Ayurveda and Menstrual Cycle
By Ayurveda Counselor Group 9.20
Western medicine views menstruation as more of a physical process where the body removes unneeded tissue and prepares for the next ovulation cycle. The process is thought to be governed primarily by hormones. Ayurveda sees women as the embodiment of creative cosmic energy. Women are meant to create and nurture life. Women are seen as closer to the natural cycles of the earth, moon and planets and this is reflected through their menstruation cycle which roughly corresponds the cycle of the Moon as it moves from new to full to new again. Ayurveda believes that the menstruation period is on of cleansing and that women should slow down, moderate exercise, eat lightly and honor this period to reflect on their divine connections.
The Western view of the menstrual cycle is very clinical and scientific in nature. It relies completely on the objective role of the hormones finding a mean of the general population of women and presenting that as the norm.
The Western view, as a whole, does not attempt to offer pacifying remedies outside the scope of their medicinal treatments, eg. NSAIDs for all types of pain associated with the cycle(no deferential between headache remedy, cramping, low back), uses hormones to explain PMS symptoms, specifically manasic symptoms, but does not attempt to educate about these imbalances to women nor offer education to their partners about how to support during this time, yet will gladly prescribe antidepressants to 'fix' the women. In contrast, Ayurveda offers the perspective that this is a time of cleansing: physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
As such, it is advised to rest and meditate and lean in to family to allow this space for themselves. Ayurveda also differs in its view of a women's cycle, not only recognizing that each woman is unique but that she will need specific balancing remedies per her dosha, agni, and cycle agni. These remedies include the use of blood tonifying herbs, diet, meditation, mantra, marma activation, abyhanga, pulling back from unnecessary activity, among others. Ayurveda offers these remedies when a woman has a period that falls outside what is considered a healthy flow. A healthy period will be moderate in flow and duration, it will have no clots, and little to no discomfort.
Another main difference between the Western perspective and Ayurveda is that Ayurveda honors the cycle throughout the month and offers pacifying suggestions through all three phases of the cycle Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. Lastly, Ayurveda honors that there are times that Western medicine may be needed but advises against long term use.
Ayurveda also sees a woman’s development from birth to menopause as representative of the 3 doshas. From birth to puberty is largely Kapha, Puberty to 40 years is mostly Pitta, 40 to 50 a combination of vata and pitta and 50 years, menopausal and post-menopausal as Vata. Menstrual periods are often experienced differently by different dosha types.
The modern view of the menstrual cycle is something that is considered to be due to hormonal changes in a women’s body. They do not look deeper into the meaning; they see it from a very scientific point of view.
Versus in Ayurveda, the scientific part is considered. Ayurveda does know the hormones are changing and the lining of the uterus is shedding, but it takes into account the esoteric part as well. Ayurveda sees this time as a time to be honored; a time that a woman is literally changing. She is letting go of all accumulated toxins in the body, emotional as well. Ayurveda also takes into account how we are very connected to the moon.
According to Ayurveda, the menstrual cycle is viewed as a period of cleansing for the mind and the body; and is controlled by rasa dhatu agni, artava dhatu agni, apana vayu and poshaka kapha. It’s an opportunity to rest the mind, and it’s advised to reduce chores at home, doing physical activities, invite others in our space, so we can release what need to be released and reset our personal energy. Ahara and vihara is also very important because it can smooth the feminine cycle or worsen it, which is why it’s crucial to point out if what we experience is an imbalance if PMS is present, and not normalize it. Learning the ayurvedic approach of the feminine cycle helps to learn more about our own mind and body and adjust ahara and vihara according to them. The feminine energy is ruled by the moon and the phases of the moon are directly linked to the women cycle, which is another aspect not taken in consideration in western society.
For the western society, menstrual cycle is controlled by female hormones and this moment of the month is not very honored. Women doesn’t really rest, synch with their mind and body because of the “duties of multitasked women” are considered and taught as proprietary compared to their original and vital need of releasing energy. They have to take care of everything all year long, no matter if there is this vital recurrent need to release emotions, ama and not only physical blood.
Herbs
Ashoka
Pacifies: Pitta, Kapha
Aggravates: Vata
Imbalance: Supports Excess bleeding, dysmenorrhea, prolapse, irregular cycles, PCOS.
Dashamula:
Pacifies: Vata, Kapha
Aggravates: Pitta
Imbalance: Supports Premenstrual anxiety, insomnia, cold extremities
Shatavari
Pacifies: Vata, Pitta
Aggravates: Kapha
Imbalance: Supports Dysmenorrhea, stagnant blood, constipation, heavy menstruation.
Punarnava
Pacifies: Vata, Pitta, Kapha
Aggravates: Vata in excess
Imbalance: Supports Blood clots, menorrhagia, fibroids.
Musta
Pacifies: Pitta, Kapha
Aggravates: Vata
Imbalance: Supports Cramping, heavy flow, bloating, depression, delayed onset of period.
Ashwagandha
Pacifies: Vata, Pitta (in small amounts), Kapha
Aggravates: May aggravate Pitta
Imbalance: Supports Slow onset of menses, spasms, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, weakness.
Turmeric
Pacifies: Vata, Pitta, Kapha
Aggravates:Pitta and Kapha in excess
Imbalance: Supports Fibroids, cysts, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, kapha accumulation.
Anantamula
Pacifies: Pitta
Aggravates: Vata, kapha
Imbalance: Supports Menorrhagia, leukorrhea, dysmenorrhea, anemia, hot flashes
Fenugreek
Pacifies: Vata, Pitta
Aggravates: Pitta
Imbalance: SupportsDysmenorrhea
Ajwain
Pacifies: Vata, Kapha
Aggravates: Pitta
Imbalance: Supports Cramping, anxiety, depression, lethargy.
Rose
Pacifies: Pitta, Vata, Kapha
Aggravates: na
Imbalance: Anxiety, stress, depression, acne.
Pomegranate
Pacifies: Vata, Pitta, Kapha
Aggravates: na
Imbalance: Supports Endometriosis, fibroids, low and high estrogen.
Disclaimer: Ayurveda is a complementary medicine modality and is not allowed to treat, cure or prevent any disease. All the information above is for knowledge/information purpose only. Ayurveda is not recognized by FDA.