Doshic Imbalances + the Menstrual Cycle
Menstruation as a Report Card
In the female body, the menstrual cycle is just one of the markers we can use to “look under the hood” at our doshic balance. I like to think of menses as a kind of monthly report card on nutrition, hydration, stress, and dosha.
Symptoms are how our body communicates to us. And a healthy menstrual cycle is one that is fairly symptomless and unremarkable. So we can look to our symptoms to tell us what dosha(s) are out of balance by looking at the symptoms preceding and during our bleeding phase.
Vata Imbalances
Vata is comprised of air and ether elements, and is described by the qualities of dry, light, rough, cold, mobile, subtle, and clear. Imbalances will be marked by these same qualities, or gunas.
PMS:
A Vata-imbalanced premenstrual cycle may look like the following.
anxiety, fear, insecurity, insomnia, fatigue
low back pain, cramping, constipation, clumsy
crave: Salty, Sweet, Crunchy
symptoms are worse pre-dawn/pre-dusk
Bleeding Phase:
irregular/scanty bleeding
amenorrhea
brownish-red, dry menstrual fluid
stringy, hard clots
PMS discomfort at beginning of cycle
lower back and abdominal pain.
constipation prior to menstruation and/or first 1-2 bleeding days
insomnia, dizziness, nervous tension, vertigo
forgetfulness, anxiety, fearfulness
craving for salty, sweet, crunchy
Pitta Imbalances
Pitta is comprised of fire and water elements, and is described by the qualities of hot, sharp/quick, oily, light, intense, spreading, and sour. Imbalances will be marked by these same qualities, or gunas.
PMS:
A Pitta-imbalanced premenstrual cycle may look like the following.
irritability, anger, critical, judgemental, outbursts
Hot Flashes, Acne, Diarrhea, Headache/Migraine
Craving for Spicy, Fried Foods, Caffeine, Alcohol
Symptoms worse at midnight/noon
Bleeding Phase:
menorrhagia / heavy bleeding
long duration
bright red color
fetid smell, sweating
burning sensation in bladder
fever, migraine, rashes
loose stools, diarrhea
irritability, anger, fatigue
increased appetite, sense of hypoglycemia
craving for sweets, spicy
Kapha Imbalances
Kapha is comprised of water and earth elements, and is described by the qualities of heavy, slow/dull, cold, oily, slimy, dense, stable, and sticky. Imbalances will be marked by these same qualities, or gunas.
PMS:
A Kapha-imbalanced premenstrual cycle may look like the following.
Sadness, Depression, Weepy, Sentimental
Bloat, Heaviness, Slow Elimination
Craving for sweet, heavy, cold, salt.
Symptoms worse during early-AM/PM
Bleeding Phase:
Clots/Mucus, Stagnation
Flow is thick with mucus or clots
Deep, dull aching in back of belly
Pain at end of cycle
Discharge before/after cycle
Bloating, cramping, water retention
Nausea, tender, swollen breasts
Weepy, sentimental, depression, clingy
Craving sweets, carbs, dairy
Lethargic, drowsiness, day-sleeping
how to work with these imbalances
While the symptoms tell us about the doshic origin or the imbalance, they also point us towards the practices and tools that will create balance in the system. Here are tools I commonly use with clients who have doshic menstrual cycle imbalances.
Tools for Vata:
These tools will generally offer the opposite qualities of those Vata gunas listed above.
You’ll want to focus on foods/herbs/ and therapies that are: unctuous, sweet, salty, sour, and warm in temperature.
Adequate Liquid + Lipid Hydration: ~60 ounces of mineral water taken warm/hot and regular ghee and sesame oil in food.
Vata Root Down Tea: a daily cup of this grounding, Vata-pacifying loose leaf tea can be supportive.
8 Spice Digestive: this Vata specific formula counters Vata-style indigestion, like gas, and bloat, while strengthen Vata’s irregular digestive fire.
Abhyanga: doshic oil massage is one of the most powerful tools for pacifying Vata. Do this daily on non-bleeding weeks.
Cramp Bark Tincture: used in western and indigenous herbalism to relax and release muscular tension, especially of the female reproductive system.
Mag Phos Cell Salts: a cell salt used for menstrual cramps, general muscle cramps, and radiating pain.
Tools for Pitta:
These tools will generally offer the opposite qualities of those Pitta gunas listed above.
You’ll want to focus on foods/herbs/ and therapies that are: sweet, cold, astringent, bitter
Pitta Cool Refresh Tea: a daily cup of this cooling, soft Pitta-pacifying loose leaf tea can be supportive.
Digest Cool: supports sour, acidic type digestion.
Jasmine Body Scrub: helps to move stagnation, and clear trapped, irritated Pitta.
Aromatherapy: Khus, Sandalwood, Jasmine, and Rose.
Tools for Kapha:
These tools will generally offer the opposite qualities of those Kapha gunas listed above.
