About Us
Caring for Connecticut families since 2006 — now welcoming patients at a new Madison office.
About the Practice
The Institute for Ayurvedic & Naturopathic Therapies opened in Fairfield in 2006 — at the time, the only practice in Connecticut to combine traditional Ayurveda with research-backed Naturopathy. It was founded on a simple belief: illness comes from imbalance, and the body has a remarkable ability to heal itself when given the right support.
For nearly two decades the physicians have helped patients find relief that conventional medicine alone couldn’t offer — from chronic skin conditions and digestive trouble to hormonal imbalances and persistent pain. What sets the practice apart is its integrative approach: rather than choosing a single system, it draws on Ayurveda, Naturopathic medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine together, tailored to each individual.
In 2026 the practice opened a second office in Madison, CT, bringing the same integrative care to the shoreline community.
Treatment relies on gentle, non-toxic, natural therapies that work with the body rather than against it.
Care looks beyond symptoms to understand and address the underlying imbalance.
Body, mind and spirit — with time, attention and genuine partnership in your healing.
About Ayurveda
Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest systems of medicine, originating in India. In Ayurveda, health is a balance of body, mind and spirit; when that balance is disturbed, illness follows. Each person has a unique constitution — a blend of the three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha — which shapes the diet, herbs, oils and therapies that will bring them back into balance.
At the Institute, a patient’s constitution is determined through methods such as pulse, tongue and iris (iridology) assessment, then balanced with food, herbal formulas, detoxifying bodywork and Panchakarma. Because imbalances can be detected before illness appears, Ayurveda is also a powerful prevention program.
About Naturopathy
Naturopathic medicine focuses on the healing power of nature. It blends centuries-old, time-tested natural therapies with current advances in the study of health, covering every aspect of family care from prenatal to geriatric. The practice’s naturopathic physicians are state-licensed and trained to use modern diagnostics alongside natural treatment.
Care may include clinical nutrition, botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathy, constitutional hydrotherapy, physical medicine and lifestyle counseling. The goal is always the same: identify and treat the root cause, support the body’s own ability to heal, and teach you how to stay well.
About Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete system of healing developed over thousands of years. It views health as the smooth, balanced flow of vital energy — qi — through the body. When qi is blocked or depleted, pain and illness arise.
The physicians use acupuncture, cupping, gua sha and Chinese herbal formulas to release blockages, calm the nervous system and relieve pain. Woven together with Ayurveda and Naturopathy, TCM allows the same concern to be addressed from several angles at once — one of the things that makes care here truly integrative.
Meet the Doctors
An all-women team of licensed naturopathic physicians, trained across naturopathic medicine, Ayurveda and acupuncture.
Dr. Neeru N. Kaushik earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine and an MS in Acupuncture from the Acupuncture Institute at the University of Bridgeport. She also holds an MS in Mathematics from Alabama State University and an MA in Sanskrit from Punjab University, India.
For many years she taught Sanskrit and Ayurvedic cooking at the Institute of Ayurvedic Sciences in Montgomery, Alabama, before moving to Connecticut in 1999. She received her Ayurvedic training in India and from Dr. Somesh N. Kaushik, and her Homeopathy and Iridology training in India. Her mentors include James D’Adamo, ND; Ivan Bier, ND, LAc; and Russell Marz, ND, LAc.
Dr. Neha Kaushik Chillara earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She believes true health begins with a strong patient–physician connection, where people feel understood and supported.
She emphasizes that psychological healing precedes physical healing — beginning at the very first visit, when patients feel genuinely heard and cared for. She is also pursuing an Ayurvedic degree from the Institute for the Advancement of Ayurvedic Sciences. Her care is compassionate and guided by evidence-based research, with a goal of empowering and educating patients toward optimal health.
Dr. Nidhi Esha Kaushik, who goes by Dr. Esha, earned her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2022, with certification in IV/IM Basic Fundamentals and Regenerative and Anti-Aging therapy from the International IV Nutritional Therapy Association. She has a keen interest in medical research and was involved in microbiology and neuroscience research throughout her training.
Her clinical training focused on the naturopathic approach to mental health, women’s health, digestive issues and chronic conditions. She completed her residency in primary care and integrative oncological care in Bellevue, WA, in 2024. She is licensed in Washington and Connecticut and also provides consultations in New York. Her goal is to provide well-rounded care and educate patients along their healthcare journey.
Astrid is the friendly first point of contact for scheduling, insurance questions and making sure each visit runs smoothly across both the Fairfield and Madison offices.
Insurance
The practice’s naturopathic physicians are in-network with major insurers. Patients should confirm their plan covers naturopathic care; Ayurvedic therapies are typically self-pay.
Book at the Fairfield or Madison office and experience care that puts the patient first.
