Autoimmune conditions are complex, often invisible battles – ones that go far beyond aching joints or fluctuating energy levels. For many, they are accompanied by confusion, chronic fatigue, and an emotional toll that’s hard to articulate.

There are over 80 recognised autoimmune diseases affecting millions globally, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and Lupus. Today, the focus is gradually shifting from managing symptoms to deeper healing processes.

At Ananda in the Himalayas, we believe that healing is not just a physical process. It’s an integration of body, mind, and spirit. Drawing on ancient systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Yoga, as well as insights from emotional healing experts, our approach offers a deeply layered and personalised pathway for managing autoimmune disorders.

A Gentle Reframing: The Ayurvedic View

What if your body isn’t attacking itself out of malice, but miscommunication? Ayurveda reframes autoimmune disorders as the body’s dysregulated attempt to restore balance, not a self-sabotaging error. Here, conditions arise from a disturbance in digestion (Agni), the accumulation of toxins (Ama), and the aggravated Vata and Pitta doshas, which spiral into tissue damage (Dhatu Dushti) and depleted vitality (Ojas Kshaya).

Dr. Sreelal Sankar, Head of Ayurveda at Ananda, outlines a treatment process that is layered and deeply intuitive:

• Agni Deepana & Ama Pachana: Kindling the digestive fire to prevent and eliminate toxic build-up.
• Shodhana (Panchakarma): Deep cleansing therapies tailored to your constitution.
• Shamana & Rasayana: Gentle pacification and rejuvenation of tissues and immunity.
• Sattvavajaya: Psychological balance through meditative practices and lifestyle guidance.

Modern research supports this course of action, as well. Studies show gut permeability and inflammation play a major role in autoimmune diseases, correlating with Ayurvedic concepts of Ama and Agni. ¹

Restoring the Flow of Qi: The Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is another modality through which we approach the understanding and management of autoimmune conditions. TCM views autoimmune disorders not as isolated malfunctions, but as energetic imbalances.

According to Dr. Manashi Sarma, these conditions stem from disrupted Qi – our life force – often involving disharmony in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Emotional stress and environmental factors can create patterns like Liver Qi stagnation or Kidney Yin deficiency, which evolve into chronic issues if left unchecked.

In practice, TCM offers:

This system of pattern recognition, and not just ‘disease labelling’, aligns well with the ethos of personalised care at Ananda.

Building Resilience from the Inside Out: Yoga and Meditation

The emotional and physical toll of autoimmune conditions can often leave people feeling disconnected from their bodies. This is where yoga steps in as a gentle yet powerful way to rebuild that connection. Specific asanas help reduce inflammation and joint pain, while Pranayama and deep breathing combat the fatigue that is a byproduct of living with and managing an autoimmune condition.

Malati Mehrish, Head of Yoga at Ananda, notes how practices like:

When practised consistently, these simple exercises become powerful healing rituals.
Yoga not only improves mobility but also reduces the ‘sympathetic overdrive’ or the stress response that worsens autoimmune symptoms, and slows healing, according to a Brain and Behaviour study.²

Emotional Healing: The Missing Link

At Ananda, we recognise the emotional landscape of managing a chronic condition not as a side effect, but as an integral part of the condition itself. Stress, emotional suppression, unresolved trauma, and even perfectionism are known contributors to immune dysregulation. Research increasingly supports what ancient wisdom traditions have long known: the mind and body are not separate, and chronic emotional strain can have profound effects on physical health.

Our emotional healing work at Ananda includes a range of integrative therapies and reflective practices designed to help guests reconnect with their internal world, without judgment. This may include:

• Guided inner inquiry to explore how life patterns, roles, or emotional experiences may relate to current health concerns
• Somatic awareness work, which helps individuals track where stress is stored in the body, and how to release it
• Journaling, trans-personal therapies, and therapeutic dialogue, led by trained facilitators, to give language and space to long-suppressed emotions
• Mindful self-compassion and breath-led relaxation practices that retrain the nervous system to feel safe and supported
• So

me guests arrive feeling emotionally detached from their healing process—understandably so, after years of symptom management. Rebuilding that connection is part of the deeper restoration that happens at Ananda. Emotional healing does not replace physical treatment, but it creates the conditions for physical healing to become more sustainable and self-led.

