Sacred Cycles: Ayurveda’s Approach to Menstrual Wellness

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Sacred Cycles Ayurvedas Approach to Menstrual
Wellness
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Introduction to Menstrual Wellness
For centuries, the ancient Indian Ayurvedic
system of holistic health has regarded
menstruation as sacred and transformative. Rather
than seeing it as a monthly inconvenience,
Ayurveda views the menstrual cycle as a vital
expression of a woman's life forcea cyclic dance
of creation, purification, and renewal. This
perspective emphasizes nurturing and supporting
women through their cycles, addressing their
unique needs and challenges during these times.
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Understanding the Ayurvedic Perspective on
Menstruation
Ayurveda views the menstrual cycle as influenced
by the three doshasVata, Pitta, and
Kaphacentral to its ancient wisdom. These doshas
represent energetic forces in the body that
govern various functions and impact overall
well-being.
Vata represents movement and governs the nervous
system. During menstruation, an increase in vata
can lead to mood swings, anxiety, and sleep
disturbances.
 
Pitta associated with fire and digestion, can
lead to increased heat, inflammation, and
irritability during menstruation when imbalanced.
Kapha connected to water and bodily structure,
can lead to bloating, fatigue, and sluggishness
when imbalanced.
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Menstrual Problems in Women
Women often face numerous challenges related to
their menstrual cycle, which can disrupt their
daily lives. Some of the most commonly reported
issues include
Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) are painful
uterine contractions caused by the release of
prostaglandins, which stimulate the uterus to
contract. For some women, these cramps can be
severe enough to interfere with daily activities,
such as attending school or work.
Heavy bleeding (menorrhagia) involves an
unusually heavy flow during periods, which can
lead to anemia, generalized weakness, and
fatigue. This condition often results in the
expulsion of large clots and can last more than
seven days. Menorrhagia may be caused by hormonal
imbalances, fibroids, polyps, or other systemic
diseases. Women with menorrhagia often experience
significant discomfort, and the need to
frequently change sanitary protection can disrupt
their daily activities.
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Infrequent menstruation (oligomenorrhea) can lead
to worry and anxiety, impacting a woman's overall
well-being. Various factors can cause irregular
periods, including stress, significant weight
changes, polycystic ovary syndrome, or thyroid
problems. This unpredictability can make it
challenging to determine when ovulation occurs,
affecting fertility and family planning.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) often brings
challenges like mood swings, irritability, and
bloating, making it difficult to maintain a
normal routine. PMS is a collection of physical
and mental symptoms that occur during the luteal
phase, just before menstruation. Common symptoms
include breast tenderness, headaches, fatigue,
food cravings, and mood changes such as
depression or anxiety.
Menstrual migraines are extremely painful
headaches directly linked to a woman's menstrual
cycle. They are often caused by fluctuations in
estrogen levels. These migraines are typically
more intense than regular migraine attacks and
may be accompanied by symptoms like nausea,
vomiting, sensitivity to light, and intolerance
to sound. This condition can significantly impact
a woman's cognitive abilities and daily
activities.
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Ayurvedic Principles of Menstrual Wellness
Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to menstrual
health by emphasizing
Dietary Changes A balanced diet, ideally rich in
whole grains, fresh vegetables, and fruits, can
help regulate hormonal fluctuations and promote
overall health. Warm, nourishing foods are
particularly beneficial during menstruation. For
Vata imbalances, warm soups and stews are
recommended for Pitta, cooling foods like
cucumbers and leafy greens and for Kapha, light,
dry foods such as legumes
Lifestyle Practices Regular exercise, adequate
sleep, and stress management techniques such as
yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises help
balance the doshas and alleviate menstrual
symptoms. Gentle yoga and meditation are
effective for pacifying Vata, while cooling
pranayama practices are beneficial for calming
Pitta. For Kapha, regular exercise is
recommended.
Self-Care Rituals Activities like warm baths,
soothing music, and spending time in nature
promote relaxation and emotional well-being.
These practices help reduce stress and maintain
balance, which is crucial for regular menstrual
cycles.
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Nettle Leaf and the Magic of Healing During
Periods

• Nettle leaf, also known as Urtica dioica, is a
  highly beneficial herb in Ayurveda, offering a
  range of advantages for women's health. Heres
  how nettle leaf and nettle tea, including Nettle
  Leaves Tea, can improve menstrual wellness and
  address common menstrual issues

Nutrient-Dense Nettle leaves are renowned for
being rich in essential vitamins and minerals.
Iron helps combat anemia and the associated
fatigue common in women who experience heavy
menstrual bleeding. Magnesium relaxes muscles,
alleviating cramps and spasms. Vitamins A, C, and
K support overall health and well-being.
Anti-inflammatory Properties Nettle naturally
alleviates menstrual pain and discomfort due to
its anti-inflammatory effects. It can help reduce
menstrual cramps, lower abdominal pain, and
symptoms of endometriosis.
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Blood Purification Nettle is believed to purify
the blood and support liver function. It helps
balance hormonal levels and promotes healthy
blood flow during menstruation.
Balances Hormones Nettle leaves help regulate
hormonal levels and support the nervous system.
They can stabilize menstrual cycles and alleviate
PMS symptoms, such as mood swings, irritability,
and bloating.
Uterine Health Nettle acts as a uterine tonic,
strengthening the uterus and supporting overall
reproductive health. It aids in the rebuilding of
the uterine lining after menstruation.

• Menstrual Migraines The anti-inflammatory
  properties of nettle tea help reduce both the
  intensity and frequency of menstrual migraines,
  offering a natural way to alleviate headaches.

• Steep nettle leaves in hot water for 4-5 minutes
  to make tea, which can be consumed regularly for
  health benefits. You can also add them to soups,
  stews, and other dishes after cooking. Ref How
  to make nettle leaf tea?  Buy dried nettle leaves
  online

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Incorporating Nettle Leaves into Your Daily
Routine

• Steep nettle leaves in hot water for 4-5 minutes
  to make tea, which can be consumed regularly for
  health benefits. You can also add them to soups,
  stews, and other dishes after cooking. Ref How
  to make nettle leaf tea?  Buy dried nettle leaves
  online

Make Ayurveda your ally for period problems.
Achieve a healthy, balanced menstrual cycle by
incorporating Ayurvedic principles into your
lifestyle and using powerful herbs like nettle
leaves. Ayurveda's holistic approach promotes
health and harmony by addressing not only the
symptoms but also the root causes of menstrual
issues.
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