Actionable Ayurveda with Salila

Salila Ayurveda
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Alternative Health

Salila Sukumaran is a generational Ayurveda practitioner, nutritionist, and 500-hr yogi based in Silicon Valley, California. A TEDx speaker and AYUSH Yoga Ambassador, she's been featured in Washington Post, Healthline, MindBodyGreen, and Popsugar. Trusted by a community of over 200,000 worldwide, Salila has guided hundreds of celebrity clients through transformative healing. This podcast gives women struggling with gut health, hormonal chaos, and fertility actionable ayurveda rituals to reset with herbs, oils, and teas. Listen for loving Ayurveda wisdom from a sister, healer, and friend.

  1. May 25

    Your Skin Is Not the Problem — Your Blood Is! Sacred Herb Series continues..

    Your skin has been trying to tell you something. Manjishta is how you finally listen.In this episode of Actionable Ayurveda, I share a good bit of what I know about Manjishta — Rubia cordifolia, the ancient blood-purifying root that has been my own skin's secret weapon for over a decade.Whether you're living with hormonal breakouts, hyperpigmentation, hot flashes, or skin that just looks dull and tired no matter what you put on it — this episode is for you. Because in Ayurveda, your skin is not a surface problem. Your skin is a messenger. And what it's trying to tell you lives in your blood.In this episode you'll learn:→ Why your skin condition is a blood purification problem — not a skincare problem→ The classical Ayurvedic profile of Manjishta and why it confuses even practitioners→ The truth about whether Manjishta is heating or cooling — and why both answers are right→ A cold infusion for summer skin flares and hot flashes you can make today→ A 3-ingredient face mask for acne and dark spots using Manjishta powder→ A hot decoction for chronic, deep-seated skin conditionsWhat we cover: 0:00 — IntroSalila's grandmother harvested Manjishta roots whose red stain she now recognizes as powerful medicine. The herb has been her skin's best friend through hormonal chaos and stress breakouts for a decade. 1:57 — Client StoryStressed client "Kim" broke out in hormonal acne and rashes. Key insight: skin is a messenger of the blood. A simple Manjishta-based oil routine cleared her skin and stabilized her mood within weeks. 4:14 — What is Manjishta?A raktashodhaka — blood purifier — native to hilly regions of India and Southeast Asia. Qualities: heavy, dry, bitter, astringent, sweet. Its metabolic heat burns toxins without causing inflammation, making it both heating AND pitta-pacifying. 7:29 — What It TreatsComplexion, skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis, acne), wounds, inflammation, PCOS/endometriosis, eye & ear issues, diabetes, urinary disorders, toxic blood. A full-body blood purifier — not just a skin herb. 10:53 — 3 Remedies Cold infusion — Soak 2 tbsp powder overnight in 2 cups water, drink in the morning. Best for summer, hot flashes, perimenopause.Face mask — Manjishta paste on acne/dark spots for 5–15 min. Full recipe adds gram flour, turmeric, neem, sandalwood, rose water.Hot decoction — Simmer 1 tbsp in 2 cups water down to 1 cup; drink 25 mL warm on an empty stomach morning and before dinner.19:42 — Heating Herb Confusion ClearedManjishta's heat is metabolic, not inflammatory — it burns ama toxins and actually reduces swelling and skin inflammation. 22:17 — Names & Closing  Known as Rasayani (the rejuvenator). Pick one remedy, use the right dose, and write to Salila with your results. "When you walk in the light of Ayurveda, longevity follows you like a shadow" ~ Salila ✦ This week's one action:Choose one remedy from today's episode and try it this week. If you're dealing with summer heat, flushing, or hormonal breakouts — start with the cold infusion. If your skin concern runs deeper and more chronic — try the decoction. If you want to begin on the outside — make the face mask. One remedy. This week. Notice what shifts.Resources mentioned:• Manjishta — Rubia cordifolia | available as powder or capsule from your local Ayurvedic store• Cold infusion: Manjishta powder steeped in room-temperature or cool water overnight• Face mask: Manjishta powder + chickpea flour (besan) + almond or rose water to paste• Hot decoction: Manjishta simmered in water, reduced, strained, taken warmWork with Salila: Book a consultation → https://calendly.com/salilasukumaran/recoveryInstagram → @salila.ayurvedaEmail → healwithsalila@gmail.com This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic or medical practitioner before beginning any herbal protocol, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or managing a health condition.

