Ayurveda & the Endocrine System:
An Integrative Exploration
Course Description
Modern medicine defines the endocrine system as a network of glands that produce and release hormones that regulate many important bodily functions, such as metabolism, growth, reproduction and homeostasis.
Ancient Ayurveda does not have an anatomical designation that directly corresponds to the modern endocrine system. However Ayurveda offers a holistic, coherent approach to understanding and managing systemic health through the lens of the tridosha (vata, pitta, kapha), agni (the digestive fire), āma (waste matter), chakras (energy centers) and ojas (vital energy & immunity).
In this course, we will explore many common endocrine disorders including diabetes, hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and more.
While allopathic endocrinology focuses on medications, hormone replacement therapies, and surgery for endocrine disorders, Ayurveda emphasizes root cause analysis, detoxification (shodhana), rejuvenation (rasayana), dietary adjustments, herbal medicines, and mind-body interventions.
We will consider how Ayurveda understands the associated organs, tissues, systems and imbalances , drawing from the ancient texts, such as Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdayam, Charaka Samhitā, and Mādhava Nidāna.
PLEASE NOTE: This course will not include a comprehensive survey of allopathic/modern medicine Endocrinology - rather, we will explore relevant Ayurveda concepts to gain insight into supporting overall health from an Ayurveda perspective.
This course is perfect for you if...
You are an Ayurveda professional
and you're seeking specialized education to increase your ability to help clients
You have a health imbalance
and you're looking for information and ideas to support yourself and your healing
You are a student of Ayurveda
and you want to expand your understanding of the natural world and how to live in greater balance
* Please Note: Participating students should have a basic understanding of Ayurveda concepts and terminology, as this is not an introductory course.
Faculty
Dr. A. R. Ramadas, B.A.M.S.
Dr. Ramadas is a classically trained Ayurveda physician. Hailing from Trichur, the cultural capital of Kerala in southern India, he comes from a strong family line of Ayurveda practitioners. He completed his B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) from Ayurveda College in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, then underwent 3 years’ training in Nethra Chikitsa/Ophthalmology under the guidance of Manakunnath Gopalan Vaidyar.
He then trained under the well-known pediatrician C.N.S. Gangadharan Vaidyar. He also has an M.S. in Psychotherapy and Counseling from Institute of Behavioral and Management Sciences in Chittur, Andhra Pradesh. He has been a Medical Director at Vaidyagrama Ayurveda Healing Village since it started in 2008.
In more than 3 decades of practice, he has treated over 50,000 patients from India and abroad for conditions relating to neuro-musculo-skeletal, endocrine, skin, gastro-intestinal, respiratory, cardiac, psychiatric and reproductive health systems.
Dr. Omprakash, B.A.M.S.
Hailing from the vibrant cultural hub of Thanjavur in South India, Dr. Omprakash completed his B.A.M.S. at the esteemed Coimbatore Ayurveda College in 2009. He honed his skills through an intensive course in Clinical Orientation at FRLHT, Bengaluru, and delved into Sanskrit with a rigorous program at Sanskrita Bharati, Tamil Nadu.
For 7 years, he served as a physician at Vaidyagrama until 2016, when driven by a sense of duty, he took up the mantle of Asst. Medical Officer at the Ayurveda Dispensary near Kanyakumari. Now Dr. Omprakash has returned to Vaidyagrama as a Medical Director.
His heart beats for the healing power of herbs, as evidenced by his extensive field surveys and studies around Kanyakumari from 2016 to 2023. He is a maestro when it comes to Skin and Allergy specialties, bringing a unique blend of expertise and compassion to every patient.
Course Syllabus
Class 1-2: Introduction to the Endocrine System
- Overview of major endocrine glands and Ayurveda’s perspective on related tissues
- Comparison of Western and Ayurvedic perspectives on hormonal balance
Class 3: The Hypothalamus and Pituitary Glands
- Hypopituitarism, Hyperpituitarism, Diabetes Insipidus, Growth hormone disorders
- Ayurveda’s view on metabolic imbalances and rejuvenation
Class 4-7: The Thyroid Gland
- Thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH), Importance in metabolism, growth, and development
- Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Goitre
- Ayurvedic concept of agni (digestive fire)
- Ayurvedic correlation with Kapha imbalance, and with Pitta-Vata imbalance
Class 8: The Parathyroid Gland
- Role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in calcium regulation and bone metabolism
- Hyperparathyroidism & Hypoparathyroidism, Clinical manifestations, complications
Class 9-11: The Pancreas
- Ayurveda’s view on Madhumeha (Diabetes) and its subtypes
- Diabetes Type 1: Autoimmune nature, causes, and treatment
- Diabetes Type 2: Insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, causes and treatment
Class 12: Obesity and the Endocrine System
- Ayurvedic view on Medoroga (obesity) and Kapha imbalance, insulin resistance
Class 13: Gestational Diabetes and Prediabetes
- Causes, risk factors, modern treatment, preventive measures
Class 14-16: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Causes, symptoms, complications and modern treatment strategies
- Ayurveda’s view on hormonal imbalance in Artava Dhatu
- Vata-Pitta dominance and treatment strategies
Class 17-19: Menopause and Hormonal Transition
- Life stage changes in oestrogen, progesterone, and other hormones
- Ayurvedic perspective on aging, Vata dominance, and rejuvenation therapies
Class 20: The Male Endocrine System – Androgens & Testosterone
- Role of testosterone in health and aging, Shukra Dhatu, and vitality enhancement (Vajikarana)
Class 21-23: The Endocrine System and Mental Health
- Role of hormones in anxiety, depression, fatigue, stress-related disorders and cognitive function
- Ayurvedic concept of Manovaha Srotas and mind-body balance
- The Adrenal Glands –cortisol, adrenaline, and aldosterone
Class 24: Summary and Conclusion
- Recap of key takeaways
- Open discussion and future learning directions
Course Logistics
Ayurveda & the Endocrine System:
An Integrative Exploration
March 11 - September 2, 2025
(No class April 8 or 15)
Tuesdays, 7:45-9pm India Time
7:15-8:30am Pacific PDT / 10:15-11:30am Eastern EDT/
2:15-3:30pm London*
Check your local time: www.worldtimebuddy.com
* India does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so your local class time may shift an hour later in some European countries on March 30 when your Daylight Saving Time starts
24 weekly classes (75 minutes each)
Total class hours: 30 hours
Course delivered live online via Zoom
All classes will be video recorded
and access given to registered students
* Please Note: Participating students should have a basic understanding of Ayurveda concepts already, as this is not an introductory course. This course is intended for both Ayurveda practitioners/counselors and for those who want to use the information for self-healing.
To receive a certificate of completion, students must pass a final quiz
Approved for NAMA Continuing Education PACE Credits
Registration
100% of the income from this course will support the charity projects of Vaidyagrama and Punarnava Community Trusts, such as free food programs and medical camps in the villages outside Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
INR Payments
