Treat Your Premenstrual Problems with Traditional Kerala Ayurveda

Understanding Premenstrual Problems in Ayurveda:

• Vata Dosha: When Vata, the dosha of air and movement, is aggravated, it can lead to anxiety, mood swings, fatigue, and constipation, common PMS symptoms.
• Pitta Dosha: Excess Pitta, the dosha of fire and metabolism, can manifest as anger, irritability, skin breakouts, and heavy bleeding.
• Kapha Dosha: In some cases, Kapha, the dosha associated with earth and water, can contribute to fluid retention, bloating, and breast tenderness.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Premenstrual Problems:

Ayurveda employs a multi-pronged approach to manage PMS, focusing on reducing symptoms, regulating hormones, and promoting overall well-being. Here are some key aspects:

1. Dietary and Lifestyle Modifications:

• Eliminating triggers: Identifying and avoiding food triggers like dairy, red meat, processed foods, caffeine, and sugar, which can aggravate symptoms.
• Eating a balanced diet: Following a sattvic diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes to provide essential nutrients and support hormonal balance.
• Stress management: Practicing yoga, meditation, and pranayama (breathing exercises) to manage stress and anxiety, common triggers for PMS symptoms.
• Adequate sleep: Getting enough sleep is crucial for hormonal regulation and overall well-being.
• Regular exercise: Engaging in gentle exercise like walking or swimming can help improve mood, boost energy levels, and regulate hormones.

2. Panchakarma Therapy:

• Detoxification: This set of five Ayurvedic cleansing procedures can help remove accumulated toxins and restore balance. It may include oil massage (snehana), sweating (swedana), medicated vomiting (vamana), purgation (virechana), and enemas (basti). However, these are typically not recommended for mild to moderate cases.

3. Herbal Remedies:

• Internal medications: Based on the doshic imbalance, various herbs are used to address specific symptoms. Some commonly used herbs include:
• Vata-balancing herbs: Ashwagandha, Bala,etc
• Pitta-pacifying herbs: Neem, Turmeric, etc
• Kapha-reducing herbs: Punarnava, Kutki, etc
• Local applications: Topical application of herbal pastes such as castor oil, turmeric, or ashwagandha can help relieve pain and inflammation.

4. Other Measures:

• Abhyanga: Regular Ayurvedic oil massages with sesame oil or coconut oil can improve circulation, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation.
• Shirodhara: Gentle pouring of medicated oil on the forehead can soothe the nervous system and alleviate headaches.