Irregular menstruation refers to either deficient or excessive menstrual bleeding. It includes abnormalities like amenorrhea, or the absence of a period; oligomenorrhea, or infrequent periods; menorrhagia, or abnormally heavy periods; and metrorrhagia, or bleeding between periods. These menstrual problems can stem from stress, hormonal imbalance, illness or metabolic disorders. Indian Ayurvedic herbs and spices may help correct irregular menstruation naturally. Consult your health care provider before starting herbal therapy.
Herbal Actions
Ayurvedic medicine links irregular menstruation to the three doshas, or basic bodily elements: vata, pitta and kapha. Vata disorders involve scant or no periods; pitta disorders tend towards excessive periods; and kapha periods are relatively normal. Ayurvedic herbs and spices target vata and pitta types and help normalize and balance the menstrual cycle. Some herbs and spices affect hormones, some are astringents that stop abnormal bleeding, and some act as uterine tonics to stimulate menses. Check with a knowledgeable practitioner for advice about dosage and preparation of these herbs and spices for irregular menstruation.
Asoka
Asoka, or Saraca indica, is an evergreen found throughout south India. Traditional healers use the bark to treat hemorrhage, abnormally heavy menstruation and skin diseases. The plant is rich in tannins, volatile oil and saponins, and has anti-inflammatory and astringent actions. Asoka is useful for pitta disorders. In his 2001 book, "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook," herbalist and Asian medicine specialist Alan Keith Tillotson, Ph.D., D. Ay., recommends asoka for menorrhagia, or excessive bleeding and prolonged periods. Do not use this herb if you are constipated or have infrequent periods.
Kumari
Kumari, or Aloe barbadensis, is known as the Indian aloe and is a general health tonic in Ayurvedic medicine. Practitioners use it to treat spleen and liver problems, menstrual and uterine disorders, and skin diseases. Kumari can suppress menstruation, making it useful if you suffer from menorrhagia or metrorrhagia. In her 2009 book, "The Holistic Herbal Directory," herbal consultant Penelope Ody advises using kumari to reduce excess pitta, or a heavy and extended menstrual period. Do not use kumari during pregnancy.
Adraka
Adraka, or Zingiber officinale, is the Indian spice, ginger, native to northeastern India. Ayurvedic practitioners use adraka root for a range of diseases, including amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea. In Ayurvedic medicine, a scant or irregular period is known as rajah-kricchra and is considered a vata disorder. Herbalist Penelope Ody suggests using adraka for vata problems. Christopherhobbs.com also recommends ginger to "move blood" in cases of suppressed menstruation. Ginger may cause heartburn in sensitive individuals.
References
- "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook"; Alan Keith Tillotson, Ph.D., D. Ay.; 2001
- "The Holistic Herbal Directory"; Penelope Ody; 2009
- Christopher Hobbs
Member Comments