Nutmeg. PMS due to poor nutrition. Seclusion of women in separate rooms for the period of menstruation

Nutmeg, with its intense bittersweet, spicy savory flavor, is an essential ingredient in many dishes and is used in most Indian cuisines. Although the culinary significance of this magical is well known, its medicinal and therapeutic characteristics are rarely taken into account despite the fact that nutmeg has been used for centuries to prepare numerous medicines.
Nutmeg pacifies Vata and Kapha and increases Pitta, with a pungent, bitter and astringent taste, and is a warming spice.

Freshly grated nutmeg has such a pronounced taste and a concentrated, almost suffocating smell for a reason - this is a very potent spice and use nutmeg regularly for medical purposes, very small doses can be used after consultation with a qualified naturopathic or ayurvedic doctor - large doses of nutmeg can cause hallucinations, and in some cases even lead to death.
At the same time, if you occasionally use this spice in cooking, you will probably be interested in reading about its properties, and if you do not use it yet, perhaps after reading this article, include nutmeg in your collection of spices.

Medical properties of nutmeg
Brain tonic. One of the main properties of nutmeg is its ability to stimulate the brain. It helps relieve stress and promotes mental activity, increasing concentration, as it has the property of improving blood circulation in the brain. When used in high doses, nutmeg can cause delirium.

Heart Tonic - Nutmeg proves to be an excellent tonic for the cardiovascular system, it increases blood circulation and stimulates the heart.

Induces sleep - Studies show that nutmeg may be an insomnia remedy. It increases the level of serotonin, which promotes relaxation and sleep. So you can take a little grated nut with hot milk before you go to bed.

Eliminates bad breath - Nutmeg oil can help treat bad breath as it has natural antiseptic properties that can also relieve toothache and gums. That is why this oil is used even in some types of toothpaste. Nutmeg helps to get rid of bloating, diarrhea and improves appetite.

Nutmeg is a wonderful aphrodisiac. It has long been used in India to treat sexual disorders in men. Recent research also supports the aphrodisiac nature of this spice.

Nutmeg oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as a local anesthetic. The oil acts on the joints, relieves muscle pain, can reduce swelling and is useful in the treatment of rheumatism.

Due to the large amount of esters, the oil is successfully used for coughs and in aromatherapy.

Contraindications- It is not recommended to use nutmeg for people who have problems with the pancreas, as well as those who want to lose weight, as it stimulates appetite. Nutmeg should not be used during pregnancy and lactation.

Nutmeg - is used in many Indian dishes, and I also put it in the preparation of masala chai a couple of shavings per liter of tea.
This year in India I saw that they sell not only nuts, but also dried nutmeg - they are also very fragrant, they are not used in medicine, so from this point of view they are safer.

An important aspect of a woman's health is reproductive health. It is directly related to the process of reproduction and the birth of offspring, and hence the continuation of the family. Ayurveda has always paid special attention to the health of mother and child. Of the eight branches of Ayurvedic science, pediatrics (Kaumarabhritya) occupies a very important place. It is also called Bala chikitsa (“bala” - child, child, “chikitsa” - Ayurvedic treatment). It also includes gynecology and non-operative obstetrics.

Reproduction of offspring and care for the health of a woman, the period of pregnancy and postpartum care for the mother in Ayurveda are considered as elements of a single task: the optimal health of the child. At first glance, these are completely different areas of medical science. But for those who strive not just for relatively good health, but for an ideal state of health, nothing is more important than the initial stage of life, that is, the neonatal period. The process of optimizing the health of a child, and therefore an adult, can begin even before conception and pregnancy. For this, Ayurveda gives quite a few recommendations that are aimed at harmonizing the state of the reproductive system of both parents, improving fertility - the ability to become pregnant and bear a child, as well as to optimize the "contribution" of parents to future offspring.