You’ll want to focus on foods/herbs/ and therapies that are: pungent, astringent, bitter, dry, and hot in temperature.
Kapha Bright Fire Tea: a daily cup of this warming, stimulating, digestive Kapha-pacifying loose leaf tea can be supportive.
Three Pungents Spice: take 1/4 tsp in warm water before meals to stimulate sluggish digestion.
Kapha Body Scrub: helps to move lymph and stagnation, stimulating to circulation.
Castor Oil Pack: move stagnation in the reproductive system. Ask your practitioner about the frequency and duration that is right for you.
As always consult your health care provider for suggestions on which practices are appropriate for your particular circumstance and condition.
related products
vata root down tea
Root Down Tea is formulated to counter the light, dry, airy qualities of Vata Dosha. When you need to feel grounded, present, and steady of mind brew a daily cup of Root Down. This blend contains Ayurvedic Herbs that support the nervous system, strength of digestion, and the adrenals.
Boil 2-4 tsp for 10-20 minutes and strain. Add milk/mylk and sugar for an extra cozy cup. If adding milk, be sure to boil for an additional minute or two. Do not boil mylk.
In a pinch, steep 1-2tsp in hot water for 10 minutes.
pitta cool refresh tea
When Pitta get overheated and cranky, Cool Refresh is a lovely support. Cooling, blood nourishing, and a little sweet - this blend makes a Pitta pacifying and delicious cup.
Steep 2-4 tsp in hot water for 3-5 minutes. Let cool completely (for most effectiveness), or drink warm.
Alternatively, brew at room temperature or under the light of the moon for 8-12 hours. Discard herbs and refrigerate.
kapha bright fire tea
Bright Fire tea is a warming antidote to slow, sluggish Kapha-type digestive fire. A cup of this tea 20-30 minutes before a meal supports strong digestion, and lessens the physical accumulations Kapha brings.
Boil 1-2 tsp in water for 5-10 minutes. Strain and enjoy! In a pinch, try steeping 1-2 tsp in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
2oz + 5oz
Our Ayurvedic body scrubs detoxify, move lymph, and increase circulation, while the moisturizing the skin. The stimulation of this scrub removes stagnation in the tissues and leave your skin feeling like it's never felt before; so soft and smooth!
Our Jasmine Body Scrub is a blend of natural exfoliants, and Ayurvedic herbs like Shatavari and Ashwagandha, in a sumptuous base oil, and is quite simply, DREAMY! The base oil penetrates deeply, moisturizing the skin without being too heating. Shatavari and Ashwagandha are nourishing herbs which add a smooth, soft quality to the skin.
This scrub is the perfect ally for the premenstrual Pitta flares, when you need some cooling off and soothing. The calming, cooling jasmine flower makes it a great match for elevated Pitta and the critical, irritable qualities that arise with Pitta imbalance.
Our Kapha Body Scrub is a blend of natural exfoliants, and Ayurvedic herbs like ginger and manjistha, in a light base oil.
The Kapha Body Scrub is the perfect ally for those experiencing low energy, or a feeling of stagnation. The energizing, heating qualities of the herbs makes it a great match for elevated Kapha and the, slow, sluggish, stagnant energies that arise with Kapha imbalance.
We love to use this in the tub before a hot shower. You body scrub the same way you would perform Abhyangha; long strokes on the long bones and circles on the joints, working from the extremities towards the heart. Scrub until the skin flushes with increased circulation. Then, bathe. The hot water will open the pores and let the herbs and oil soak into the skin. This practice makes a lovely weekend self-care treat.
9oz
Castor oil packs are a must for stagnation and accumulations. Our castor oil is cold-pressed virgin oil, along with a flannel roll. This kit contains 11.25 x 36” cotton flannel, for multiple pack applications.
If you’re ordering a refill you can select castor oil or cotton flannel a la carte.
4oz
Mag Phos Cell Salts (Magnesia Phosphorica) is often used for cramps, cramping, or radiating pain symptoms. Leg cramps, muscle cramps, muscle tension and soreness, abdominal cramping, and menstrual cramps can all be relieved by this natural cell salt without harmful or groggy side effects.
For pain relief, Mag Phos specializes in cramping or radiating pain symptoms, and it is also an ideal remedy for headaches with darting pains. In general, Mag Phos works best for symptoms that improve with heat and worsen with cold. Tablets are flavorless and dissolve immediately without water for no upset stomach.
Cell salts satisfy mineral imbalances in the body, stimulating the body’s natural healing process. When your body lacks these important cell salts, you are more vulnerable to common health concerns. By replenishing them, your body is better prepared to treat illnesses and enjoy better overall wellness. Mag Phos, the star of every cramp and muscle remedy, is the essential cell salt made from magnesium phosphate, the mineral compound needed to keep muscles in sync with our brains and nervous systems.
We like to use it alongside Cramp Bark Tincture in instances of menstrual cramps.
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