Happy Women’s Day!
Today, I wish to do a hearty talk with all my female readers about women’s health from an Ayurvedic perspective.
In India, women have been revered as goddesses for their role in sustaining life.
Acharya Charaka, in his text, honours women as they are responsible for the continuation of life:
स्त्रियस्तु जनयित्री प्रजानाम्
“Striyastu janayitri prajānām”
(Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 8/32)
Meaning: Women are the progenitors of mankind.
In today’s world, where women are juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, prioritizing self-care can be challenging. Whether she is a working woman excelling in every aspect of life or someone who has dedicated herself to her home, a woman needs to be in her best health to truly honour her existence.
Ayurveda understands the physiological, psychological and emotional health needs of women and offers a holistic approach in achieving a balanced state of mind, body, and soul.
Ayurveda and Women’s Health: A Deep Connection
Ayurveda values women at every stage of life including menstruation, preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum care. Here’s how Ayurveda can empower us on our journey to achieve perfect health.
Menstrual health
Menstruation known as ‘Rajaswala’ in Ayurveda is a natural cleansing process for eliminating excess Pitta (heat) and Vishudh Rakta (impure blood) from our body.
Contrary to popular belief, Ayurveda doesn’t claim women as ‘impure’ during Rajaswala kaal. Rather it honors the natural rhythms and cycles that define our body.
Instead of approaching menstruation as something inconvenient and unpleasant, Ayurveda acknowledges it as an essential process that influences our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Ayurveda defines the three stages of the menstrual cycle based on our body doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. By recognizing these changes and integrating lifestyle practices around them, we can better manage our menstrual symptoms, hormonal fluctuations, and emotional imbalances.
An Ayurvedic doctor might suggest dietary changes, herbal remedies, and self-care routines for each stage. For instance, in the menstrual phase, where Vata Dosha is at its peak (in middle age women), nourishing foods and gentle exercises such as restorative yoga can ease the cramps and induce relaxation.
- Dietary choices: Consuming warm, cooked foods can help achieve Dosha balance during menstruation. Incorporating anti-inflammatory spices like ginger and turmeric can reduce the pain and discomfort during the cycle.
- Lifestyle practices: Gentle yoga and meditation can ease menstrual cramps and promote emotional well-being.
- Herbal support: Ayurveda is a storehouse of herbs and natural remedies for supporting menstrual health and regulating cycles. It is important to consult a doctor before consuming any herbs to derive the maximum benefits.
Preconception
Ayurveda is primarily a science of body Doshas. Hence, Ayurvedic preconception care emphasises on cleansing and nourishing the body and mind through diet modifications, herbal supplements and lifestyle changes to achieve Dosha balance. In this way, you can prepare your body to nurture a child.
- Nourishing herbs: Ayurveda offers several herbs for female reproductive health, nourishing the uterus, supporting ovulation and maintaining hormonal equilibrium.
- Detoxification: Practices like Panchakarma cleanse the body of toxins, potentially improving fertility.
- Stress management: Techniques, such as Abhyanga (self-massage) and Shirodhara (oil pouring over the forehead) can reduce stress, which is crucial for reproductive health.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, Ayurvedic practitioners may suggest gentle prenatal yoga, massages with nourishing oils and herbal formulations for common discomforts such as nausea, fatigue and edema.
It is mentioned in our ancient Ayurvedic texts what a Garbhini (pregnant woman) should eat.
“Garbhinyāh prasavotsāhāh snigdhāh sthirā madhurāśinah” – (Charaka Samhita, Sharirasthana 8/32)
A pregnant woman should consume oily, nourishing, stable, and sweet foods to support fetal development. However, this is a general guide that is classified further based on which month of pregnancy is going on. For instance, ghee, nuts and milk are advised during the fifth month for the bone and brain development of the fetus. On the contrary, light and nourishing foods like Khichdi and soups are advised during the ninth month for easy labor.
Postpartum
Ayurveda also offers a welcoming postpartum experience after childbirth, focusing on rebuilding strength, aiding lactation, and nurturing the emotional state of the new mother.
Gentle massages, herbal baths and nutritious tonics offered in Ayurvedic therapies can facilitate the postpartum healing process.
By embracing these principles, women can improve their reproductive health, nourish their bodies, and empower themselves during these transformative stages of life.
Menopause
Menopause (Rajonivritti) is not a disease; it is a natural phenomenon in every woman’s life.
In Ayurveda, it is viewed as a displacement of Doshas, particularly as a “Vata increase” and an imbalance in Pitta and Kapha according to one’s constitution. While menopause is seen as an “end” by most, Ayurveda considers it a new phase of wisdom, strength and self-care.
Ayurveda explains that menopause takes place when a woman’s reproductive fire (Artava Agni) diminishes, and the body stops generating menstrual blood (Artava). The loss of Shukra Dhatu (reproductive tissues) and Ojas (vital energy) results in changes in body and mind.
Menopause occurs in every woman’s life between ages 45 and 55. The general symptoms consist of hot flushes, dryness, discharge from the vaginal area, mood swings, headaches, weight gain and many others.
Menopause is a significant transition, and Ayurveda provides tools to navigate it gracefully:
- Diet: Eat warm, cooked food added with good fat to provide strength and nourishment to Dhatus.
