Women transition through many phases – from puberty and menarche, to menstruation and pregnancy, culminating in menopause. While it’s natural to experience some level of hormonal fluctuation, if it causes discomfort, it indicates some imbalance. Ayurveda addresses imbalances from the root cause, seeking to find out why your hormones are imbalanced, then working on the cause while simultaneously helping to relieve the symptoms. “Ayurveda takes into account more than just the chemical imbalances that are occurring inside a woman’s body” says Niti. “It is a complete holistic science, incorporating the physical, mental and emotional aspects into a person’s wellbeing.
Hormone imbalances can cause many issues, from digestive discomforts (irritable bowel, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation), lethargy, chronic fatigue, fluctuations in weight to instability in thermoregulation of the body. Niti says: “Everyone is unique, and the same problem can have different effects on different people. It’s important to understand the root cause of your hormonal imbalances and work to address that.”
Niti explains that hormones are governed by Pitta – the energy responsible for transformation, metabolism, digestion, and energy production. “Pitta is a combination of fire and water, and when that heat element increases, hormonal imbalance occurs,” she says. “The heat just doesn’t come from literally hot things…it could be from spicy or highly fermented foods, a stressful situation that causes heat (anger) inside your body, from a toxic relationship, or it could be from an externally hot environment. When the heat inside a person rises, it sets off a snowball effect inside the body. Often, our hormones are the last thing to be affected.”
But there is a natural way to get your hormones in balance using a combination of diet, herbal remedies and lifestyle measures. “Ayurveda is the ‘science of life’ and offers practical tips for all areas of your life and health – from your cooking, eating, relationships or even in your career. We are a product of nature, so we should be using nature’s gifts to heal us,” says Niti. “When we address the root cause of our imbalanced hormones (which you can do with the assistance of an Ayurvedic doctor or physician) then it’s easier to correct the imbalance in a way that it won’t occur again. While it may take more time than conventional medication and therapies, it will be more long lasting than just providing relief to your symptoms of hormonal imbalance.”
Niti advises that women need to look after themselves first. ‘Traditionally and even now, women are the caregivers of the family. As society has progressed, they now add careers to the mix, and this can become exhausting and overwhelming. “I always tell all women that before they became a wife or a mother, they were and are a woman. Self-care has become a buzz word this year, and rightly so. I’d urge all women to look after themselves. Don’t try and do it all now, allow yourself the time and space to nurture yourself and your body. In your capacity to serve others, also serve yourself. Ayurveda is about listening to your body (among many other things) so this is something you can start applying straight away. If you’re tired, slow down; if you’re hungry, eat. In our pursuit of serving others and listening to them, it’s also equally important that we serve ourselves by listening to our bodies.”
Niti’s top tips for natural hormonal health
❶Heat is a big culprit when it comes to hormonal imbalances, try and stay away from foods such as chillies, tomatoes, red meat, fried and fermented foods as they will cause more heat.
❷ Don’t underestimate rest/sleep, especially when you are menstruating. This is a time of excess heat in our body, and nature’s way of telling us to rest and rejuvenate. Don’t try to push yourself during this time – get good quality and quantity of sleep to support your body.
❸ Express yourself. Emotions are key in our journey as women. It’s important to allow yourself the space and time to express your emotions rather than just suppress or push them away. Being able to express yourself emotionally is a key component of good health. Whether it’s through talking with another friend, or journaling, or exercising, or dancing, or even singing – let your body know that you don’t have to hold onto every single emotion you experience, you can let it go.
