Period Perfection
Each woman has an intimate relationship with her menstrual cycle. It may be enjoyable or not, but she knows how it works (or doesn’t) and relates to it regularly throughout 30-40 years of her life. Often overlooked in our western culture, the menstrual cycle plays an incredibly important role in a woman’s health, beyond fertility. In Ayurveda, it’s well understood that a woman’s menstrual cycle is a window into her overall health in body and mind. It’s important to respond to an unhealthy cycle in order to optimize overall health, as well as to optimize fertility. This will create easier conception, greater health, vitality and longevity for the woman, let alone prepare her best for pregnancy and motherhood. Additionally, having a healthy period each month is nature’s way of offering a “free-bee” purification to the woman, also helping to extend health and longevity. What is your cycle trying to tell you?
Women often adapt to uncomfortable symptoms in their cycles, yet they are signs of imbalance that need to be rebalanced. These imbalances are not related only to your period; they are certainly found in other tissues throughout the body. These areas may not reveal themselves as clearly to you yet, but they want to be corrected for long time health.
Your cycle responds to your overall strength in physiology, the food you eat, your emotional balance, your digestion and elimination, your quality of sleep, the stress in your life (and how you respond to it), any routines or habits you may have, changes in your life or in the seasons, and more. Of course you can’t control all outside influences....we are going to experience stress and change in the life...yet we can control how we choose to live and how we rebalance with the help of herbal medicine, energy work, meditation, and other tools that bring back peace, strength, regularity, and harmony. Sounds good, right? So what is a healthy menstrual cycle?
Healthy Menstrual Cycle
* regular timing, once per month (every 25-31 days)
* bright red blood flow
* feelings of peace and harmony
* no clots or mucous
* no pain (belly, breasts, back, anywhere)
* no bloating
* no mood swings, hot temper, irritability, or depression
* free flowing, starts without spotting or clots and ends with just small amounts of spotting
* no major hot flashes throughout cycle
* no excess coldness throughout cycle
* no major drops in energy throughout cycle (having regular, dependable energy cycles)
How do I rebalance it?
Many remedies are broad spectrum and can be used immediately for results. In Ayurveda, there are three general constitutions (called “doshas”) that make up each one of us. Every person is a combination of all three, yet most cycle symptoms are clearly an imbalance in one dosha (or two). Once you know which dosha(s) you need to rebalance, you can focus on those remedies. Keep in mind, there are circumstances that are more unique to each woman, and these may require a more personalized plan. For most of you, read below to see what is happening in your cycle and how to bring balance.
Vata dosha, signs of menstrual cycle imbalance:
* cramping in low belly or low back, often described as sharp, spasms, or prickly
* feeling cold often or easily
* increased anxiety or nervous energy, overstimulated easily
* overwhelmed easily
* tight muscles or stiffness in body
* menstruation is thin, dry, dark in color, lighter flow, shorter in duration, sometimes clotted when starting
Vata dosha REbalancing tips:
* eat warm, mushy foods cooked in warm spices & use plenty of ghee, especially if you or your cycle are dry
* avoid caffeine
* slow down ~ do not overbook yourself and feel good about it
* hydrate the body
* castor oil packs to low belly prior to menstruation, do not use during menstruation
* meditation daily and slow movement for exercise (yoga or walking in nature is fantastic)
* some herbal suggestions: Shatavari, Ashwaganda, Healthy Vata and Vata Digest formulas from Banyan, Dashamula tea
Pitta dosha, signs of menstrual cycle imbalance:
* hot, burning symptoms
* irritability or anger
* heavy and/or longer menstrual flow, often feels hot
* swelling in body or breasts, tender breasts
* acne
* headaches
* nausea or diarrhea
Pitta dosha REbalancing tips:
* soften your attitude and activity to enjoy each step with peace
* avoid spicy and oily foods, especially fried foods
* nasya is a great practice for any head symptoms (overactive mind, headaches)
* coconut oil pack to low belly prior to period, coconut oil abhyangas
* eat cooling foods (in temperature and energy) such as cucumber, cilantro, watermelon, juice fruits like peaches, pears, plums, grapes, green juices
* meditate daily
* cooling exercise like swimming, and certainly avoiding hot-yoga or strenuous activities
* some herbal suggestions: If your skin and excess heat are big symptoms, use Blood Cleanse from Banyan, Ashoka will ease a heavier flow, used well with Women’s Support. Brahmi, Shatavari and Vidari Kanda are great for varied emotions and overall pitta
Kapha dosha, signs of menstrual cycle imbalance:
* stagnant, heavy or dull energy
* swelling in body, feelings of puffiness
* depressed mood, emotional eating
* heavy and longer flow
* water retention
* yeast infections
* increased sleep
Kapha dosha REbalancing tips:
* exercise regularly, movement will help you
* keep warm and dry
* eat warming, lighter foods
* favor pungent, bitter and astringent tastes; avoid or minimize sweet, sour and salty
* dry brushing to start and end your day
* meditation and/or pranayama daily
* some herbal suggestions: ginger or tulsi tea, Healthy Kapha formula from Banyan, or Kanchanar Guggulu if you have more intense symptoms
Remember that many people may have a combination of symptoms: Vata-Pitta, Vata-Kapha, Pitta-Kapha. You can choose wisely to balance BOTH without aggravating either one. Book your session with Wendy for a personalized rebalancing plan for most effective results. Enjoy your cycle and let it be a sign of your overall health and fertility.
Wendy Kawasaki is a Registered Nurse with 10 years in Emergency medicine and trauma, 1 year in Labor & Delivery, and 12 highly successful years working as an Ayurveda Practitioner with women of all ages, primarily with infertility and pregnancy. She has the deepest gratitude for being a catalyst for your pregnancy and health. She is mother of two happy boys.
