The Vagus Nerve & Ayurveda: Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Nervous System
The vagus nerve has become a buzzword in wellness spaces — but what is it really, and why does it matter so much?
As an Ayurvedic Health Counselor and nervous system educator, I see a beautiful overlap between modern neuroscience and ancient wisdom. Long before we had the language of “vagal tone” or “parasympathetic regulation,” Ayurveda was already working directly with the nervous system through gentle, nourishing practices.
What Is the Vagus Nerve?
The vagus nerve is the primary nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system — the part of us responsible for rest, digestion, repair, and recovery.
It begins in the brainstem and travels down through the throat, heart, lungs, and digestive organs. One of the most fascinating aspects of the vagus nerve is that most of its signals travel from the body to the brain, not the other way around.
This means the body is constantly informing the brain about safety, stress, nourishment, and connection.
This is one of the reasons that somatic work (where we are connecting with the sensations of the body and creating safety) is so powerful.
Why the Vagus Nerve Is So Important
The vagus nerve plays a role in:
Heart rate and breath
Digestion and gut health
Immune response and inflammation
Emotional regulation and resilience
When vagal tone is strong, we’re more adaptable and resilient. When it’s low or dysregulated, we may experience anxiety, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, or chronic tension.
The nervous system doesn’t need to be forced into calm — it needs to feel safe.
Ayurveda and the Nervous System
In Ayurveda, the nervous system is governed by Vata dosha, which is responsible for movement, communication, and sensory input.
When Vata is balanced, there is creativity, clarity, and ease. When Vata is aggravated, we may experience anxiety, restlessness, dryness, and overwhelm.
Ayurveda supports the nervous system not by stimulation, but by pacifying Vata and building Ojas — our deep reserve of vitality, immunity, and resilience.
This is done through:
Warm oil
Rest and rhythm
Nourishing foods
Gentle touch
Breath and sound
Marma Points and Vagal Regulation
Marma points are vital energy centers described in Ayurveda where physical tissues, energy, and consciousness meet.
Many marma points — especially on the face, ears, neck, chest, and abdomen — are located near areas where the vagus nerve or related cranial nerves are accessible.
Marma therapy doesn’t “stimulate” the vagus nerve in a mechanical way. Instead, it creates the conditions that allow the parasympathetic nervous system to come online naturally through safety, slowness, and care.
A Simple ACE Marma Practice
One accessible marma point for calming the nervous system is the ACE marma, located just in front of the ear where the jaw meets the ear opening.
Gently resting your fingers here, with slow breathing and minimal pressure, can help quiet the mind, soften jaw tension, and support vagal regulation.
This kind of gentle, consistent practice is often far more effective than pushing the nervous system to “relax.”
Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times
When we view the vagus nerve through an Ayurvedic lens, we’re reminded that healing doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from listening, slowing down, and creating the right conditions for balance.
The body already knows how to heal. Our role is to support it with care.
