The term Ayurveda comprises of two words, “Ayuh” meaning life or longevity, and “Veda” meaning science or sacred knowledge. In Sanskrit, the term roughly translates to “the science of longevity”. Ayurveda believes that the human body comprises male and female energy running parallel with each other. The body is one of the Shiv/Shakti forms of Shiva. According to this concept, the right side of the body is male dominating and the left is female. The beauty of nature is that it provides principles and tools to balance the male and female aspects of our nature, which tend to shift and change during the different stages of life. In modern times, a woman thrives to achieve a work-life balance which impacts their menstruation cycle, metabolism appetite and skin health. Ayurveda considers five elements as the fundamental building blocks of the body;
- Air
- Space
- Fire
- Earth
- Water
These five elements together couple and constitutes three doshas, Vata (air & space), Pitta (fire & water) and Kapha (earth & water). All these three doshas change as per time, age, season and climate.
Menstruation & Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda, healthy menstruation occurs every 28days and lasts a few days. Variations on this occur due to dosha imbalance. Apana Vata is the ayurvedic sub dosha of Vata that governs the menstrual cycle. Its location is in the lower abdomen and responsible for downward flow through intestines, urinary and reproductive tracts. The textbook of Ayurveda says that imbalance in Apana Vata due to illness, lack of physical metabolism and medication cause’s irregular periods.
Ayurveda suggests that one should stick to lighter meals during menstruation and must avoid meat, pickles and sweets. This enables our digestive system to work efficiently. Certain ayurvedic herbs like Ashoka, a decoction made from the bark of the Ashoka tree has multiple benefits in regularizing periods. A decoction made from sandalwood roots or leaves is also helpful in this regard. One may also sip tea made from roots of liquorice.
Pregnancy & Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, pregnancy is viewed as a spiritual time in a women’s life. During this time, meditation and yoga are recommended for the complete wellness of the mother and her child. During the nine months period, a woman goes through a plethora of physical and emotional changes. According to Ayurveda, pregnancy is the time to balance Vata Dosha in the body. Apana Vata, a sub dosha of Vata dosha responsible for the downward flow of energy in the body regulates healthy fetal development during pregnancy. That’s why it is immensely important to balance Vata dosha during pregnancy.
It is suggested that a pregnant woman must consume enough fats and oils during pregnancy. Fats and oils help to balance Vata Dosha. Healthy fats include; coconut oil, olive oil, nuts and organic whole milk. Cooking food with clarified butter(ghee) also helps in supporting the digestive system, which might be irregular during pregnancy, when Vata is dominant. All ayurvedic herbs are fat-soluble – which enables better delivery of nutrients to cells and tissues resulting in nourishing “Dhatus” of the mother and her child.
Skin ageing & Ayurveda
The ancient textbooks of Ayurveda such as Charak Samhita, Atharva Veda and Sushruta Samhita have laid down certain principles on skin-reviving techniques. This can be attained by achieving equilibrium in regulating Kapha dosha by providing adequate moisture to the skin, controlling Pitta dosha by guaranteeing optimal metabolism and maintaining Vata dosha by conserving proper blood circulation. Vata Dosha is primarily responsible for skin ageing.
Certain ayurvedic herbs like Rose, also known as Shatapatri has hydrating properties enriched in Vitamin A and B complex. They help in locking moisture on the skin, boosting collagen and nurturing skin integrity. Herbs like Ashwagandha and Guduchi are also helpful in reducing the oxidative stress of the body as recommended by Rasayana herbs. “Abhyanga” a Sanskrit term for “oil massage” implies massaging with nourishing oils to provide intensive moisture to the skin. Use Almond oil or Sesame oil for self-massaging.
Conclusion
The female body is truly unique in nature. By following a healthy diet and lifestyle, we may alleviate the hormonal imbalance that affects our body. By adopting the ayurvedic lifestyle, we tend to align ourselves with nature and tackle these health challenges effectively.
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