ayurveda and menstruation

7/31/2019 Ayurveda and Menstruation

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The women population in world shows tremendous contrast and variety. On one hand there

are rich, urban women who probably have every luxury and comfort at their disposal while

on the other hand are innumerable poor, illiterate women for whom coming out of theirhomes is also a very big luxury. As a result of this contrast, their sanitation, nutritional

status, life styles, food habits, outlook, thinking and medical care available to them also

differ enormously. The only similarity in this diversified plethora of women is that they allhave the same feminine anatomy and physiology. Menarche, menstrual cycle and

menopause are undoubtedly very important milestones in their lives and they have

manifold effects on their health and personalities.

In olden days menstruating woman used to receive lot of attention in Indian households.

Women used to remain in seclusion during menses and there were lot of restrictions ontheir movements and activities. E.g.

Menstruating woman was not supposed to enter the kitchen or do any domestic activities.

She was not allowed to participate in any religious or spiritual activities or visit temple,cemetery or marriage ceremonies.

She was not allowed to make hectic journeys or pilgrimages.

She was also not supposed to have intercourse with anybody during menses.She was neither supposed to take spicy, pungent food or non-veg nor do nor type of fasting,

but was expected to take mild, simple food during menses.

She was not supposed to apply any make-up or cosmetics during menses but was expectedto dress up in a simple style.

Nobody was allowed to touch her and she was asked to keep aloof from other others.

She was only allowed to do simple tasks and Yoga exercises.
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Today such approach would sound impracticable, irrational and orthodox. However, one

also needs to try and understand those subtle changes which menstruation triggers in a

woman and their effects on woman's physical, mental and spiritual state and then one cananalyze, why so many restrictions were recommended for the woman.

Beauty is directly related to menstruation

The menstrual blood has been called 'Raja' in Ayurvedic literature. The word 'Raja' alsofigures in another context of Trigunas. Sattva, Raja and Tama are supposed to form the

basis of the entire universe. According to Vedic philosophy, all living and non-living things

are supposed to be formed out of various combinations of these Trigunas. Each of these

three terms has its own characteristics and effects. E.g.

Sattva guna brings clarity, lightness, stability, cleanliness & enlightenment

Raja guna brings instability, fluctuations & changesTama guna brings lethargy, laziness, uncleanliness & destruction

All the three characters have influence not just on the physical and physiological levels ofan individual but also on intelligence, memory, mind, mental activities like thinking and

even on soul of the person. So when a person is more under influence of Sattva, there is

more clarity, lightness, stability and cleanliness in his body, physiology, mental activities

and actions. As against this, the influence of Raja causes instability, fluctuations & changesin his body, physiology, mental activities and actions while influence of Tama leads to

lethargy, laziness, uncleanliness and destruction in his body, physiology, mental activities

and actions. During the menstrual cycle, Raja guna is supposed to increase in body,physiology, mental activities and actions of the woman, that's why the menstrual blood has

been called Raja in Ayurveda. This is a very subtle meaning that is hidden in this

terminology. No other science in the world has probably studied and defined the menstrualchanges so pertinently and minutely.

.

If we analyze the physiological changes observed in woman's body during menses, theystrongly reflect this fact. The main changes and problems experienced by women during

menses are as follows:

Rise in body temperatureStimulations in breasts

Horripilation on body

More sweatingPains in lower abdomen, lumber region & thighs

Hotness in vagina

Mental instability & mood swingsIrritation & nervousness

Sleep disturbances

Depression

Rise in blood pressure

Majority of these changes indicate the strong increase of Raja guna on physical as well as


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mental level of the woman. Now if one wants to keep these changes at bay and avoid their

aggravation, then the woman will have to follow proper life style and dietary regimen and

make sure that Raja guna does not increase any more in the body and mind. Raja energy isincreased by following things ~

Hectic activitiesOverwork

Stressful activities

Pungent, spicy foodNon-veg food like meat

Alcohol

Smoking

Staying awake at nightConstipation

Strenuous travels

Sexual intercourse

Mental tensions & stressesConflicts

Negative Emotions like anger, jealousy

All these things are bound to increase Raja guna and make the woman's condition even

worse. It was because of this reason that menstruating women were asked to remain inisolation and avoid any heavy activities in the past Indian societies.

The goal of any religious and spiritual activity is to increase Sattva guna and eliminate Raja& Tama gunas. Since there is tremendous increase of Raja guna in woman's body during

menses, the menstrual period was not thought to be the ideal time for her to pursue any

type of religious and spiritual activities. That's why woman are not allowed to take part inany religious and spiritual activities during their menses in Hindu community.

Regrettably however, all these traditional restrictions have been deemed as irrational andfoolish by modern society without really understanding the logic and purpose behind them.

