AYURVEDIC REMEDIES FOR PAINFUL MENSTRUATION
In Ayurveda, this is known as
rajah-kricchra. Ayurveda attributes painful menstruation to the predominance of doshas, namely, vayu, 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 different organs of the lower pelvic region and at times, it becomes severe: There
might be nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and constipation. The sleep of the patient may also get disturbed.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Painful menstruation: In Ayurveda lower pelvis is considered to be 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 usually exposed to this type of complaint. The Ayurvedic physician,
therefore, suggests a purgative to be given to the patient for about two days before the scheduled date of menstruation. Kumari 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 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.
Kumari asava, which is an alcoholic preparation of this drug, is given to the patient in a dose of 6 teaspoonfuls, twice daily after food with equal quantity of water. Rajah pravartani
which contains borax in bhasma form, asafoetida and kumari, is also an effective drug. Two tablets of this medicine are given to the patient, twice a day for about 7 days, immediately
before the due date of 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 the 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.
Diet to taken by painful menstruation patients: 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. Vegetables like colocasia, potato, yellow pumpkin and brinjal are to be avoided. White pumpkin, papaya, surana, drumstick, gourd, 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 is reduced if a little bit of butter-milk or lime juice 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 re�sponsible for this trouble. Its normal course is downwards and if it does not move because of hormonal imbalance,
constipation, or any other factors, the best thing to do is to add sufficient quantity of asafoetida 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 in a dose
of 1 teaspoonful, twice daily along with food. It should be followed by hot water. Because of the pungent smell it emits, some people do not like to take it alone. It may be added
with butter-milk or vegetables or rice or bread and taken by the patient.
Other regimens: Women having sedentary habits are more prone to this trouble. They should, therefore, be treated psychologically. The painful menstruation patient should be asked to be
in the company of
friends and relatives, specially during the period. She should find an opportunity for walking at least 3-4 kilometres 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.
