Farewell PCOS, Hello PMOS: a gamechanger in metabolic & hormonal health

Have you ever felt like the diagnosis you were given didn't quite tell the whole story? Maybe you were told you had "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" (PCOS) or PCOD, yet your ultrasounds came back clear of any actual cysts. Or perhaps you’ve been struggling with fertility, fatigue, "stubborn" weight gain, only to be told to "just lose weight" or "take the pill."

If you’ve felt that the label PCOS was a bit of a mismatch for your lived experience, you are not alone. In fact, the medical community has finally caught up to you.

As of this month, May 2026, The Lancet has officially published a landmark articlethat changes everything. We are officially saying goodbye to the outdated term PCOS and welcoming a more accurate, empowering name: PMOS, or Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome.

This isn’t just a fancy linguistic update. It is a fundamental shift in how we understand, diagnose, and treat a condition that affects millions of women worldwide - especially in the medical community.

The Problem with the "Cyst" Narrative

For decades, the name "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" has been a source of confusion. The term suggests that the primary issue is cysts on the ovaries. But here’s the thing: many women with the condition don't have cysts at all, and many women with cysts don't have the syndrome.

By focusing so heavily on the ovaries, the old name pigeonholed this complex condition into a "gynecological issue." The "M" in PMOS - which stands for Metabolic - is the real game-changer. It acknowledges that the root of the issue isn't just happening in your reproductive system - it’s happening in your metabolism, your blood sugar regulation, and your endocrine (hormone) signaling.

Breaking Down PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome)

When we look at the new name, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, we finally see a title that respects the complexity of your body:

1. Polyendocrine: This acknowledges that it’s not just about one hormone. It’s a dance (or sometimes a clash) between insulin, cortisol, androgens (like testosterone), and even your thyroid.

2. Metabolic: This is the heart of the matter. It highlights the role of insulin resistance and how your body processes energy.

3. Ovarian: This recognizes that the ovaries are affected by these metabolic shifts, often leading to irregular cycles or ovulation issues.

Why does this matter for you? Because research shows that roughly 70% of women with this condition go undiagnosed. By shifting the focus away from "cysts" and toward "metabolic health," we can catch the signs much earlier, long before they lead to chronic issues like Type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

The Overlooked Symptoms: It’s More Than Just Acne and Periods

When you search for "PCOS symptoms," you’ll usually see: irregular periods, acne, and excess hair growth. While these are common, they are only the tip of the iceberg.

In my practice, I see women every day who are struggling with symptoms that they never realized were connected to their hormonal/metabolic health. Do any of these sound familiar?

• Sweet Cravings: A physical, urgent need for sugar, especially after meals. (You can read more about why we crave sweets here).

• Reproductive Issues: Irregular periods and difficulty getting pregnant.

• High Androgens: Excess hair growth, severe acne and scalp hair thinning (female-pattern baldness).

• Metabolic Changes: Weight gain or difficulty losing weight, obesity and insulin resistance.

• Mental health: more prone to mood issues, depression & anxiety.

By identifying these as metabolic signals affecting the endocrine system, we can start to treat the actual cause of the imbalance - something that Ayurveda has understood all along.

The South Asian Community: A Unique Risk

For the South Asian community, the shift to PMOS is particularly vital. South Asian women have a significantly higher risk of metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance.

In the conventional medical model, many South Asian women are overlooked because they don't fit the "classic" image of PCOS. However, the "Metabolic" focus of PMOS highlights exactly why we need to be more vigilant - and running tests for hormones and insulin resistance long before major symptoms come up. Whether it’s getting into an exercise routine, adjusting diet, cutting out sugar, increasing healthy protein or addressing stress - when we recognize the metabolic roots of PMOS, this allows us to create a plan that actually works for your unique body type.