Many educated girls and women follow quite improper and harmful life style and dietary

regimen during menses and as a result suffer from many menses-related problems and

hormonal disturbances. Good menstruation is extremely necessary for good health andgood conception. Many women however do not seem to know this. Perhaps it may not be

possible today to follow the ancient life style as it is, but at least a woman should follow a

healthy life style and diet regimen and should avoid strenuous activities, stress, alcohol,smoking, conflicts, negative emotions etc.

Ayurveda divides a womansmenstruation cycle into three phases that correspond with the

three dosha:
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Kappha is the phase between the end of menstrual bleeding and the beginning of

ovulation marked by an increase in estrogen

Pitta refers to the phase between ovulation until the menstrual period begins and ismarked by high progesterone hormone levels

Vata refers to the period of menstrual bleeding in which the menstrum is pushed

downward by descending wind and empties the contents of the womb

Any menstrual disturbances in these three phases may affect female fertility; however,typically it is the Vata phase that is believed to be affected. According to Ayurveda, this

because the downward energy becomes blocked. It is important to balance each dosha

phase of the menstrual cycle. Ayurveda treatments may include aloe vera, daily self-massage, tea made from fennel seeds, licorice, saffron or ginger, and rose water.

Remedies for Menstrual and Premenstrual Problems

The moon, the tides of the ocean and woman, these three cycle together each month. A womansmonthly bleeding sets her apart from all other females, none of whom have menstruation as part oftheir reproductive physiology. Mysterious and powerful, a womans cycle is a source of her deep

connection to the moon and the cycles of nature. Yet all too often, her cycle is experienced astroublesome and painful rather than as enriching. One of the most important things an Ayurvedicpractitioner can do in the care of a younger woman is to help her have a positive experience of hermenstrual cycle. PMS and menstrual cramps rob a woman of the potential richness of thisexperience and can lead to her feeling negative about her femininity. This in turn can create worseproblems such as malignancies in the reproductive system.

Vata PMSVata type PMS manifests in stress, anxiety, insomnia, low back pain and constipation occurringduring the week or ten days before the onset of menstruation. This condition is best dealt with bygentle vata soothing measures such as regular selfabhyanga using organic sesame oil orVataMassage Oil, and sweat therapy in a tub with one third cup ofginger root powder and onethird cup of baking soda mixed in the warm water. Abastiusing Dashamula tea can be done one

week before menstruation, to ease both vata type PMS and vata dysmenorrhoeaTHis basti is bestpreceded and followed by oil basti. For insomnia and anxiety, a good remedy is a teaspoon of

Ashwagandha in a cup of warm cows milk or almond milk at bed time. For constipation, it maybe sufficient to add a teaspoon or two of ghee to the Ashwagandha milk. An alternative choice is ahalf teaspoon ofSat Isabgol in warm water or milk at bed time. Below are typical instructions wegive out for home sweat and Dashamula basti.

Ginger/soda bath:


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1/3 cup each of dried ginger & baking soda for each bathtubful of tolerable hot water (avoidexcessive heat). Total amounts needed: dried ginger 1/3 cup baking soda1/3 cup

Be sure the bathroom is warmavoid getting chilled at any time.

Have extra oil towels available.

Soak after oiling and then get out when begin to sweat.

Cover with towels and continue to sweat in the warm bathroom until you are beginning to

cool down.

Basti

At 7 pm or sunset time, instead of dinner prepare the recommended basti for that day,o Day 1 : 4 oz sesame oil, blood heat temperature (body temperature)

o Day 2: Dashmula tea: 1 pints pure water & 2 Tablespoons Dashmula tea.Simmer with lid on for 10 min. Then strain really well, through a silk cloth or coffeefilter. Do not use the roots/powder portion in the enema bag, ONLY use thestrained liquid. Then add cup of warm sesame oil, mix & put in enema bag at

blood heat temperature.o Day 3: 4 oz sesame oil again, blood heat temperature

Prepare & warm up the bathroom or other location where you will be administering thebasti.

o Have towel handy for diaper, if needed to safely get to toilet.

o Be sure you have a comfortable, cushioned place to recline during the basti. Theremay be some leakage while administering the enema, so have appropriate oldtowels etc under you (ie. Not your favorite blanket). Most people arrange a nestin the bathroom or bathtub.

o You will want to have a place to hang up the enema bag most have a hook or loopon the top which you can use directly on something or can put on a clothes hanger& then hook onto a towel rack or shower head, etc.

