Sometimes you may have experienced sudden fatigue, palpitations, bloating, irritation, mood swings, lack of concentration, etc. You may have been totally perplexed about your situation, that suddenly what has gone wrong with your body. One of the key reasons for such occurrences is hormonal imbalance in the body.
Hormones are special chemical secretions in the body. Hormones pretty much control and regulate many things in the body like our emotions, energy, mood, appetite, growth, reproductive health, metabolism, and much more. Hormonal imbalance is a pretty frequent occurrence, especially amongst women. During the menstrual cycle, puberty, pregnancy, lactation, etc., women experience a hormonal imbalance in the body.
Thankfully through Ayurvedic medication and practices, you can easily balance hormones in your body to ensure the best overall health and well-being. Maintaining good hormonal balance help you have regular periods, maintain good energy levels, relax your mind, and have a healthy digestion system.
In this article, we will discuss what hormonal imbalance is? What is Ayurveda’s view on hormonal imbalance? Best Ayurvedic medications and practices to maintain hormonal balance and much more.
What is the hormonal imbalance?
Hormonal imbalance is a situation in which the level of a particular hormone or hormones, in general, becomes too high or too low. Most of the hormones are produced in endocrine glands, and variation in the secretion level of hormones has many visible effects on the body and mind.
Underlying causes for hormonal imbalance can be many, like- side effects of medicines, puberty, menstrual cycle, stress, injury, menopause, diabetes, cancer, wrong food habits, thyroid problem, caffeine, etc.
Signs of hormonal imbalance.
Some of the commons symptoms are-
- Sudden weight loss or gain.
- Fatigue and muscular weakness.
- Muscular aches, tenderness, and stiffness.
- Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling.
- Palpitations.
- Excessive sweating. Increased sensitivity to cold or heat
- Constipation or difficulty in bowel movement.
- Frequent urination.
- Increased thirst and hunger.
- Mental issues like depression, stress, nervousness, anxiety, or irritability.
- Blurred vision and change in eyesight.
- Infertility and erectile dysfunction.
- Thinning of hair or fine, brittle hair
- Skin dryness.
- Irregular periods.
- Stretch marks on the body.
Hormonal imbalance as per Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is the ancient medicinal system of holistic healing which originated in India. This ancient science was discovered by sages and was recorded in ancient Sanskrit texts like Charak Samhita, Shushurat Samhita, etc. These texts contain rich information about various diseases, methods of diagnosis and treatments.
Ayurveda harmoniously integrates various aspects like diet, mental health, exercise and medications to prescribe the right solutions as per one’s body. As per Ayurveda, most diseases and disorders are caused by the imbalance of the three doshas, Vatta, Pitta and Kapha. Here the emphasis is on the combined effects of hormones rather than on the individual gland.
As per Ayurveda, hormonal imbalance is a Pitta process. Pitta represents the blood, hormonal secretions, chemical processes in the body, liver function, etc. It is represented by the element fire. Foods which aggravate heat in the body, like spicy food, alcohol, etc., increase the level of Pitta in the body, whereas Kapha foods like curd, cereals, milk, water, etc., help reduce the Pitta or heat in the body.
Similarly, imbalance in Vata, element air, which is our nervous system, makes us stressed and go in fight or flight mode. Lifestyle diseases and bad habits are well-known to cause Vata problems. Likewise, Kapha, the element earth and water, represents our muscles, skin and fat. Imbalance in Kapha causes fatigue, lack of lustre and energy.
Best Ayurvedic medications and practices for hormonal imbalance.
Ayurveda’s approach to healing is holistic, i.e., simply taking medicines won’t help. You have to fine-tune your diet, practise yoga (asanas and pranayama), improve your mental/spiritual health and also take medications to reestablish hormonal balance in your body. Some of the best medicines, remedies, and practices for hormonal imbalance are-
- Pranayama- Pranayama or breathing exercises are the best to maintain a good hormonal balance in your body. Pranayama practices like anulom vilom, kapalbhati, bhramari, ujjayi, etc., are well known to cure hormonal imbalances. Pranayama cleanses the various chakras in the body to maintain good health and well-being.
- Asanas- Asanas help to regulate endocrine glands and balance the secretions. Some of the best asanas for maintaining good hormonal balance are- Baddha Konasana, Supta Baddhakonasana, Gaumukhasan, Janu Shirasana, Virasana, Supta Virasana, BhujangAsana, Ardha Chakrasana, Ushtrasana, etc.
- Food habits- Irregular eating and a poor diet can disrupt the hormonal balance in the body. Lack of nutrients can hamper the production of vital hormones, and excess nutrients can aggravate the production of hormones. Some of the best foods to maintain a good hormonal balance are- amla, nuts, seeds, milk, cereals, pulses, Bengal gram, fresh fruits, green vegetables, aloe vera juice, etc. It’s best to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables to sync with nature.
- Include herbs in your diet– Various medicinal herbs can be included in the diet to ensure that the body gets sufficient nutrients to produce hormones. Some of the best herbs are- Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Tulsi, Kalonji, Brahmi, etc. These herbs also help detoxify the liver to maintain good overall health.
- Lifestyle changes– Many health problems are caused due to bad lifestyle habits. Some of the best lifestyle habits to develop are- eating at regular and fixed intervals, ensuring sufficient sleep, avoiding late-night work, rising early in the morning, maintaining good daily personal hygiene, exercising regularly, meditation, etc.
Hormonal imbalances can be a cause of concern, but the hormonal balance can be restored naturally through the right lifestyle changes, yoga, and food habits.
Want to be an Ayurvedic Doctor!
If you are an Ayurveda enthusiast and want to build a promising career as an Ayurvedic doctor, kickstart your career by getting a BAMS degree. Many good Ayurveda colleges like MAMC, BHU, Sri Sai, etc., are spread all over India. One can easily find an ayurvedic college in Bhopal, Varanasi, Jaipur, etc. Colleges like Sri Sai, one of the leading BAMS colleges in MP, also have a dedicated Ayurvedic hospital in Bhopal to provide suitable training and experience to students.
