Ayurveda for Women

Ayurveda has been widely recognized as a system of natural health care congenial to the health needs of women. All over the world more and more women are turning to herbal medicine so that they have total control on their bodies throughout the year, throughout their lives.

Women are far more sensitive to the rhythms and cycles of nature and Ayurveda is founded on the principle of keeping the body toned in tune with nature. Women respond more to their bodies. They are aware of what is happening to their body everyday, every season, throughout the year, throughout their lives. Being a natural system of medicine that encourages understanding one's body and its nourishment women find Ayurveda very suitable.

Ayurveda advises to carefully choose food suitable to one's constitution and the season, so that body can heal itself. Women have a natural ability to judge the effect of every kind of food on their bodies. They have an innate understanding of the kind of food that is beneficial to their particular body constitution and the season. This goes hand in hand with the Ayurvedic system of healthcare. That is exactly why for long time, women of every age, and diverse physical constitution find Ayurveda a gentle and caring system, which harmonizes the balance of the body.

Traditionally Ayurveda has been giving special attention to the problems that affect women in every stage of their lives. There are numerous classical Ayurvedic healthcare products as well as new formulations for every single health problem right from infancy to old age. Ayurveda has formulated tonics, healthcare supplements and such other health care products for prenatal, post natal and neonatal care and to ensure reproductive health. Effective herbal remedies are available for the problem of menopause and conditions such as pre-menstrual tension.

Ayurveda helps women find their own body rhythm, which is closely linked with nature and its changes resulting in lasting solutions to their health problems.
As women respond both mentally and physically better to Ayurveda, it is known as a women's health care system.

In India women are traditionally fed with Ayurvedic food supplements right from the onset of puberty throughout the reproductive years. Ayurveda has best natural health supplements and products to manage the changes in the body from puberty to menopause. The herbal nourishment of Ayurveda makes the changes less painful and builds immunity and resistance to handle change naturally. Combined with Yoga, Ayurveda can work miracles. Ayurvedic health care enhances the results of Yoga. Ayurvedic healthcare is the best bet for women to stop the aging process. Periodic rejuvenation therapy will keep health, beauty and zest for life intact throughout the years. 

The women are classified into four according to age

1. Kanya :- Up to 12 years
2. Bala :- 12 to 16 years
3. Rajaswala :- 16 to 50 years
4. Vridha :- Above 50 years

The distinctive anatomical and physiological features of women in each age group were well studied by the ancient sages of Ayurveda. Just as the river is cleansed by its flow the women are purified by the menstrual flow. That is the reason for the non-susceptibility of women to many diseases. The regimens to be followed during menstrual and post-menstrual periods are well advocated in Ayurveda. Disregard to these regimens is the leading cause for many of the gynecological and systemic diseases in women.

According to Ayurveda health of a female starts in the fetal stage itself which describes the measures to yield a good female child. In addition to the systemic diseases, 20 gynecological diseases are described, which includes the menstrual, post menopausal disorders, sterility, impotency, etc,.

Women are blessed with the divine duty of maternity. It is a great treasure to have a child who brings fame, pride, prosperity, beholds righteousness and continuity of human race. The care of a child begins with the health of the parents. So the Bala chikitsa ( one among the eight disciplines of Ayurveda, dealing with mother and child care ) has been given much importance from the vedic period itself.

In any community mothers and children constitute a priority group, i.e. approximately 70% of the population. The mother and the child must be considered as one unit because

• During antenatal period the fetus is a part of the mother.

• Child health is closely related to maternal health.

• Certain diseases of the mother during pregnancy are likely to have their effect upon the fetus.

• After birth the child is dependant upon the mother.

• The mental and social development of the child is also dependant upon the mother.

• The mother is the first teacher of the child.

The purity and normalcy in structure and function of four factors is very essential for conceiving a healthy child. They are ovulation, uterus, reproductive tissues and nourishing elements. The treatment measures to ensure the purity of these factors is explained in Ayurvedic literature in detail. Ayurveda also offers the following to yield a healthy child : 

• Description of the correct time and way of sexual intercourse.

• Measures to eliminate the male characteristic features of a female child and female characteristic features of a male child. 

• Measures for the proper fixation and nourishment of the foetus.

• To get the purity of the race.

• To decide even the sex of the foetus.

• Medications and treatments to be given from the period of conception to the delivery to avoid the complications of the pregnancy and to make the labour easy. 

• prenatal and Postnatal care.

• Postnatal care to regain the health and beauty of the mother and to ensure the purity and quality of the breast milk.

• Neonatal and pediatric care for the proper physical, mental and intellectual development of the child till sixteen years of age