SAVE SYMPTOM
Reproductive health also correlates to the generation of new cells within the body. When the reproductive system is strong, the whole body is strong and capable of regeneration. That's why it is important to keep the reproductive tissues healthy and vital, not just for reasons of fertility and reproduction. When there is an imbalance or weakness in the reproductive system, overall health can suffer. On an esoteric level, the concept of reproduction also captures all that you create in this life, both internally and externally.
The main role of the male reproductive system (shukra dhatu) is to create and transport sperm. Coiled structures located in the testes, known as seminiferous tubules, are the site of sperm production. The sperm mature in the epididymis and are ejaculated as a result of muscular contractions through the vas deferens and then the ureter. The vaginal canal (yoni) receives the sperm, which then travels through the cervix, swimming towards the fallopian tubes. Here, the sperm are looking for an egg that has been produced by the ovaries (anda). If an egg is present and successfully fertilized, it remains in the fallopian tube for a few days until it implants itself in the uterus (garbhasaya). Here, the embryo will develop over a period of nine months of pregnancy, provided conditions are right.
For the sperm to successfully make this journey, find an egg and fertilize it, the sperm must be strong enough, numerous enough and surrounded by enough protective fluid to survive the harsh environment of the vagina. The female must have released the egg at the proper time so that it is ready to be fertilized. For successful fertilization to occur, the timing must be right and both the male and female reproductive organs must be strong with clear, unobstructed channels. The uterine lining must also be favorable for implantation of the newly formed embryo. And, the woman must be capable of nourishing the embryo to term.
Once digestion is strong, the ama is cleared from the blood and other imbalances are rectified, the reproductive tissues have a better chance to receive proper nourishment. All tissues must be in excellent condition to ensure optimal health of the reproductive system. Ojas is the term Ayurveda uses to describe the "quality of the flesh." It is the most refined product of digestion and contributes to strength, vitality and vigor. A person must have good ojas to reproduce. This is accomplished by eating nutrient rich foods appropriate for one's body type (prakruti). Some foods can actually build ojas, including milk (used to feed a growing baby), almonds (nuts and seeds in general as they are produced by plant reproductive organs), ghee, and most fruits (the reproductive organ itself of the plant).
Many people weaken their reproductive organs through sexual encounters outside of true, total, self-sacrificial love - often for many years.The essence of chastity is waiting for what you truly want. Chastity is not celibacy. Celibacy is abstinence from sex. But chastity means only having sex with the partner you are truly meant to be with. Chastity is a passion for what is perfect. Creativity takes tremendous energy, and is often wasted by time and energy spent in half hearted endeavors. To be chaste means to invest in something (a person or any endeavor really) with a full heart, completely and totally. A person who is chaste guards their creative energy until it can be fully expressed and thereby preserves their vigor.
As mentioned previously, weak digestive strength, agni, will lead to the formation of digestive toxins, ama, in the blood stream. This can irritate the reproductive tissues, affect reproductive hormones and clog the reproductive channels. The reproductive system also has to contend with environmental and chemical toxins that are in the blood. In Ayurveda, the health of the mind also impacts the health of the body. An imbalance in the mind, such as repressed emotions, fear and lack of confidence can all affect the quality of the reproductive tissues.
Once ama is cleared, the next step is to eat a diet rich in foods that support and nourish the reproductive tissues. Juicy, sweet and dense food, like coconut, mango, dates, almonds and ghee, all nourish reproductive tissues and build ojas. It is also crucial to avoid alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes. Along with eating foods supportive to the reproductive system, a rejuvenative tonic can help strengthen the tissues and support fertility. Kapikacchu can be used to increase fertility in both men and women. It increases sexual vitality. Ayurveda recommends it to reduce infertility, impotence, and premature ejaculation. Read on the learn what tonic is most suitable for Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
If sperm count is low, ojas building foods such as almonds, other nuts and seeds, and whole organic milk should be included in the diet. Ashwagandha benefits sperm count and male fertility. It can be mixed with a glass of warm milk as a rejuvenating drink. A self massage with ashwagandha/bala oil also imparts strength on the whole body. Avoid food that is very bitter or spicy, as excessive intake of these tastes can affect sperm count.
