Ayurveda Says Perimenopause Is Your Golden Goddess Era
Heather Grzych
Ayurvedic Practitioner, Author and former president of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association
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Perimenopause can feel like a wild ride — hot flashes, sleepless nights, mood swings, and the sense that your body is suddenly speaking a language you don’t understand. But in Ayurveda, this stage of life isn’t viewed as a downfall. It’s celebrated as the Golden Goddess era — a transition that’s as natural as puberty and as powerful as any other shape-shift we go through in life.
In this episode, I talk with Heather Grzych — Ayurvedic doctor-level practitioner, bestselling author of The Ayurvedic Guide to Fertility, and former president of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association. She breaks down how Ayurveda views midlife, why symptoms show up the way they do, and practical ways to bring more balance and steadiness into your daily life.
How Ayurveda Defines Perimenopause
Ayurveda doesn’t use the clinical term “perimenopause,” but it does recognize stages of a woman’s life: childhood (watery), young adulthood (fiery), and midlife (airy and spacious).
Heather explains that in perimenopause we’re moving from the fire stage into the air and space stage. That’s why so many of us feel dryness, anxiety, and a sense of being ungrounded. It’s also why hot flashes can flare — sometimes as one last burst of fire before it dims.
Her teacher in Nepal even called this time the Golden Goddess era — like the golden light at sunset, beautiful and distinct from the blazing fire of midday.
Why Symptoms Feel So Intense
• Hot flashes: Fire flaring as it transitions out
• Anxiety and spaciness: Air and space taking center stage
• Dryness: From skin to eyes to vaginal tissue, it’s a hallmark of this new stage
• Sleep disruption: Which Ayurveda says creates “ama,” or toxic buildup, that leads to inflammation and sluggishness
Ayurveda’s key insight? These symptoms aren’t random — they’re the body showing us how the elements are shifting inside of us.
Food as Medicine in Perimenopause
Forget calorie counting — Ayurveda looks at food through qualities: warm or cooling, dry or oily, heavy or light. The foods you eat either calm or aggravate what’s already happening in your body.
For example:
• Warm, cooked, oily foods can help ground anxiety and dryness.
• Too many cold or raw foods (like salads or juice cleanses) can make you feel more unsteady.
• Spacing out meals helps your body clear toxins, but going too long without eating can push your body into breakdown mode.
Why Oils Are Your Best Friend
One of Heather’s top tips? Oil yourself up — inside and out.
Just as insulation keeps an electrical wire from sparking, oil on the skin helps contain and steady your energy. Coconut oil is cooling and anti-inflammatory, while sesame or sunflower oils are warming and grounding. Weekly body oiling can calm anxiety, ease dryness, and even support hormone health.
Lifestyle Shifts That Bring Stability
Ayurveda loves routine. When everything feels unpredictable, rituals and daily rhythms create steadiness:
• Movement practices like Pilates, yoga, or resistance training
• Going to bed at consistent times (yes, even if Outlander is calling)
• Gentle breathwork and sensory practices to bring calm
Every Woman’s Transition Looks Different
Heather reminds us there’s no single “perimenopause protocol” in Ayurveda. What works for your friend might not work for you — because your elemental balance, symptoms, and life context are unique.
That’s actually the power of Ayurveda: it teaches us to observe what’s happening in our own bodies and work with those changes instead of fighting them.
✨ Bottom line: Ayurveda sees perimenopause not as the loss of something, but as a rebalancing — a time when you can create more steadiness, clarity, and yes, even a little Golden Goddess glow.
About Heather Grzych:
Heather Grzych, ADLC is an American author and expert in Ayurvedic medicine who was formerly the president of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and the head of product development for a multi-billion-dollar health insurance company. Heather’s first book, The Ayurvedic Guide to Fertility, has sold thousands of copies worldwide, and her writing has been featured in Sports Illustrated, Yoga Journal, and the Sunday Independent. Her podcast, Wisdom of the Body, holds an average rating of 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and is in the top 3% of podcasts globally.
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Disclaimer:
Belong Wellness and its members, managers, employees, contractors, and other agents or representatives are not licensed medical care providers and do not provide medical services or advice, including without limitation diagnosing, examining, preventing, treating, or curing any medical conditions. The information shared in this podcast is meant to be educational, not prescriptive. Please consult your medical doctor before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle. Further, the opinions of guests on this show do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Jessica or anyone affiliated with Belong Wellness.
