A Malaysian doctor’s journey from using conventional medicine to practicing traditional healing

A Malaysian doctor’s journey from using conventional medicine to practicing traditional healing

Being intertwined with the world of medicine, Doctor Nashayinee Palanisamy wanted to seek a deeper understanding to help the human body heal. Coming from a career in conventional modern medicine, she shares with Yahoo Southeast Asia her reasons why she decided to embrace the principles of traditional healing, and how this had a profound impact on her life and her current business.

Nashayinee's fascination with the human body and its workings began at a young age.

"I've always had a liking and passion towards the physiology of the human body and its functions," the 34-year-old reflects. "Truly loved learning about the complexity of the human body. It's fascinating.”

She left for Romania in 2009 to pursue her medical studies at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy GRT Popa, Iasi. After that, she returned home to Malaysia for her internship at Klang General Hospital from 2010 to 2014 before departing for Romania once again for graduation.

After receiving her degree in 2015, she commenced her medical career in a Romanian hospital, but then soon returned home to Malaysia in 2016 to work at private and government clinics.

It wasn't until she started work in the medical field that she began to question the paradigm she found herself in.

She says that modern medicine often focuses on temporary symptom relief rather than addressing the root cause of illness.

“The medical system focuses more on temporarily treating the symptoms rather than identifying the root cause of the disease,” she explains. “This causes more complications in the long run.”

“Asian patients especially were less bothered about finding out the root cause and to even make lifestyle changes to improve their health. That was a little disheartening and I did not resonate with that ideology,” she added.

This realisation led Nashayinee on a quest for a more holistic approach to health and healing. She found solace and inspiration in traditional medicine and techniques, particularly Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing system that emphasises the interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit.

In 2023, Nashayinee embarked on a new journey to India, undertaking an Ayurvedic certification course in Kerala from September to November 2022.

However, she continued working in GP clinics around Petaling Jaya and the Klang Valley until March 2023.

"Traditional medicine does not promise to fix your body," she notes. "It teaches you that your body is capable of healing itself if you pay enough attention to the signs and care for it accordingly,” she said.

“Our lifestyle, daily routine and food habits plays a major role in healing our body,” she said.

“There's no one treatment that fits all, so it's important to know the constitution of your body, mind, digestion and many more intrinsic factors in order to heal it with specifically tailored treatments. Physical exercise and meditation (to calm your mind, and to sit in stillness) is a big part of the healing process,” she added .

It was in Kerala that her perspective on health and self-care underwent a profound transformation.

"Studying Ayurveda in Kerala really changed my outlook on health and self-care," she shares. "I made minor tweaks in my daily routine, and without me even realising it - it changed my health."

She recounted having a whitish coating on her tongue, which she had attempted to address through modern methods such as increased water intake and using a plastic tongue scraper.

However, her time in Kerala had taught her that reducing her water intake (as she had been consuming more than necessary) and incorporating oil pulling along with the continued use of a tongue scraper, but this time using a copper one instead, solved the issue.

Armed with newfound knowledge and a new conviction in the power of traditional healing practices, Nashayinee made the bold decision to transition from conventional medicine to holistic wellness.

In May 2023, she realised her dream of opening IVASHA, a spa that offers a unique blend of traditional healing therapies.

“I have been envisioning running my own business for sometime. I just wasn’t sure the direction and field I’d venture into, but I’ve saved up money all along to start it up and some help from my family as well,” she said.

However, the path to entrepreneurship was not without its challenges.

Nashayinee said she had faced skepticism and uncertainty from friends and family as she veered off the traditional medical career path.

“Personally, I took a big leap in my career path-but it felt right. I believed it. So, when times get rough I still know why I started. It's difficult explaining to friends and family around me on why I switched. It gets a little overwhelming as it's a baby business and I'm solely handling the operations, finances, marketing and everything else,” she said.

She also encountered resistance from clients about the benefits of traditional healing practices.

"I had quite a tough time making customers and clients understand that these aren't just relaxing massages and body treatments but it is more profound than that - and it contributes greatly to one's health," she acknowledges.

Despite these obstacles, Nashyinee's business has flourished, thanks to her unwavering dedication and the growing demand for holistic wellness solutions. "It is definitely growing in a positive direction, authentically and organically," she shares proudly. "Word of mouth is still the best marketing tool even in this era."