Menopause Transition: Embracing Change with a Gentle Guide Through Your Journey
Holistic Healing and Balance During the Menopause Transition with Ayurveda and Herbal Support
Menopause marks the menopause transition from the Pitta phase of life to the Vata phase of life. During this transition, imbalances in both Vata and Pitta may occur.
Hot flashes and night sweats are created by an imbalance in Pitta in the deeper tissues of the body and the build-up of ama (toxins) in the channels of the body. When ama accumulates in the body, the flow of heat in the deeper tissues can get constricted. It tends to build up and then, when it finds an outlet, flashes out in a fashion that leaves you running for the air conditioner.
When Vata is involved too – this can aggravate the problem if it is also out of balance, by “fanning the flames” with a dry wind action. Three keys to relief from hot flashes, therefore, are balancing Pitta and Vata dosha and cleansing ama from the body.
COOL DOWN AND BE COMFORTABLE
Hot flashes follow a daily pattern and tend to peak in most women in the late evening hours around 10:00 p.m. This time of the night is the start of Pitta time (10 p.m. – 2 a.m.), so one would expect this to be the time when Pitta becomes active in the body as well.
To keep Pitta from flaring up, therefore, you have to learn to consciously cool down during the evening. Take time to relax, physically, mentally and emotionally. Drink some cooling Organic Pitta Tea or spritz with rose water or Pitta Mister.
In general:
- Avoid working under deadlines or time pressure. Do not overwork. Prioritize, delegate, simplify — whatever it takes to ensure that you can get through your day without constantly being stretched.
- Do not skip meals, and make sure you eat lunch around noon, when your digestive fire is at its peak. Eat plenty of sweet juicy fruits — ripe pears are excellent for balancing Sadhaka Pitta, a sub-dosha of Pitta that governs the emotions.
- The Pitta-pacifying diet favors the sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and recommends avoiding sour, salty and spicy foods.
- Drink lots of room-temperature or cool (not ice-cold) water through the day.
- Include some ghee in your diet — it’s very good for pacifying Pitta. Cook with cooling spices such as coriander, anise, fennel and mint.
CLEANSING AMA (toxins)
Periodic internal cleansing is important in order to rid the body of toxins. With the cessation of menstruation, women lose this avenue of periodic cleansing during the menopause transition. To compensate for the loss of natural purification that occurs with each monthly cycle, follow the ayurvedic recommendation of cleansing at every change of season at the minimum.
- Eat a light, easy-to-digest diet during the period of cleansing.
- Drink lots of water.
- Perform the daily ayurvedic self-massage with a cooling oil such as Pitta Body Oil.
- Go to bed by 10:00 p.m.
For more ways to balance your Pitta and internal cleansing therapies, read The 25-Day Ayurveda Cleanse .
HERBS THAT HEAL
For holistic support for balancing Pitta in the deeper tissues of the body, and herbs that can be taken for menopause, during the menopause transition and by postmenopausal women, the combination of the herbs below is a powerful formula:
- Shatavari, Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus Indicus)
- Indian Gooseberry (Amla)
- Indian Tinospora
- Rose and Licorice provide the cooling action by increasing soma (cooling energy), which balances heat in the body.
All these herbs can be bought from Banyan Botanicals. Use this link and code KERRY15 for a one time 15% discount code.
Menopause is a time of major change and transition in a person’s life. The shift in hormone levels can cause unsettling symptoms like hot flashes that can affect your physical and mental well-being. While hot flashes are common for people as they go through the menopause transition—and even after—the symptom can be disrupting. If you are having hot flashes that interfere with your ability to get restful sleep and are affecting your daily activities during your menopause transition, let’s talk about ways to bring you relief.
Just email me at kerry@theholistichighway.com
Warmly,