After preparing the basti put it in the previously cleaned & air-dried enema bag

Check the action of the bag while doing the previous cleaning how to release the clasp;letting air out of the nozzle before insertion

Lubricate the nozzle (part to be inserted in the anus) with sesame oil. Also lubricate youranus with sesame oil .Do not use KY jelly even if this is indicated in the instructions thatcome with your enema kit. ( KY jelly is a petroleum product.)

Lie on your left side. Gently & slowly insert the nozzle (if its uncomfortable try anotherangle inward) Release the clasp holding the liquid in and allow it to flow slowly into therectum. Lie on the left side for 10 minutes. Then move to lie on the back for 10 minutes.Then turn & line on the right side for 10 minutes. Trying to retain the enema for 30 minutesis ideal. If you feel like you arent retaining it, oil your belly and massage counter-clockwisefor five minutes to help keep the basti in.

When it has emptied from the bag, slowly remove the nozzle from your anus

When the urge arises after 30 minutes, use the towel diaper under you to avoid leakage,and go to the toilet. Relax for awhile.

It is not unusual for no oil to come out, especially with the first oil enema, and for vatapeople or situations. Do not be alarmed. The oil will be beneficial if your body has chosen toabsorb it. You can just carry on with your day- maybe keeping a little pad or toilet paper in

your underwear in case oil leaks out.

Usually the tea enema will lead to some results. If not, inform your practitioner for furtherconsultation. You can continue with the 3rd enema if s/he hasnt gotten back to you yet,and stay on kitcheree until after talking with her/him.

After the results, clean the toilet as needed and then take a shower

Eat a small amount (1/2 -1 cup of very soupy kitcheree) with plenty of ghee, to keep the vatamoving downward

After 1 to 2 hrs (when kitcheree has gone past stomach digestion) go to bed for the night


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Pitta PMSPitta PMS can be a devastating problem that destroys lives and marriages. In its most severe form,it may be diagnosed as premenstrual mood disorder, also known as PMDDpremenstrualdysphoric disorder. Affecting 5% of women, PMDD expresses in moodiness or out of control angeroutbursts during two weeks or before menstruation. Depression, mood swings, suicidal thoughts,irritability and cravings for sweets and chocolate are typical pitta symptoms that mark this disorder.Matters are only made worse when the woman blames herself or experiences blame from familymembers. One woman says, Only after menopause did I fully realise the devastating impact PMDDhad exerted on my life. Once my hormones were no longer cycling I realised that I was in fact a verypatient and well balanced person who had been blamed for a physical ailment that did not reflectmy true personality. PMDD is a serotonin-related imbalance treated in Western medicine withSSRI anti-depressants. Hence it will respond well to either Brahmi or Bacopa,both of whichelevate serotonin levels. In addition, the underlying pitta condition can be managed withShatavari Kalpa. Roast an ounce of Shatavari with one or two tablespoons ghee in a cast ironpan until light brown and add two tablespoons of sucanat, rapadura or turbinado sugar, twopinches saffron and a pinch of cardamom. A teaspoon of this recipe can be taken in the morning toprevent tikshnagni and provoked pitta. For tender breasts, another typical symptom of pitta PM S,

breast massage with Organic Coconut Oil or Breast Balm can be extremely helpful.

In addition to these herbal remedies, a strict pitta-pacifying diet should be followed, with especial

care to avoid nightshades such as eggplant and tomato sauces. PMDD may be a result of ourunnatural indoor lifestyle which does not expose us to natural alternations of light and dark. Moon

bathing and moonlight strolling can be helpful for this condition. If possible, the woman shouldplace the head of her bed near a skylight or large window so she can get exposure to moonlight and

be influenced by the moons cycle while sleeping, as her ancestors were.

When PMDD manifests as a significant illness,pancha karmawill help speed the rate of recovery.An appropriate PK regime for pitta should be followed, including abhyangawith Pitta MassageOil,virechan (purge) with either castor oil or a larger-than-usual dose ofAmlaki and basti withGuduchi in place of Dashamula

Kapha PMSBloating, fluid retention, crying, weepiness, fatigue and lethargy characterise kapha PMS. This

condition can be helped by a kapha soothing diet with emphasis on salt reduction, and byPunarnava, half a teaspoon twice daily mixed in honey, which will have a mild diuretic effect and

will in addition soothe kapha. Triphala or Bibhitakiwill also be of help in balancing kapha,reducing toxins and limiting fatigue.

Vata DysmenorrhoeaVata dysmenorrhoea consists of intense cramps which occur before the onset of bleeding or whenthe bleeding is still only light. Such cramps can be severe and disabling.Yogaraj Guggulu is anexcellent remedy for this condition and should be taken daily throughout the cycle as the intentionis not just for immediate relief of pain but to pacify the underlying vata. Alternatively, and moresuitable for an underweight vata, a combination ofAshwagandha andVidariwill help to reducemenstrual cramps and regulate the menstrual cycle. Again, this remedy should be taken all monthlong as the intention is to calm vata systemically rather than to act as an alternative to Ibuprofen.