By addressing grief, fear, shame, or burnout not as weakness, but as part of the human experience, we invite guests to move from ‘coping’ to ‘healing’.

Why Integrated Healing Matters

No single modality holds all the answers. What creates sustainable change is an approach that addresses every layer of imbalance. True healing requires an intelligent synergy, where the detoxifying depth of Ayurveda, the energetic recalibration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the nervous system regulation of yoga, and the inner release offered by emotional healing all work together.

At Ananda, integration is a grounding philosophy. Our experts collaborate across disciplines, creating individualised protocols that treat the root causes rather than just the symptoms. Your healing journey may begin with balancing digestion, supported by acupuncture sessions that help ease inflammation, while meditation techniques reduce cortisol spikes, alleviate pain, and foster inner calm.

We’ve seen this integrated approach lead to tangible outcomes:

• A 49-year-old guest diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis experienced a significant reduction in joint pain and swelling after a 13-night Ayurveda Rejuvenation Programme. Her personalised treatment included digestive therapies (Deepana and Pachana), localised pain relief applications, detoxification, and internal herbal medications.
• In another case, a 58-year-old guest with Ulcerative Colitis presented with persistent bleeding and bowel irregularities. After 14 days of combined Ayurvedic therapies, internal medications, personalised diet, yoga, breathwork, and emotional healing sessions, she showed marked improvement. Systemic inflammation levels (ESR) dropped significantly—from 68 to 22 mm/hr—and her digestion stabilised with no recurrence of bleeding.

This kind of cross-modality intelligence is what empowers guests to experience profound, sustainable change. It is a process, rather than a quick fix, but one that honours your body’s ability to self-heal when truly supported on every level.

Closing Thoughts

Healing autoimmune conditions beyond managing flare-ups; understanding the root, befriending the body, and cultivating internal balance is crucial. With ancient wisdom, compassionate guidance, and science-backed practices, Ananda’s multi-modal approach offers a deeply personal and empowering path forward.

For centuries, ancient medicinal techniques and philosophies have nurtured the well-being of women—long before the advent of modern medicine. Today, as modern treatments sometimes fall short because of side effects or a one-size-fits-all approach, time-tested traditions like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) continue to offer gentle healing and preventive care. At Ananda, we celebrate these legacies by integrating them into our Women’s Health programmes, supporting you through every cycle, hormonal transition, and fertility challenges.

The Wisdom of Ayurveda and Eastern Medicine

Ayurveda, an ancient healing system from India, is based on balancing the body’s doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—to restore natural harmony. This equilibrium is essential for both physical and emotional well-being. In parallel, Traditional Chinese Medicine is built on the idea that life energy, or Qi, flows through the body along specific meridians. When Qi moves freely and is well-balanced, the body thrives; when it’s disrupted, discomfort and disease can arise. Both systems emphasize personalised care and subtle interventions that work with the body’s natural rhythms.

Modern research underscores the importance of these holistic approaches. For example, studies indicate that up to 75% of women experience premenstrual symptoms at some point in their lives¹ and nearly 80% of menopausal women report symptoms that impact their daily lives². These statistics remind us that traditional methods, integrated into a balanced lifestyle, can effectively support women’s health where conventional approaches may sometimes miss the mark.

Embracing Menstrual Health: A Gentle Journey

Every month, many women encounter challenges—from irregular cycles to painful cramps and emotional fluctuations—that modern medicine often addresses only superficially. At Ananda, our approach to menstrual health is about reconnecting with the body’s inherent rhythm.

Our programmes begin with personal Ayurvedic consultations to identify concerns and understand the body of the guest. An excess of Vata or Pitta, for example, can lead to symptoms such as irregular cycles, heavy flow, or discomfort. Therapies like Abhyanga (warm oil massages) and Udvartana (herbal body treatments) restore circulation, reduce inflammation, and detoxify the body. These interventions are enhanced by a customised diet plan and gentle restorative yoga and breathwork that ease stress and promote hormonal balance.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Rebalance

Complementing Ayurvedic practices, we also integrate aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Techniques such as acupuncture and herbal infusions work to optimize the flow of Qi, thereby easing pain and reducing inflammation during the menstrual cycle. Techniques such as acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal therapies are known to enhance the body’s natural healing processes. Acupuncture, for example, has been widely studied for its ability to alleviate menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and improve menstrual cycle regularity by promoting the smooth flow of Qi (vital energy). Moxibustion, a heat therapy using dried mugwort, is traditionally used to improve circulation and ease menstrual discomfort.

