Maharishi Ayurveda FAQs

The plastic supplement bottles, lids, seals, labels, glass bottles and product boxes are all recyclable. Also, all the plastic bottles are stamped with a PET plastic number for recycling.

None of Maharishi's products are tested on animals and they are cruelty-free.

Yes, the products are tested for pesticides, heavy metals and microbiological contamination. There are only used ingredients and herbal products that meet our rigorous standards for safety. The traditional methods of Ayurveda are followed while employing the highest standards of quality control. To ensure purity, Maharishi AyurVeda products are tested before, during and after manufacture and then tested again by an accredited independent analytical laboratory (that meets ISO 17025 standards), prior to distribution. MA/Veda herbs are tested once at our manufacturing facility. These tests include examination for:

• Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury)
• Residual pesticides (at the start of the manufacturing process)
• Microbiological contamination (including E. coli, coliforms, staph and salmonella)

Maharishi's products far exceed the testing guidance of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and specifications of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The FDA requires to list the maximum number of tablets in the Serving Size area of the Supplement Facts box if a range is given for "Suggested Use." For example, if Organic Ashwagandha recommends “1-2 tablets twice daily, with water after meals” then we list “Serving Size 2 tablets” in order to have compliance with these regulations. However, we recommend that you follow the Suggested Use directions to determine the quantity that works best for you.

Per vaidyas (Ayurvedic experts), Maharishi's products don’t have any side effects or contraindications, but if there’s a concern or you have a known medical condition, always consult with your health professional before taking one of the products.

Maharishi's bottles are partially filled with cotton, as is the industry standard, to protect the tablets against breakage during shipment. There are also various tablet sizes and unit sizes, some formulas containing 60 tablets and others up to 120 tablets. In an effort for the product to be efficient and consistent, it is used the same bottle and label size for the various products.

Maharishi's plastic bottles are PET 1, which is a recyclable BPA-free plastic. Maharishi is committed to continuing to switch to eco-friendly packaging options as much as possible.

Ayurvedic experts (vaidyas) generally feel that such classical rasayanas as Organic Ashwagandha are safe in these circumstances, and there is a long history of use. All Maharishi's products are made from whole plant parts, not synthetic concentrates, and as such do not have known side effects. But, modern standards must be adhered. Unless you have consulted with your physician first, and they recommend it, we do not recommend taking these or any herbal product while pregnant or lactating.

None of Maharishi products contain genetically modified organisms (GMO's), and they are careful to source from vendors who can assure us that their ingredients are non-GMO. Look for the "Non-GMO" seal on all of the supplement, tea, and food packaging. Also, organic products are always non-GMO. As part of the USDA organic guidelines, a product must not contain any GMO inputs/ingredients in order to carry the USDA organic seal.

Licorice is a traditional herbal remedy with a lot of benefits in ayurveda. It has a rasayana (health-promoting) effect on the mind and body, and is also balancing to Vata and Pitta. It supports healthy immunity, is good for the eyes and complexion, nourishes the tissues, soothes the digestive tract and promotes circulation.

In Maharishi's synergistic formulas, the licorice is processed and used in a particular way in combination with other herbs that counterbalance any negative effect licorice could cause in the physiology (or to blood pressure) if taken by itself. The licorice used in the products is not deglycerized.

However, if someone already has high blood pressure or is concerned about taking a product containing licorice, we recommend you monitor blood pressure when taking the product, and/or consult your health professional before using one of our licorice-containing products.

All of Maharishi products are vegetarian. There are some of the which are vegan as well.

Pearl, coral, conch and other shell ingredients are processed using traditional ayurvedic methods that incinerate the minerals, converting them to a fine powder. During the incineration process, the allergen properties, if previously present, are destroyed. The process involves many steps of purifying the original materials. Because of the processing, a customer who is allergic to shellfish shouldn’t have any issue using one of the products containing shell ingredients. But it is always best to be cautious and alert to any symptoms when first trying the product. To date there is no negative feedback.

Calcium its sourced from areas that are not known to be polluted, and test the quality of calcium for heavy metals and pollutants before use. Once harvested, the pure inner layer of calcium is used and the upper layer of calcium is removed, which has come into contact with the environment. This process has to be done by hand, but ensures that the calcium used is of the highest quality. It is then purified according to the ayurvedic texts.

No, animals are not harmed while harversting Maharishi’s shell ingredients. It's part of the cycle of nature. Once the animal has vacated its shell, then the shell, pearl or pearl oyster are collected for use in the products. No killing is involved.

None of Maharishi’s products contain soy, and the manufacturing facility doesn’t process any products containing soy.

Yes, all Maharishi AyurVeda supplement products are gluten-free and made in a gluten-free production facility. Therefore, none of the products come into contact with any gluten-containing ingredients.

