Discover the Healing Effects of Ayurveda on Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

According to Ayurvedic principles, the average percentage of Vata is 67 percent, while Pitta and Kapha are 12 percent and 18.5 percent respectively. Women who suffer from excessive bleeding or menorrhagia every month have too much Pitta dosha in the body. Menorrhagia usually occurs in the years prior to menopause or after a woman starts menstruating, and affects 9 to 14 percent of all women.

Unless the additional Pitta is removed, the problem aggravates quickly and impairs the rakta dhatu (blood). This contaminated blood then moves in the direction of the pelvic area and leads to an imbalance in the body’s Apana Vata, which is known for controlling the flow of the period blood through Artava Vaha Srota or the channels carrying menstrual fluids. Contamination of the blood and low Apana Vata together increase menstrual blood production and ultimately cause menorrhagia. Formulations targeting heavy bleeding usually contain cold astringent herbs that correct the Vata and Pitta.

However, the efficacy of these Ayurvedic medicines and the possibility of reoccurrence depends on the accompanying Rasayanas, lifestyle and dietary changes, and whether the patient practices yoga asanas and exercises regularly.

The treatment period varies from one person to the other, despite the results being noticeable in a couple of days. Normally, six months is the recommended course for the Ayurvedic herbs to correct hormonal imbalance and menstrual abnormalities, including heavy bleeding. Medicine not only prevents heavy flow but also improves women’s reproductive health.

Heavy bleeding does not require invasive surgery. Ayurveda actually helps women save their uterus. Women are generally more susceptible to hormonal imbalances compared to men as their bodies adapt to childbearing responsibilities. Natural treatments such as Ayurveda offer safer options for certain hormonal problems.

Mode of Ayurvedic Treatment

Ayurvedic medicine focuses on balancing the Rakta (blood tissue) and Pitta dosha in the patient’s body. Most treatments adopt Stambhana or blocking therapy. Remedies that target Raktapitta or bleeding disorders have also been found effective against Asrigdara. Some doctors may recommend Sheetala annapana (cooling food and beverages) and Sheetala upachara (cooling medicines and treatment). To stop the heavy flow, doctors prescribe Ayurvedic cures with astringent properties (Kashaya rasa).

What Medicine is Available in Ayurveda for Menorrhagia?

Powder-Based Remedies

• Pushyanuga Churna: This is one of the most powerful Ayurvedic powders for treating menorrhagia and other bleeding problems.
• Pradaranashaka Churna: This herbal powder helps treat heavy periods since it contains many useful ingredients along with some additional herbs to stop bleeding.
• Pradarantak Churna: This hermal remedy combines different herbs like Arjuna, Udumbar, Ashoka, and Lodhra. These herbs possess amazing blood-clotting traits that induce vasoconstriction in the blood and limit excessive bleeding. The recommended dosage is one to two teaspoons twice daily and the powder should be taken with any juice, water, or iced tea.
• Jatiphala Churna: This medicine is used to cure respiratory and digestive problems.
• Pravala Bhasma: This medicine is used to treat cough, bleeding disorders, and asthma.
• Pradarachintamani: This remedy is extremely effective against female health problems like menorrhagia and leucorrhoea. It provides relief from menstrual pain in the pelvis and back and prevents foul-smelling uterine discharges. The medicine also removes pallor from the complexion, loss of appetite, and other symptoms associated with menorrhagia. The recommended dosage is one tablet twice every day with Asokarishta for quick recovery.
• Naari Kalyan Churna: This powder is a pure blend of Jatamansi, Brahmi, Shatavari, and Ashwagandha. All these herbs together affect a woman’s mental health. Taken during menstruation, medicine helps balance the hormones and prevents anxiety and depression. The herbal remedy is devoid of any chemicals and has no side-effects. Patients should consume one to two teaspoons twice every day after meals.

Decoction-Based Remedies

• Darvyadi Kwatha: This is a great menstrual regulator that works wonders for excessive menstrual bleeding.
• Pradarantake Kwatha: This Ayurvedic medicine contains four herbs, all of which are highly effective for stopping heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Drakshadi Kashaya: Excess alcohol consumption is usually followed by a hangover. This medicine minimizes the negative effects of alcohol and hastens the metabolism of alcohol in the liver.
• Baladi Kashaya
• Musalyadi Kashaya

Asava Arishta-Based Remedies

• Ashokarishta: Ashokarishta is a herbal remedy containing Ashoka and autogenous fermented alcohol as the primary ingredients. This medicine cures various uterine disorders, fever, imparts strength, corrects abdomen ingredients, and pradara (rakta and sweta) when taken after meals with an equal quantity of water in 10-milliliter dosage. Ingredients include Dhataki, Asoka chekka, Musta, Sounthi, Krishna Jerraka, Water lily, Amla, Amra, Jeera, Abhaya, Vibhitaka, Daru Haridra, Old Jiggery, and Rakta Chandan. Keep in mind, however, that this medicine is not recommended for diabetics.
• Lodhrasava: This is a mixture of bitter, antiseptic, and astringent herbs that make it a powerful cure against menstrual flow problems, anemia, bleeding disorders, and piles.
• Patrangasava: This uterine tonic and astringent is made from herbs that bring relief during heavy periods and painful menstruation.
• Ushirasava: This is a multi-purpose Ayurvedic cure used to treat bleeding disorders like heavy menstrual bleeding, inflammatory diseases, intestinal worms, and heavy flow that stemming from blood-related disorders and Pitta aggravation.
• Chandanasava: Known for its curative properties against spermatorrhoea, this Ayurvedic treatment improves strength and digestion power. It also serves as a natural cardiac tonic.
• Chandrakala Rasa: This Ayurvedic medicine treats digestive and respiratory issues, diabetes, and neuropathic complications.
• Shatavari Guda: This is a widely known Ayurvedic cure for gynecological problems, liver complications, and urinary tract diseases. It helps restore the hormone balance in the body.
• Bol Parpati: This medicine treats bleeding disorders like menorrhagia.
• Kamadugha with moutika: This concoction helps cure bleeding diseases and gastritis.