Many women who have embraced these therapies at Ananda describe a profound feeling of “coming home” to themselves—a transformation from discomfort into a calm, rhythmic balance that feels natural.

Navigating Menopause with Ananda

Ancient traditions view Menopause as a sacred transition—a time for inner transformation and the emergence of wisdom. At Ananda, we aim to guide our guests through this life stage with compassionate, holistic care. Rather than simply managing symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances, our programmes are designed to help women ease into this natural evolution.

Alongside healing therapies like Shirodhara, our approach includes tailored nutritional plans that focus on cooling foods and herbal teas to counterbalance hormonal fluctuations. Gentle practices like yoga nidra and asanas create the space to reconnect with your inner strength and cultivate emotional resilience.

In a survey conducted by Menoveda, involving 20,000 Indian women aged 40 to 55, approximately 79% reported that menopause significantly impacted their mental and physical health³. Integrating ancient wisdom with modern insights provides a supportive pathway, helping you transform what once felt like a struggle into a journey of self-discovery and renewal.

Supporting Women’s Well-Being through Traditional Healing and Modern Science

At Ananda, we recognise that women’s health is deeply interconnected with hormonal balance and overall vitality. Our Hormonal Rebalance and Menstrual Health programmes are designed to offer natural support for menopause and conditions like PCOS or endometriosis, using a blend of Ayurveda, holistic nutrition, and therapeutic practices.

Through these integrative therapies, Ananda provides a space where women can reconnect with their bodies, restore balance, and experience the benefits of ancient practices in a modern wellness setting.

Sparking Curiosity and Cultivating a Holistic Lifestyle

Our approach to women’s health is an invitation to explore how ancient wisdom can be interwoven with modern life. Whether coping with menstrual discomfort, navigating the changes of menopause, or preparing for motherhood, these time-honoured therapies provide an effective path to healing while being gentle on the body.

Join us at Ananda to restore balance, alleviate discomfort, and connect with your body’s natural rhythm. Allow yourself the chance to experience a holistic path to well-being—one that has nurtured women for centuries and continues to inspire healing and transformation today.

Learn More about the Menstrual Health programme.

Explore the Hormonal Rebalance programme.

Sugar may not be love itself, but it can certainly feel like it. This notion finds resonance in Ayurveda, the ancient science dating back 6,000 years. While opinions on sugar consumption vary, Ayurveda recognizes the essentiality of the "sweet" taste and its non-toxic nature for the body.

In Ayurveda, sweet is one of the six essential tastes or raas. It not only refers to the physical sensation on our tongues but also the emotional nourishment our organs receive from various tastes.

Sweet taste is considered cooling, beneficial for balancing pitta (heat) and vata (air) disorders, and has hydrating and nourishing properties. It reduces bleeding and burning sensation and works as a natural aphrodisiac. Sweet or Madhura in Sanskrit, is used as a medicine in eye related conditions. It reverses the sensation of vomiting or nausea, heals ulcers and wounds, and is very helpful in treating certain asthmatic conditions. The raas of sweet is therefore essential for certain body-mind functions.

What is the most suitable form of consuming sugar?

If used intelligently, sugar’s quality of providing an instant energy spike is extremely helpful in certain situations e.g., when exerting yourself physically or to stop someone from fainting. Sugars derived from sugarcane is classified as Guda or jaggery. When it is prepared by boiling the treacle to 1/4th, it is considered at its best form.

New methods of refining sugar though allowing for easy manufacturing, diminishes the medicinal property of sugar. Understanding the process of deriving sugar will help you know the forms which go under least processing and hence are safer or healthier to use. Some of these examples are Jaggery or gur in India and Pakistan, muscovado or khand, turbinado or partially refined brown sugar, rapadura used in Central and Latin America or piloncillo in Mexico.