Vedic texts contain not only spiritual instructions, but also prescribe what must be done in order to prepare for sexual intercourse, the main purpose of which is the conception of pious and healthy offspring. When a husband is strongly attracted to a woman, then a son is sure to be born from their union, and sexual relations are based on the wife's attraction to her husband, in most cases leads to the birth of a girl. Since the child is completely dependent on the food that the mother consumes, a woman during pregnancy should not eat a lot of salt, pepper, onion, garlic, coffee, tea, alcohol, because the baby's body is too tender to endure this heavy food. Caring for a child is the main duty of parents.

A description of the process of conception and pregnancy is given in the Vedic treatise " Pinda Siddhi". It talks about the method of conceiving children of the desired sex, about the process of developing the fetus in the womb of the mother. And also about how the food of the mother's thoughts in the prenatal period affects the mentality of the child, and through it the child receives the food that she eats in a digested form. The restrictions and various precautions that Ayurveda recommends for pregnant women have a beneficial effect on the development of the child. But first, let's talk about the health of the expectant mother and how imbalances in her psychophysiology affect the health of her child.

Menstruation.

Menstruation is the shedding of the lining of the uterus in preparation for the next reproductive cycle. According to Ayurveda, menstruation is a protective mechanism that balances and heals the body. Menstruation allows you to regularly eliminate the accumulated doshas and is part of the self-healing system of the female body. A woman, knowing this, should always take care of the regularity of the menstrual cycle in order to benefit and improve her health by eliminating imbalances in a natural way. The absence or violation of the cycle of menstruation indicates not only problems in the reproductive system, but also the possibility of accumulation of imbalances in other organs and systems of the woman's body.

All three are involved in menstruation. doshas, but dominated cotton wool. She is responsible for the movement, and in particular, one of her five aspects, apana Vata, governs all the processes of elimination directed downward. Hence apana vata plays a central role in menstruation. If it is exacerbated, it causes an exacerbation of the other four Subdosh of Vata. That is why most of the recommendations regarding menstruation are aimed at calming Vata in general and apana in particular. It is recommended not to engage in activities that require stress. Job duties should be as light as possible. Rest helps you get the most out of your period.

According to Ayurveda, in striving for perfect health, a woman should cooperate with her body, and not suppress it. The ideal situation is when a woman rests for 2-3 days during menstruation. Of course, most women cannot afford this, but they should try to take at least one day off during the most copious periods. Under the influence of the realities of modern times, most women have to compromise between work and their physiology, but from a medical point of view, it is important to at least have an idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe ideal situation. Saying that Ayurveda advises women to rest does not mean sleep. Daytime naps are not recommended at all as they can create imbalances in Kapha and cause obstruction of the srotas, which will prevent proper flow of menstruation. You need to rest while sitting and be sure to go to bed earlier in the evening. At home, you should only engage in light activities, one that a woman likes. Reading and quiet creative activity are ideal for such a vacation. A woman should refrain from sports and strenuous work in the garden or garden. Easy walks are very helpful.

During menstruation, a woman should not do abhyangu(oil massage) and take a bath. Instead, sponge baths or short, warm showers are best. After the cessation of menstrual flow, you should do an oil head massage with warm oil, leave for 2 hours, and then wash your hair. This will help calm Vatu. Food should be fresh, warm and easy to digest, as the digestive fire is weakened during this period. Avoid red meat, chocolate, smoked meats, carbonated drinks and fried foods that exacerbate Vatu. Good mood is an important element during menstruation.

Premenstrual syndrome

Ayurveda considers premenstrual syndrome as an accumulation of doshas in the body. Measures to reduce these accumulated doshas are the basis of effective treatment.

Doshas associated with premenstrual syndrome - ranjaka pitta(responsible for blood formation), and apana vata (directing waste down). In the course of one to two weeks before menstruation, toxins move through the system. Before being removed from the body with the help of menstruation, they seem to float to the surface. If Apana Vata and Ranjana Pitta function in a balanced way, then the impurities move down and do not cause problems. But if the functions of these subdoshas are impaired, then the accumulated toxins can cause the whole range of psychophysiological symptoms, which include premenstrual syndrome. Therefore, very lazy panchakarma eliminates ama (wastes) and calms doshas, ​​as well as many home treatments. Often Recommended virechana(cleansing with laxatives) is one of the aspects of panchakarma.

