When Radhika Iyer Talati was 29 years old, she was diagnosed with cancer. It was uterine cancer in the early stages, and it was managed. However, doctors told her that she might have cancer in other reproductive organs, such as the breasts or ovaries, and that she had to be careful about it. Then why did he get cancer? Who is Radhika?Radhika Iyer was born in an orthodox Tamil Brahmin family. While her family emphasized the girls’ education and encouraged independence, there were still many things they were not allowed to do. His father was in the Military Accounts Service, and the family was transferred to various places across India. This gave Radhika the opportunity to try her hand at many small jobs while studying. “We were encouraged to do our own work and earn our own pocket money during the summer holidays. I did everything from modeling to selling newspapers and even going door-to-door selling washing powder.”

However, one thing that was not acceptable was marrying outside one’s community. But at the age of 19, she fell in love with Amit Talati and got married into a rich Gujarati family. “I had always learned to earn my own money, so the life of a housewife was not easy for me. Although there was no shortage of money, women in my family were expected to take care of the house, men and children. I wanted to be a good daughter-in-law and learn the tricks of the trade, but I felt stifled and always tried to do my own thing.I didn’t want my husband to ever feel like he had made a wrong choice, so I gave up my pride and took on my role as a daughter-in-law. However, gradually I started taking things into my own hands. Thankfully, I was allowed to do small tasks like writing articles and organizing a small fashion exhibition. This gave me enough financial freedom to seek help and think about starting something bigger. I started organizing celebrity birthdays, founded my own wedding design company and earned a good income while raising my three children.All this time, I was adjusting to my new family, raising kids, and dealing with a number of health issues — like eczema that wouldn’t go away, gut problems, and conditions that even landed me in the ICU. Then came the final blow: cancer, at a time when my children were still very young. I was diagnosed in 2004, and thankfully it was in the early stages, so it was manageable – but with a caveat that it could return. Meanwhile, I struggled with eczema for years, until I met Dr., an Ayurvedic doctor in Ahmedabad. Pankaj Dabi. My trust in him and naturopathy deepened when he cured my long-standing eczema in just one week. All they did was change my diet – started eating seasonally, on time – and that discipline cured me.

But as fate would have it, I was diagnosed with cancer for the second time in 2009 – this time in my breasts. My mother-in-law also had cancer, so when the lumps appeared, I immediately went to the doctor. However, he dismissed it and asked me to wait and see.Within a few days, I felt that the lumps were increasing, so I went back again. This time, they discovered that I had multiple lumps. He advised me to have a biopsy and this confirmed the diagnosis. I went straight to my Ayurvedic doctor, Dr. Pankaj Dabi. The cancer was in the early stages and he was confident that with proper Ayurvedic treatment the tumors would dissolve. While my family was incredulous about this bold step and my husband was completely reluctant, I wanted to try it and assured him that if it didn’t work, I would resort to regular treatments.Ayurvedic treatment was not easy. Every day, I would go to the clinic at 9 in the morning – a small clinic and return home late in the evening. This included fasting for long periods of time, drinking bitter juices, eating in a copper plate, getting massages, and more. Ultimately, at the end of 18-19 days, my hand turned blue, and all the lumps disappeared.

Despite the pain, I felt very good and during this period my weight reduced by 10 kg. It was extremely difficult treatment, but my faith and determination helped me carry on. I rested for 3-4 days, during which I ate only light food. The doctor did not allow me to get a mammogram, the doctor said that it could jeopardize the entire treatment. My family was not ready to accept my decision, but I moved forward with my faith. I finally got a mammogram three years later and everything became clear. But the story did not end here. After a month, Dr. Dabi told me that I needed to replenish my life energy, which had become weak during the treatment. He suggested that I should go to either Kerala or the Himalayas.“I got permission from my husband and explained everything to both of my children – my daughter was 8 years old and my son was only 5 – and then decided to go on this trip. Before leaving, I wrote a very emotional message to all my female friends, but it came as a shock to me – and a lesson – that I did not get a single response. The reality of the world had opened up before my eyes. I went to Rishikesh and spent six months there, extending my stay month by month each time after taking permission from my children. There I learned yoga from an Aghori Baba named Baba Dhuni Nath. I didn’t spend a single rupee, yet I learned things I couldn’t have learned anywhere else. I had a profound spiritual experience and a deep awakening. I learned about Lord Shiva and his philosophy. This became a turning point in my life. When I returned five months later, my husband didn’t recognize me—I was completely changed.”

Why did cancer happen?I realized that cancer developed due to a combination of many factors: eating out, exposure to chemical-laden cosmetics, and the constant stress of trying to fit into the role of “daughter-in-law”, as well as the many unspoken emotions that come with it.After my healing journey, I deeply embraced yoga and started practicing regularly. I also included hot water fasting in my lifestyle. Dr. Pankaj believed that hot water fasting could help cure many diseases and it gradually became a part of my daily routine. Today, I’m able to fast for multiple days—but of course, this has come with consistent practice and discipline. Eventually I started my own yoga studio, and slowly Anahata Organics was born when I realized that practicing yoga was not enough unless it was paired with clean eating. Radhika ensured that she brought to the people the traditional foods and practices that are missing from our modern tables.Radhika Iyer Talati is a yogini, philanthropist and a deep believer in naturopathy. She is a living example of strength and resilience and of the belief that ancient Indian science and mindful practice can help cure many modern ailments, including serious illnesses. Radhika’s life is a testament to transformation, faith and inner strength.