Menstruation can be painful, tiring and make you feel uncomfortable. Many women experience symptoms like nausea and vomiting, body aches, abdominal pain and discomfort, as well as fever and chills. Some others experience mood swings as well as a sudden increase in body weight. There are also hormonal changes and imbalances that take place that are the major causes of most of these problems.
Ayurvedic belief about menstruation
Ayurveda system gives some explanations about why menstrual problems arise. The belief is that there is some aggravation of the Pitta Dosha that causes menstruation. Menstrual problems arise due to imbalances in the other two Doshas — weight gain due to Kapha imbalances and mood swings due to Vata imbalances.
Ayurveda recommends some herbs and formulations that can help balance these Doshas. They help alleviate symptoms like pain and discomfort that women may experience during their menses. They also help regulate the flow and the regularity of menstrual cycles.
Herbs for menstruation in Ayurveda
These are some herbs, many of which are used in everyday cooking and consumption that can help with menstrual problems and irregularities.
- Ginger: It can be grated, mixed with sugar and taken everyday. It helps reduce pain and regulate irregularities in menstrual cycles.
- Asafoetida (Ferula fetida): You can fry some asafoetida gum in clarified butter and mix this with honey and goat’s milk and have this for those three to four days. It helps ease menses.
- Indian Aloe (Aloe vera): It stimulates the uterus and helps ease menstrual flow. It also helps alleviate pain and give relief.
- Bamboo leaves: They can be consumed on a daily basis. They are known to correct menstrual irregularities and ease regular flow.
- Lemon grass: It can be brewed into a tea and had in those few days when you experience symptoms. It helps alleviate menstrual pain and discomfort.
- Chicory (Chicorium intibus): The seeds of this herb can be brewed into a strong decoction and consumed. It is very useful to ease menstrual flow.
- Henna (Lawsonia alba): Its leaves can be made into suppositories that can be placed in the vaginal opening. It helps control excessive menstrual flow and acts as a cooling agent.
- Bloodwort: Its leaves can be brewed into a decoction and had to correct menstrual irregularities. Its oil can be used to treat reproductive disorders in women.
- Dill (Anethum sowa): It acts as a stimulant to help regulate delayed periods. It can be brewed with parsley and consumed to treat menstrual spasms and pain.
These herbs can be taken as mentioned. Some herbs, like ginger and asafoetida can even be included in cooking and everyday diet for better health and greater effectiveness.