Menstrual disorders

Ayurveda has numerous treatments for menstrual problems. Some of them are prescribed individually by a doctor. Menstrual disorders can be different depending on which dosha provokes them. Vata causes spasms, pain, anxiety, emotional sensitivity and mood swings. pitta causes fever, hot flashes (“hot flashes”), eye problems, irritability, and anger. kapha causes swelling, lack of appetite, loss of strength and tearfulness. How to alleviate these manifestations? First of all, it is curled from the dosha. For symptoms cotton wool– the most common type – ideally follow a daily routine and a calming diet Vatu. Warmth will help with spasms. For symptoms pitts irritability should be avoided and a Pitta-calming diet should be used. If you have symptoms of Kapha, you should avoid daytime sleep, which aggravates it, and follow a diet that reduces Kapha. In general, steps should be taken to prevent ama from clogging the channels of the body. Useful ghee and aloe vera juice - they are excellent for Apana Vata. With premenstrual tension, it is not recommended to consume fermented products, as well as very spicy, sour and salty foods that exacerbate Pitt. If premenstrual tension is severe or a full-blown premenstrual syndrome develops, you should contact your doctor.

Preparing for conception

Planning a child in Vedic times was mandatory. So that children are not born with demonic inclinations, but, on the contrary, are pious. If the parents decided to give birth and raise a child, Jyotish made a natal chart in order to know the location of the stars in the sky. Before conception, for several weeks, the couple fasted to purify the mind and body, performed austerities to appease the creator. After that, the Garbhadhana Samskara ceremony was performed. Samskara is the rite of depositing the seed. The sexual act itself was performed at a time when the mode of goodness was active in the external environment, coming in the morning hours from 2 to 6 o'clock. Before conception, the young were anointed with aromatic oils, the girl was dressed in beautiful light clothes, fragrant oils were applied to her hair. The husband was prepared accordingly. Ritual massage is still practiced in the life of an Indian family. So, massage before marriage is one of the mandatory traditions. Massage gives the skin a healthy glow, and the newlyweds have a healthy look - a fresh look. For a man, massage strengthens the masculine principle and spiritual strength. As for the bride, a massage with fragrant herbs and oils makes her especially beautiful and fragrant. With the oblivion of Vedic knowledge, the Garbhadhana Samskara rite is not performed in the modern world, therefore children are born who cause suffering.

Pregnancy and type of constitution

Pregnancy in different women proceeds differently and with its own specific features. This is due to differences in constitutional types. woman cotton wool The following symptoms may appear during pregnancy: back pain, groin pain, spasms, anxiety, fear, weight loss (especially in the first three months), fatigue, insomnia, indigestion, intestinal gas, and varicose veins. Woman pitta type during pregnancy, frequent infectious disorders of the bladder and feverish conditions threaten. Possible pigmentation and hematoid formations on the skin, as well as hair loss. In addition, irritability and anger increase. Pitta can be aggravated even by thoughts that the process of bearing a fetus cannot be accelerated in any way. Kapha women tend to gain weight during pregnancy, often suffer from edema, increased fatigue and lethargy, and also experience an acute craving for sweets and starchy foods.

In Ayurveda, the treatment of diseases of the female reproductive system is allocated to a special area of ​​gynecological medicine. These diseases usually manifest as menstrual irregularities. Serious menstrual disorders can be the result of hormonal disorders.

The menstrual cycle is an indicator of a woman's health. It is also important for the definition of the constitution. Regular menstruation close to the time of the full moon, flowing smoothly without pain and tension, with balance of emotions, is a sign of good health. However, most women experience some difficulty with menstruation at some point in their lives.

In women with a Vata constitution, menstrual flow is usually scanty, dark red or brownish, somewhat dry and old. Menstrual cramps can be quite severe with lower back pain and headaches. The state of depression and heightened sensitivity may be accompanied by a feeling of fear, anxiety and sleep disturbance. During menstruation, vitality decreases and the body's resistance may decrease. Constipation, intestinal gas, or bloating may occur. The walls of the vagina are dry. Menstruation, as a rule, does not last long, only 3 to 5 days, and is irregular.

