The Buddha's Medicine

The Buddha's Medicine Integrative Ayurvedic medicine focused on accessible, holistic, and individualized care.

Our aim is to bring the Eastern and Western healing arts together in simple, accessible ways. We seek to help prevent imbalance and illness in those who are well, and to support those who feel imbalanced or ill in their recovery. We offer these services as part of a complete healthy living framework as we strive towards this goal:

1) Ayurvedic consultation and treatment

Including the use of organic medicinal herbs in custom formulations, lifestyle and food as medicine, and manual pressure point therapy

2) Thai bodywork

Promoting optimal body clarity and function with gentle pressure, guided stretching, and deep relaxation

3) Yoga

Both the philosophy and practice, using healing meditations, exercises for body and breath, and approaches to self-reflection

A foundation and ongoing training in western medicine sets the stage, helping to fluidly bring the above three modalities into the context of living in today’s world.

This event is a chance to slow down, learn, and connect. Talk with caring professionals, ask real questions, and explore...
02/04/2026

This event is a chance to slow down, learn, and connect. Talk with caring professionals, ask real questions, and explore simple ideas that support your body and daily life. Whether you want to move better, feel stronger, or take a clear next step with your health, this is a relaxed space to start. Bring your family, meet your community, and leave with practical insight you can actually use.

Learn more about the health fair and the professionals you can meet there in the link in our bio! ”

“At the time of writing, I’ve walked both the path of western medicine and immersed myself in the ocean of Ayurvedic med...
02/04/2026

“At the time of writing, I’ve walked both the path of western medicine and immersed myself in the ocean of Ayurvedic medicine for over sixteen years. And over that course of time, I’ve seen a shift in how we understand human diversity, particularly when it comes to the wide spectrum of neurodiversity, and most especially in children. Part of the inspiration behind my journey from practicing conventional primary care to founding The Buddha’s Medicine comes from a deep conviction that every person - and especially every child - deserves healthcare that honors their unique neurological blueprint. No one should ever be crammed into a box that they don’t fit in.”

To learn more about Ayurveda in neurodiversity click on the original article in our bio! Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH dives deep into this topic in his blog: “Supporting Your Child’s Unique Nature: An Ayurvedic Perspective on Neurodiversity”.

“Whether you’re seeking a mini-retreat from the busy-ness and intensity of life or navigating complex health conditions,...
01/29/2026

“Whether you’re seeking a mini-retreat from the busy-ness and intensity of life or navigating complex health conditions, you’ve got a place to land and be tended to with us. Whether you’re casually physically active or a professional athlete, you’ll find yourself more physically functional after an appointment with us. Whether you’re working through every day aches and twinges or living with chronic pain, you’ll leave feeling some relief and positive change. If you’re in need of a safe, soothing, healing space - supported by healing touch - in which to process thoughts, feelings, and emotions, we’re the team for you.”

Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH dives into what prospective clients should know in his blog “Integrating Massage - Practical Information for Prospective Clients”. This is the last part of 4 blogs of his massage series! Original article is in our bio!

“Donald Trump asserted that Tylenol was a “cause” of autism this week.In the battery of incredibly tone-deaf, demeaning,...
01/25/2026

“Donald Trump asserted that Tylenol was a “cause” of autism this week.
In the battery of incredibly tone-deaf, demeaning, racist, inhumane, and just wrong things he’s said, this one broke through my (now) steady level of regulation, reframes, boundaries, and facts because - of course it did. I have an autistic son. I have a neurosparkly daughter. I am married to an autistic man. The things I love the most were factually misunderstood and maligned. Of course, my heart broke. In my ‘protection mode,’ I am triggered right and mobilized. I am also taking the time to slow down, write through it, and find my ground. Please join me.

Jamie Van Auken, MA expresses her heartfelt opinions on a recent rumor in her blog “Your Therapist Reacts to ‘Autism and Tylenol’”. Original article is in our bio!

In [Part 2], I made mention of how good massage is for the regulation and coordination of vata’s function, and I highlig...
01/21/2026

In [Part 2], I made mention of how good massage is for the regulation and coordination of vata’s function, and I highlighted that, because nothing in the body moves or works without the work of vata. Vata, as one of the three doshas of the body, is responsible for the physiology of all movement and transport in every living thing. It’s hard to overstate the importance and value of a modality like massage, with the power to regulate vata in such a direct, caring manner. But massage actually yields many benefits for the other two doshas of the body (pitta and kapha) and both of the doshas of the mind (rajas and tamas), as well. How can that be, when each dosha is so different?”

Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH dives into massage benefits in his blog “The Ayurvedic Perspective of Massage”. This is part 3/4 of his massage series! Original article is in our bio!

“Not to be too reductionistic, but functionally, every one of our patients’ care and health stands to improve with the s...
01/15/2026

“Not to be too reductionistic, but functionally, every one of our patients’ care and health stands to improve with the support of quality, informed, and intuitive bodywork. Every single one. The right kind of healing touch promotes health for anyone and everyone. How exactly healing touch is matched to each individual’s needs will, of course, be a matter of personal circumstance and situation (and that is the nature of the Ayurvedic method), but the overarching principle is universal. Quality bodywork regulates nervous system signaling and function; reduces stress; improves the flow of lymphatic fluid and the drainage of inflammatory wastes; unbinds connective tissues; soothes pain and discomfort; and more. In Ayurvedic terms, massage regulates and corrects the ...”

