Ayurveda for Menstruation: How to Use Ayurvedic Principles to Manage Common Menstrual Problems
By: Naveera Perera
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Getting your period is not a comfortable experience. It means different emotions, pains and cravings and just a generally not so easy time. Increasingly, companies around the world are considering period leave and if you’re like me, that’s incredible news. Being in bed, watching a movie and not moving are my favourite things to do when I have my period.
But what if we told you there is a better way to really understand your monthly cycle? Ayurveda adopts a holistic approach to help you understand why you feel the way you feel when you get your periods. It takes into account external factors like where you live, what you eat, your age, your mental constitution, and so much more.
To get a quick overview of how Ayurveda views menstruation, we spoke to an Ayurvedic expert, Dr Dulani Gunapala. Here is what she had to say.
Dr Dulani Gunapala BAMS, is an Ayurvedic doctor and experienced Medical Officer and consults at the Siddhalepa Clinic in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Since 2019, Gunapala has been the Community Medical Officer in the Kelaniya division, Department of Ayurveda, Western Province, Sri Lanka.
How does Ayurdeva look at Menstruation differently?
Ayurveda, offers a more refreshing, scientific and humane take on menstruation. Gunapala says, “Ayurveda looks at menstruation as a kind of cycle. Although Western medicine also looks at it as a cycle, they focus on studying hormone levels. But in Ayurveda, they look at the concepts of vata, pitta and kapha.”
Guanapala moreover stated that the core principles of Ayurveda’s understanding of menstruation stems from the belief that “Ayurveda looks at periods as your body being cleansed. It is based on the idea that your body is preparing for a future pregnancy, for which it needs to be in the best condition.”
Decoding vata, pitta and kapha
Simply put, according to Gunapala, the three concepts “refer to the changes in the body and how they come about.” She elaborates that the role each concept plays is central to Ayurveda “as your moods, cravings and behaviors depend on each stage of menstruation”.
Gunapala explains that “There is ovulation and menstruation. During ovulation, the concept of kapha increases”.
Simply put, ovulation refers to the process where a mature egg is released to the ovary. Once this happens, Guapala states that “your uterus walls are built in the womb and your body gets ready to conceive. It is at this stage that pitta increases. If you do not conceive, you will get your period and as a result, vata increases”.
To understand the meaning of each term, Gunapala put it as follows:
Vata: “relates to the womb and nervous system, the transportation of period”
Pitta:“looks at digestion and anything related to metabolism”
Kapha:“looks at releasing what is constructed or anything related to the release of fluid”.
A look at Ayurveda’s unique terminology
To understand the holistic approach Ayurveda takes when it comes to menstruation, you need to understand certain terms and concepts.
Ama
According to Gunapala, “the toxins that result from lack of proper digestion” are referred to as Ama.
She highlighted that “Because there is no proper functioning of vata and kapha, ama happens, and problems occur. To avoid Ama, it is not enough to only consume the right food. You need to also have a healthy lifestyle.”
In general, she noted that “The toxins that are created affect your health, including your menstruation cycle”.
Dosha Imbalance
As Gunapala states “we define health as physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing”. Hence, she states that “Anything which affects any one of them can lead to a dosha imbalance. For example, if it is raining outside or if we are eating cold food, it can increase our kapha. If you fight with someone and you get angry, the anger you feel would increase your pita. All of this affects your digestion, hormone balance and nervous system, leading to a dosha imbalance”.
Apana vayu/vata
Gunapala explains that apana vayu “refers to what we put out. In other words, it refers to the transportation of your period. Where apana vayu is affected, it impacts how your period is released. The primary area of your body that is responsible for the transportation of your period is your abdomen. Because of this, any negative impact on your apana vayu can be felt in your abdomen. For example, you could have painful periods. You will also know that your apana vayu is affected if there is no longer a smooth flow, and instead you get your period in the form of clots.”
What to eat during your menstrual cycle?
Are you someone that craves chocolate during your period? Ever wondered why so many women find chocolate to be helpful? Gunapala emphasised the importance of being mindful of your appetite during your period in terms of its two stages. She notes that “There are six tastes: Madhura (Sweet), Amla (Sour), Lavana (Salty), Katu (Bitter), Tikta (Pungent) and Kashaya (Astringent).”
“During ovulation, it's mostly kapha that occurs. This means you need to have food that has more kapha, which in other words, refers to food with strong taste. Ideally, consuming food that is madhura, amla and lavana is considered to be best. So anything that is rich in carbohydrates and sugar increases kapha.”
“While menstruating, it is vaata that plays a primary role. To lessen any pain you are feeling, you should increase pitta. This can be done by consuming spicy and kasaya (astringent) food types.”
She went on to advise that “having a well balanced meal primarily with madhura, amla, lavana and kasaya will help to balance your doshas.
Ayurvedic lifestyle tips for a healthy menstrual flow
The Ayurvedic approach to menstruation is also a way of life. In this respect, Gunapala says that “Your emotions greatly impact the regularity of your menstrual cycle, so if a person is very sad, stressed or angry, it would affect their periods.”
But that is not all. She pointed out that “exercising can positively affect your reproductive health. On the other hand, if you don’t exercise you might notice that you gain weight during your period. This is because fat settles more when you are on your cycle.”
She further highlighted that “Good sleep is important for your mental health. Without it, you will be stressed and tired.” You should therefore be mindful to “have ample rest. If you are always working, that is not good because it affects your mental health. Moreover, “The environment you are in can particularly affect your menstrual cycle. For example, if you are exposed to pollution while travelling, or if you are exposed to heavy metals, it could lead your hormones to react differently.
Managing cramps, bloating and PMS symptoms with Ayurveda
Ayurvedic Herbs
According to Gunapala,
“Kothamalli (coriander) is really good for anyone that gets cramps during or before getting their menstrual cycle”.
“The best way to have Kothamalli (coriander) is by keeping it in water overnight and having a cup full in the morning.
For bloating, having surudu (cumin seeds) is a great option. You can either boil and drink it, or fry, crush, and add a pinch of the powder into your water. Having Karapincha (curry leaves) either as a drink or adding it to your food is also good.“
Ayurvedic body therapies
Gunapala confirms that,
“It is good to get massage-based therapies like foot and leg massages. The Shirodhara massage, for example, is very good.”
“Back massages for anyone with back aches are also great.”
“When you have your periods, you can exercise but you should not do heavy or extremely tiring exercises because your body is weak. Yoni exercises are a great way of relieving pain.”
Food
Food especially recommended to alleviate pain include “Juices like pippinya (cucumber) and kakiri (Yellow Cucumber)” as stated by Gunapala, who also suggests that cucumber salads are a great addition.
Keep reading: What is a traditional ayurvedic cleanse?