Pitta women tend to have heavy periods because Pitta is associated with the blood. The discharge is dark, red or purple, warm, sometimes clotted. Often, menstruation is accompanied by fever, burning sensation, redness of the eyes and face, the appearance of skin rashes or acne. There is diarrhea or loose stools (most often yellow). Emotions are dominated by anger, irritability and irascibility. The average duration of menstruation is 5-7 days.

With a Kapha constitution, menstruation is moderate, continuous, lasting for a week or more. Allocations are pale, light red, often with an admixture of mucus. There is a feeling of heaviness and fatigue, drowsiness, increased mucus production and salivation, there may be mild nausea or even vomiting, swelling of the chest, swelling, especially in the lower legs. Sentimental and nostalgic emotional experiences prevail.

In women of dual constitutional types, the symptoms of the respective doshas are combined.

Poor nutrition, stress, overwork, excessive exercise can disrupt the flow of menstruation. One of the reasons for such violations is the modern fashion for a slim figure. Insufficient nutrition interferes with blood production and impairs menstruation. In the premenstrual period, women need rest and rest, intense stress should be avoided. Some asanas are helpful.

Treatment of menstrual disorders

In mild cases, menstrual disorders are treated using the same therapeutic methods that are used to balance the dominant dosha in the individual constitution. Delays and other menstrual disorders can occur with various gynecological diseases. Treatment usually focuses on inducing and regulating menstruation with menstrual herbs such as turmeric and saffron (in Ayurveda), pennyroyal and motherwort (in Western herbal medicine). Anti-spasmodic and nerve-strengthening herbs such as fennel, asafoetida, and valerian are useful for relieving pain and calming emotions. With a breakdown, special tonics for the reproductive system are needed.

Tonics for women

Since blood loss usually weakens vitality, in most cases, herbal tonics are useful for women. They are used in the same way as vitamins or mineral supplements. Commonly recommended are shatavari-based formulations such as Women's Tonic (No. 4), Chyavanprash Ayurvedic Herbal Jam, Chinese Precious Pill for Women.

The main Ayurvedic tonic for the female reproductive system is Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus). It has excellent nourishing and softening properties and soothes the heart. Aloe juice is very useful, which simultaneously cleanses and nourishes tissues. In Chinese medicine, tang kwei (Angelica sinensis) is used as the main tonic.

It should be borne in mind that the abuse of strong menstrual remedies - such as pennyroyal, tansy, or rue - can cause heavy bleeding and other menstrual disorders. These herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy as they may cause miscarriage, but their use for this purpose is not recommended because they are not effective enough for this purpose and cause side effects.

One of the properties of a spicy or spicy taste is to eliminate congestion and increase blood flow. Therefore, many widely used spices are used to induce menstruation, which in addition often have an anti-spasmodic effect. The best spice in this case is turmeric, but other spices are also good: cinnamon, ginger, red and black pepper, basil, dill, fennel, cardamom, asafoetida. A quarter to a half teaspoon of these spices should be taken with 1 to 2 teaspoons of aloe juice twice a day for any menstrual complications. You can take "Tonic for Women" (No. 4) 2 - 3 tablets three times a day for 1 - 2 weeks before menstruation with warm milk or warm water for Vata constitution, with aloe juice or cool water for Pitta constitution and with honey - under the constitution of Kapha.

It's no secret that women's health is very closely related to the biological rhythms of nature. In many cultures, there are traditions and practices associated with the intimate side of female nature, which seem to modern women a little outdated, and someone even treats them as a “taboo” that has no scientific basis. Is it really? A small group of volunteer scientists decided to find out what our ancestors were guided by, observing certain rules in the “special” period of the female cycle. About the results of these studies, our new article "Women's menstrual practices."

