Balance Your Hormones With Ayurveda
How to restore physical & mental health in a holistic way
Hormones affect our mood, energy, appetite, metabolism, sleep, and reproductive health. Different types of hormones act on different functions, and they are ‘responsible’ for how healthy and vibrant we look and feel. Hormones weren’t discussed in the ancient Ayurvedic texts. The whole concept of hormones is, in fact, relatively new! The first hormone was discovered only about 120 years ago. Although the specific term wasn’t used, the idea of the endocrine system as a communication system was described and simplified with the help of Ayurveda’s organizational templates, which include Agni (digestion and assimilation), Dhatus (bodily tissues), Doshas (mind-body types), and Gunas (qualities). The hormonal system can be pretty complex to understand, but healing it doesn’t have to be.
What causes hormones to go out of balance?
In Ayurveda, there are three pillars, known as Traya Upastambha, which support our health and happiness. These include diet (Ahara), lifestyle (Vihara), and management of our physical and psychological energy (Brahmacharya). A lack in one of these pillars will weaken the body and give way for diseases to manifest. Interestingly enough, STRESS is the main causing factor of most hormonal imbalances. Stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline, are secreted when our sleep schedule is off, when we don’t allow ourselves downtime to rest and be present, and when our bodies are poorly fed and we cannot properly digest our food and emotions. We are constantly pressured to do it all – have a career, family, run a household, exercise, and maintain a social life, but the fact that we can do it, doesn’t always mean we should! Hormones respond to our choices, our environment, thoughts, emotions, and activities. By acknowledging that we are responsible for the way we choose to run our lives, we realize that we can correct, rebalance, and regain our health.
Tired of dealing with hormonal issues, painful periods, weight gain, or other disorders? Book a free introductory call with Yara, to find out how we can bring your body back to balance.
How are hormones viewed in Ayurveda?
Ayurveda classifies actions, behaviors, and substances as either ‘Building’ or ‘Extractive.’ Santarpana or the building aspect is dense, nourishing, lubricating, cooling, and grounding, while Apatarpana; or the extractive aspect is light, stimulating, reducing, depleting, and drying. These opposing principles depend on each other and continuously interact in a dance that creates and sustains life. Respectively, stress hormones and sex hormones have a relationship with each other that reflects this duality. Although they represent opposing forces, their responses are interconnected.
How to naturally correct a hormonal imbalance
We now understand that stress is a major contributor to our lack of health and is the first thing to address in your healing journey. By indulging in Apatarpana or depleting activities; outspending our emotional, physical, and mental energy, over-stressing, overdoing, and overachieving, we are constantly emptying our reserves. Living under constant pressure raises stress hormones, which the body will always prioritize over sex hormones. This makes so much sense! Stress is essential for survival and keeping us alive, while reproducing is considered secondary and can only happen if the body can provide for the baby.
If you currently have infertility, painful menstruation, Endometriosis, fibroids, PMS, PCOS, unexplained weight gain, acne, irregular periods, low sex drive, or any other hormonal condition, start by simply changing this aspect of your life. Prioritize Santarpana, or building actions; ‘being’ over ‘doing,’ silence over noise, grounding, rejuvenation, nourishment, meditation, and inward observation.
– Balance action with rest, effort (Dukkha) with ease (Sukha), and allow yourself enough time to do ANYTHING!.
– Use warm oil to do Abhyanga (self-massage). This practice is nourishing and grounding.
– Tune your body with the rhythms of life through Dinacharya to regulate your physiology and hormones.
– Learn to say NO! Leave empty spaces in your schedule for serenity and self-care.
– Nourish your body with wholesome foods that are rich in essential vitamins and minerals such as iodine, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, D, and B12.
– Avoid environmental toxins as much as possible, including BPA’s, which are found in plastic and canned food, parabens, synthetic perfumes, and aroma candles.
– Cleanse often. Fix your constipation, practice intermittent fasting, do a seasonal cleanse like the Kitchari Cleanse, and take liver-supporting herbs to enhance proper elimination of toxins and excess hormones from the body.
– Nadi Shodana Pranayama (alternate nostril breathing) has a tremendous effect on balancing the right and left sides of the body and brain. Practicing it for 10-20 minutes twice a day can transform your health.