Clarified Butter-Based Remedies

• Ashoka Ghrita: Created from Ashoka and other rejuvenating herbs, this Ayurvedic concoction is ideal for menstrual problems and other related weaknesses.
• Durvadi Ghrita: This Durva-based herbal cure provides relief from bleeding disorders.
• Sukumara Ghrita: Sukumara Ghrita is a polyherbal combination that brings balance to the hormones in a woman’s body.
• Shatavari Ghrita: Shatavari Ghrita is used to treat urinary problems, tract disorders, and other health issues.

Jelly Form of Remedies

• Jeerakadi Avaleha: This herbal jelly has Lodhra and Jeerak as the main ingredients.
• Vasaharitaki Avaleha: Made from Terminalia chebula and Vasa, this herbal jelly can arrest excessive bleeding.

Ayurvedic Mineral Remedies

• Chandraprabha Vati: A formula derived from Loha bhasma, Shilajita, guggul, and numerous other herbs.
• Pradarantaka Rasa: A combination of Ayurvedic minerals and herbs made from Loha bhasma as the chief ingredient. This medicine is ideal for every kind of female-related abnormal discharge and restores hemoglobin levels due to the presence of Ayurvedic calcined iron.
• Pradararipu Rasa: A very helpful component for treating menorrhagia since it normalizes the bleeding and makes the female reproductive organs healthier.
• Pradarari Loha: This Ayurvedic herbal remedy is extremely helpful against heavy periods.
• Raktapittantak Loh: Being a natural source of iron, Raktapittantak Loh works wonders in treating bleeding problems.

Single Herbs

The herbs listed below not only curb heavy menstrual bleeding but also balance Pitta Dosha and detoxify Rakta dhatu:

• Shatavari - Asparagus racemosus
• Padmakesara- stamen of lotus - Nelumbo nucifera
• Chandana - Santalum alba
• Dhataki - Woodfordia fruticosa
• Usheera - Vetiveria zizanioides (Linn.) Nash.
• Sariva - Hemidesmus indicus Schult.
• Lajjalu- Touch-me-not plant - Mimosa pudica
• Gokshura - Tibulus terrestris
• Bala - Sida cordifolia
• Doorva - Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers.
• Daruharidra - Berberis aristata
• Udeechya - Pavonia odorata
• Draksha – raisins
• Mocharasa - Salmalia malabarica & Endl.
• Lodhra - Symplocos racemosa
• Dhataki - Woodfordia fruticosa
• Kutaja - Holarrhena antidysenterica (Linn.) Wall. Ex. G. Don
• Nagakesara - Mesua ferrea
• Daruharidra - Berberis aristata

Lifestyle Practices

Start following a strict regimen – one that does not involve any sort of psychological and physical stress. At the time of menstruation, it is a good idea for patients to raise the foot of the bed so the feet and legs are in an elevated position during sleep. It also helps to take cooling baths and showers with mint essence and sandalwood.

What is the Recommended Dose of Ayurveda Drugs for Menorrhagia?

There are some Ayurvedic remedies like Baladi Kashaya, Shatavari Guda, Usheerasava, and Mushalyadi kashaya that strengthen the patient’s body, boost immunity, and balance the Pitta. Women need to take these drugs throughout their menstrual cycles. But others like Raktapittantak Loh and Bola Parpati meant to prevent excessive bleeding should be used from the 20th day onward. This controls the bleeding as soon as menstruation kicks in.

If you experience bleeding in-between periods or suffer from short menstrual cycles, Ayurvedic medicines like Ashokarishta, Pushyanuga Churna, Shatavari Guda are administered during the cycle. Not only do they minimize menstrual flow, but they also establish hormonal balance.

Why Ayurveda is the Perfect Treatment for Adolescent Menorrhagia?

Every child is unique and needs to be treated as an individual, taking into account his or her personal physical, mental, and emotional makeup. Ayurvedic treatments realize the varying needs of teenagers and prescribe different daily routines, exercise programs, and foods to stay healthy. It might seem complicated in the beginning, but once the patient starts using the natural health-care principles from the teenage years, they spontaneously begin making healthier decisions. This is true in the case of menorrhagia as well.

Allopathy recommends the use of different modalities (like a mixture of DDAVP or tranexamic acid and hormonal contraception) or replacement of the missing coagulation factors to regain control over menstruation. Doctors take a multidisciplinary approach, involving surgical intervention, Foley balloon tamponade, dilation, curettage. But all these are invasive therapies and often hamper the physical development of teens. Ayurveda, on the other hand, prefers a holistic form of healing that cures the problem from within and does not involve any side-effects.

While home remedies offer temporary relief, patients with menorrhagia complaints start feeling helpless and anxious if the problem continues for a prolonged period. Consult a good Ayurvedic doctor in the early stages to prevent further deterioration of your health.

Heavy and prolonged periods at regular intervals are an unfortunate occurrence in women of reproductive age and greatly diminishes their quality of life. However, it should not be treated as a disease; rather, it’s a symptom that indicates some deep-seated problem in the body. Women should seek medical assistance for excess menstrual blood loss, and Ayurvedic treatment combined with diet restrictions and lifestyle modifications can prove effective in curing the problem. Through Ayurvedic medicine, doctors can successfully treat and balance the aggravated doshas and reduce episodes of excess bleeding.