    27 min

  2. Jan 27

    Women's Bodies, Women's Herb ~ Shatavari, the Mother Herb

    Salila introduces the Actionable Ayurveda sacred herb series, sharing her lineage as a generational Ayurvedic practitioner rooted in Kerala, southern India, now teaching from California. She presents Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), also known as Narayani “the divine sustainer of life” as a foundational rasayana herb for depletion, hormonal imbalance, digestive weakness, nervous system stress, and long-term vitality, particularly for women. Shatavari is described as a climbing undershrub from the lily family with delicate white flowers, and red berries. The medicinal portion is the tuberous root, which is deeply nourishing and rejuvenative. Salila clarifies the Sanskrit etymology: shata (hundred) and aavarana (layers or coverings), referring to the plant’s protective sheaths, correcting the common mistranslation of “she with a hundred husbands.” Salila explains Shatavari’s Ayurvedic profile: madhura (sweet) and tikta (bitter) rasa, guru (heavy) and snigdha (unctuous) guna, madhura vipaka, and shita virya (cooling potency). These qualities make it deeply tissue-building, anti-inflammatory, and supportive for the liver and hormonal system, while requiring caution for cold, dry vata conditions if misused. Shatavari pacifies vata through nourishment and grounding, and pitta through cooling and sweetness. Salila references classical texts. She emphasizes its role as a potent rasayana supporting longevity, fertility, lactation, intelligence, and vitality. Protocol one addresses gastritis and acid irritation: She shares a preparation that soothes the stomach lining, rebuilds digestive tissue, and supports the microbiome, with relief often reported within a week. For hormonal balance, Salila explains Shatavari’s estrogenic action and cautions against continuous use in high-estrogen conditions without guidance. For hormonal acne and inflammatory skin issues Salila shares how the cooling nature addresses pitta-driven inflammation at the root. As a medhya rasayana, Shatavari supports anxiety, chronic stress, and nervous exhaustion. Shatavari nourishes the nervous system, supports sleep, recovery, hair growth, and stress resilience. Salila outlines contraindications including fibroids, elevated prolactin, breast tenderness, diabetes medication use, and pregnancy. Dosage guidelines are included so listeners can safely use the herb. CONNECT WITH SALILA: Instagram: @salila.ayurveda Email: healwithsalila@gmail.com Book a Consultation: https://calendly.com/salilasukumaran/recovery PRODUCTS MENTIONED: Shatavari Gulam (herbal jam) Shatavari Churna (powder) NEXT EPISODE: Sacred Herbs Series continues with another cherished botanical ally, Manjistha, for women's wellness.

    33 min

  3. 12/26/2025

    The Power of Triphala: Reverse Burnout In 21 Days

    In this episode of 'Actionable Ayurveda,' Salila, an Ayurveda practitioner, discusses the devastating feeling of becoming a stranger to oneself and how Ayurvedic practices can help restore vitality and beauty. Salila shares insights on the ancient herb Triphala and its profound healing benefits, particularly for women feeling burnt out and unfulfilled. The episode includes real-life transformations and details five practical protocols using trifala to rejuvenate your body, enhance mental clarity, and regain youthful energy. Special emphasis is placed on the simple yet powerful steps that high-achieving women can integrate into their daily routines to feel more alive and present in their lives.00:00 Introduction: The Struggle of Self-Recognition00:16 Ayurveda Practitioner Salila's Story01:10 The Modern Woman's Dilemma01:56 Welcome to Actionable Ayurveda02:30 The Power of Ancient Herbs02:51 The Common Complaint: Not Feeling Beautiful03:54 The Wisdom of Ancient Queens06:31 The Five-Step Protocol for Vitality13:10 Protocol 1: The Executive's Evening Reset14:52 Protocol 2: The Metabolic Reset16:15 Protocol 3: The Vision Restoration Ritual17:08 Naomi's Transformation18:10 Protocol 4: The Cellular Renewal Mask20:42 Protocol 5: The Morning Intelligence Activation21:40 Conclusion: Embrace Your Body's Wisdom Interested in a Heal with Salila program? Apply here: https://forms.gle/HBWcPBut3PSqEWfo8 Salila is social, reach out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salila.ayurveda/?hl=en

