Women health in Ayurveda has always been an integral part of wellness. Women have been an important part of Indian society since many centuries. Therefore there is a complete section of the Ayurveda dedicated to women health. This section not only promoted physical gynaecological health but also took care of the hormonal and emotional health. Right from the age of puberty which was termed as Kumaryavastha, a girl was guided to take care of her physical and emotional health including her skin and hair.
The reproductive system was termed as Artav-vaha Srotas, Srotas meaning a network of small systems combining to form a bigger system. Raja or Artava was considered to be a part of the fire element and was considered to be in accordance with the lunar cycle. Just like the moon has a phase of fourteen days of forming and fourteen days of diminishing, the whole ovulation cycle was considered to be a cycle of 28 days followed by 3 days of normal menstruation.
Ayurveda described ovulation period as the time when the woman was distinguished by certain characteristics like happy mood, curious, receptive and glowing. Likewise normal menstrual cycle was described as mostly painless with medium bleeding. Warm light diet, less strenuous routine and relaxation was advised for best health. Apan Vata, a subtype of Vata was responsible for the timely menstruation and healthy flow.
Herbs like Kumari (Aloevera), Shatavari, Ashoka, Ashwagandha, Punarnava and Guggul have been evidently used to improve women health in Ayurveda and provide the basic nutrition for hormonal and reproductive health. Even today these ingredients form the components of major Ayurvedic medicines being used to promote and regularise women health.
Diet, yoga, pranayama, emotional health and daily routine play an extremely important role in promoting women health and subsiding gynaecological disorders. Dosha analysis, Nidana Pareeksha (Etiology) and thereby Chikitsa (treatment) is the right way to improve any such condition.
Today women due to mental and emotional stress at work and home are facing more challenges than ever. Also the adulterated and hormone induced dairy products, chemicals and preservatives are creating toxins thereby causing long-term hormonal imbalances in women. This brings in the need of improving women’s health by utilizing the benefits of Ayurveda in this area.
hashtag#ayuryogamantra hashtag#womenhealth hashtag#ayurveda #wellness hashtag#nutritionforwomen hashtag#wellnessforwomen
hashtag#healthandwellness
Dr. Neelam Bhardwaj, Ayuryoga Mantra