The Ayurvedic View: Agni and the Metabolic Fire

As a Naturopathic Doctor who also integrates Ayurveda, one way of seeing PMOS is through the lens of Agni. In Ayurveda, Agni is your "metabolic fire." It’s not just about digestion; it’s about how your body transforms food, thoughts, and environment into energy and tissue. When your Agni is low (Manda agni), you begin to accumulate Ama (metabolic toxins). From an Ayurvedic perspective, PMOS is a sign that your metabolic fire has been dampened. This leads to the "heaviness" associated with the condition - weight gain, lethargy, and the "clogging" of the channels (Srotas) that govern your hormones. While often all 3 doshas are involved, Kapha is often a dominant dosha, followed by Pitta & Vata to address. Healing PMOS isn't about "fixing" your hormones- it’s about rekindling your fire and your body’s innate intelligence. When we strengthen Agni, your body naturally begins to clear the metabolic "sludge," allowing your hormones to communicate clearly once again. You can explore more about hormonal insights here.

Taking the Next Step

The change from PCOS to PMOS is more than just a headline in a medical journal. It is an invitation for you to stop focussing only on cysts and start supporting your metabolism.

If you’ve been feeling unheard or if you’ve been "doing all the right things" but still feel stuck, it might be time to look at your health through this new metabolic lens. You don't have to navigate this alone. Whether you are curious about naturopathic medicine or looking for a deeper dive into Ayurveda, there is support.

Summary of Key Takeaways:

• PMOS stands for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome: a more accurate name than PCOS.

• The shift highlights that metabolism is the root cause, not just "cysts."

• 70% of cases are currently undiagnosed because we’ve been looking for the wrong things.

• South Asian women have a unique metabolic risk profile that requires attention.

• Agni (Metabolic Fire) is a key Ayurvedic concept for healing PMOS.

Are you ready to stop managing symptoms and start activating your body’s own intelligence? Let's move from confusion to metabolic clarity.

To learn more about how we can support your journey with PMOS, visit www.doctorleena.ca and explore our blog for more educational resources.

Watch the Youtube video on PCOS → PMOS

Join me on instagram: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.Leena.Ayurveda

Join me on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.Leena.Ayurveda

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About Dr. Leena Sripada
Dr. Leena Sripada is a Naturopathic Doctor and Ayurvedic Practitioner who has a focus on helping women align their bodies with nature’s wisdom. Through her integrative practice and her unique Align & Thrive with Ayurveda™ program, she combines modern science with ancient tradition to help you find lasting hormonal and metabolic balance.

Perimenopause: An Ayurvedic Perspective

By Dr. Leena Sripada, ND, AAWC

Have you noticed your fuse getting a little shorter lately? Maybe you’re waking up at 3:00 AM for no reason, staring at the ceiling while your mind races through a to-do list you haven’t even written yet. Or perhaps you’ve realized that the foods you used to love now leave you feeling bloated and sluggish.

If you’re a woman in your 40s, you might have been told that this is just “part of getting older” or that you’re “just stressed.” 

But in Ayurveda, we see this differently. Perimenopause, in the years that lead into menopause is not a disease. It doesn’t mean you are breaking down. It is a natural transition. 

If you are in balance, this transition does not have to be as difficult and dramatic as we may hear. If you are not, this phase will amplify all the underlying issues you thought were just passing symptoms.

As women, we often prioritize others and put ourselves last. We carry the weight of the household, the kids, the career, and the extended family, often running on 1% battery fueled by coffee –  while wondering why we feel so ‘off.’ 

This phase of perimenopause is a natural shift that deserves a much better roadmap. Let’s explore this through the lens of Ayurveda.

Moving into the ‘Wisdom Years’

In Ayurveda, life is divided into three stages governed by the doshas. Your childhood was the Kapha stage (growth). Your middle years – the ones you’re likely finishing up now – were the Pitta stage (productivity and achievement).

Perimenopause marks the transition into the Vata stage of life. Vata is governed by air and space. It is light, cold, dry, and mobile. When we transition into this stage, we move away from the ‘doing’ and into the ‘knowing.’ It is traditionally called the ‘Wisdom Years.’

However, if your ‘fire’ (Pitta) was burning too hot for too long, or if your ‘foundation’ (Kapha) is depleted, this transition into the airy Vata stage can feel like walking into a windstorm. This is what many call the “chaos zone” of hormonal health.