In many ancient cultures, there are a number of traditions, guidelines, and cultural practices related to the women's menstrual cycle. Most modern women and professionals refer to such practices as menstrual "taboos" and are in favor of abandoning such "restrictions". This study examines the principles on which ancient traditions are based and explains why they were not originally seen as "restricting women", but were intended to preserve women's health and well-being. And although many of these traditions are not practiced in the modern Western world, the knowledge on which they are based can be useful for everyone.

As part of this study, a team of scientists and social workers traveled across 8 states of India to learn about the origins of their menstrual traditions and their impact on the female population. To the researchers' surprise, immersion in each of these traditions revealed the positive side of the practice and made clear the fact that none of these traditions considered the woman "dirty" or "unholy" during the cycle.

Perhaps many will challenge the "scientific" nature of such practices. However, during the study, it was noticed that most women, especially those living in villages and following such menstrual traditions, do not worry about the scientific side of this issue. On the contrary, they see themselves as the guardians of a culture passed down through the ages. In view of this, the researchers tried to consider the issue from a cultural point of view. However, this issue also affects both modern and traditional natural sciences.

General explanation of menstrual practices.

On the one hand, each of the cultures seems unique and brings a number of its own rules. Such diversity can lead to the belief that there is no common source in such practices, and the unification of the principles of such practices should be avoided. However, when summarizing the results of a study conducted during the year, it was noticed that all these traditions come from the same basis of the ancient sciences, such as: Ayurveda, Yoga, Meditation, Mantra and Astrology. Knowledge of the Mudras and understanding of the path of Yoga is just as important for understanding the traditions.

The ancient Vedic scholars recognized the concept of "energy", which gave rise to movement, circulation, direction and motivation. Life energy was called "prana" and meant the original source or "breath" of life force. Western allopathic medicine originated centuries ago and considers the use of external medicines and interventions. Ayurveda, which is at least 7000 years old, is the science of life in general and considers the natural system of maintaining health and the human body inextricably linked with nature and the outside world. Ayurveda is based on the principle of 3 driving forces in the human body called Doshas. Doshas are the bioenergetic filling of the body systems and are responsible for the physiological processes in the body. There are 3 Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which correspond to a certain combination of the elements of ether, air, earth, fire and water. Each of the doshas has its own function. For example, Vata (element of air and ether) is responsible for communication, perception and mental activity. Pitta (element of fire and earth) is responsible for absorption and metabolism, while Kapha (element of water and earth) is responsible for stability.

According to Ayurveda, menstruation is closely related to the function of the doshas. In this tradition, it is believed that the menstrual cycle is a special opportunity for a woman to get rid of the excess of one or another dosha, and thus is a monthly cleansing that promotes longevity and health. During the premenstrual period, the body accumulates energy as it prepares itself for pregnancy, and if this does not occur, then this energy is removed from the body. Vata is the dominant dosha during menstruation. Apana Vayu, one of the functions of the air element, is responsible for the downward flow of menstruation. Therefore, any activity that interferes with this movement should be avoided. During menstruation, women have a tendency to absorb energy from the environment. These principles form the basis of the ancient traditions associated with women's cycles.

With that said, let's take a look at the most common menstrual traditions and their interpretations as we explored and travelled:

1. Avoiding spiritual and religious activities, visiting temples, and avoiding physical contact with a woman during her cycle;
2. Avoiding cooking and eating in public places / with other people;
3. abstaining from sex;
4. Refraining from swimming and washing hair;
5. Abstinence from certain types of foods;
6. Belief that menstrual blood is impure;
7. Rest from business during menstruation;
8. Seclusion of women in separate rooms for the period of menstruation.

1) Avoiding spiritual and religious activities, visiting temples and avoiding physical contact with a woman during her cycle.

Many women have reported pain or discomfort when attending large religious events during their period. One explanation, rooted in Ayurveda, is that during the cycle, the energy in a woman's body moves downward, while all spiritual and religious practices are designed to create an upward flow of energy in the human body.

For another explanation, more cultural in nature, a group of researchers turned to the founder of the Devi temple (the female aspect of the universe) in Andhra Pradesh, India. Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswati, the founder of the temple, gave strong arguments against the prejudice associated with the impurity of a woman during the cycle.

