What are menstrual cramps?
Menstrual cramps is pain in the abdominal or pelvic region just before or during menstruation. It is also called dysmenorrhea. It can cause a lot of discomfort and interfere with everyday activities. It is more commonly seen among teenage girls and females in their twenties. It can be caused due to a number of reasons like stress, nutritional deficiencies, imbalanced Doshas, improper eating habits among others.
There are some remedies in Ayurveda based on Doshas or body types that can help in providing relief from menstrual cramping.
Ayurvedic menstrual cramps remedies
- Vegetarian diet: Consuming lots of fresh fruits and vegetables is advisable. Along with this, you should have a diet planned according to your Dosha for better health.
- Yoga and meditation: They can help relieve stress and tension that can cause menstrual discomfort. There are practices recommended for each Dosha that can be followed accordingly.
Ayurvedic treatment for menstrual pain according to Doshas
For Vata body type: Symptoms experienced are constipation, bloating, insomnia, cramps, abdominal pain and lower back ache with a light menstrual flow.
- Aloe vera gel and black pepper: Take a spoon of the gel with a pinch of pepper three times a day till you get relief.
- Yogaraj guggulu or Triphala guggulu: You can have this tablet two times a day till you get relief.
- Ashwagandha, Tagar, Vidari: Mix these in equal proportion and have a spoon of this mixture with water after meals in the afternoon and night.
- Castor oil: You can gently massage some oil onto your lower abdomen for relief.
For Pitta body type: Symptoms include irritability, tenderness in breasts, congestion, oversensitivity in bladder and hot flashes along with heavy menstrual flow.
- Shatavari, Musta and Kama dudha: Mix these and have half a teaspoon of this mixture with water after meals everyday.
- Kaishore guggulu: Take a tablet two times a day regularly till you get relief from symptoms.
- Coconut oil: You can gently massage it onto your lower abdomen for relief.
For Kapha body type: Symptoms include bloating, congestion, pain, white discharge, water retention, fatigue and drowsiness along with flow that is not too heavy or light.
- Majistha, Trikatu and Punarnava: Mix these and have half a teaspoon of this mixture with water after meals twice a day.
- Punarnava guggulu: take a tablet of this herbal remedy twice a day for relief.
- Castor and mustard oil: You can use these oils to gently massage the lower abdomen to get relief from symptoms.
General remedies for menstrual cramps for all body types
This herbal mix is very useful for relieving menstrual discomfort and can be used by indivisuals belonging to all the body types. You can roast some cumin seeds, cool them and chew on a small spoon of seeds along with a big spoon of juice of aloe vera.
You can follow these Ayurvedic remedies to get relief from menstrual pain and discomfort and get relief.