Understanding Your Imbalance

Because everyone has a unique constitution, perimenopause doesn’t look the same for everyone. Your symptoms are simply your body’s way of saying, “I need a little help with this handover.” This is a unique perspective so I want to highlight this through the Ayurvedic lens.

1. Vata Imbalance Symptoms 

If Vata is high, you might feel like a leaf in the wind. You may experience:

• Increased anxiety or ‘racing thoughts.’

• Insomnia or changes in sleep patterns.

• Constipation and gas.

• Takeaway: If you feel ‘wired but tired,’ your Vata likely needs grounding.

2. Pitta Imbalance Symptoms 

If you have a lot of internal heat, your perimenopause might feel a bit more… explosive. Look for:

• Hot flashes and night sweats (usually later in menopause).

• Irritability, anger, or even rage.

• Heavy periods.

• Takeaway: If you feel like you might snap at any moment, we need to cool your Pitta.

3. Kapha Imbalance Symptoms 

Sometimes, the transition feels heavy and stuck. Kapha symptoms include:

• Sudden weight gain that won’t budge.

• Feeling lethargic or ‘brain fog.’

• Fluid retention and swelling.

• Depression or a sense of “heaviness” in the heart.

• Takeaway: If you feel stuck and heavy, we need to clear the stagnation.

How Ayurveda Supports the Shift

In the Ayurvedic perspective, we look at your current transition through the framework of the 3 doshas – this is the foundation. 

• Digestion (Agni): If you aren’t absorbing your nutrients, your hormones don’t have the building blocks they need.

• Adrenal Support: As your ovaries begin to ‘retire,’ your adrenal glands are supposed to take over estrogen production. If you are burnt out, they can’t do their new job effectively.

• Rebuilding Reserves (Ojas): Ojas is your ‘vital essence.’ In our 40s, our Ojas is often depleted from years of over-working. Ayurveda uses specific foods and herbs to ‘juice up’ your system again.

Join Our Upcoming Webinar

If any of this resonated with you – let’s help you find your way back to center.

We are hosting a webinar specifically for women navigating this transition. We will go beyond the basics, discussing specific Ayurvedic rituals, dietary shifts for your Dosha, and how to protect your energy during this transition.

In this webinar, you will learn:

• Perimenopause through the lens of the 3 doshas – to help you understand your type.

• Ways to nourish your adrenals and hormones

• Tips to build your ojas

This is your time to move from ‘surviving’ to ‘thriving.’ You’ve spent years taking care of everyone else –  it’s time to nourish yourself and find your roadmap back home.

Click here to register for the upcoming webinar! Join us on Wednesday, April 29th at 12:00pm. 

Dr. Leena Sripada helps women with chronic and complex health concerns reconnect with their body’s innate intelligence, through a unique integration of naturopathic medicine and Ayurveda. With over 15 years of clinical experience, she is among the few naturopathic doctors in Toronto, Canada with extensive training in Ayurveda, bridging modern diagnostics with time-honored healing systems. Visit: www.doctorleena.ca

Original article published here: https://www.caishayurveda.org/perimenopause-an-ayurvedic-perspective/

FOOD AS MEDICINE & JOY: part 1 of 3

Part 1

A Winter Reflection: Beyond the Supplement

Part 2

Spring Fatigue, Allergies and Low Immunity

Part 3

One Food. Every Season. Every Age.

A Winter Reflection: Beyond the Supplements

By Dr. Leena Sripada, ND, AAWC

On mung beans, real nourishment, and the ancient wisdom that speaks to everyone — across every season and every age.

Winter is a beautiful season….if we are balanced enough to enjoy it.

It’s festive, grounding and rich with family time and shared meals. In many ways, winter is the season that most naturally invites us back to the table.

And yet every January, after the holidays, I notice the same thing — in my practice and on pharmacy shelves. Immune supplements, energy capsules, vitamin stacks. We reach for them with good intentions. I take supplements myself and they are part of my treatment plans. Part of why we need them is real — our soil is depleted, our food's nutrient profile is lower than it was for previous generations, and our lives are fast. They have their place.