“We do not touch what is incomparably pure, and what we do not touch is called ‘taboo’. A woman during menstruation is revered as a Goddess. It is believed that all the energy from the idols in the temple passes to her, thus leaving the statues lifeless. That is why, in some traditions, women refrain from visiting temples during menstruation.”

2) Avoiding cooking and eating in public places / with other people.

In many traditions, eating is associated with spiritual aspects and, on the example of Indian culture, is considered from the point of view of saturation with Prana. Many Brahmins (Indian spiritual leaders) chant mantras while cooking in order to charge it with certain vibrations and a high level of energy. While eating, the lower centers or "chakras" are activated. For this reason, Tibetan monks say prayers during meals to keep their energy in higher centers. In modern society, while eating, energy is released from the lower centers, which can often be negative. We usually don't feel it. But it is believed that during the menstrual cycle, women become more sensitive and, given their tendency to absorb the energies around them, such exposure can adversely affect health. Therefore, they are advised to eat separately during this period.

“Women do not avoid working with plants or cooking because their menstrual blood is unclean, unhygienic or toxic. The energy inherent in plants, whether they are products or seedlings, is Prana - that which moves from the earth to the sun. In the opposite way, the menstrual blood is filled with Apana Vayu, a current flowing from top to bottom towards the earth. Thus, these driving forces are not comparable. Plant foods also contain a large amount of Kapha Dosha, which is responsible for the youth and nutrition of the physical body. While the blood is dominated by Pitta and Vata, responsible for the purification of the spirit. Thus, the decision to bring the energy that governs menstrual blood into cooked food is not a wise decision.”

3) Abstinence from sex during the cycle.

One of the practices related to the menstrual period is abstaining from sex. On the one hand, the opinions of Westerners and experts are shifting towards "menstrual sex" as more sensual, thanks to the additional lubrication that blood forms and the increased sensitivity of women. However, the Indian tradition considers the energy flows and their effect on a woman during "menstrual sex".

During sex, a woman absorbs male energy, and men release energy during ejaculation. It turns out that a menstruating woman who wants to get rid of her own energy must instead absorb the energy of a man. Sex with multiple partners or with a person filled with negative energy can have a dramatic effect on women's health. Thus, sexual activity during menstruation interferes with the natural flow of energy in the female body and is avoided for the woman's own benefit.

4) Abstinence from swimming/bathing and hair washing.

Maya Tiwari offers a Vedic explanation for this custom in her book Women's Power to Heal: Throug h InnerMedicine.

“On a psycho-energetic level, we need to protect our body from the powerful impact of the rhythms of the water element. Water is one of the most powerful of all five elements and is able to heal, nourish, nurture and restore the body, mind and spirit... Despite the common idea of ​​purity, in ancient times people also knew about the sacred and powerful nature of water, that it has its own energy and memory. Water, subject to its own global memory, can affect the course of the menstrual cycle, which is not a beneficial effect. On the contrary, we want the element of fire, which is the dominant memory of the blood, to function at its own rhythm.”

5) Abstinence from certain types of foods.

Part of the many cultural traditions in India that emphasize menstruation is abstinence or preference for certain foods during the cycle. In the course of the study, a team of scientists interviewed girls in Assam who were put on a 3-day diet of fruits and water at the onset of menarche (first menstruation). In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, ragi (Indian drink), cassia leaves (drumstick leaves), fenugreek, raw palm sugar, etc. are used in such cases.

Ayurveda lists a number of foods that have certain effects on women during their cycle. It is recommended to avoid any foods that increase the internal fire and heat, such as animals, as well as dairy products. Some women suffer from stomach upset and loose stools during their periods, so food should be easy to digest and rich in iron and calcium.