As mentioned in context of vata PMS, Dashamulabasti can be done a week before the onset ofmenstruation and can help calm the vata so that cramps are lessened. At that time, it can also behelpful to do a Dashamula douche with some of the same decoction. This can help remove vata fromartava dhatu. Supported supta vajrasana is an excellent yoga pose for menstrual cramps. Withadequate support, it is possible to remain in this position for as much as twenty minutes, with greatrelief. A woman who suffers every month from intense cramps will be likely to get significant relief

by doingpancha karma, with emphasis on internal oleation, abhyanga with Vata Massage Oiland sesame oil and Dashamula bastis.


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Pitta Dysmenorrhoea and MenorrhagiaPitta dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia go hand in hand as manifestations of excess pitta in the

system. Because of the sara (creeping)nature of pitta, excess ranjak pitta can overflow from theliver and collect in the pelvic cavity, causing excess menstrual bleeding and pitta type cramps.Symptoms of pitta dysmenorrhoea include tenderness and cramps which occur when the flow is atits heaviest. Symptoms of menorrhagia include soaking through a pad or tampon each hour or lessor needing to use double protection, passing large clots, being woken at night by excess flow, andfeeling breathless or dizzy during the flow as a result of excess bleeding. Causes of menorrhagia can

be complex and multifactorial. Sometimes HRT can provoke pitta causing excess bleeding. EDS, agenetic disorder in which the mridu (soft) quality of pitta is in excess can lead to heavy menstrual

bleeding as well as easy bruising. Vitamin K deficiency can be caused by pitta provoking medicationsuch as aspirin as well as by malabsorption conditions such as celiac syndrome. Von Willebrandsdisease is a little known bleeding disorder characterised by excess menstrual bleeding, easy bruisingand frequent and prolonged nosebleeds. Iron deficiency is both an effect and a cause ofmenorrhagia since when serum iron is low the blood vessels are unable to constrict effectively tostop the bleeding.

Aloe vera is the anupan of choice for pitta dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia. Guduchi will helpaddress the root cause of menorrhagia in the excess ranjak pitta, Shatavariwill support healthy

balance of hormones and reduce pitta throughout the system,Ashoka is an excellent remedy for

excess bleeding and menstrual cramps and Rose is astringent and reduces excess bleeding.Hibiscuswill also balance the female reproductive system and reduce pitta, so Rose and Hibiscustea with a touch of cinnamon, a warming emenogogue, can be an excellent beverage for pittamenstrual symptoms. Musta is an herb of choice for pitta PMS and pitta cramps and will also help

with yeast infections. Containing many of these pitta soothing herbs,Womens Support is a goodall purpose womens formula that can bring relief for dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia.

Moon salutations, shitaliand gentle forward-bending poses can help bring relief for pittadysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia and indeed for PMDD. The women cited earlier in context of PMDDnotes that, Although I had no choice about being irritable and upset, I still had a choice of how todeal with it. Eventually I learnt to run into another room before I yelled, and to do some shitaliuntilI felt calmer. Then I could have some hibiscus tea or some warm milk with cardamom. These small

victories gave me a sense of self respect and achievement even in the face of the mood disorder.

Kapha DysmenorrhoeaA dull ache, heavy, congested feeling, lethargy and fogginess characterise kapha dysmenorrhoea.The kapha woman should avoid dairy products such as milk and cheese during her menstrualperiod and should concentrate on light, kapha reducing food such as fruits and vegetables. Unlike

vata and pitta, who need to rest during menstruation, the kapha woman needs gentle, low impactexercise at this time, including flowing vinyasa and walking. This will stimulate circulation which

will relieve much of the sensation of heaviness. As during kapha PMS, Punarnava in honey is anherb of choice. She can also try some emmenogogue teas such as Hibiscus tea, without the rose and

with more cinnamon and a little ginger powder.Womens Support may be very beneficial,especially if she has heavy bleeding or clots. Hot packs such as castor oil packs or ginger packs canalso give great relief to the feeling of congestion.

Ayurvedic support in terms of diet, yoga, home remedies and herbs offer women the life-changingopportunity to experience their moon cycle as life-giving rather than as negative. Even a devastatingcondition such as PMDD can be relieved by appropriate pitta soothing measures and nervine herbs.By reducing the amount of ill health and pain experienced before and during menstruation, the

Ayurvedic practitioner can make a significant impact on a womans overall wellbeing and that of herfamily.


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ayurveda and menstruation

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