But I want to offer a gentle reminder.

In the midst of optimising our nutrient intake, are we losing sight of something more fundamental — the profound, irreplaceable nourishment of real food? It might sound obvious…but let’s read on.

Rasa: The Juice of Life

In Ayurveda, there is a concept I return to again and again — in my practice and in my own life. It is called Rasa.

Rasa is a beautifully layered word. It means:

• taste and flavour

• the essence of sensory enjoyment

• experience

• the very juice of life itself

Rasa dhatu is the first tissue formed after digestion. It governs hydration, lymphatic flow, emotional nourishment, and the foundation of our vitality.

When we eat real food with presence and enjoyment — when flavours open on the tongue and warmth spreads through the chest — we build healthy Rasa dhatu.

When we eat without presence… rushing, distracted, stressed… Rasa becomes thin. This shows up as fatigue, anxiety, dryness, and that particular emotional hunger — a lack of satisfaction after meals that no supplement can touch. The body receives information, but not nourishment. There is a real difference between the two. And we feel it.

A capsule can deliver nutrients. It cannot spark delight, create warmth, evoke memory, or satisfy the deep human need for real nourishment.

The Power of Warm Broths in Winter

Winter makes a specific and often underestimated metabolic demand. Our bodies work continuously to maintain core temperature — drawing on iron stores, protein reserves, and digestive fire — Agni — to convert food into usable energy and warmth.

This is not depletion. It is the body doing exactly what it is designed to do. But it does mean that winter rewards deep, warming nourishment above all else.

If you look across cultures that lived in cold climates — almost every one of them developed a tradition of warm broths, slow-cooked legumes, and spiced soups in winter. Not by coincidence. By centuries of accumulated wisdom about what a body needs when the temperature drops.

"Food prepared with love and care, eaten in a calm and happy environment, nourishes us not just in the body — but in the nervous system and whole being."

The Power of Mung Bean Soup in Ayurveda

Among all the foods Ayurveda recommends for winter, mung beans hold a uniquely revered place. They are considered the most sattvic of legumes — bringing clarity and peace of mind alongside physical strength. Unlike heavier beans that can cause gas and sluggishness, mung beans are light enough to digest with ease, yet dense enough in nutrition to genuinely sustain.

In my own home, one of the first things I make when the cold settles in is a lentil soup — a simple soup with split mung beans, veggies, simmered with turmeric, cumin, and ginger. It is warm, satisfying, and grounding in a way that is hard to describe but easy to feel. In my practice, it is often the first food I recommend to patients who are depleted, stressed, or simply in need of something real.

A warm mung broth delivers on every level:

• Plant protein: highly digestible, building immunity and strength without burdening digestion.

• Iron: carrying oxygen to every cell, directly supporting warmth and sustained energy.

• Prebiotic fibre: feeding beneficial gut bacteria, supporting immunity, and slow-release energy through cold, dark days.

• B vitamins, magnesium and choline: supporting liver function, nerve health, and adrenal resilience.

When mung beans are sprouted before preparation — as Ayurveda has always recommended — this nourishment deepens further. Sprouting breaks down antinutrients, making protein, iron, and B vitamins substantially more bioavailable. More absorbed. More delivered. More felt.

This is not just a nutritious meal. It is Rasa dhatu being built in real time — hydration, vitality, and emotional ease replenishing with every warm sip.

I recently discovered Moong Pani, which makes mung bean broths and meals, right here in  Toronto. For those who don't have time to sprout and slow-cook traditionally — and most of us don't — Moong Pani bridges that gap. Sprouted mung beans, spiced with intention, ready in minutes. Not a supplement. Food.

The Energetics of Eating

In Ayurveda, how we eat matters as much as what we eat. There is a whole science of lifestyle — of daily rhythm, of eating at the right times for our constitution — that shapes how deeply food nourishes us.

