Hot flushes, quick mood changes, low libido - us girls don’t have it easy when it comes to the menopause. And, whether you or someone you know is trying to navigate this tricky period of life, Ayurveda has a few pieces of advice that can help to ease menopause symptoms and restore the body and mind back to balance.
Ayurveda has been around for more than 5,000 years and, during this time, has been used to treat a whole host of issues and women’s health concerns. And it’s as easy as making a few changes to your lifestyle and diet. Let us explain how…
Menopause: a brief introduction
Menopause is when a woman’s monthly menstruation naturally comes to an end, and usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 - although some women experience it much earlier. When menopause happens, your ovaries will stop producing eggs and fertility hormones will reduce. Often referred to as a transition period, and an important journey in a woman’s life, Ayurveda says women going through menopause should prioritise their wellbeing and health.
During menopause, Vata and Pitta dosha levels can increase, with Vata dosha being more dominant which is why common menopause symptoms include:
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Dry and itchy skin
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Sleep problems
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Fatigue
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Poor and scattered memory
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Low libido
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Changes to the menstrual cycle
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Tender breasts
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Hot flushes and night sweats
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Irritability
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Weight gain and fluid retention
Ayurvedic treatments for menopause
It can’t be denied just how difficult menopause symptoms can be but Ayurveda advises a number of diet and lifestyle changes to balance the Vata and Pitta doshes, eliminate any toxins from the body and restore a little harmony from the inside-out.
Eat well
Ayurvedic practitioners focus on prevention not cure, which is why everyone is recommended to eat a healthy diet. For menopause in partciular, Ayurveda advises that we have a routine and eat at the same time and have a diet that combats the airy and light nature of Vata. Think warm, fresh and grounding foods that contain good oils and avoid dry, fermented foods and anything leftover. Refined sugar, red meat, alcohol and caffeine should also be consumed as little as possible and instead choose foods that are easy to digest.
It’s important to keep hydrated too - not only to keep our minds fresh but also our insides moving. Ayurveda recommends avoiding fizzy and sugary drinks and instead says we should opt for warm water and honey, and herbal teas.
Keep moving
If you’re suffering with any of the above symptoms, the last thing you probably want to read is to keep moving. We know! But light and gentle exercise is a great way to combat symptoms in the mind and body. You don’t have to sign up to a blood-pumping spin class as exercises like walking, yoga and meditation all help to relax and soothe the nervous system, which is just as good.
By making time each day for 30 minutes of exercise, you’ll be ticking off another one of Ayurveda’s recommendations of sticking to a daily routine. In fact, to calm excess Vata levels, Ayurveda says we all need a little regularity in our lives. By exercising more, you may also sleep better - which is essential for helping your body to cope during menopause.
Enjoy me-time
From a long soak in the bath to daily self-massage with oils or lighting a candle and journaling, it’s important to take some time out for yourself and focus on exactly what you need. Ayurveda views menopause as a transition within the body and mind and, by creating a little ritual every day that’s good for you and one that you enjoy, you can relax your muscles, soothe racing thoughts and calm Vata.
Spice things up
By this, we mean use a few herbs and spices in your day-to-day life. There’s a whole host of Ayurvedic herbs which have been proven to help symptoms of menopause. This includes:
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Ashwagandha - A powerhouse plant when it comes to the menopausal phase of life, it reduces hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, depression, anxiety and irritability, and decreases the amount of stress hormones in the body. That’s not all as it’s also an adaptogen which means it helps the body and mind to deal with stress, can improve memory and attention, boosts energy levels and has hormone balancing properties too. Oh, and did we mention it’s a natural aphrodisiac?!
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Turmeric - It may be known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties but it also contains Curcumin which is thought to increase testosterone levels, boost libido and help with vaginal dryness. It also balances a number of hormones in the brain, helping to relieve mood swings and brain fog.
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Brahmi - Also known as Bacopa Monnieri, Brahmi helps with brain fog and improves memory, concentration and mental clarity. It also supports the body and mind to deal with changing stress levels and has been proven to help with depression by bringing balance to the nervous system. For this reason, it’s great for mood swings.
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Shankhavali - Otherwise called Convolvulus Pluricaulis, this is another herb great for mood swings, and has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and insomnia. It promotes a strong nervous system too.
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Jatamansi - This works to give foggy minds mental clarity, can rejuvenate brains and helps women to feel clearer. It reduces hot sensations in the skin too.
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Valo - This is a popular spice used by Ayurveda for menopause because of its ability to reduce concerns relating to heat and the summer. With cooling and refreshing properties, it reduces excess heat, hot flushes and sweating.
Try Mind Balance
Don’t worry, you don’t need to try and include these super-herbs and spices in your meals. All you have to do is take one of our Mind Balance capsules, up to twice a day. You see, we’ve worked with the leading Ayurvedic specialists to blend 11 super-herbs into one natural capsule. Not only does it help you to combat stressful periods in your life but it boosts focus and promotes feelings of calm and relaxation - something we could all do with, whether we’re going through menopause or not.
“They have really made a difference to a 53 year old menopausal lady! My brain fog has lifted and so has my mood. Will be highly recommending!” Lauraine
You can shop the full range of our Ayurvedic-inspired products and supplements online. And, if you have any questions or want to let us know how you’re getting on with your Deja lifestyle additions, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line on Instagram or tag us in your pictures!
