Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, recently opened up about turning to ancient Indian health practices during her pregnancies, sparking fresh curiosity about the safety and efficacy of alternative wellness tools during this sensitive time.
Speaking on her podcast Confessions of a Female Founder, Meghan revealed, “During my pregnancies, I had an ayurvedic doctor, and so much of it was about seeing food as medicine.” Her comment points to a growing trend where expectant mothers seek natural approaches to health and healing, often merging traditional wisdom with modern lifestyles.
In a conversation with Hannah Mendoza, co-founder of the superfood drinks brand Clevr Blends, Meghan also spoke about her belief in the power of adaptogenic mushrooms — non-psychoactive fungi believed to support stress relief, energy, and sleep. “I think a lot of people, when they hear mushrooms think ‘oh okay she’s just being hippy dippy and grounded’ and all these things. [If people] aren’t familiar with adaptogens, you can go to this place of ‘oh it’s feeling a little psychedelic and super woowoo’ [but they are] part of our natural ecosystem and dietary system,” she said.
Describing them as a “food trend” with genuine wellness potential, Meghan emphasised their ability to make people feel different “in a really safe way.”
But, how safe is it for pregnant women to follow Ayurvedic dietary principles, and what are some common precautions?
Dr Rajshree, B.A.M.S, tells indianexpress.com, “Ayurveda isn’t a one-size-fits-all set of rules. During pregnancy, it focuses on warm, nourishing, easy-to-digest foods — think ghee, rice, moong dal, and cooked fruits. The goal isn’t detox. It’s stability. But just because something is ‘Ayurvedic’ doesn’t mean it’s automatically safe. Some herbs — like ashwagandha or triphala — can be too stimulating or cleansing when the body needs calm and build.”
She stresses that if you’re curious about this route, don’t DIY it. “Work with a legitimate Ayurvedic doctor and your OB-GYN side by side. No internet blends, no random powders.”
Dr Shaily Sharma, consultant gynaecologist at Cloudnine Hospital, Faridabad, informs, “While these natural remedies can have benefits, they are not always harmless. Some adaptogens can interfere with prescription medications or affect blood pressure, blood sugar, and hormone levels in ways we don’t fully understand.”
Ayurvedic treatments, though rooted in tradition, may use herbs or minerals that aren’t regulated, and some may even be contaminated or toxic if not sourced properly, Dr Sharma stresses. “More importantly, relying solely on these methods can delay proper diagnosis or treatment of serious medical conditions.”
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Can adaptogenic mushrooms be safely consumed during pregnancy?
“These mushrooms are being sold as nature’s stress shields. And they are powerful — but that’s exactly why you need to be cautious,” alarms Dr Rajshree.
She adds, “There’s barely any research on their effects during pregnancy. What little we know shows they can influence hormones, immune response, and the nervous system — which are all doing acrobatics right now inside you.”
Unless you’ve got a medical guide who understands both pregnancy and adaptogens, she says, it’s best to skip these during this phase. “Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s harmless.”
How should pregnant women approach the idea of “food as medicine”?
Dr Rajshree explains, “Sometimes, in trying to ‘eat right,’ women end up cutting out key nutrients — carbs, fats, dairy — thinking they’re doing the right thing. That’s not wisdom. That’s diet culture in disguise.”
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Here’s a better way to think about it: food isn’t medicine instead of real medicine. “It’s medicine alongside it. It supports your body — but it doesn’t replace checkups, supplements, or honest-to-God naps,” says Dr Rajshree.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
