, writing extensively on the subject, Dr Ernst confesses to finding few ayurvedic therapies with demonstrable scientific efficacy.
He expresses concern about the growing popularity of ayurveda despite the lack of strong evidence supporting its efficacy for most conditions. Nonetheless, ayurveda’s popularity continues to rise globally, driven by its perceived connection to ancient wisdom and Eastern culture.
The Indian government, recognizing the potential of ayurveda as a source of tourism revenue, has begun issuing AY (Ayush) visas to cater to the increasing demand for wellness trips involving ayurvedic treatments. A recent report forecasts the global ayurveda market to grow exponentially in the coming years, from billions to tenfold growth by the end of the decade.
The debate surrounding ayurveda continues, with its proponents advocating its benefits for overall wellness and its critics expressing skepticism about its scientific validity. As King Charles continues to explore alternative healing practices, Ayurveda emerges as a compelling subject, one that raises important questions about the balance between ancient traditions and modern medical practices in the realm of healthcare.
Interview Transcript: Time.news Editor with Dr. Edzard Ernst
Time.news Editor (T.N.E): Welcome, Dr. Edzard Ernst. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. With King Charles III recently making headlines for his visit to the Soukya holistic health center, we’re eager to hear your insights on alternative medicine and Ayurveda in particular. Given your history with the King and alternative medicine, how do you feel about his recent choices?
Dr. Edzard Ernst (D.E): Thank you for having me. To answer your question, I approach the King’s visit with a mix of concern and skepticism. While I appreciate a historical and cultural interest in Ayurveda, it must be underscored with caution—especially when it comes to someone in his position.
T.N.E: It’s interesting that you mention caution. Could you elaborate on what specific concerns you have regarding Ayurvedic practices?
D.E: Certainly. Ayurveda, although rooted in a rich tradition, is not without its controversies. While the holistic approach is appealing, many Ayurvedic preparations, particularly those from the rasashastra branch, can contain harmful levels of heavy metals like lead and arsenic. A report from 2022 highlighted that many of these preparations exceed WHO limits for these toxic elements. For someone like King Charles, who is dealing with cancer, relying solely on such treatments can be quite dangerous.
T.N.E: That’s quite alarming. Given your previous collaboration with the King, did you ever foresee a shift in your stance on alternative medicine?
D.E: I did. My experience on that commission for the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health left me disheartened. The misleading information in the drafts pushed me to resign, and I couldn’t align my advocacy with something I felt undermined evidence-based medicine. Over time, I became a critic of alternative therapies—publicly advocating for a more scientific approach to healthcare.
T.N.E: You mentioned the King seeking your advice on integrating complementary alternative medicine into mainstream practices. Do you think there’s a place for therapies like Ayurveda in conventional medicine, or do they pose more risk than benefit?
D.E: There can be a place for certain elements within alternative therapies if they can be rigorously tested for safety and efficacy. However, when it comes to traditions that have not been subjected to stringent scientific scrutiny—like many Ayurvedic practices—we must tread carefully. Integrating unproven treatments can mislead patients and put them at serious risk, particularly when legitimate treatments are available.
T.N.E: Advocates like Dr. Vijay Murthy argue that Ayurveda brings invaluable insights into nutrition and holistic health. Do you think there’s merit in that perspective?
D.E: While there are indeed beneficial aspects, particularly regarding nutrition—like promoting a fresh, vegetable-based diet—the challenge lies in operationalizing those benefits. We need to differentiate between dietary recommendations that are harmless and the broader, unverified practices that could lead to adverse health effects.
T.N.E: So, it sounds like there could be space for a dialogue, but with strong guidelines and rigorous testing. What would you suggest moving forward, both for the royal family and the public?
D.E: I believe education is key. It’s crucial for people, including public figures like the King, to be informed about the potential dangers of alternative medicine. They should advocate for safe, evidence-based practices. It would be beneficial for individuals to seek out integrative approaches, but always under the watchful eye of qualified healthcare professionals who can bridge the gap between traditional practices and contemporary medicine.
T.N.E: Very insightful. It seems that while the allure of alternative medicine remains, the importance of evidence and safety cannot be overstated. Thank you, Dr. Ernst, for sharing your thoughts on this important matter.
D.E: Thank you for having me. It’s a conversation that needs to continue as we navigate the complexities of health and wellness in modern society.