To stimulate libido, ama first needs to be cleared. Again, triphala and CCF tea can be used. Any stagnation in the body should be cleared and circulation improved. Regular exercise and a daily stimulating dry brushing massage can help Kapha dominant people in particular, while gentle self massage is more appropriate for Vata. Proper hydration levels and electrolyte balance must be restored by sipping warm water throughout the day, or room temperature coconut water. Emotional issues, such as low self-confidence, should also be addressed. Building confidence depends upon numerous mental health factors including past traumas. A personal must be humble to be truly confident, as pride creates shame, and a false confidence easily shattered.
Candida treatment changes radically for each constitution or dosha in Ayurveda. Candida is a fungus present in everyone's body. Usually the presence of candida is beneficial. They are a part of your normal flora and assist you in digesting glucose,...
Menstruation is a time of cleansing and rejuvenation in a women's reproductive cycle. However, for many women, menstruation comes with fatigue, cramping, and irritability. Type of Menstrual Cramps Menstrual cramps before your...
Hot flashes are generally a sign of Vata pushing Pitta in Ayurveda, or deficient yin heat in Chinese Medicine. This means that over-exertion or other factors have dried up fluids or nutrients. The circulation becomes stimulated to overcompensate for...
Vaginal dryness may be a result of chronic dehydration due to high Pitta or Vata, low thyroid, anxiety, or PTSD.
Symptoms A heavy period is a period that includes heavy bleeding, or an excessively long duration of bleeding. This conditional is differentiated from uterine bleeding that happens outside the normal menstrual cycle. A heavy...
Endometriosis comes the from the word endometrium, the tissue lining of the uterus. It refers to the abnormal growth of uterine tissue outside of the uterus, often in the abdominal cavity. These growths may be adhered to various abdominal organs....
Uterine fibroids are benign smooth muscle tumors of the uterus. Prevalence 20 to 80% of women develop fibroids by the age of 50. As hormone levels flutuate during perimenopause, uterine fibroids may grow rapidly. After...
Clotting during menstruation is a general sign of blood stasis and/or excess blood that congests the uterus. Various causes include: Poor circulation & blood stasis / Pelvic congestion syndrome. Thick Kapha blood -...
It may take several years for hormones to stabilize during menopause. A more relaxed lifestyle and stress reduction techniques help make the transition smoother.
Ayurveda affirms the goodness of life and has a strength building fertility. Many practitioners are skilled in this area. In dealing with infertility, Ayurveda recommends both cleansing & balancing the doshas before conception. A stable...
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone disorder of high testosterone and luteinizing Hormone (LH). Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio may be low. This causes multiple cysts on the ovaries, and is one of the most common causes of...
There are several types of ovarian cysts. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a Kapha condition that may lead to depression, weight gain, and facial hair.
Women naturally tend towards an excess of blood. This excess can cause heat, irritability, water retention and malaise. Menstruation releases this blood, helping a women feel refreshed and grounded. A light period can come from a hormonal...
Dark menstrual blood could indicate blood stagnation, and cold congestion in the uterus.
Children invite their parents to shift their attention from an ego-centric worldview, to love-centered attention towards others. In this sense, parenthood satisfies one of the most basic goals of the spiritual life, "Life becomes better the more...
Mental Health Care After Abortion Loss of life is always tragic. The means of coping with abortion are as diverse as parents themselves. For some, the psychological effects of abortion can be lifelong. Parents may have long...
The birth control pill is a contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy. Some forms increase progesterone and estrogen to trick your body into thinking it is pregnant when it does not. Others are abortifascent, preventing implantation of a fertilized egg....
Abdominal swelling during menstruation may be due to swelling of the uterus with water or uterine congestion of menstrual blood. Bloating due to gas is a digestive issue.
Perimenopause may start in the mid-30's with a drop on estrogen or progesterone. Fluctuations of estrogen during perimenopausal years can cause hot flashes. Many of the same herbs that are helpful after menopause are helpful during menopause.
Painful urination can be a sign of infection, kidney / bladder stones (calculi), or allergic or other irritation. Males with enlarged prostates may suffer from candida infections due to urinary obstruction. Females may have burning urination due to...
Morning sickness is the nausea and vomiting experienced by a woman in the early stages of pregnancy. It can lead to hyperemesis gravidarum - a serious condition of frequent vomiting during pregnancy. Charlotte Bronte, the author of Jane Eyre, died of...