When we rush and eat without presence, even the most nutritious food does not fully nourish us. But healthy, fresh food prepared with love and care, eaten in a calm and happy environment, nourishes us not just in the body — but in the nervous system and whole being.

The ritual of sitting with a warm cup of mung broth — holding it, breathing in the steam, tasting the spices — is as nourishing as the broth itself.

A Final Thought

In a season as rich and connective as winter, this is the invitation: return to the table. Let food be your first medicine.

May we feel nourished, hydrated, and supported.

May our Rasa be full and flowing.

Next — Part 2: Spring Fatigue, Allergies and Low Immunity — Why That Happens and How to Change That

→  Discover Moong Pani — sprouted mung bean broth for real nourishment

Dr. Leena Sripada, ND, AAWC is a Naturopathic Doctor and Ayurvedic practitioner writing at the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern health.

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To work with Dr Leena, you can visit: www.doctorleena.ca

To learn more about Moong Pani, visit: https://moongpani.com

Struggling With Constant Noise?

Dr. Leena Sripada, ND, AAWC

Many people don’t know this … but I am a musician.

I was musician first before I became a doctor - and my experience of music and sound has also been a gateway to my nervous system. Trained through the conservatory since I was 6 years old, daily practice for years with commitment and dedication. Music has taken me to perform professionally around the globe, in areas as remote as the Himalayas, to popular venues in NY and beyond. But for me, the sound of the violin is something that can become so meditative for me, that I can forget about everything and just tune into the music. It doesn’t matter where I am or who I’m with, the experience of sound can be very profound.

This means that I am also sensitive to sounds - not just loud sounds, but sounds that have certain frequencies - which includes sounds on phones, on tv, from electronics etc.

So I want to bring this article to you to share something that most people don’t think about or know…but sound can be a gateway to healing as well…..

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Have you ever notice how you can be physically exhausted but still can't quiet your mind? Or how even in "silent" moments, your nervous system feels like it's still buzzing?

Here's something you might not have considered: your ears are absorbing more stress than you realize. And in a world of pinging notifications, traffic hum, and the endless drone of devices, your nervous system is paying the price.

The good news? Ayurveda has been working with sound as medicine for thousands of years: and it's not about adding more noise. It's about giving your system the right kind of sound to actually heal.

The Ayurvedic View: Your Ears Are Portals to Space

In Ayurveda, each of your five senses corresponds to an element. Your sense of hearing is governed by Akasha (Ether or Space): the most subtle element, the "container" from which everything else emerges.

Think of it this way: space is the emptiness that allows sound to travel. When your sound environment is cluttered: constant background noise, overlapping conversations, the hum of electronics: it's like cramming too much into a container. There's no room for anything else to land. Including rest.

The ear is also closely connected to Vayu (Air element), which governs movement, communication, and your nervous system. When Vata is aggravated (which happens easily in our modern, overstimulated lives), you feel it as anxiety, racing thoughts, restlessness, and that "wired but tired" sensation so many of us know too well.

Here's the thing: Your nervous system doesn't distinguish between "important" and "unimportant" noise. It registers all of it as stimulation. And when you're constantly exposed to chaotic, unpredictable sound, your body stays locked in sympathetic mode - fight or flight - even when there's no actual danger.

Modern Noise Pollution Is Hijacking Your Healing

Let's be real: our ancestors didn't have text notifications every three minutes. The constant auditory input we experience daily keeps your nervous system on high alert, blocking your body's natural ability to enter the parasympathetic state (rest, digest, and repair).

For women in perimenopause or dealing with burnout, this is even more critical. When your nervous system can't downshift, your hormones stay dysregulated, your sleep suffers, and inflammation runs rampant. You might be eating clean, taking your supplements, and moving your body: but if your ears are still processing stress signals all day, you're missing a major piece of the healing puzzle.

This is where Ayurvedic sound therapy: called Naada Chikitsa: comes in. Unlike the chaotic noise that keeps you activated, therapeutic sound uses intentional, rhythmic vibrations to do the opposite; slow your brainwaves, release muscle tension, and guide your nervous system back into safety.