    24 min

  4. 08/17/2025

    You've Been Taking Ashwagandha Wrong — Stop Taking Ashwagandha Until You've Heard This!

    Welcome to Season 5, Sacred Herb Series: From Root to Remedy. Unlock the secrets to enhanced vitality and mental clarity with Ashwagandha, the Ayurvedic herb renowned for its rejuvenating and adaptogenic properties, tailored especially for the modern warrior woman. Join me, Salila, on this journey to reclaiming your well-being, as I share a transformative five-step action plan that promises to alleviate fatigue, stress, and anxiety within just 30 days. You'll hear from Priya, a client whose life was changed by incorporating Ashwagandha into her bedtime routine, restoring her peace and improving her sleep. Whether it's through a soothing drink or a mindful breathing practice, these rituals honor your body's inherent wholeness. Embrace the mantra "I honor my needs, I nourish my roots, I am already whole," as we explore the grounding nature of Ashwagandha with the promise of delving into Triphala next. This episode is your invitation to pause, listen to your inner wisdom, and celebrate the completeness of who you are. SUMMARY (00:00) Reclaiming Vitality With Ashwagandha This chapter of Actionable Ayurveda, we focus on Ashwagandha, a powerful Ayurvedic herb known for its rejuvenating and adaptogenic properties. I speak directly to the modern warrior woman who juggles multiple roles and often feels depleted. By introducing Ashwagandha into your routine, particularly through a calming bedtime ritual, you can experience enhanced vitality, sharper focus, and improved sleep. I share a personal five-step Ashwagandha action plan that can be implemented over 30 days to help combat fatigue, stress, and anxiety. This chapter aims to empower women to reclaim their vitality and thrive in their personal and professional lives. (14:32) Nurturing Immunity and Longevity With Ashwagandha This chapter explores the concept of rasayana in Ayurveda, which promotes a long and healthy life by optimizing ojas, the subtle essence of immunity. Ashwagandha, when combined with other herbs like Triphala, Brahmi, or Shankhapushpi, can increase its healing properties, providing strength, anti-aging benefits, and relief from various ailments. I also share practical ways to incorporate ashwagandha into daily routines, such as consuming it with milk or alternatives like almond or oat milk for those with dietary restrictions. (21:38) Ayurveda This chapter explores the profound wisdom of Ayurveda as a path to living life well and reconnecting with our true selves amidst life's chaos. We discuss the significance of honoring our needs, understanding that our body is a temple, and acknowledging our inherent wholeness. Highlighting the healing power of herbs like ashwagandha, shatavari, triphala, and tulasi, we view them not as mere supplements but as messages of love and healing from Mother Earth. Book A Free Recovery Session with Salila to explore your health needs: https://calendly.com/salilasukumaran/recovery (please note invitations are extended to only those who are a good fit for Heal with Salila programs)

    24 min

  5. 05/30/2025

    How to Turn Fever into a Healing Experience & Find Strength Even in Sickness

    In this episode of 'Actionable Ayurveda,' Salila guides busy professional women on how to view fever as an opportunity for healing and strength through Ayurvedic practices. She shares her personal experience and professional insights on managing minor fevers. Highlighting the importance of recognizing early signs of fever, Salila outlines a five-step actionable plan, emphasizing gentle, free remedies that tap into the body's natural intelligence. She discusses dietary and lifestyle adjustments, such as fasting, hydration with warm drinks, and the use of kitchen herbs like ginger, garlic, and turmeric. Salila also stresses the importance of avoiding heavy foods, daytime sleep, cold baths, physical strain, and astringent foods during a fever. With patient stories and personal anecdotes, Salila encourages listeners to respect and work with their body's signals for better health and resilience. Book A Call with Salila: https://calendly.com/salilasukumaran/recovery

