Food as Medicine: What is Ayurvedic Diet for PMS?
Going through Premenstrual Syndrome ( PMS) can be challenging as it may hinder your daily activities.
You may have thought of using various tips and tricks to get some relief.
And what better can be than Ayurveda? It is the most holistic approach to treating PMS symptoms effectively.
This article will explore some of the essential ingredients that you can add to your Ayurvedic diet to get some relief in your menstrual period.
The relation between Ayurveda and PMS
It is important to know how Ayurveda and your menstrual period are related.
It will help you understand what and why to include in your PMS Ayurvedic diet.
According to Ayurveda, women’s menstrual cycle is related to a dosha (energy).
The phase in which the PMS symptoms start is predominated by Pitta dosha.
It is due to the rise in Progesterone, which is a more Pitta-like hormone. It governs the transformation that takes place in the body.
Some of the symptoms may start or last till your menstrual phase too.
This phase is predominated by Vata dosha.
In Sanskrit, ‘Vata’ means wind. So as the wind moves, this dosha is also related to your body and mind movement.
It controls blood circulation, the flow of breath, the movement of limbs and muscles, and the expression of speech.
These doshas may aggravate or get imbalanced during your menstrual period.
To balance these doshas, it is essential to have nutritious food. Read on to know what foods may help balance Vata and Pitta doshas.
Food to balance Vata dosha
People whose nature is dominated by the Vata dosha naturally like sweet, sour, and salty food.
But over-consumption of these foods is unhealthy during your menstrual period as it may aggravate Premenstrual Syndrome.
Ayurveda recommends warm, mushy foods with smooth textures to alleviate the symptoms of PMS. These may include:
Pureed soups
Pureed soups are recommended for people who may have gut or gastrointestinal issues.
A study was conducted on 156 women who had PMS. They were assessed for five days preceding menses and during menses.
Among them, 73% experienced at least one of the primary gastrointestinal symptoms either pre- or during menses.
The symptoms included bloating, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, etc.
You may have pureed soups to get relief from these symptoms.
Pureed soups can be made using nutritious vegetables like spinach, broccoli, beans, lentils, etc.
Cooked fruits
As mentioned above, Vata-dominated people have a sweet tooth. And craving for something sweet may increase during your period.
A study was conducted on over 1000 males and females. 97% of the female reported food cravings.
Among them, 32% of the women’s food cravings were linked to menstrual cycles.
Here, chocolate, sweet in taste, was the most frequently reported food crave, especially among women.
Cooked fruits can be a good alternative to curb this craving.
Hot rice pudding
Hot rice pudding is a creamy and thick dish made with milk. It is mainly served as a dessert, but some people might add salt.
Thus, it is suitable for women whose nature is dominated by Vata dosha and having PMS.
Make sure to cook this in ghee, a clarified butter.
Ghee is a good source of Vitamins A, B, E, and K. The reason is ghee is treated with low heat, usually under 100 degrees.
Thus, it retains more nutrients than standard clarified butter.
Food to pacify Pitta dosha
Women whose nature is dominated by the Pitta dosha, like sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes.
But these foods may cause some gastrointestinal issues that hinder your daily activities.
Another reason can be that Pitta dosha controls the heat energy in the body.
And when PMS starts, the heat may increase, causing several symptoms.
Here’s a list of food that may control Pitta dosha:
Peppermint
Peppermint has cooling and refreshing effects. It can help in reducing gastrointestinal issues like abdominal pain.
The reason is that peppermint helps in smooth muscle relaxation.
It comes in various forms like peppermint oil, extracts, and enteric-coated capsules.
The essential oil of peppermint can be beneficial for getting relief from PMS headaches.
Hydrating fruits
To control the heat, you may have hydrating fruits. You can also grind them in a mixture to make fresh juices for refreshment.
Watermelon is one such hydrating fruit that you can have for hydration.
Essential herbs
Some essential herbs in Ayurveda may help calm Vata and Pita aggravated symptoms due to PMS.
Nourishing herbs such as Ashwagandha, Shatavari, or Dashamoola can be consumed.
- Ashwagandha is an important herb that helps reduce stress and anxiety, prime symptoms of PMS
- Shatavari is another vital herb that has many benefits. It is also known as Asparagus racemosus. Its powdered dried root is said to be beneficial in relieving some gastrointestinal issues
- Dashamoola is an Ayurvedic multi-ingredient formulation. It helps in the management of pain. This quality can be used for PMS pain or cramps
Takeaway
The Ayurvedic diet for PMS is a holistic approach to managing Premenstrual Syndrome.
It focuses on a balanced diet, including nutrient-dense foods, herbs, etc., for controlling or pacifying the Vata and Pitta doshas.
You can have hot, mashed food like pureed soups or rice pudding.
Moreover, you can have hydrating foods and drinks to control the Pitta dosha’s heat.
Ayurvedic herbs also constitute an essential part of the Ayurvedic diet. You may have herbs like Ashwagandha, Shatavari, or Dashamoola.
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