How Sound Healing Actually Works

Sound baths and Ayurvedic sound therapy aren't just "relaxing background music." They work through a process called brainwave entrainment: your brain literally synchronizes its activity with the vibrations it's receiving.

When you're exposed to the deep, resonant tones of singing bowls, gongs, or chanting, your brain shifts from beta waves (alert, thinking mode) to alpha and theta waves (relaxed, meditative states). This isn't just a nice feeling: it's measurable nervous system regulation.

Studies on singing bowl meditation show significant reductions in tension, anger, fatigue, and depressed mood after just one session. And unlike popping a pill or forcing yourself through another breathwork session when you're already depleted, sound therapy requires almost nothing from you. You just receive.

In Ayurveda, we call this Sattvic sound - pure, balancing vibrations that restore harmony without adding more demands to your already-overloaded system.

Your Sound Diet: Simple Practices for Home

You don't need a crystal sound bath studio in your basement to benefit from this. Here are some ways to bring Ayurvedic sound healing into your daily routine

1. Morning Humming
Before you even check your phone, sit quietly and hum with your lips closed. The vibration stimulates your vagus nerve - the main highway of your parasympathetic nervous system.

2. Intentional Silence
Create pockets of true quiet in your day. No podcast, no music, no TV in the background. Let your ears rest. If you're someone who fills every moment with sound, this might feel uncomfortable at first: and that's exactly the point.

3. Chanting or Toning
You don't need to be religious or know Sanskrit. Simply chanting "Om" or humming a single tone activates the same calming pathways. You can also try AUM chanting.

4. Sound Bath Recordings
There are beautiful recordings of singing bowls, gongs, and tanpura available online. Even 10 minutes before bed can shift your nervous system into deep rest mode and improve sleep quality.

5. Notice Your Sound Environment
Start paying attention to what your ears are taking in throughout the day. Can you turn off the TV when you're not actively watching? Silence your phone more often? Choose one room in your home to be a "quiet zone"?

Nervous System Healing Is the Foundation

In my practice, I see this pattern constantly: people doing all the right things: eating well, exercising, taking their herbs: but still feeling stuck because their nervous system never gets the signal that it's safe to heal.

Sound is one of the most direct pathways into nervous system regulation. It bypasses your thinking mind and speaks directly to the ancient parts of your brain that control stress response, hormone balance, and immune function.

When you give your ears: and by extension, your entire nervous system: the gift of healing sound, you're not just "relaxing." You're creating the conditions for deep cellular repair, better sleep, balanced hormones, and a mind that can finally quiet down.

So maybe this week, instead of adding another supplement or wellness hack to your routine, try subtracting some noise. Create space. Let your system rest in intentional sound: or intentional silence.

Your nervous system has been working overtime. It's time to give it what it's been asking for all along: permission to be still.

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Dr. Leena Sripada is a naturopathic doctor who integrates Ayurveda, for nervous system healing. If you're struggling with burnout, hormonal imbalances, or chronic stress, book a consultation to explore how Ayurveda can support your healing journey.

What is Oil Pulling?

A recently popular ancient Ayurvedic practice - revisited.

By Dr. Leena Sripada, ND, AAWC

Recently there has been lots of hype about the health benefits of oil pulling – a process of swishing oil in the mouth for about 10 to 20 minutes and then spitting it out to pull out toxins from the mouth. This technique, which claims to originate from Ayurveda, is a modern adaptation of some of the traditional Ayurvedic methods of daily self care known as gandusa and kavala. These therapies are not only prescribed to detoxify the oral cavity, but are also used to strengthen muscle tone in the neck, throat, jaw, and face in addition to treating systemic conditions such as arthritis and migraines. Substances such as ghee, oil, milk or herbal decoctions are gargled, swished or retained in the mouth for a specific duration at a specific time of the day.  The type of treatment, the duration and the oil used is always customized to your constitution for maximum benefit.

The technique has been around for centuries, but the term oil pulling is a modern term adapted by Western practitioners and this technique has spread in the last decade to the point where even dentists are starting to advocate the technique as part of a daily health routine.