To read more about how Dr. Matt integrates massage into his treatment plans, check out his blog called ‘Integrating Massage into Even More Comprehensive Care’. Original article is in our bio!

Join Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH, ABOIM, DipABLM, E-RYT, YACEP for an enriching exploration of Ayurvedic seasonal health...
01/15/2026

Join Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH, ABOIM, DipABLM, E-RYT, YACEP for an enriching exploration of Ayurvedic seasonal health and living for the early winter season. In this interactive workshop, you will discover practical Ayurvedic approaches to maintain balance and well-being through the current season and upcoming seasonal transition through nutrition, lifestyle practices, and daily routines.

Participants will receive a PDF with seasonal self-care tips and practices to support optimal health through the changing seasons.

Whether you’re new to Ayurveda or looking to deepen your practice, this workshop offers something for everyone! You will come away with valuable insights for harmonizing your body and mind with nature’s rhythms. This informative workshop will be a 2 hour webinar held on Sunday, January 18th from 1:30-3:30pm! ❄️

“When The Buddha’s Medicine came into being in February, 2023, it was a solo operation. If you’re interested, you can fi...
01/08/2026

“When The Buddha’s Medicine came into being in February, 2023, it was a solo operation. If you’re interested, you can find the backstory to how this practice came to be here. At the time, I was working as both clinician and practice manager; front and back office staff. It needed to be that way for a bit, not only because I needed to learn what it meant to develop and manage a practice, but also because I needed to learn what it meant to develop and manage The Buddha’s Medicine. And, as I hope the post linked to above makes clear, The Buddha’s Medicine is and has been growing into something wholly different from any other medical practice that I’m aware of.”

To learn more about our new massage techniques and offerings, click on the original article in our bio! Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH dives deep into why licensed massage therapy has been brought to The Buddha’s Medicine in his blog: “Expanding Our Circle of Care: Massage Therapy & Healing Touch at The Buddha’s Medicine”.

“We’re picking up where we left off at the end of Part 1 - what do we do about a system that is busted, and that itself ...
12/31/2025

“We’re picking up where we left off at the end of Part 1 - what do we do about a system that is busted, and that itself needs medical attention? My own view is that it won’t do just to wait around until our elected (or otherwise) leaders do right by us and completely overhaul the existing system. We can - and should - change the paradigm at the community level. And there are a number of ways we can go about that from the ground level up. One way we can accomplish that goal is by taking the middleman (insurance) out of the equation - at the very least, as much as reasonably possible. When an exchange occurs directly between patient and physician rather than going through a middleman like insurance, we refer to this as ‘direct care.’”

Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH dives into the truths about the healthcare system in his blog “The Direct Care Option: Transparency, Access, Good Medicine”. This is the 2/3 part of his health insurance series! Original article is in our bio!

“I got interested in the power and potency of lifestyle medicine in my early 20s; for me, a regular practice of yoga asa...
12/28/2025

“I got interested in the power and potency of lifestyle medicine in my early 20s; for me, a regular practice of yoga asana and the adoption of a vegetarian diet healed my optical migraines and put my childhood lactose intolerance into remission. Therapeutic elements of lifestyle feature prominently in each plan of care I craft for my patients. So I’ve watched with great interest as fasting - particularly different forms of intermittent fasting, like time restricted feeding - has exploded in popularity. If you scroll through social media (which I do not recommend for just about anyone basically ever), you’ll find yourself fed countless “influencers” through whatever algorithm promoting various fasting protocols as the “ultimate solution” for everything from weight loss to longevity. But as with many health trends, the reality is much more nuanced than the headlines suggest.”

Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH dives into the myths and fallacies of dieting and fasting in his blog “Modern Fasting Misconceptions”. Original article is in our bio!

“Back when I was teaching yoga more often, I would share stories and things I found inspiring at the beginning of each c...
12/20/2025

“Back when I was teaching yoga more often, I would share stories and things I found inspiring at the beginning of each class. These things were nuggets of truth that might offer a perspective or insight into our shared human experience; our dharma, if you will. One story I shared a lot in those days came from David Foster Wallace. In a graduation speech (https://fs.blog/david-foster-wallace-this-is-water/), he told of two young fish meeting an older fish while swimming. The older fish said something like: “Hey boys. How’s the water?” and swam away. The two young fish looked at each other and one finally said: “What the hell is water?” I share this now, in a therapy blog, because the point still holds. What we acclimate to becomes our truth, and sometimes we do not even know it. What does this mean in the sense of polyvagal-informed therapy? It means that our nervous-systems are in the water. So the question we need to ask is: what water is your nervous system swimming in?

Jamie Van Auken, MD, Registered Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, E-RYT 500 dives into her experiences with nervous system regulation in her blog “Knowing Your Nervous System: Polyvagal-Informed Therapy”. Original article is in our bio!

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Portland, OR

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