Snippets of Ayurvedic Wisdom/ September 2025
- Dr. Arlini Singh
- Sep 16
- 5 min read
Welcome and Good Day radiant souls!
Introduction
I'm Dr. Arlini Singh, the owner and founder of A-YUR-VEDA, in Burlington, Ontario. September began with me being an alumni speaker at the California College of Ayurveda's joyful 30th anniversary, celebrating its legacy and networking with the movers and shakers of Ayurveda in America.
Below, with Dr. Andrea Deerheart, one of the graceful hosts for the evening.
Ayurveda in America is doing extremely well, and moving at a very rapid speed, with the rising demand for holistic wisdom.
Dr. Mahadevan, the present dean in his speech said,
"For three decades, the California College of Ayurveda has set the gold standard for Ayurvedic education in the United States. Today, we proudly stand as the #1 Ayurveda college in the nation, with a legacy rooted in tradition and a future driven by innovation and service."
Encouraged,and inspired, I return to Canada, armed with ideas and inspiration for exciting developments, to implement in the coming months.
Back in Canada, we can feel the shift in the temperature. Gone are the extremely hot days. It is now much cooler with the tinge of coldness in the wind. The Air element is predominant in the fall - there is more lightness, dryness, coolness and an erratic wind pattern, These qualities aggravate Vata dosha, which has already begun to accumulate, at this time of the year.
So let's embrace this positive energy to nurture balance with grounding care!
Main Feature
One of my favourite ways to start the day, is with a warm bowl of oatmeal. This dish can be served in so many different ways. But my favourite to balance Vata dosha is to cook 1/2 cup of rolled oats (nourishing and grounding) in 1 cup of water or milk for about 10 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of stewed apples (sweet, moistening), a pinch of nutmeg (warming, Vata balancing) and 1 teaspoon of ghee (lubricating and supports metabolism). Serve warm. This calms Vata's dryness and kindles digestion.
What I do love about oats is that you can vary the recipe as much as you want. You can add soaked raisins instead of stewed apples or you can add both, as both support Vata dosha. You can also substitute nutmeg with ground cinnamon.
Plus you can add your favourite toppings such as pumpkin seeds, ground flax seeds, hemp seeds, berries, any nuts of your choice such as walnuts, almonds, pecan nuts or pistachios.
The possibilities with oatmeal are endless. Recently, I came across Dr. Michael Greger's recipe, from his New York Times best -selling book, How Not to Die, in which he added 1 cup of frozen cherries and 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder to his cooked rolled oats and topped off with pumpkin seeds for crunch. So if you have a sweet tooth, you can try this recipe out.
The reason I strongly recommend oats for pacifying Vata dosha, is because Vata resides in the colon. So when Vata dosha begins to go out of balance, we get the dryness in the colon resulting in constipation. Oats, being high in fiber helps to relieve constipation. Plus there are a whole lot of other benefits too but oats, in particular is an excellent way to start the day.
Last month, we added 3 new products which I am excited about. They are 3 types of medicated ghee. Now ghee has always been used in Ayurveda as a carrier for the herbs, allowing the herbs to get deeper into the body, to have a more potent effect. This is the reason, why ghee is used so extensively in Indian cooking. When mixed with the spices, which has a profound digestive effect, the result is a dish that is gut healing and soothing.
Brain Boost has gotu kola and ashwagandha - 2 herbs that supports brain health, ensures a calm mind and a healthy nervous system. As we age, brain cells die but these herbs, slow down the aging process, resulting in a healthier brain. Brain Boost is excellent for all ages - from students to seniors.
Fall is also an excellent time for detoxification especially the liver, which can become over heated from summer. The key herbs in this formula are neem, manjistha and kamegh all known for their special propensity to cool and cleanse the liver.
The key herb in Vital Nourish is Shatavari which is a rejuvenating tonic that supports a healthy female reproductive system. Shatavari is sometimes called the "Queen of Herbs" and translates as "100 spouses", implying its role in the promotion of female reproductive health and vitality. Shatavari is used extensively in treating menopausal symptoms.
Quick Tips
The instructions for all the above is to take 1 teaspoon of medicated ghee with 1 cup of warm water on an empty stomach. I would suggest that you start slow with ¼ teaspoon and increase the dosage gradually until you reach 1 teaspoon.
You can also add a slice of root ginger to the warm water or boil the water with grated root ginger to hydrate and calm your energy gently. This simple ritual steadies digestion and focus, keeping you grounded as autumn begins to unfold.
Community Corner : Your Ayurvedic Questions Answered
Sofia R, from Milton asks, Dr. Arlini Singh, how can I ease joint stiffness in September's cool weather, especially in the mornings and in the evenings, when the temperatures are fairly low?
Vata's dryness can stiffen joints, bringing discomfort as autumn sets in. Warm up with a 5 minute gentle stretch each morning, followed by a light yet vigorous massage with warm Mahanarayan Oil to counteract Vata's coldness and dryness and to improve circulation. Sip warm turmeric tea (anti- inflammatory, Vata soothing) to reduce stiffness naturally. In the evening, end your day with a relaxing bath soak with Epsom salt for 10 - 15 minutes to relax the muscles and to improve circulation. Follow the massage with warm Mahanarayan oil and a light stretch, holding each pose for a few breaths to maintain flexibility. Wrapping a thin, soft cloth around each achy joint after warming can also retain heat effectively. Use a throw over your joints when sitting, either when watching TV or reading, to keep warm. These steps nurture joint health and keep you comfortable as autumn unfolds.
Our Mahanarayan oil is made in small batches, using Ayurvedic traditional methods. This oil is so potent, that patients lovingly refer to it as the Magic Oil.
I want to thank all my patients and subscribers for their love and support. Ayurveda is my passion and I am happy to share the knowledge with you all. I strive everyday to serve and educate as best as I can. If you know of anyone who could benefit from this ancient wisdom, kindly request them to subscribe to our newsletter, so we can spread the word. The newsletter is a free service in which I try to include as much as I can on how to navigate the month in a healthy and natural way, without overwhelming the reader with information overkill.
Closing Quotation
The following quotation resonated with me this month. More because, when I think of Fall, besides the beautiful colours of Fall, I think of harvest and Thanksgiving and therefore off course, food!
"Each season brings forth the foods that best serve our needs during that particular time of the year. Together, the seasons produce the six tastes of natural foods necessary for human survival. When you eat the earth's food in harmony with her seasons and your metabolic type, or dosha, you fortify and strengthen your physical and spiritual bodies."
Maya Tiwari
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