Sarita Shrestha
Encyclopedia
Sarita Shrestha MD OBGYN, BAMS, is an Ayurvedic physician, professor, writer, founder and medical director of the Devi Ma Kunja
Ayurvedic Hospital in Bhaktapur
, Nepal
. Shrestha is considered one of the foremost experts on the subject of Ayurveda
in the United States and the authority in Ayurvedic women's healthcare. She is Nepal
's first female Ayurvedic physician and its first Ayurvedic OB/GYN. She is widely regarded as the “Mother of Ayurveda” in the West.
(B.A.M.S.) from the Jiwaji University
, (Gwalior, India), a Certificate of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (CAMS) from the Tribhuvan University
, (Kathmandu, Nepal) and in 1993 received a Medical Doctor in Ayurveda from the Benares Hindu University (Varanasi, India). She has also received a Diploma Yoga Therapy from the Vivekananda Kendra, (Bangalore, India), and a Diploma Acupuncture (DAc.) from the Alternative Medicine Center, (Colombo, Sri Lanka).
annual conferences. Shrestha sits on the faculty of the Mount Madonna Institute
College of Ayurveda in Watsonville, California
, as well as the Rocky Mountain Institute for Ayurveda and Yoga in Boulder, Colorado
, where she teaches annually. She is also a visiting Associate Professor for the Ayurveda Campus, (Naradevi, Kathmandu) and a visiting Consultant for the Sri Ram Orphanage, (Haridwar, India).
In 2002 she founded the Devi Ma Kunja
Ayurvedic Hospital in Bhaktapur
, Nepal
, outside of Kathmandu, Nepal where she volunteers her time providing free to low-cost healthcare for primarily rural Nepalese women.
Shrestha is featured in the book "In Search of Medicine Buddha" by David Crow.
Devi Ma Kunja
The Devi Ma Kunja is an Ayurvedic hospital in the rural village of Sipadol, Nepal. The hospital provides free or low-cost healthcare especially in the area of Ayurvedic women's health. The hospital was founded by Dr...
Ayurvedic Hospital in Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur , also Bhadgaon or Khwopa is an ancient Newar town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It is located in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone...
, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
. Shrestha is considered one of the foremost experts on the subject of Ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
in the United States and the authority in Ayurvedic women's healthcare. She is Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
's first female Ayurvedic physician and its first Ayurvedic OB/GYN. She is widely regarded as the “Mother of Ayurveda” in the West.
Education
Shrestha received a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and SurgeryBachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery is a medical degree in India, conferred to those who have studied the integrated system of modern medicine and traditional ayurveda. The degree is of five and half years duration, including 1 year internship. Exams are held after every 3 terms. The...
(B.A.M.S.) from the Jiwaji University
Jiwaji University
Jiwaji University , Hindi: जीवाजी विश्वविद्यालय, is an affiliating university situated in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. The name comes from that of George Jivajirao Scindia of Gwalior. The university was established on May 23, 1964 and Sarvapelli Radhakrishnan, the President of India, laid the...
, (Gwalior, India), a Certificate of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (CAMS) from the Tribhuvan University
Tribhuvan University
Tribhuvan University [त्रिभुवन विश्वविध्यालय] is a public university located in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal. Established in 1959, TU is the oldest of the five universities in Nepal...
, (Kathmandu, Nepal) and in 1993 received a Medical Doctor in Ayurveda from the Benares Hindu University (Varanasi, India). She has also received a Diploma Yoga Therapy from the Vivekananda Kendra, (Bangalore, India), and a Diploma Acupuncture (DAc.) from the Alternative Medicine Center, (Colombo, Sri Lanka).
Professional Experience
Shrestha has been practicing medicine in Nepal for more than 20 years and is the recipient of numerous awards for her work in that country. She teaches internationally and in 2000 started teaching Ayurveda throughout the United States. She is currently the only Ayurvedic OB/GYN and only female Ayurvedic physician teaching in the United States. She is also a regular contributing lecturer at the National Ayurvedic Medical AssociationNational Ayurvedic Medical Association
The National Ayurvedic Medical Association , founded in 2000 is the largest association of Ayurvedic practitioners in the United States. It is charged with representing and supporting the profession of Ayurveda in the United States...
annual conferences. Shrestha sits on the faculty of the Mount Madonna Institute
Mount Madonna Institute
Mount Madonna Institute is a non-profit college specializing in the field of Yoga, Ayurvedic medicine, massage and community studies. The Institute is hosted by the Mount Madonna Center inspired by Baba Hari Dass.-Ayurveda School:...
College of Ayurveda in Watsonville, California
Watsonville, California
Watsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 51,199 according to the 2010 census.Located on the central coast of California, the economy centers predominantly around the farming industry. It is known for growing strawberries, apples, lettuce and a host...
, as well as the Rocky Mountain Institute for Ayurveda and Yoga in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
, where she teaches annually. She is also a visiting Associate Professor for the Ayurveda Campus, (Naradevi, Kathmandu) and a visiting Consultant for the Sri Ram Orphanage, (Haridwar, India).
In 2002 she founded the Devi Ma Kunja
Devi Ma Kunja
The Devi Ma Kunja is an Ayurvedic hospital in the rural village of Sipadol, Nepal. The hospital provides free or low-cost healthcare especially in the area of Ayurvedic women's health. The hospital was founded by Dr...
Ayurvedic Hospital in Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur , also Bhadgaon or Khwopa is an ancient Newar town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It is located in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone...
, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, outside of Kathmandu, Nepal where she volunteers her time providing free to low-cost healthcare for primarily rural Nepalese women.
Shrestha is featured in the book "In Search of Medicine Buddha" by David Crow.
Publications
- Role of Cedrus deodar in the Management of Puerperium, MD Thesis; 1996
- Management of Asthma through Yoga, Dissertation; 1989