It has been observed that women whose first day of the cycle is accompanied by severe pain and vomiting experienced relief when switching to the correct diet a week before and during menstruation. Traditional communities follow such dietary restrictions and recommendations to this day. This is probably the reason why fewer women in the villages experience pain and discomfort during menstruation. The effect of food on the course of the cycle is something that any woman can experience for herself. However, the constitution of each person is different and, accordingly, the ratio of the three doshas in the body is also different. In view of this, the same products have different effects on different people. Therefore, ideally, it is better to consult an Ayurvedic doctor to get advice on diet during the menstrual cycle.

6) Belief that menstrual blood is impure.

Probably one of the most common beliefs is that menstrual blood is dirty or impure. Interestingly, in some Indian cultures, it is revered as blood with special powers.

One of the doctors in Manipur spoke about the meaning of the ritual practiced on the day of the first menstruation. In this area, the cloth stained with the first bleeding is kept by the mother and given to the girl on the wedding day. It is believed that such a fabric has great power that can protect a woman and her family from diseases and various ailments.

One of the older interviewees said that she tasted (drank) a drop of her first menstrual blood in modern traditions, as the blood was considered very powerful in its effect and ability to maintain health.

On the other hand, the same powerful force of menstrual blood is interpreted negatively in Jharkhand, where people fear tissue stained with such blood. They believe that this blood is very strong and can be used for black magic. Therefore, cloth or other hygiene products must be destroyed after use.

Whether menstrual blood is viewed from a positive or negative perspective, there are no conflicting beliefs in ancient traditions regarding its great power.

7) Rest from business during menstruation.

During the study, a group of scientists were explained the essence of the Keddasa festival, celebrated in the state of Karnataka in January or February for 3 days. It marks the beginning of the fertile (childbearing/fertile) cycle of the Earth. It is believed that this cycle is similar to the fertile cycle of a woman. During these 3 days, Mother Earth is given a rest, forbidding any land work and harvesting. On the fourth day, the Earth is irrigated with oil and turmeric, which initiates the sowing season.

Similarly, it is believed that a woman should not be disturbed during menstruation, allowing the natural cleansing downward flow of energy to flow in its rhythm before the next fertile phase begins.

8) Seclusion of women in separate rooms for the period of menstruation.

Not all menstrual traditions are related to Ayurveda, some have evolved for practical reasons, such as providing separate accommodation for women during cycles. In October 20214, the media raised a lot of noise regarding this practice of Golls (Gollas, sheep herders). We interviewed 300 members of this community to understand the reason for this tradition.

1. Golls live in small houses with other families and livestock. In such conditions, women do not have enough personal space, and it is also believed that their immunity is reduced during this period, which can lead to the transmission of diseases from other people and livestock. Separate rooms are built of neem with weaving of medicinal herbs, which, among other things, protect women from insects and animals.

2. Communicating with elderly representatives of the Goll community, a group of researchers learned interesting facts about the origin of this tradition. Since the Golls were by nature nomadic shepherds, sometimes the men were away for months in search of work and fodder for the sheep. During this time, their desire for intimacy with their wives increased and, upon their return, they did not think about the state in which their wives were (are they menstruating or pregnant). Thus, in order to provide women with the necessary rest and make men more sensitive to their condition, separate dwellings were built.

This practice remains relevant to this day, and despite the media interest and government policy to destroy such dwellings, the women of the settlement of Goll do everything possible to leave the opportunity to retire during menstruation in separate rooms.

Author's personal experience.

“As I learned more about the Ayurvedic principles behind the menstrual tradition, I began experimenting with my own cycle. I learned about the Mudras from the book "Mudras & health perspectives" and I became interested in this drug-free method of self-healing.

Mudras are an advanced part of Yoga, are performed with the help of a special position of the fingers and hands and can be combined with Asanas and Pranayamas. Mudras are selected depending on the goal or problem that you want to solve.

After a month of practice, my cycle shifted by 13 days (which is very unusual for me). Seeking advice, I wrote to Jayant Kalawar, author of The Advaita Life Practice and founder of The Advaita lifepractice Foundation, to which he replied:

“The fertile cycle on Earth begins with a new moon: each of the nine nights after the new moon, the Nava Ratr as has a special significance as to what actions should be taken. This is directly related to sowing seeds, adding fertilizer and watering the soil/seeds. Groundwater rises and feeds the seeds/plants to the maximum during the time after the end of the Nava Ratr and before the full moon (approximately 5 days/nights). This agricultural natural cycle needs to be re-justified through precise empirical research.