You may notice that some of the products contain up to 99.5% organic ingredients, but do not feature the USDA organic seal on the packaging. Why is this? In order to certify a product as USDA organic, any non-organic ingredients in the product, no matter how small a percentage of the formula, must be on an approved list from the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). All of Maharishi’s formulas contain exotic, ayurvedic ingredients. Since many of these exotic herbs are not yet on the NOP approved list, the entire formula cannot be certified as USDA organic even though the formula may contain almost 100% organic plants. It can take many years to petition to add new ingredients to the list and the outcome is uncertain. Maharishi do not compromise their formulas. The small percentage of non-organic ingredients could be removed and easily obtain the seal, but it’s not. All of the herbal supplements are made according to the ancient ayurvedic texts, and it’s intended to continue making them using the same ingredients that have been used for thousands of years. This is Maharishi commitment to maintaining the effectiveness and the purity of the ayurvedic tradition. It is the only way to craft ayurvedic formulations that deliver maximum effect for mind and body. Where and when possible, Maharishi will continue to introduce organic ingredients.

Maharishi products are most effective when used prior to their best before date. According to vaidyas (Ayurvedic experts), products can be used up to a year past their best before date, but they may not be as effective as fresh product.

The tablets can be cut in half using a pill cutter. Alternatively, tablets can be ground into powder and mixed with raw unheated honey, applesauce or maple syrup.

You can facilitate the balancing process by also adjusting your diet and routine. Maharishi AyurVeda herbal formulations provide a very powerful way to address imbalances and restore balance and well-being for a long, healthy life. By taking the right amount at the right time, and by adjusting your diet, you can greatly enhance their benefits.

Since you use your body's systems and organs every day, they need constant support until the imbalance is addressed. Add supplements into your daily routine, and if you tend to forget to take them, devise ways to remind yourself. Create reminders in your cell phone or put post-it notes on your computer. Keep your supplements on your dining table instead of in the cupboard. Carry them with you in a tablet dispenser.

You can follow the instructions on the bottle. But there is some flexibility—if those times don’t work for you, then take them at your convenience. The main point is to take the herbal formulas regularly—for that is how the results come.

For herbal formulas that are designed for addressing a health issue before it manifests, it’s best to take them regularly for two to three months. For herbal formulas that are designed to restore balance it’s best to take them until the imbalance has been addressed. Once balance is restored, you can continue for at least two weeks longer to be sure the body has adjusted to the new state of balance. For detoxifying herbal formulas, it’s best to use them according to the guidelines given. For certain ongoing issues, it may be helpful to take the supplement on a regular basis to enjoy balance.

You shouldn't take more than two products that address the same, related issues without first consulting an ayurvedic expert. Maharishi AyurVeda formulas are designed to take care of several aspects of the same condition, so taking more will not necessarily increase their effectiveness. As far as dosage (i.e. the number of tablets to take at a time), you can follow the recommendations on the bottle. According to Maharishi AyurVeda, the dosage needed to correct an imbalance depends on the strength of the patient and the severity of the imbalance. This is best evaluated by an expert trained in Maharishi Ayurveda.

That depends on what you are taking. As a general rule, don't take more than four formulas at a time.

Focusing on one or two imbalances at a time is best. Start with those imbalances that are the most noticeable. Sometimes, you may find that in addressing those, some secondary imbalances get addressed as well.

In Maharishi AyurVeda, it’s considered symptoms to be like the fruits of a tree. In most cases, there is a common root. There are primary and secondary imbalances. AyurVeda tries to address the primary imbalance first. Addressing the secondary imbalances might help, but that is only a partial approach. To take the guesswork out of the problem, see a Maharishi AyurVeda expert (vaidya) who can determine the root cause of the issue, and address all of your imbalances. Once you meet with an ayurvedic expert, he or she can explain which foods and lifestyle habits are contributing to your imbalance. By knowing the root causes, you can work towards creating balance. As part of your wellness consultation with an ayurvedic expert, you’ll receive recommendations that are designed for your body type, imbalances, and age—and which take into account the current season and even the time of day. If you can follow the recommended diet and daily routine, and at the same time avoid the underlying causal factors (i.e. foods and lifestyle habits that aggravate your imbalance), over time, balance will be restored. When your mind, body and emotions are functioning in balance, you will have no need for herbal formulas! Digestion is also a key factor in restoring balance and strengthening immunity. Thus in most cases, the ayurvedic expert will make recommendations for strengthening digestion. Once these functions are restored, the body begins to function in a more balanced way.

Maharishi AyurVeda supplements contain high-quality herbs that are combined into potent formulas to address the underlying imbalance in the physiology, without causing side effects. Instead of just addressing the surface level, these formulations aim to enliven balance in the physiology and target the root cause of the issue.