In the traditional healing science of Ayurveda, women are held in high esteem – not least because Shakti, the female elemental force in Hinduism, is regarded as the creator of life in the universe.
In Ayurveda, strengthening the uterus, and thus femininity, has always been at the centre of gynaecology, or Striroga.
Although hormones are not named as such in the classical scriptures of Ayurveda, diseases caused by an imbalance of our hormones are described as an imbalance of the Doshas Vata, Pitta & Kapha.
Charaka also explains that there is no female ailment without an accumulation of Vata, which is located in the pelvis, large intestine, bladder, thighs and reproductive tissue. An out-of-balance Vata Dosha is therefore the starting point for diseases of the female reproductive organs, hormonal disorders and imbalances in our menstrual cycle and menstruation.
A Vata imbalance is caused by, among other things:
- Stress
- Irregular lifestyle
- Lack of routines
- Frequent or long journeys
- Lack of sleep
- Cold
- Dry and cold food (raw food etc.)
- Stimulating foods such as coffee and alcohol
- Too many external stimuli (loud music, media consumption, noise, etc.)
- Highly stimulating sports such as “HIIT” or intensive cardio training
To balance the Vata Dosha, we need grounding above all!
Slowing down, warmth and moisture help to counteract the characteristics of Vata and create a balance:
- Vata-balancing diet
- Eat regularly and slowly
- Sufficient rest and sleep
- Structure and regularity in everyday life, e.g. through an Ayurvedic daily routine
- Warmth in the form of oil massages and warm baths
In addition to these general recommendations for balancing Vata, the pharmacology of Ayurveda contains a broad repertoire of medicinal plants for specific female ailments, e.g. absent or heavy menstruation, cysts, fibroids, endometriosis.
Examples of these medicinal plants are:
- Ashoka for increased menstruation, endometriosis and white discharge
- Shatavari as a phytoestrogen, for hot flashes, in the absence of menstruation and as a strengthening women’s Rasayana
- Brahmi in combination with Shatavari for premenstrual syndrome
- Kumari (aloe vera) in the absence of menstruation
Disclaimer: Food supplements should only be taken after consultation with an Ayurvedic practitioner and should not be used as a substitute for a balanced and varied diet.
Ayurveda shows us many individual ways to strengthen the balance in the female body. The Charaka Samhita recognised the power of femininity, as we can see in this well-known quote:
“Righteousness, wealth, abundance, indeed, creation itself – everything comes from women.”
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