Ayurvedic Herbs For Menopause Remedies

Menopause Treatment In Ayurveda

As the name suggests, menopause does bring a pause in a woman’s life, however, it doesn’t stop a person from living life to the fullest. When a woman doesn’t get her period for 12 months consecutively, she is said to have got menopause.

Menopause symptoms majorly include physical illness, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, depression, weight gain, sleep disturbance, mood symptoms, urinary complaints, and uterine bleeding problems.

Menopause causes a lot of physical and emotional changes in a woman’s body, but it should not be considered as a disease. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been used alone or in combination with conventional therapies in menopause. There are Ayurveda treatments available, all of which involve the body, mind, and spiritual concepts. Ayurveda can help to overcome the vagaries of menopause. Ayurveda describes menopause as a phase in which the body system goes out of balance.

Menopause is a natural transition, states Ayurveda.  Like all transitions, menopause needs to be handled to minimize distress.

Why does menopausal discomfort occur?

Ayurveda cites three major reasons:

– Since menopause is the transition from the Pitta period of life to the Vata stage, if a woman already has a significant Pitta or Vata imbalance in the years prior to menopause, things will likely get worse through menopause, which can be a period when hormonal and other organic changes take place within the body.

– Another factor resulting in menopausal imbalances is that the accumulation of digestive impurities (ama) from the physiology. Ama blocks the channels that transfer nutrition to the cells and eliminate waste from the body and consequently contributes to menopausal issues.

– The third element is the misuse or overuse of the mind, body, emotions, or sensations. Essentially, this occurs when a woman strains her brain a great deal, is under too much continuing stress or pressure, or is performing work that’s too”heavy” for her body, or is under tremendous emotional stress

– Rhodiola Rosea

Ayurveda involves the use of medicinal herbs to treat a mood disorder. Rhodiola Rosea is recommended in many conditions, including irregular menopause, mild-to-moderate depression, and dementia.  Rhodiola Rosea is a mild stimulant, so it should be taken in the morning to avoid sleep problems. It is also used in cancer, anxiety, influenza, common cold, bacterial infections, and migraines.

– Saffron for menopause

Saffron is used in menopause, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. Saffron contains vitamin A, C, D, B12, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, and calcium. It acts as an antioxidant and helps protect the human body from oxidant-induced stress. The dried stigmas of Saffron have been used as a flavoring base and coloring base in various foods and drinks.

– Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Black cohosh is used today mainly as a dietary supplement marketed to women as a remedy for the symptoms of premenstrual tension and also in age-related disorders like osteoporosis. It has analgesic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory properties.

– Red clover (Trifolium pretense)

The red clover flowers possess antispasmodic, estrogenic, and expectorant properties. In Chinese medicine, red clover is often used in teas as an expectorant. Russians recommend the herb for treating bronchial asthma. Traditionally, the herb has been used in treating breast cancer.

– Flaxseeds for menopause symptoms

Flaxseeds contain omega 3 fatty acids. They are used in the treatment of cancer, weight loss, and menopause. It is used in muffins, bread, and cookies. Before eating, the seeds should be ground properly otherwise they will not be digested.

– Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)

Shatavari has been known to be an effective reproductive tonic for women. Studies show that it promotes sex drive in both women and men, while also combating vaginal dryness and balancing menstrual concerns like heavy bleeding or discharge. Taking the stress from the adrenals allows Shatavari to effectively play its role as a reproductive tonic. This herb accounts for the production of the adrenal gland, making it a natural adaptogen. Shatavari contains steroid saponins like sarsaponin, protodioscin, and diosgenin. These compounds act as a precursor of testosterone and increase the secretion of this hormone. Shatavari supports healthy estrogen levels and encourages healthy progesterone as well.

See: Ayurveda Treatment For Migraine

– Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex Angus-castus)

Chaste tree berries are well known to encourage female reproductive health and play a normalizing function on the hormonal footprint. In Europe, the chaste tree is an approved remedy for menstrual cycle irregularities and other PMS related symptoms. Chaste tree berry balances several hormonal changes related to PMS and menopause. As chaste tree berry has been shown to impact serotonin levels, it is thought to have a balancing effect on hormones released from the pituitary gland, suggesting higher brain center support.

– Ashoka (Saraca asoca)

The Ashoka tree bark has been used for centuries as a reproductive tonic. Studies have found the presence of quercetin, beta-sitosterol, and luteolin, phytoestrogens that support healthy hormonal function during the transition into menopause.

– Finger-Leaf Morning Glory (Ipomoea digitata)

This tuber has been used traditionally to support healthy menstruation and balanced menstrual bleeding. As with musta (above), it encourages healthy spleen (lymph) and liver function, which can be contested during menopause. It contains beta-sitosterol and Ergonovine used to balance menstrual bleeding and encourage healthy weight loss. During menopause, this herb supports the natural menses cessation.

Lifestyle strategies for Dosha balance

– Sleep is very important to the woman entering menopause or going through menopause, because both Vata and Pitta imbalances may lead to sleep issues which are only going to make menopausal imbalances worse. To maintain both doshas in balance and to sleep deeply at night, make sure that you’re in bed before 10:00 p.m. and that you appear before 6:00 a.m. This is the time of night when sleep comes easier and is more relaxed. If you stay awake past 10:00, it’ll be harder to fall asleep, and you will also boost any Pitta imbalance, since 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. is your Pitta period of the night, once the body has to be at rest to be able to cleanse and purify itself.

– The morning abhyanga, or ayurvedic oil massage, is vitally important for preventing menopausal issues. Ayurvedic oil is designed to improve circulation, calm Vata dosha, and provide needed moisture to the skin.

– Daily exercise (gentle for Vata and not overly overheating for Pitta) is also essential for maintaining all doshas in balance.

– Make certain to get a great deal of rest throughout your menstrual cycle as you approach menopause since this can keep Apana Vata in equilibrium and prevent the more severe complications of menopause.

– Routine: For both Pitta and Vata dosha, it is important not to skip meals, and also to eat your main meal at noon, when digestion is the most powerful. Try to eat at exactly the exact same time each day, and go to bed and wake up at precisely the exact same time.

See: Ayurvedic Herbs For Fertility Remedies

According to Ayurveda, in regard to herbal support, the best way to encourage healthy menopause is by introducing hormonal precursors and reproductive tonics to the body during menopause, when the ovaries are naturally reducing the production of hormones. The skin, liver, and other organs in the body take over hormonal production, a reaction that may be linked to hot flashes and night sweats. Supporting the liver in this process is critical. The lymphatic system is also a key element since it is the female body’s first pathway of detox. When congested, radicals return to the liver where many menopausal concerns arise from.