Women have been told to put up with period pain by everyone, from gynaecologists to mothers. The truth is that there isn’t adequate research being done to understand painful conditions such as endometriosis. In recent times, celebrities such as Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, American actor and writer Lena Dunham and others have shared their turbulent journey with endometriosis, the former even co-founding EndoFound to raise awareness and promote research so that future generations have a solution to the problem.
Menstrual cramps occur in waves don’t they? Don’t even talk about the PMS. We’re monsters then, not wanting any human contact, not to mention that one round of tears that is guaranteed when the periods are around the corner. Some of us even have migraines, bouts of burping, bloating, anxiety. For others it is a sudden onset of hairfall or an achy body. The body is definitely signaling an SOS there.
In Ayurveda though, the solution isn’t that far away. Sometimes, changes in food and lifestyle make all the difference while in more severe cases, Ayurvedic herbs become necessary. Some basic food habits include keeping the diet light and easy to digest on the gut with congee, khichdi or soupy meals without skipping meals entirely, keeps you grounded and warm. Black coffee and black tea, green juices such as those with celery or ash gourd, salads of cucumber and leafy greens and deep-fried foods can be given a miss during this time apart from protein-rich foods such as dal, chickpea and rajma. Sip on water boiled with spices such as roasted fennel while taking care not to douse the agni or digestive fire with chilled water.
Check where your lifestyle needs correction too. Sleeping two hours before midnight and waking 90 minutes before sunrise is the best gift to give your body as it promotes healthy digestion. Avoid intercourse during this time as it also causes the Apana Vata to go haywire. If you are familiar with the role of Apana Vata, such pain occurs from the imbalance caused by it. For a deeper understanding that will help you make the necessary corrections, read up all about Apana Vata here (https://www.instagram.com/p/C5-RbWNyIC7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== ). Spending long hours in front of the screen also increases pitta energy leading to eye pain, headaches or a general feeling of ‘zoning out’. Bring yourself to ‘rest’ your mind and body, keeping stimulating sources at bay, listening to calming music or taking a gentle walk in nature instead of exercising during the ‘weeping phase’ of the uterus.
Ayurveda relies on the use of certain spices that are easily available in every Indian kitchen to ease the contractions of the uterine walls thereby reducing menstrual cramps. Have you tried our period care tea? Get the recipe here: https://tanmatraayurveda.com/freebies/
Listen to your body, bring in the necessary changes, for the rest, there are treatments in Ayurveda. Get in touch with our team to know what mode of treatment you need at https://wa.me/message/SR73NJKR3NXPG1