Women’s care

The continuity and health of a family is dependent on a woman.Until a few generations back,women of India were equipped with some basic understanding of Ayurveda such that they incorporated its principles in daily living.Such as having Ajwain with rock salt for a colicky pain or applying ghee of Asfoetida on a child’s belly for a stomach ache.But today neither is that understanding left,nor her ability to care for herself.

So, let’s get a few glimpses Into the health of women on the principles of Ayurveda .
The important milestones in a woman’s life are:
•Puberty
•Pregnancy
•Delivery
•Post-delivery care
•Menopause

Puberty:

The reproductive life of a woman begins with puberty. Around the age of twelve to fourteen, the girl begins to menstruate. A healthy and normal menstrual bleeding Is one which:
1.Appears regularly every month.
2.Is free of pain or burning sensation.
3.It is neither excessive nor scanty.
4.It does not stain a cloth even after the wash.
5.Menstrual discharge is free from clots or froth or mucus.

Premenstrual Syndrome:

Then, is Premenstrual Syndrome normal? This Is a very common problem in which discomfort ,severe pain, cramps and vomiting happens. And this prompts women to have painkillers every month!

Well, all these problems are NOT normal or part of healthy physiology. Rather, it is indicative of impaired functioning of Apaan Vayu.
What leads to impairment of Apan Vayu are food habits and lifestyle.

Food habits	Lifestyle
Spicey, fermented and astringent foods.	Weekly/daily staying up late in the night.
Weekly consumption of curd.	Sleeping during the day time for more than 15minutes.
Weekly/daily consumption of ice cream,or chilled waler.	Strenuous exercises or frequent travelling during menses.
Weekly/daily consumption of stale ·food.
Sprouts or raw foods/juices.

How to bring Apaan Vayu to normal functioning :

Food Habits	Lifestyle
By avoiding the above.	Avoiding the above.
Having warm freshly cooked food with ghee.	Massage body with Til oil or Dhanwantaram oil.
Having milk with rice especially during the menstrual cycle.	Taking a bath with warm water.
	Include Yogaasan and Pranayam instead of gyming.

Pregnancy:

“Eat well and eat everything”, is generally prescribed to a pregnant woman when she goes for her medical checkup. Even though pregnancy is NOT a disease, it is still a special state which has special needs.

So,during pregnancy,Ayurveda recommends diet like ghee, milk,wheat, green gram,butter on a daily basis so that:
1.The fetus is nourished.
2.Proper secretion of breast milk happens.
3.Anemia free pregnancy.

Specific and special life style is to be followed:
1.Avoid day sleeping.
2.Practice Aasan and Pranayam so that its beneficial and safe during pregnancy . Ex: Baddhakonasan and Mahamudra.The purpose of exercise during pregnancy is NOT to test the capability.
3.To maintain a regular routine of eating and sleeping.
4.Avoid Vlruddha ahar.

Also,monthly,specific combination of herbs fer the specific needs of the body Is recommended.

Delivery

The couple needs to understand about birthing or the process of delivery, so that their fear is replaced and they are ‘well-informed’

Post-delivery care:

After child birth, the mother needs to be looked after with great care and vigilance. She can very easily develop a serious or incurable condition. A few diet and lifestyle inclusions that are done are:
1.Cloth tied slightly tight around her abdomen.
2.Oil soaked tampon placed in the vagina to relieve pain.
3.Light and easy to digest gruels.
4.After the first week, nourishing and heavy foods .
5.Arisht & Aasav are given to cleanse the uterus and induce secretion of breast milk.

Menopause:

The phase of natural stoppage of menstrual cycle after the age of 45 years to 55 years is menopause. It is a Vata dominant kaal, during which appetite fluctuations, mood fluctuations, hot flushes occur. One needs to care for the body by having a diet and lifestyle that balances the Vata in the body.

These examples are to bring the reader’s attention on the vastness of a woman ‘s care, which can help us actively participate in taking charge of our own health.