A woman's fertile cycle ends the four days/nights before the full moon. Therefore, the ideal menstrual period should fall on the four days/nights before the new moon. Thus, following the aforementioned hypothesis, it will be built in accordance with the general lunar-terrestrial rhythms.

In traditional practices, it is believed that a woman needs to synchronize her cycles with the moon in order to maintain menstruation and overall health in balance. In my experience, I noticed that I feel much better and general discomfort has decreased.

I also noticed how I affect people and environment during my period. During my last period, my team was involved in physically demanding work. I noticed how, along with me, the whole team slowed down, and they did not have enough energy to work. Looking back, I realize that I was "drawing in" energy from the environment like a vacuum cleaner. The only person it didn't affect was a friend of mine who had just completed her period.

The theory of loss of self and absorption of environmental energy applies to everyone and can be traced in all ancient menstrual traditions. The absorption of certain energies affects both the course of a woman's cycle and her environment. This may explain the "sanctity" status of the menstruating woman found in such traditions. However, not all women equally influence their environment, which is most likely due to the fact that not all rhythms are synchronized with the moon, and therefore their energy is not so significant.

Attitude to menstrual practices and traditions.

It must be remembered that the representatives of ancient cultures who initiated such practices were in a state of greater harmony and understanding of their own body and nature. They also possessed knowledge of the Vedas and other ancient sciences. It is likely that these practices were most common prior to the advent of Western allopathic medicine. The team of researchers working to develop positive attitudes towards menstruation in India and other countries sees not only the importance of doing the practices themselves, but also understanding the meaning and reason for which they were formed.

Painful menstruation is a problem for many girls, and Ayurveda has its own ways to solve it.
To prevent the monthly cycle from controlling you, take control of the situation. Here are 5 tips that will help to significantly reduce or completely forget about the pain during this period.

1. Do not play sports (including yoga).

This advice may surprise some, because sometimes the endorphins after exercising do, indeed, relieve pain temporarily. But Ayurveda recommends avoiding physical exercises during the cycle, as they activate Vata dosha in the body, and this dosha has a very rich potential for exacerbating various diseases - 80 types (for comparison, Pitta and Kapha have only 40 and 20, respectively). And your body during menstruation is vulnerable and weakened, whatever one may say, so the excess and excitation of Vata dosha is especially pathological. Pain can leave the lower abdomen, but end up in the head, for example. Therefore, Ayurveda emphasizes the need to calm and balance Vata during this period.

2. Refrain from sexual activity

Sex is a form of exercise, and it is for the reasons listed in the first paragraph that Ayurveda recommends abstaining from it during menstruation. In addition, in this way you can increase the chances of menstrual irregularities.

3. Reduce unnecessary travel

Vata dosha is dynamic because the nature of air must be constantly flowing, Vata is appropriately connected to the principle of movement. Consequently, too much movement aggravates it, which is why Ayurveda recommends avoiding unnecessary travel during the period.

4. Choose light food

The health of the digestive fire (Agni) is considered to be a reflection of the overall health of the body. Ayurveda teaches to eat light and warm foods. In the case of balancing Vata, this is especially important, because raw and cold foods only aggravate it. During the menstrual cycle, the digestive fire naturally weakens, so the advice to eat warm and light food is especially relevant during this period.

5. Drink warm water with Ajgon seeds

Azhgon seeds are an amazing Ayurvedic spice that can be brewed in a small teapot and drunk whenever you feel pain during your period, either hot, warm or at room temperature depending on your constitution. But it is better to resort to this advice only after consulting an Ayurvedic doctor. Because azhgon itself is a warming spice, and its doses and the temperature of the drink must be selected individually.

The materials are for informational purposes only. Remember, self-medication is life-threatening, consult a doctor for advice on the use of any medications and treatments.

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