In the latest episode of her podcast, "Confessions of a Female Founder", Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, shared intimate details about her wellness practices during her pregnancies with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Speaking with Hannah Mendoza, founder of the plant-based superfood brand Clevr Blends, Meghan discussed her reliance on Ayurveda and adaptogens to support her health and well-being during this pivotal time.
"During my pregnancies, I had an Ayurvedic doctor, and so much of it was about seeing food as medicine," Meghan revealed.
Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old holistic healing system originating in India, emphasises balance between the body, mind, and spirit. Markle's approach included incorporating adaptogens—natural substances like certain mushrooms and herbs believed to help the body resist stressors.
"I think a lot of people, when they hear mushrooms, they go, 'Okay, she's talking about being hippie-dippie and grounded in all these things.' And if you aren't familiar with adaptogens, you can go to this place of, 'Oh, it's feeling a little psychedelic and super woo-woo,'" she acknowledged.
Markle emphasised that many of these ingredients have long been part of traditional diets and are now gaining recognition in modern wellness circles. She noted that adaptogens like mushrooms are not about inducing altered states but about supporting the body's natural resilience.
Her interest in adaptogens led her to invest in Clevr Blends after receiving a turmeric latte from the company during her pregnancy with Lilibet. She praised Mendoza for being ahead of the curve in recognizing the benefits of these ingredients.
"So there are these items and ingredients that have been part of our natural ecosystem and dietary system for a long time, whether acknowledged or not, that somehow you say 'mushrooms,' and now people have a connotation attached to it, but it's really just a food trend that I believe you were far ahead of in terms of saying, 'Hold on, these have properties that can in some way make you feel differently, in a really safe way,'" Markle said.
This episode of her podcast coincided with Archie's sixth birthday and is part of Markle's broader efforts to promote her lifestyle brand, As Ever. Through her podcast, she aims to spotlight female entrepreneurs and share insights into building a business grounded in wellness and authenticity.
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