Features -Ayurvedic medicine and the menopause

Ayurveda is the science of life , a system of diet, healing and health maintenance that is spiritual in origin. It deals with the personal & public health to meet the reciprocal obligation of man and society.

According to Ayurveda this universe is created from Panch Maha Bhutta (five basic elements) viz. Prithvi ( Earth), Vayu (Air), Jal (Water), Agni (Fire) and Akasha (ether) and they constitute our body also. These five elements constitute the body on various distinct and indistinct forms viz. * Doshas ( Metabolic components), Dhatus ( vital components) and Malas ( end products of elimination).

Good health implies an ideal combination between the three doshic factors i.e. * Dosha, Dhatus and Malas. No true doshic factor/ individual exists. It is the pre dominance of any particular dosha which marks the constitutional type of human being. On this basis, human are divided into three psychosomatic types namely the VATA PRAKRITIK, the PITTA PRAKRITIK and KAPHA PRAKRITIK (three humors vata, pitta and kapha)

Health problems at the menopause are imbalances that have accumulated through a woman's life which are unmasked by the shift of hormones. Disease is imbalance. Any decrease or increase of the body humours is disease. When there is an increase, the symptoms will also be increased. A decreased Dosha loses it’s normal functions. The increase or decrease can be quantitative qualitative and functional. One can measure the decrease or increase through certain biochemical tests. Treatments aim at restoring and maintaining normality, balance, harmony or equilibrium.

Ayurveda divides female life into three phases i.e Pre menstrual, Menstrual and Post menstrual phase. Pre menstrual period as the childhood phase, the menstrual years of adulthood phase, and post menstrual period is the phase of wisdom. A time when a woman's ability to procreate can be turned into a different form of creativity.

When the menstrual cycles stops and sex hormones level decreases this condition is called Menopause. In Ayurveda, Menopause can be compared with Rajoksaya. (Cessation of menstruation). Rajoksaya described by an ayurvedic scholar Susurata is an effect of ageing. Natural cessation does not reflect any disease. This is a condition. This condition is seen also in women who have had hysterectomies (surgical menopause). Cessation of menses means that a women spends her final third of her life with lower levels of oestrogen. This can cause complications and symptomatic disorders; such as flushes, night sweats, irritability, psychic changes, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, debility,and decrease in calcification of bones.

Ways to ease the problematic condition:

Ayurveda suggests Rasayana therapy for Jarakalinavyadhis (ageing condition/diseases) and it also gives prasatadhatus (nourishment to tissues) Hence to improve the status of rajodhatu.

A herb Ashvgandha (Withania somnifera) means more power And another herb Vidarikand (Pueraria tuberosa) is also mentioned in Susruta and Vagbata -an ancient text for people who are ageing. Shativari (Asparagus racemosa) the name translates as 'she who possesses 100 husbands', is a herb that is used in Ayurvedic medicine to balance menopausal symptoms. Aloe Vera is specific for maintaining the youthfulness of the female reproductive organs.

Ashvgandha’s sedative and smooth muscles relaxing properties help in relieving vasomotor complaints like hot flushes, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, depression. The anti biotic and anti-inflammatory actions prevent atrophic vaginitis & dysurea.

Vidarikand is a starch and calcium oxalate enriched herb, which helps to restore the calcium balance. and maintains the bone density at normal levels. This is also rich in phyto-oestrogens.

Shatavari contains phyto-oestrogens which have a rejuvenating effect. Shativari and Aloe Vera both have a cooling action thus helping with symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, and dryness in the body.

Menopause is a VATA imbalance condition. Rejuvenation and oiling helps keep VATA balanced.

Abhyanaga (body massage) and pizhichill or marma abhyanga ( marma massage) is beneficial to improve vitality.

Shirodhara is an ayurvedic technique involves running of a steady stream of herbal oil or other herbal concoctions on the forehead for 35-40 minutes. Which controls emotions, balance VATA and increase the level of Serotonin. A chemical responsible for mood & behaviour. It reduces restlessness,thus improving sleep disorder, agitation etc.

A yoga exercise Alomo/vilom (inhaling and exhaling) is excellent to balance VATA. Which has a significant role in controlling post menopausal effects.

Ayurvedic treatment or Rejuvenation or Rasayana therapy really implies a retreat to nature to forgive any bitterness from the premenstrual or menstrual phase. Thus increasing the immunity of a person.

Ayurveda advocates that physical fitness provides a stable foundation upon which a sound structure of consciousness can be erected. At the stage of menopause, which is a phase of wisdom. One can achieve a goal of coordination of physical and spiritual health through prayers, meditation, social work etc.

Treating menopause and increasing longevity is not the purpose of Ayurveda, But the aim is a life which is enriched in relation to other lives.

Dr Anil Jaggi Mobile: 9810420969

Body & Soul- an ayurvedic Clinic, 347 Mantola, Pahar Gang, New Delhi-110055. (INDIA)

 

Page created: 24th March 2009