The Kerala Ayurveda

Painful Menstruation

In ayurveda this is to known as Rajah-Kriccha. Ayurveda attributes painful menstruation to the predominance of doshas, namely, vata, pitta and kapha. The pain may appear before the menstruation starts and may subside thereafter. It may also continue till the end of menstruation. The pain affects lower pelvic region and at times, it becomes severe. Her might be nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and constipation. The sleep of the patient may also get disturbed.

Treatment:

In ayurveda lower pelvis is considered being the seat of apana vayu, which is responsible for the elimination of menstrual blood, stool, urine, ovum and sperm (in males). Women having constipating tendency or those who do not develop regular habit of attending the call of nature, are therefore, suggests a purgative to be given to the patient for about two days before the schedule date of menstruation. Ashoka is the drug of choice for the treatment of this condition. From its pulp the juice is extracted and given to the patient. Sometimes the juice is dehydrated and the stuff that is obtained by this is used in the medicine. This plant grows in all parts of India, but it has a luxurious growth in deserts and rocky places.

Ashokarishta, which is an alcoholic preparation of this drug, is given to the patient in a dose of 4 teaspoonfuls, twice daily after food with equal quantity of water, RAJAHPRAVARTINI BATI which contains borox in Bhasma form, asafetida and kumara is also an effective drug. Two tablets of these medicines are given to the patient, twice a day for about 7 days, immediately before the due date of the menses. It relieves congestion in the pelvic organs, works as a laxative and thus keeps the patient free from any pain during menstruation.

Pain during menstruation might be caused due to some organic defect in female genital tract. In that case, surgery is the only way out. Medicines prescribed above will be helpful only if the pain is caused by functional defects.

Healing Options

Ayurvedic Supplements	Sundari kalp forte Rajahpravartini Bati Ashokarishta
Diet	The patient should not be given fried things, pulses and sour things. Last week of the menstrual cycle is very crucial for these patients. They should not take anything that will cause constipation. Vegetable like colocasia, potato, yellow pumpkin and brinjal are to be avoided. White pumpkin, papaya, surana, drumstick, bitter gourd and cucumber are useful. Garlic is specially recommended. Women having this type of complaint should use garlic in a dose of 10 cloves, twice a day .The outer coating of garlic should be removed and it should be cut into pieces. The pungent smell of garlic reduced and if a little bit of butter –milk or limejuice is added to it. If however, the patient is unable to tolerate the residual smell of garlic, it should be fried with a little butter and given. As has been told before, impairment of apana vayu is primarily responsible for this trouble. Its normal course is downwards and if it does not move because of hormonal imbalance, constipation, or any other factor the best thing to do is to add sufficient quantity of asafoetidia to the food of the patient .It can be given to the patient in a powder form and for this it has to be fried with ghee or butter in a big spoon over fire. This makes it brittle and powder can be made out of it conveniently. This powder should be taken by hot water. Because of the pungent smell it emits, some people do not like to take it alone. It may be added with buttermilk or vegetables or rice or bred and taken by the patient.
Lifestyle	Women having sedentary habits are more prone to this trouble. They should therefore, be treated psychologically. The patient should be asked to be in the company of friends and relatives, especially during the period. She should find an opportunity for walking at least 3-4 k.m. a day. Morning walk is extremely useful for this condition. If she is fat effort should be made to reduce weight. Some physical exercises involving the bending of the waist region and contraction of the pelvic muscles should be resorted to regularly. Sleep during daytime is extremely harmful. During the period of menstruation, she should take complete rest.
Yoga	The Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) The Knee to Chest (Pawanmuktasan) Cobra (Bhujanga Asana)

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