31. Ayurvedic Secrets for a Healthy Menstrual Cycle: Embrace Your Natural Rhythm

In this solo episode, Kate O’Donnell opens the conversation on periods from an Ayurvedic lens, inviting listeners to sync their menstrual health with the rhythms of the moon and the wisdom of nature. This is the first of a two-part masterclass exploring the monthly cycle through the three doshas — Vata, Kapha, and Pitta — and how to bring harmony to each phase.

Kate walks us through practical ways to nourish our bodies during menstruation with warm, moist foods, restorative movement, and subtle lifestyle shifts. You’ll learn how small changes — like avoiding artificial light after 10 PM or choosing period panties over tampons — can have a profound effect on your energy, digestion, mood, and menstrual flow.

Whether you’re experiencing PMS, navigating your first period, or supporting someone who bleeds, this episode offers tools to honor the body’s intelligence, instead of overriding it.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How Ayurveda explains each phase of the menstrual cycle
• What to eat (and what to avoid) to support downward flow
• Why moon bathing helps regulate ovulation
• The role of natural light in hormonal balance
• Ayurvedic movement practices during your bleed
• How to reduce bloating, cramps, and irritability naturally
• Why you should always sit down to eat during your period
• The emotional and spiritual wisdom of resting more

 

Relevant Links:

• Ayurvedic Living Institute: Women’s Health Courses
• Kate’s Lunar Yoga Practice
• Kate’s book Everyday Ayurveda for Women’s Health

 

Next Episode:

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this menstrual masterclass, where Kate dives into imbalances — like pain, irregularity, and intense PMS — and how to address them through Ayurvedic lifestyle shifts.

Health Disclaimer:

The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine.

 

Mentioned in this episode:

Ayurvedic Living Insitute: Women's Health Courses

https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/courses

Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org

Summer Self Care Workshop: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/courses/summer-self-care-workshop  

Summer Bundle:  https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/bundles/SummerBundle

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by Osi Oils — one of my favorite daily rituals.

These handcrafted, organic oils are rooted in Ayurvedic tradition and thoughtfully formulated to support your skin, your senses, and your dosha. Whether you’re nourishing your face with their gorgeous Glow Face Oil (my personal go-to), caring for your nasal passages with their Nasya Oil, or balancing your constitution with a dosha-specific body oil, Osi Oils is the kind of ritual that gives back.

✨ Listeners get 20% off at osioils.com with the code AYURVEDA20.