Ayurveda and Aging
Ayurveda understands that everything in nature exists in a cycle where there is a beginning, a middle and an end. This helps us understand the cycles of the doshas (the energies that govern physiological functioning) and the impacts they have on our own life cycles:
- Kapha dosha or earth-type is dominant in the building and learning stage of life.
- Pitta dosha or fire-type is dominant in the productive stage of life where one puts what they learned into action.
- Vata dosha or air-type is dominant in the later years of life where one connects more with their spiritual nature.
Menopause is a natural phenomenon, not a disease or imbalance. It is the transition period between the pitta and vata times of life: our “productive” years, during which the fire element is predominant, and our “spiritual” stage of life, when air-type qualities naturally take over. Homeostasis becomes disrupted to allow for this transition, rendering us more vulnerable to imbalances in body, mind and spirit.
We become extremely vulnerable to the elemental variability that occurs on physiological, social, emotional and spiritual levels during this time. In essence, the socio-emotional drive to keep accomplishing, striving, achieving, succeeding, etc. battles the physio-spiritual call to slow down and let go.
Making Menopause Your Friend with Ayurveda
Ayurvedic principles can be applied to prevent or alleviate menopausal discomfort regardless of age and symptoms. While the body and mind are invariably undergoing significant changes, everyone’s experience will be unique depending on their lifestyle and individual constitution.
For everyone, air-type (vata) qualities – light, dry, variable, mobile, subtle, cold, rough – become predominant during this time of life. The rise in air depletes the other elements needed to maintain strength, vitality and immunity (Ojas). Fire-type qualities – hot, sharp and mobile – also become erratic because of the increase in air.
Those who have air and/or fire-type constitutions are likely to suffer the most in menopause, especially if they haven’t been holistically balancing their constitutions prior to perimenopause (the stage before menopause) or menopause. In Ayurveda, this is known as having “low Ojas”.
- Air-type (vata) imbalances include vaginal dryness, insomnia, urinary incontinence, dry skin, increased anxiety, worry and overwhelm. These are a result of the excess of erratic motion, light, dry and rough qualities.
- Air and fire-type (pitta) imbalances result in irritability, anger, frustration, burnout, hormonal irregularities, disrupted appetite, decreased nutrient absorption and acid reflux. Heat that used to be released monthly through menstruation now builds in the body and can be pushed into the circulatory system, causing hot flashes.
- Air and earth-type (kapha) imbalances result in increased weight in the mid-region, sluggish mind (aka “brain fog”) and sluggish digestion. This results from the body trying to protect itself from excess air by accumulating more earth element. This imbalance blocks and disrupts physiological functions.
Hot Flashes and Ayurveda
Hot flashes are not just “hot”, as the name suggests. They have intense air-like qualities in them as they are hormonally variable and erratic and can involve circulatory irregularities (heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, irregular blood pressure, etc.).
In other words, hot flashes aren’t simply due to too much heat in your system, although it may feel that way. Rather, your system is in erratic hyper-drive (too much air) with a malfunctioning gear shift (also too much air) and an engine that is on the verge of meltdown (too much fire, caused by too much air – when you blow on a campfire, it ignites the flames!).
While cooling off may feel good momentarily during a hot flash, it isn’t going to fix your system (the hot flashes keep coming back, right?). Human physiology is a lot like a car engine – if you don’t take care of it while it’s in its “prime” (pitta or fire-type “productive” years), it’s going to break down a lot more often as it gets older.
In other words, the best time to start managing your menopausal experience is well before it happens.
That said, if you are already experiencing menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, you have to get inside the engine (your body), clean it out (detoxify), lubricate it (nourish), reconnect the accompanying valves and wires (reset your hormones) and then gently restart it again (restore).
All of this can be accomplished with safe, effective and non-invasive Ayurvedic methods. For those considering hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) to manage hot flashes or other menopausal symptoms, please read our article Heal Your Hormones.
Balancing the Doshas for Menopause
Applying appropriate Ayurvedic principles to your life can support building Ojas – strength, vitality and immunity – and proper physiological functions throughout each stage of life. We recommend working with a practitioner to “restore your engine” (per the analogy above) for your unique constitution, but if you want to start the process now, read on for some general tips and guidelines.
Nutrition
- Consume healthy oils and fats such as ghee, avocado oil, avocados, nuts and seeds.
- Enjoy grounding nourishment (root vegetables, healthy grains and legumes) and easily-digestible meals prepared with whole foods that nourish the body.
- Support digestion by adding appropriate spices to every meal: cumin, coriander, fennel and turmeric are neutral spices that most can use.
- Drink pomegranate juice at room temperature to cleanse the blood of excess toxins and heat.
- Enjoy nourishing evening drinks to promote restful sleep and build Ojas. A homemade golden milk latte or warm milk spiced with nutmeg are generally wonderful options.
Sleep Hygiene
The definition of sleep involves the withdrawal of the senses. We can foster restful sleep by signaling to the body it is time to withdraw the senses and produce more melatonin.
- Sight – avoid screen time after 8pm and use soft or natural lighting.
- Sound – play soothing, soft relaxing music or find comfort in silence or a Pratyahara (Withdrawal of the Senses) meditation.
- Smell – calming and grounding essential oils can be used such as chamomile, lavender, vetiver or cedar wood. These can be included in diffusers, spritzers, baths or massages.
- Taste – avoid eating after 7pm and avoid stimulating drinks or food.
- Touch – self oil evening massage, evening foot massage with jatamansi essential oil or evening warm bath with lavender or chamomile essential oils to calm and soothe nerve endings on the skin that are connected to the central nervous system.
Relaxation Practices
- Nadi shodhana or alternate nostril breath balances hormones and calms and grounds the nervous system. Practice for 15 minutes daily in the morning or evening for most significant results.
- Sheetali pranayama is a cooling breathing practice that can be practiced during hot flashes to help mitigate them.
- Yoga nidra manages immune function, reduces stress levels and promotes restful sleep.
- Meditation for Menopause – enjoy a journey through the fire and into the air with this grounding meditation for transitional change.
Self-reflection
The transition into menopause is a time to let go of the past, stress and unnecessary pressures. Menopause can be a beautiful transition to embrace.
- Journaling and meditation can assist in accepting that everything that happened in the past served them for a reason and that there is no need to carry guilt, blame or shame forward.
Incorporating Ayurvedic principles into your life can alleviate symptoms at their root cause, so that you can gracefully transition in good health with a strong sense of self.
Article authored by Chloe Chaput, who is dedicated to her role as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist (CAS) to work with women’s health, male and female fertility challenges, parents/caregivers, and children to address a variety of clinical health concerns at the root of their cause. Contact Path Wellbeing today to set up your appointment with Chloe Chaput, CAS.
Edited by Kirsten Ahern, CAS and Founder of Path Wellbeing.
The information contained within this article is for educational purposes only and should not replace the direct advice of a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. Always consult a medical or other professional healthcare provider when considering a new health regime.
