Summary:
Rajaswala charya (Daily regimen during periods)
The most natural & crucial cleansing time for a woman in her reproductive age is her periods. Ayurveda recommends Do's & Don'ts of those special days to achieve a long healthy life.
What is Rajaswala?
A female who is menstruating is known as Rajaswala in Ayurveda.
Periods is not only a time of cleansing but also a time of new beginning. Your uterus, ovaries, pelvis renew itself and your mind is attached to that process. It is a time to take it slow and connect to yourself.
First 48 to 72 hours are very important. These 2,3 days are for internal cleansing and renewing of female energy.
Our body functions with a balance of all 5 elements. Vaat dosha or Air element can get aggravated or imbalanced if not taken proper care during this phase. Aggravated vaat dosha will reflect in pains, aches, leg cramps, mood changes, hormonal imbalances during the cycle and in the long run. To keep it balanced, use these 2 days to refresh and recharge in the following way :
Do's | Don'ts |
Use warm water for morning routine like gargles and to pour on feet. | Anjan/ Nasya |
Dantamanjan | Gandush/oil squishing |
Meditation/knitting or hand work | Abhyanga or body massage |
Relax with simple work for atleast 2 days | Strenuous exercise/exertion/multitasking |
Light slow walk after food | Overuse any 1 sense e.g. watching screen |
Taking day off | Traveling/Sex |
Relaxing with friends, listening to music.
| Head bath or elaborate beauty routines/procedures |
**The temperature of body changes during period cycle so quickly bathe with little water or sponge with warm water for essential cleaning. (Like you would do in fever).
What to eat?
Eat very simple, homecooked and light food like khichdi, daal rice, soups with ajwain, jeera, ghee as per your own hunger.
Food that is rich in iron like Raagi soup with jaggery. Sherbat, warm water with ajwain/ginger can be taken.
Mint, lemon jaggery drink can be taken.
Non spicy food.
No fasting. Stay nourished in the right way.
Which food to avoid?
Deep fried.
Sugary.
Refined flour
Frozen food.
Fermented food.
Can I exercise?
No gym/exercises except restorative poses like shavasan, sleeping in supta baddhakonasan for 10 minutes.
Reminder:
Periods is one of the natural urge(वेग). वेग is a natural bodily urge like the rhythm of your heartbeat. So avoid taking medicines to interfere with normal period cycles.
Use these tips for 2,3 cycles, connect to your own body and follow what it demands and see the difference.
Any suggestions & comments are welcome.
Article written by Dr. Harsha D. Kulkarni, MD Ayurved, founder, Swastha Ayurved learning, for general public awareness. It is extracted from ancient Ayurvedic texts and traditions of different regions of India and written in context of today's lifestyle.
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