30/05/2025
Ayurveda Perspective on Menstrual Rest and Care: Today, on World Menstrual Hygiene Day, after seeing a few advertisements, I felt compelled to write about ‘Ritukaleen ‘, the traditional Ayurveda regimen for menstruation.
‘Ritu’ refers to menstruation - also known as periods, monthly cycle, rajasrava, etc. Despite being a process that signals fertility and the potential for new creation, menstruation remains an awkward, often taboo topic in many households.
But this natural, monthly occurrence is an integral and recurring part of every woman’s life - from menarche (first menstruation) to menopause. Ayurveda doesn’t just look at menstruation as a hygiene concern but as a deeply significant physiological and energetic process that requires care and attention.
Ayurveda and the Concept of ‘Aartava’ (Menstrual Blood):
According to Ayurveda, Aartava (menstrual blood) is formed from rasa and rakta dhatus (nutrient and blood tissues). Aartava is said to have agni (fiery) qualities. The signs of healthy menstrual flow are:
• Colour similar to rabbit’s blood, red lotus, or lac (red resin)
• Non-staining and easily washable from cloth
• Occurs once a month, lasting up to five nights
• Not too heavy or scanty
• Free from burning, excessive stickiness, or pain
Such a flow indicates the purity of the uterus and is vital for healthy ovulation, conception, and fertility. Disturbances in this process may lead to reproductive issues later in life.
Abnormalities and Disorders:
• Ati-Yoga (Excessive activity): Pain in the abdomen, backache, excessive bleeding, foul-smelling discharge.
• Aartava-Kshaya (Deficiency): Irregular cycles, very scanty bleeding, absence of menstruation, vaginal pain.
Any deviation from the natural features of menstruation is indicative of dosha (bio-energy) aggravation - primarily vata, pitta, or kapha imbalance - which pollutes the menstrual flow.
The Role of Vata and Apana Vayu:
The uterus is a soft, muscular, maternal organ. Menstruation depends on the health of rasa (nutritive fluid), rakta (blood), and mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue). But most importantly, Apana Vayu - the subtype of Vata dosha that governs downward movements - controls the expulsion of menstrual blood. If Apana Vayu is imbalanced due to faulty diet or lifestyle, menstrual disorders are inevitable.
Ayurveda Guidelines for Menstruation (Ritukaleen Paricharya):
During menstruation, a woman should follow certain rest-oriented guidelines:
• Observe celibacy
• Avoid daytime sleep
• Avoid using eye cosmetics, heavy emotions (crying, grief), bathing, massages, perfumes, running, laughing loudly, talking excessively, loud noises
• Avoid physical exertion or hard labour
These guidelines were traditionally followed not as a form of restriction or taboo, but to provide the woman with rest and recuperation. Today, many of us have abandoned these practices under the guise of modernity, equating rest with weakness and rejecting any notion of ritual impurity or vitāl. In doing so, we have neglected the physiological wisdom of our traditions.
Modern Lifestyle vs Ayurveda Wisdom:
Today, advertisements for sanitary pads show young women playing sports, cycling, dancing, trekking - portraying menstruation as no hindrance at all. But these physical activities, though empowering in spirit, actually aggravate Vata dosha when performed during menstruation. Since Vata governs the menstrual cycle, its disturbance can lead to long-term consequences such as:
• Hormonal imbalance
• Irregular cycles
• Miscarriages
• Infertility
• Congenital abnormalities
• Uterine disorders
• Premature hysterectomy
The question arises - are these 4-5 days of rest so impossible to accommodate that we must power through them at the cost of our health?
In reality, the reproductive years are a critical phase for physical development. Unnecessary strain during menstruation at this time may sow the seeds of chronic menstrual disorders, infertility, and pregnancy complications in the future.
Ayurveda Diet and Lifestyle During Menstruation:
• Eat light, warm, easily digestible, nutritious meals
• Avoid bitter, pungent, astringent, overly spicy, dry, and cold foods
• Do not fast
• Avoid excessive speaking, listening to loud noises, or arguments
• Minimize physical and mental stress
All these recommendations used to be naturally followed in the past. But today, under the pretext of convenience and hygiene, we’re moving away from this wisdom and heading towards ill health.
Should we be using sanitary pads or cloth? This is a separate discussion - we’ll explore it in another article. But one thing is clear: despite all our advancements in science and medicine, we’re seeing rising cases of hormonal imbalances, menstrual disorders, infertility, failed IVF cycles, uterine abnormalities, and even hysterectomies in very young women.
Isn’t it time we ask - what are we doing wrong?
The answer may lie in our failure to follow Ritukaleen Paricharya - the dietary and behavioural discipline during menstruation.
“Rest is Your Right”
Menstruation is a time for rest, not activity.
Let these 4-5 days be your time to slow down, to care for yourself, to drop the ‘superwoman’ act that the world expects from you. Your uterus, which nurtures the next generation, deserves to be strong, healthy, and vital. And that strength begins with respect - respect for your cycle, your body, and its needs.
Remember: these are your rightful days of rest.
Withdraw your attention from the world and bring it back to yourself.
Dr. Yogita Chaudhari
(M.D. Ayurveda), PhD (Ayurveda)
Bhagirathi Ayurveda Panchakarma Clinic
Parvati hill base, Pune 411009
📞 090212 55057
https://bhagirathiayurveda.com
