Ayurveda is a holistic healing approach dating back more than 5,000 years. The basic principle is prevention and healing of disease by balancing your body, mind and consciousness. When imbalance occurs, illness occurs, according to Ayurvedic beliefs. Interstitial cystitis may be one of these illnesses. This is not a definitive cure, and you should speak with your doctor before using Ayurveda as a treatment method.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition that results in inflammation of the bladder. Its characteristics include bladder pressure and pain, frequent urination, an urgent need to urinate, pain in the pelvis and pain during sexual intercourse. These symptoms vary with every person, and can fluctuate from day to day. Although this condition is most common in women, it can affect men and children, as well.
Ayurveda Imbalance
Practitioners of Ayurveda view the body as an energy field, and in Ayurveda, there are three patterns of energy: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These energy patterns, known as doshas, comprise your mental, physical and emotional characteristics. Vata controls movement, Pitta controls transformation and Kapha controls stability, explains Dr. William Dean, an Ayurveda practitioner. Although you are a combination of all three, you have a dominant energy pattern. An imbalance of Pitta manifests itself as inflammation, burning with urination, pain when the bladder fills and ulcers in the bladder, Dean says.
Pitta Diet
Increased inflammation is a common sign of a Pitta imbalance, according to Dr. Dean. Eating the right foods may help restore balance. Practitioners of Ayurveda believe that with balance comes a gradual diminishing of interstitial cystitis symptoms. Opt for sweeter fruits, such as apples, cherries, grapes, oranges, strawberries and watermelon. Vegetables should include raw carrots, watercress, artichokes, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet peppers, peas and zucchini. Grains like oats, pasta, quinoa, tapioca, wheat and wheat bran are acceptable, as are most legumes. Unsalted butter, cow's milk, goat's milk, yogurt and ice cream are healthy choices. Consume white meat chicken, fish, shrimp, white meat turkey and eggs for your main course. Use black pepper, salt, lime and coriander leaves for flavor, and snack on almonds and coconut nuts. Drink jasmine, lavender, peppermint or raspberry tea with your meals, and supplement with vitamins A, D, K, B-1 and B-12. Aloe vera juice and barley are good supplements.
Time Frame
If you have no other health conditions, changes begin to take place within four to six weeks for 50 to 60 percent of people following the Pitta diet, Dr. Dean says. This can take longer depending on the severity of your imbalance and how long you have had interstitial cystitis. Once you begin following the diet and remove the foods that aggravate your condition, the fluctuations of symptoms can begin to wane. This is a sign of balance restoration. Consider further medical evaluation if you have been adhering to the diet for four to six weeks and experience no improvement.
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