How does Oil Pulling work?

There is no doubt that your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria and toxins.  The oral cavity is constantly exposed to food which feed bacteria that reside on the teeth, gums and tongue.  While bacteria naturally reside in the oral cavity, when an overgrowth of non-beneficial bacteria flourish, they produce unwanted toxins. This leads to cavities, bad breath and other health concerns.While regular dental visits are important, as you know, daily self-care such as brushing and flossing are essential. Sometimes daily brushing and flossing are not enough, and further self-care is needed.

In Ayurveda, oils are used therapeutically topically and internally.  Oil has a lubricating and grounding quality and is beneficial for imbalances related to vata (air and ether element). Externally, specific oils are used for massages and therapies, and internally, they are beneficial for lubricating the digestive tract and tissues. Oil Pulling  involves retention of specific oils which help cleanse the oral cavity, fight unwanted bacteria and plaque while rejuvenating the gums.

If you have ever tried oil pulling, you will know that your cheeks and mouth muscles get tired.  The technique involves active use of muscles in the oral cavity which helps strengthen muscle tone in addition to increasing blood flow which bring nutrients to the tissues and carries away waste products.  From a TCM perspective, stimulation of the oral and facial muscles can activate acupuncture points and reduce stagnation in the area to increase flow of qi or energy.

Benefits Of Oil Pulling:

• Strengthens teeth & gums

• Maintains healthy oral pH

• Promotes flora balance

• Reduces inflammation

• Prevents plaque build up

• Increases circulation to oral tissues

• Draws toxins out of mouth

• Reduces frequency of colds and infections

How Is It Done?

Oil pulling can be done on a regular basis, however the specific duration and type of oil that is best for you is determined by your Ayurvedic practitioner based on your age, constitution, and state of health. For some individuals, it may be recommended to do daily for several weeks and for others, 1-2 times a week may be sufficient.

Here is a general example of oil pulling that you can try:

1. In the morning, after brushing your teeth and cleaning your tongue, take 1 Tbsp. of coconut oil or sesame oil and swish it in your mouth.

2. Continue swishing actively for about 10 to 15 minutes, involving all of your mouth muscles until you feel them getting tired. The oil will liquefying and the saliva will build up. (You can even do this as you shower.)

3. Once finished, do not swallow - discard the oil in the garbage (not down the sink so that you don't clog up the drain). Feel free to brush your teeth and clean your tongue again if there is a lot of residue. 

While the common oil used for oil pulling is coconut oil, other oils such as sesame or herbal oils with antimicrobial herbs must be individually tailored to you.  Coconut oil has excellent anti-viral and cooling properties, and can suit a person with a Pitta constitution and is better suited in the warmer season while sesame oil may suit individuals who have a Vata constitution or better suited in the fall and winter. Turmeric may be blended with the oil to increase anti-microbial effects.  Oil pulling can be done preventatively for individuals who are prone to colds and respiratory infections at change of seasons.

Since oil pulling is a gentle detoxification therapy, it is always best to do it under guidance of your practitioner for long-term so that the duration of treatment can be customized, along with any additional natural therapies that will support detoxification and healing of the oral cavity.

Fasting: Is it Right for You?

By Dr. Leena Sripada 

Does the thought of going off food for a few hours scare you? How about going off food for a day? 
While skipping meals may not be good for you, therapeutic fasting under guidance can have many health benefits. In a world where we are inundated with information on what foods to eat, sometimes taking a short break from food can reset the digestive system and metabolism to process your nutrition more efficiently.

While intermittent fasting is a newer trend that you may have heard of, fasting is not a new concept. If you look at most of the major traditions in the world, fasting was observed in many of the religious and spiritual times of the year: Lent for Christians, Ramadan for Muslims, Passover for Jews, Ekadasi and Shivratri for Hindus. Fasting was often aligned to the natural cleansing periods of the solar and lunar calendars. Spring is one of those significant periods where food is naturally scarce and we can burn up the excess fat stores after winter.

