The great Ayurvedic masters have given a code of conduct during menstruation for optimal menstrual and reproductive health, called the Rajaswala Charya. When we have our period, we are particularly susceptible to imbalance because our digestion and bodies tend to be weaker during this time. Consequently, our actions during the bleeding time of the month are crucial to our hormonal and overall health.

Here is a summary of the most important dos and don’ts during menstruation.

Certain foods support our this particular time of the months while others can make affect how our periods unfold. 

Don’ts 

Pungent, spicy and salty foods are best avoided because these can increase your menstrual flow, and the excess blood loss can bring Vata out of balance. We advise avoiding heavy foods, too, as their stoutening action can block the menstrual flow.

Dos

Eat warm and easy-to-digest foods, like milk (prepared the Ayurveda way with water and spices), rice or lentil soup.

What we do or don’t do during menstruation can also improve our experience. 

Don’ts

Overexercising 

Many athletes report skipping their periods during intense training, which can indicate hormonal imbalance and often results in difficulties when trying to conceive. From an Ayurvedic point of view, excessive exercise increases Vata and decreases rasa (the first tissue in Ayurveda often translated as plasma or lymph).

Napping

Sleeping during the day leads to the production of Kapha dosha. The excess of Kapha can lead to heaviness, lethargy, stagnation and produce Ama.

Manicure 

According to Ayurveda, our bodies are weaker during menstruation, and circulation and nutrient uptake are lower. Hence, our nails do not grow back as strongly after clipping during menstruation. If done regularly, Ayurveda predicts weak nails for our offspring, too! 

Oil massage or bath 

Due to weakened digestion and decreased circulation, Ayurveda advises against massage and baths during the period. Our skin is our biggest absorptive organ, and the oil our bodies absorb needs to be digested or processed. Another 

Certain Ayurvedic treatments like 

Swedana (a heat treatment used to induce sweat), Vamana (purgation) and Nasya (an oil treatment for the nose) are also on the list of no-goes. Ayurveda sees menstruation as a cleansing process, and, therefore, advises caution with intense cleansing methods like Vamana. These strong treatments can cause Vata to increase and bring imbalance.

Excessive socialising, laughing or crying

We disperse our energy when talking, crying, or laughing too much. It might sound a bit woo-woo at first but again reflects the importance Ayurveda gives to introspection in this time. 

Here are some things to embrace this time of the month. 

Dos

Keep exercise to a minimum and book your monthly rest time for when your period is due. You can go for a gentle walk if you feel like moving. 

Use these days as a time for introspection. In most traditional cultures, the bleeding phase of our cycle is a time to retreat, listen and reflect.

Whilst it is not possible to follow all of these suggestions every month, it gives some insights into how we can harness the full potential of our periods by retreating and introspection.