Debra Riordan, C.A.S. is a health practitioner and educator who has worked in the fields of allopathic and integrative medicine for over 25 years. She is an herbalist, nutritionist, lifestyle counselor, ayurvedic psychologist and wellness coach whose goal is to support clients to be their very best. She has been in private practice for eleven years working directly with over a thousand clients.

Debra has taught and spoken at a variety of venues and was on the faculty of the California College of Ayurveda for six years teaching both the academic and clinical curriculum. She also mentors and educates Ayurvedic and allied health practitioners. She welcomes invitations for writing and speaking assignments.

Integrative Medicine Positions:

  • Health Practitioner and Educator and owner of Ayurveda for Balance (San Francisco & Marin), 1997-Present
  • On-site health consultant at Elephant Pharmacy, San Rafael,2005-Present
  • California College of Ayurveda, Faculty member, 2001-2007
  • Health in Common, interim Administrator & coordinator ofADD/ADHD conference, 1999

Integrative Medicine Training:

  • California College of Ayurveda, certification 1997 (Graduate of inaugural class of the first California Ayurvedic training program)
  • American Institute of Vedic Studies, certification 1997
  • Mt. Madonna Center, Vasant Lad Summer Program, 1995
  • Herbal and Flower Essence Apprenticeship, Catherine Abby Rich, 1994-5
  • Additional Seminars with David Frawley, Robert Svoboda, Subhash Ranade, Avinash Lele, Maya Tiwari and Christopher Hobbs

Allopathic Medical Experience:

Debra retired from her medical career when she began her formal study of Ayurvedic Medicine in 1994. She appreciated the scientific and spiritual nature of this ancient system. She previously worked as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist and Clinical Research Associate at the V.A. Medical Center in San Francisco, UCSF and other hospitals. She is the author of several scientific papers and acted as a consultant to medical centers and research facilities throughout the S.F. Bay Area.

Scientific and Clinical Education:

  • Health Practitioner and Educator and owner of Ayurveda for Balance (San Francisco and Marin), 1997-Present
  • On-site health consultant at Elephant Pharmacy, San Rafael, 2005-Present
  • California College of Ayurveda, Faculty member, 2001-2007
  • Health in Common, interim Administrator and coordinator of ADD/ADHD conference, 1999

Debra's own healing journey began over eighteen years ago. She sought a natural method to relieve lifelong allergies and adult-onset asthma. Utilizing the nutritional and lifestyle techniques recommended for her Ayurvedic constitution, she has eliminated her dependency on inhalers, asthma medications and anti-histamines for over thirteen years. She utilizes her education and personal experience to assist clients with their particular health issues.

Feel free to call us at: (415) 455-9578

Debra is a truly gifted healer, practitioner and teacher who is deeply knowledgeable and passionate about Ayurveda. I have been fortunate enough to work with her as both client and student and thus can personally attest to the transformative power of her work and her teaching.

-Alex Fraim
Ayurvedic practitioner