- Herbal support: Tulsi, Brahmi, licorice and Triphala are great herbs for balancing Doshas and metabolizing excess fat. But, all of these herbs might not work for you. Consult with an Ayurvedic doctor before you take any herbs.
- Lifestyle: Incorporate daily walk, Yoga, intermittent fasting and meditation to cleanse and detoxify the inner body.
Ayurveda for Common Women’s Health Issues
Not only this, Ayurveda addresses each aspect of women’s health – be it hormonal imbalance, ovarian cysts or internal infections. Let’s explore how Ayurveda addresses specific health concerns:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
It is an endocrine disorder among females of reproductive age in which the ovaries fail to produce eggs on a regular basis and develop cysts.
The symptoms of PCOS are irregular or heavy periods, increased male hormones, excessive hair growth, acne, weight gain, and thinning hair.
Ayurveda considers it to be an outcome of Kapha imbalance and offers a holistic approach involving:
- Dietary changes: Avoid milk and milk products, sugary and fatty foods to reduce Kapha. Switch to light and nourishing foods like soups, porridge, khichadi, etc.
- Herbs: Turmeric, aloe vera, black pepper, Triphala, Guduchi and Punarnava can help manage PCOS symptoms. But, all of these herbs might not work for you. Consult with an Ayurvedic doctor before you take any herbs.
- Lifestyle: Daily exercise, intermittent fasting, Yoga and Pranayam are great for weight management and digestion.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
It refers to an infection in the urinary system that causes pelvic pain, urge for frequent urination, pain when urinating and urine that has blood in it.
In Ayurveda, Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are understood under “Mutrakrichra”, which means difficulty in urination. It is a condition caused by an imbalance in the Pitta Dosha, which leads to excessive heat and inflammation in the urinary tract.
Cooling foods like coconut water, barley water and buttermilk are favourable for reducing heat and balancing Pitta.
Menstrual cramps
Menstrual cramps occur during our monthly cycle (Rajaswala Kaal) as a result of disorder in Apaan Vayu that controls menstrual flow.
Applying warm compresses and consuming teas made from fennel or ginger can provide natural relief from cramps.
Also, in the olden days, women were advised to refrain from doing any laborious household chores during this cycle. This was a practice imbibed in our culture keeping in mind the women’s health during this crucial period. Unfortunately, this has taken the form of superstitions in the modern times.
Enough rest and warm food can ease the menstrual cramps and also provide mental and emotional calm.
Ayurvedic Self-Care and Beauty Practices
Women are the epitome of beauty, virtue and elegance. Ayurveda offers self-care practices and remedies to promote both inner and outer beauty:
Abhyanga (Self-massage)
As described in Ayurvedic texts, daily oil massage nourishes the skin, improves circulation, and calms the mind. This is a great practice for women to improve their external beauty as well as mental health. The best part is you can do it at home.
Natural skincare
Since ancient times, women have been using ingredients like turmeric, sandalwood, and rose water to enhance skin health and radiance. Ayurveda has a remedy for almost all skin ailments without any side effects that modern medicine poses on us. You can check my YouTube channel for Ayurvedic skincare trips and remedies.
Hair care
Ask any woman and she will crave for lustrous locks. Long, shiny and black hair are considered as their crowning glory and add to the natural beauty. Herbs like Amla and Bhringraj strengthen hair, prevent hair fall and promote shine.
Mental and Emotional Well-being
Last but not the least, Ayurveda emphasizes the women’s mental and emotional health.
Ok, let’s admit it with pride.
By nature, we tend to be more sentimental and soft in contrast to our male counterparts. This ancient healing system caters to our special needs and has a whole separate section dedicated to women’s overall health.
Sometimes, my schedule is so hectic (patient visits, online consultations, procedures) that I experience a lot of stress and emotional breakdown. So what do I do as an Ayurvedic doctor?
Well, here comes my anti-anxiety blue pea flower tea!
Ayurveda is the treasure trove of life changing hacks to improve our quality of life. Meditation, Yoga, Yognidra, Shirodhara, herbs like Brahmi, Shankhpushpi and Jatamansi support the nervous system, reduce depression and promote mental clarity.
Some Words From Me as a Woman and an Ayurvedic Doctor
If you have observed the women members of your family, especially your mother or grandmother, they often tend to ignore their health and go around doing their daily tasks. This continues until their health deteriorates.
Often, by the time people come to me for consultations, their health condition would have progressed beyond repair. If you’re one of them, it’s time to change. Don’t say that it is because you don’t have time. Nothing is more important than your health.
And if it’s because you’re hesitant to have so many medicines, Ayurveda is here to heal you naturally.
I am someone who grew up in an Ayurvedic environment, but didn’[t think highly of it until my stint with rheumatism. No modern medicine could heal me. I’m here today all because of Ayurveda.
Let’s Celebrate Women’s Day Everyday!
Ayurveda for women’s health, especially in a world where the health needs of women are often sidelined, is a welcome and liberating approach to feminine well-being.
By implementing Ayurvedic principles in our lifestyle, we can begin a holistic journey towards self-empowerment and self-love!
So, on this women’s day, embrace the power of Ayurveda and unlock the secret to great health, divine peace, and a natural way of life.
If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us. You can also visit us at our hospital.