Women naturally tend towards an excess of blood. This excess can cause heat, irritability, water retention and malaise. Menstruation releases this blood, helping a women feel refreshed and grounded. A light period can come from a hormonal...
Hirsutism is the growth of excessive body hair in places it is usually absent, or very fine, in women. It can be seen in areas typical to male hair growth such as facial hair on the chin and upper lip, or body hair on the chest and back. The hairs tend...
Pelvic congestion syndrome is a condition where varicose veins in the lower abdomen cause heaviness and pain in the pelvic area. Hemorrhoids, vaginal varices, varicose veins, and varicocele (testicular congestion in men) are common in this...
Spiritually, children warm the heart and show us the path to generosity as well as how to deal lovingly with distraction. Having a child also cleanses the reproductive organs, including the breast tissue. Raising children also places a significant...
On the whole, women are more moist than men. A Chinese medical quote goes, "Women have blood to give, men have energy (Qi) to give." This excess of blood is eliminated through menses, which has a draining effect. Lack of menstruation creates a...
Breast size increases with sweetness and lipid concentration of the blood. Many women are pear shaped, with large buttocks and small breasts. This is a circulatory issue with stagnant blood in the lower half of the body. Estrogenic foods like soybean...
Bright red blood signifies freshly released blood. Dark, clotted blood is older.
Over 40% of all Ayurvedic practitioners focus on pre-natal and post-partum care, reflecting Ayurveda's focus, insight, and interest in on fertility, pregnancy, and children. The first trimester is
Estrogen sensitive tissues include tissues we would expect: breasts, endometrium, and ovaries. Additionally, estrogen receptors are found in the bone, brain, liver, colon, skin, and salivary gland. Estrogen domination is also called unopposed...
Pre-menstrual syndrome refers to a group of symptoms women experience between ovulation and menstruation, including one or more of mood swings, irritability, depression, food cravings, fatigue, headache, back ache, tender breasts, water retention &...
Low libido due to poor circulation and metabolism is a sign of Kapha sluggishness. Pungent herbs can help stimulate Kapha arousal. Low libido, dryness & premature ejaculation due to dryness, overstimulation and exhaustion is Vata. Restoring...
A long menstrual cycle is when the total number of days in the cycle is greater than 28 days. It does not refer to the number of days of bleeding, When not due to perimenopause, a long cycle is typical of Kapha individuals. We speculate it is due...
A short menstrual cycle is characteristic of progesterone deficiency. Normally, the corpus luteum sustains the uterine lining by producing progesterone. When progesterone is deficient, the menstrual cycle may end early. A short menstrual cycle may also...
Stimulant-parturients were traditionally recommended for labor stalled due to weak, ineffective contractions. Relaxant parturients were traditionally recommended for labor stalled due to irregular, spasmodic or colicky contractions.
Common conditions after giving birth include: Low agni (poor digestion) Blood deficiency from blood loss during labor Vaginal tearing (See
A polyp is an abnormal growth of tissue projecting from a mucous membrane. Polyps may form in the nasal passages, colon, uterus, ear and bladder. Polyps may obstruct the passage, and are easily irritated and/or inflamed. In some cases they are...
Cramp bark, Wild Yam, and Lobelia are antispasmodic for miscarriage. Cram bark is a uterine tonic. A weak uterus is more likely to hemorrhage. Uterine tonics strengthen the uterine muscle to avoid bleeding. Uterine hemostatics including cinnamon,...
Many of the below herbs will be used topically. Bloodroot and Mayapple are dangerous, caustic agents that should be used under expert guidance only.
Cramp bark, Wild Yam, and Lobelia are antispasmodic for miscarriage. Cram bark is a uterine tonic. A weak uterus is more likely to hemorrhage. Uterine tonics strengthen the uterine muscle to avoid bleeding. Uterine hemostatics including cinnamon,...
On Joyful Belly, we've created an extensive categorization of food so you can easily match food to your imbalanced biocharacteristics. By eating an optimal diet that balances your biocharacteristics, your whole body is strengthened and the conditions that created the disorder are removed. Once the root causes of the disease are removed, the disease lessens in strength or disappears altogether. Additional remedies - such as herbs and lifestyle practices - focused on the specific disorder, can greatly enhance your healing.
Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’