Fasting essentially means abstaining from food for a period of time, but the actual practice of fasting may vary from completely avoiding food and water to taking lighter foods or juices such vegetable broths, coconut water or fruit juices.

What are the different types of fasting?

We will explore common types of fasting and their therapeutic benefits. Speak to your ND before you start any of these fasts for more than one day so they can guide you on the safest and most effective method for you.

• Water fasting: this is the most stringent type of fasting where you avoid food and beverages completely other than water. This should only be done under guidance by a health professional and avoided in individuals with blood sugar imbalance. Individuals with a Kapha constitution often respond well to this type of fasting, but you should only do it for a short period of time.

• Juice or broth fasting: this fasting involves avoidance of solid food and includes drinking only light beverages that are either fresh pressed fruit or vegetables, herbal teas or cooked broths. These liquids provide nutrition that can be absorbed by the body without taxing the digestive system.  Kapha body types do better with vegetable juices with bitter, astringent and pungent tastes like leafy greens and ginger and Pitta types respond well to fresh, cooling juices such as cucumber, celery or watermelon. This type of fasting may be difficult for vatas, but may be done for a short period of time.

• Mono diet or Kitchari fast: this fasting doesn't mean you avoid food altogether; you choose specific healthy foods that are simple and easy to digest. Choosing the same combination of food over a period of days allows the body basic nutrition without taxing the digestive system. A typical example is an Ayurvedic kitchari fast where you eat an Ayurvedic stew for each meal of the day and typically is vegetable based and free of common allergens such as wheat, dairy and eggs. Or you may eat only steamed vegetables in a mono diet. This type of 'fasting' is suitable for vata body types.

• Intermittent fasting: this method has recently gained popularity and involves eating food during specific times of the day and avoiding food for 16 hours or more. For example, you would skip breakfast and eat lunch & dinner between 1pm - 8pm and avoid food after that. Another method may involve eating a brunch at 10pm, giving a break and eating dinner at 6pm.

What are the benefits of fasting?

Rest is an essential part of healing, and there's no exception for the digestive system. During evolution, humans would alternate between periods of abundant food to scarcity and it would be common to go through days with little food. Fasting activates a process called 'autophagy' where cells break down cell components and damaged structures and use them for energy. This is an essential process of renewal which increases longevity. This process is triggered by around 12-24 hours of fasting. There is a lot of growing research in this field of the benefits of autophagy. When you take a break from eating, initially you may feel weak, but once you pass a certain point, the body kicks start another process to generate fuel.

Some of the benefits you may experience with therapeutic fasting:

• Weight loss

• Improved energy

• Enhanced clarity & focus

• Improved digestion

• Reduced insulin resistance

• Reduced inflammation

• Increased longevity

Who can benefit from fasting?

If you have never fasted before, it is important that you start slowly and work with your ND to make a plan based on your body type and health concerns. If you have blood sugar imbalances (diabetes, pre-diabetes or adrenal insufficiency due to stress) fasting may be less advisable for you, though fasting is recommended for some individuals to reduce insulin resistance. Those with a Vata constitution do not do as well avoiding food. Cleansing for this type may include doing a mono-diet (eating the same foods over a period of days or weeks) such as a kitchari cleanse in Ayurveda. Pitta types and Kapha types generally experience many benefits from fasting. For these types, doing a warm herbal tea in the morning and fasting until lunch can support the body in detoxification.


It is always recommended to work with your ND on ways that fasting can be incorporated safely for your body type and lifestyle. Always drink water or herbal teas while fasting (unless you are doing a ‘dry fast’). Incorporating therapeutic fasting into your daily routine will allow your digestive system to rest and your body to go into cleaning mode. When your body has a chance to clean up, you will burn your fuel better, feel lighter and absorb your nutrients more efficiently.

For those of you who would like to do a cleanse, but many be newer to fasting, we invite you to join our 21-day Spring Renewal reset which includes meditation, yoga & a guided kitchari cleanse as part of the program.

PROGRAM STARTS MID FEBRUARY, 2026.