    26 min

  6. 04/09/2025

    Spring Into Health: Clear Your Allergies with 5 Potent Ayurvedic Healing Hacks

    If you are spending $$ on allergy meds this Spring season, it's a complete waste - here's why. You do not understand the natural ways our body detoxes during Spring, preparing for Summer. Today's episode goes beyond mere symptom management, inviting you to see allergies as powerful messengers of imbalance, urging a return to nature's harmony. Through the lens of my case studies, we unravel how simple, age-old practices like nasya nasal therapy can transform your well-being, offering clearer skin, better sleep, and balanced hormones. Embrace the challenge of seasonal changes, reflecting on how a spring fraught with allergies can teach us about self-care and community. Let's walk this healing journey together, blending tradition with modern insights, and create a sacred space of wellness. Don't forget to write to me Salila@ayurgamaya.com with your suggestions and leave us a review so others can find us and benefit from Ayurveda. blessings Salila Chapter Summaries (00:00) Seasonal Allergies and Ayurvedic Wisdom Spring allergies and Ayurvedic balance, fasting during Chaitra Navratri, and choosing light, warming foods for detoxification. (06:15) Balancing Kapha in Allergy Season Grandmother's survival, ancient dietary practices, lighter meals, horse gram, nasya therapy for health benefits. (22:15) Reconnecting With Seasonal Allergies Seasonal allergies can serve as messages from our bodies, urging self-care and reconnection with ancient wisdom. Resources: Download the Kapha Diet E -Book https://salilasukumaran.podia.com/view/downloads/the-kapha-diet-book Nasya Tutorial: Do It Right! https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ch7SQNzjjon/?igsh=bHdyYWE0dXlhbDlv Want to Work With Me? Book a FREE session here: https://calendly.com/salilasukumaran/recovery

