Ayurveda for Periods: Natural Remedies and Tips for Menstrual Health

Written by: Naveera Perera

Getting your period is not a comfortable experience. It means different emotions, pains and cravings and just a generally not so easy time. Increasingly, companies around the world are considering period leave and if you’re like me, that’s incredible news. Being in bed, watching a movie and not moving are my favourite things to do when I have my period. 

But what if we told you there is a better way to really understand your monthly cycle? Ayurveda adopts a holistic approach to help you understand why you feel the way you feel when you get your periods. It takes into account external factors like where you live, what you eat,  your age, your mental constitution, and so much more. 

To get a quick overview of how  Ayurveda views menstruation, we spoke to an Ayurvedic expert, Dr Dulani Gunapala. Here is what she had to say.

Ayurveda offers a more refreshing, scientific and humane take on menstruation.

“Ayurveda looks at menstruation as a kind of cycle. Although Western medicine also looks at it as a cycle, they focus on studying hormone levels. But in Ayurveda, we look at the concepts of Vata, Pitta and Kapha,” Gunapala explains.

The core principles of Ayurveda’s understanding of menstruation stems from the belief that Ayurveda looks at periods as your body being cleansed. “It is based on the idea that your body is preparing for a future pregnancy, for which it needs to be in the best condition,” she adds.

According to Gunapala, each dosha plays a central role to Ayurveda  “as your moods, cravings and behaviors depend on each stage of the menstrual cycle”. 

“During ovulation, where a mature egg is released to the ovary, the concept of Kapha increases”, she states. “Once this happens, your uterine walls are built in the womb and your body gets ready to conceive. It is at this stage that Pitta increases. If you do not conceive, you will get your period and as a result, Vata increases.”

To understand each dosha’s role in your cycle, Gunapala explains that:

To understand the holistic approach Ayurveda takes when it comes to menstruation, you need to understand certain terms and concepts. 

“the toxins that result from lack of proper digestion are referred to as Ama”, Gunapala states. Ama happens when there is no proper functioning of Vata and Kapha, leading to problems internally.

“To avoid Ama, it is not enough to only consume the right food. You need to also have a healthy lifestyle as the toxins that are created also affect your menstruation cycle”, she adds.

“health is physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing. As such, anything which affects any one of them can lead to a dosha imbalance. For example, if it is raining outside or if we are eating cold food, it can increase our Kapha. If you fight with someone and you get angry, the anger you feel would increase your Pitta. All of this affects your digestion, hormone balance and nervous system, leading to a dosha imbalance”, Gunapala explains.

“Apana vayu refers to what we put out, which, in this case, is the transportation of your period. The primary area of your body that is responsible for the transportation of your period is your abdomen. Because of this, any negative impact on your apana vayu can be felt in your abdomen”, Gunapala says.

A good example is with painful periods, which may indicate that your apana vayu is affected.

“Typically, there is no longer a smooth flow, and instead you get your period in the form of clots.” she adds.

Are you someone that craves chocolate during your period? Or perhaps you like sweet and sour snacks. Gunapala emphasizes the importance of being mindful of your appetite during your period.

“There are six tastes:  Madhura (Sweet), Amla (Sour), Lavana (Salty), Katu (Bitter), Tikta (Pungent) and Kashaya (Astringent). During ovulation, Kapha is dominant which means you need to have food that has more Kapha or a strong taste. Ideally, consuming food that’s rich in carbs, sugar, and contains madhura, amla and lavana increases kapha.” she explains.

“During menstruation, however, Vata plays a primary role. To lessen any pain you are feeling, you should increase Pitta. This can be done by consuming spicy and kasaya (astringent) food types. Having a balanced meal primarily with madhura, amla, lavana and kasaya will help to balance your doshas”, Gunapala adds.

The Ayurvedic approach to menstruation is also a way of life. In this respect, Gunapala says that “Your emotions greatly impact the regularity of your menstrual cycle, so if a person is very sad, stressed or angry, it would affect their periods.” But that is not all.

“Exercising can positively affect your reproductive health. If you don’t exercise, you might notice that you gain weight during your period. This is because fat settles more when you are on your cycle.” she says.

Additionally, good sleep is also important for a healthy cycle.

“You should therefore be mindful to have ample rest. If you are always working, that is not good because it affects your mental health. Moreover, The environment you are in can particularly affect your menstrual cycle. For example, if you are exposed to pollution while travelling, or if you are exposed to heavy metals, it could lead your hormones to react differently.” she adds.

According to Gunapala, 

Gunapala confirms that, 

Food especially recommended to alleviate pain include “Juices like pippinya (cucumber) and  kakiri (Yellow Cucumber)” as stated by Gunapala, who also suggests that cucumber salads are a great addition.