    25 min

  7. 02/26/2025

    Healing Diabetes Naturally: What 21 Generations of Ayurvedic Healers Know

    Join me, Salila, as we understand diabetes, through the lens of Ayurvedic principles. By understanding the delicate interplay of our doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha—we uncover the initial stages of diabetes and how our body's harmony becomes disrupted. You'll learn about the vital role of medha and maamsa dhatus, our fat and muscle tissues, and how they influence our ojas, the life-sustaining essence within us. Meet Katie, a finance executive whose personal journey brings to light the emotional burden of a pre-diabetes diagnosis despite a healthy lifestyle. Together, we discuss the significance of pathya ahara—adapting our diet to life's phases—and explore the concept of kledha, the liquid part of the rasa, the first essence of our nourishment. Through Katie's story, we gain insights into the wisdom of adjusting our diet according to our body's needs and life circumstances. Join us as we reconnect with our Ayurvedic intelligence to nurture a vibrant, purpose-driven life. Chapters: 1. Introduction: Reconnecting to Ayurvedic Intelligence (00:13 - 01:18) Salila welcomes listeners to another episode of Actionable Ayurveda and introduces the topic—Madhumeya (diabetes). She sets the tone with a grounding breath exercise, reminding listeners that their bodies are sacred temples that require mindful care amidst the rush of modern life. 2. Understanding Madhumeya & Prameha (01:18 - 03:15) Salila breaks down the Sanskrit terms Madhumeya and Prameha, explaining diabetes from an Ayurvedic perspective. She describes how excessive sugar disrupts the body's natural balance, leading to the loss of vital tissues (medha dhatu and maamsa dhatu), which in turn affects ojas, the essence of vitality. 3. Katie’s Story: A Modern Dilemma (03:15 - 04:39) Salila shares the story of Katie, a finance executive diagnosed with pre-diabetes despite maintaining a seemingly healthy lifestyle. This personal narrative highlights the disconnect between modern health habits and the body’s deeper messages. 4. The Role of Kledha in Diabetes (04:39 - 06:40) Introducing Kledha, the liquid essence of nourishment, Salila explains its critical role in tissue formation. 5. Modern Lifestyle & Ayurvedic Wisdom (06:40 - 08:06) Salila explores how modern sedentary lifestyles (Ashya Sukham), excessive sleep (Swapna Sukham), and chronic stress (Chinta) contribute to diabetes. 6. Ayurvedic Dietary Solutions (08:06 - 09:46) Salila introduces food choices that support blood sugar balance. She discusses the importance of recognizing dosha imbalances, incorporating bitter and astringent foods. 7. Buttermilk: A Forgotten Remedy (09:46 - 10:19) She emphasizes the benefits of homemade takra (buttermilk) as a powerful Ayurvedic tool for stabilizing blood sugar. 8. Daily Rituals for Balance (10:19 - 10:57) Salila shares Katie’s tailored Ayurvedic lifestyle plan, including morning meditation with fenugreek, cumin, and carom seeds, and incorporating millet-based breakfasts and mindful movement post-meals to regulate blood sugar. 9. Transforming the Kitchen into a Healing Space (10:57 - 13:04) Salila introduces Pathya Ahara (wholesome foods) and Apathya (foods to avoid), emphasizing ancient grains, bitter greens, legumes, and rejuvenating berries while discouraging processed foods, heavy meats, and cooling root vegetables. 10. Mindful Eating: A Shift in Perspective (13:04 - 14:09) Katie initially saw dietary changes as restrictive, but Salila reframes them as loving choices that create sneha (nourishment and self-care), ensuring a sustainable, health-supportive lifestyle. 11. Closing Reflections: Your Body’s AI (14:09 - End) Salila encourages listeners to tune into their body's wisdom and share their journeys. She invites engagement, emphasizing that Ayurveda is an ongoing conversation between ancient knowledge and modern living. Book A Call with Salila: https://calendly.com/salilasukumaran/recovery

    16 min

  8. 02/20/2025

    The Ancient Secret To Fixing Your Joint Pain (That Modern Doctors Won't Tell You)

    Picture this: Maitreyi, a driven data scientist, finds herself trapped in the cycle of nagging joint pain, a side effect of our modern lifestyle that many of us know too well. We explore the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda to understand how our habits, such as prolonged sitting, can disrupt the Vata Dosha, which is often manifested as joint discomfort and inflammation. Together, we'll dissect personal experiences, including Maitreyi's, to unveil the hidden factors like dosha imbalance and the accumulation of ama, the body's toxins, that contribute to this pervasive issue. Through the lens of Maitreyi's uplifting story, we highlight the transformative power of simple Ayurvedic practices in alleviating stiffness, even amid the challenges posed by changing weather conditions. Her journey back to dancing serves as a poignant reminder of the body's potential for healing when aligned with nature's rhythms. We encourage you to reflect on your own experiences, perhaps noticing how your joints speak to you at different times of the day. (00:15) Ayurvedic Solutions for Joint Aches Ayurvedic perspective on joint pain, Vata Dosha imbalance, lifestyle habits, and reconnecting with our body's intelligence. (13:59) Healing Joints Through Weather Changes Maitreyi's inspiring journey to alleviate morning stiffness and regain mobility through simple practices, fostering a supportive community for healing and well-being. Book A Call with Salila here: https://calendly.com/salilasukumaran/discovery

    15 min
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Salila Sukumaran is a generational Ayurveda practitioner, nutritionist, and 500-hr yogi based in Silicon Valley, California. A TEDx speaker and AYUSH Yoga Ambassador, she's been featured in Washington Post, Healthline, MindBodyGreen, and Popsugar. Trusted by a community of over 200,000 worldwide, Salila has guided hundreds of celebrity clients through transformative healing. This podcast gives women struggling with gut health, hormonal chaos, and fertility actionable ayurveda rituals to reset with herbs, oils, and teas. Listen for loving Ayurveda wisdom from a sister, healer, and friend.

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