Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of cells in the lining of the uterus. It is one of the most common causes of pelvic pain and infertility in women. It has been estimated that over 89 million women of reproductive age are afflicted by this disease around the world. Ayurveda considers endometriosis to be result of vatta imbalance.
Its major symptoms are pain in the uterus, lower back and pelvic cavity prior to and during the menses. It could also be accompanied by intermittent pain throughout the menstrual cycle. A feeling of pain during intercourse, excessive bleeding including the passing of large clots and shreds of tissue, nausea, vomiting, constipation etc are some of the symptoms witnessed in patients with endometriosis.
It should be realized that the pain felt by the woman due to this disease has no relation to the extent or stage of the disease. It is also seen that some women will have little or no pain despite having extensive endometriosis with scarring. On the other hand, some women will experience severe pain even though the intensity of endometriosis is mild
If the disease is not treated in time it may lead to obstruction of the fallopian tube and may ultimately lead to difficulty in conceiving.
All treatments in Ayurveda are prescribed only after a careful diagnosis of the patient’s body constitution, family history, sex, age, stage of the disease etc. This will enable the patient to receive treatments that are specifically suited to his very needs. Ayurveda treatments will therefore vary from patient to patient.
The first consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be to find the person’s body humor (Dosha) – Vata, Pita or Kapha, because it is the imbalance of these body humors that creates endometriosis
The dominance of dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behavior, food habits, sleeping patterns, age, height & weight, place of life, profession, health problems and medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and laboratory tests also.
Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis methods used to reveal a person’s body humor and its imbalance. This will help the doctor in treating the disease
Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs.
In tongue diagnosis, the doctor checks the general appearance, colour and coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a detailed tongue examination.
Nail examination is done to check the type, colour and shape of the person’s nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close examination.
In the eye diagnosis, the colour, size and even the shape of the eyes are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental status – nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc – can also be learned through eye diagnosis.
A preliminary consultation with Ayurveda doctors online is also possible nowadays for guests worldwide.
After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriate Panchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies .
The Panchakarma Treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, They are classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods.
The Rasayana Therapies are meant to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.These comprise diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines and ayurveda tonics, yoga and a stress free life. After the treatment the ayurveda doctors will advise you how to lead a healthy life. T he beneifts and results of the treatment are shown only after the Rasyana Treatment is over and docotrs advise is strictly followed. The results will manifest itself normally after 3 to 4 weeks as the body takes time to regenerate itself.
Pre-purification therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for discarding these wastes. These methods are highly relaxing for the body and mind.
Snehapanam and Swedanam are the two pre purification therapies used in the treatment of endometriosis
Snehapanam is an important pre purification therapy which consists of oral intake of medicated ghee and sesame oil for a specified number of days. This unique treatment helps to flush out the toxins from the body. Amaltas, guggul, ginger, neem, onion, chopchini, tribhala etc. are some of the ingredients used for its preparation. Apart from being a pre purification therapy for endometriosis, snehapanam also improves the delicacy of the skin, enhances memory and the grasping power of an individual
Swedanam means medicinal perspiration and involves the active sweating of the whole body using medicated steam. Through this process the agni is increased and the fatty tissues get mobilized. The channels of the body are softened and this causes the impurities to move out through the skin by way of sweat. Swedanam cleanses the channels thoroughly and helps to control the vitiated doshas. This therapy is done in two ways.
A- Through external application of heat or retention of the body heat such as through exercise or through the use of heavy clothes and blankets.
B- Remaining in a chamber that has been well- heated for a considerable period of time or inhaling medicated steam. This helps the patient to sweat considerably and helps to throw out the impurities through the pores of the skin.
This is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors. The commonly adopted Panchakarma treatments for endometriosis are
Vamanam and Vasthi
Vamanam Induced vomiting, using herbal medicine is called Vamanam. It is especially suitable in the treatment of endometriosis. Through vamanam, the toxins and acids of the upper parts of the body are completely eradicated. As the channels are freed from harmful toxins, the body tissues get recharged. The person's memory power also increases, the sense organs get better clarity and his digestive fire increases. In total, the person gets a powerful revitalized feeling. Vamanam, in addition to treating endometriosis and many other diseases effectively, also rejuvenates the person's body and mind.
Vasthi is an enema therapy. It is considered the ace colon cleaning panchakarma treatment. In this form of treatment special medicines are introduced through the anal route for the evacuation of accumulated toxins and metabolic wastes. It washes out all the toxins in the metabolic system through the digestive tract. It is highly recommended in the treatment of endometriosis. As a rejuvenating health treatment, vasthi imparts high immunity and longevity, reduces degeneration of tissues, and prevents ageing. Dill seeds, honey, rock salt, herbal pastes, oils and decoctions are the main ingredients used in vasthi.
These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, restore and balance the body functions and maintain the overall health and well being of an individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course. Rasayana therapies for endometriosis include oral medicines and diet regulation.
used for treating endometriosis will be extracts of pure medicinal herbs, leaves, spices etc. These are prepared specifically to restore the lost balance and to provide the needed inputs to cure endometriosis. Kashayam and Arishtam - herbal decoctions and fermentations Lehyams– semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed. Asoka, shatawari, amalakhi, coriander, gokshura seed, raspberry, coriander etc are some of the medicinal herbs and spices used in the preparation of kasha yams, aristams and lehyams for use of endometriosis patients.
Kindly consult your ayurveda physician who will prescribe the most suitable oral medicine for your disease.
The patient should consume more sweet tasting foods ( but not refined sugars ), salt, and cooked warm foods such as cereal and stews. She should also drink plenty of warm and hot water and should avoid meat, cheese and caffeine. Consumption of alcohol should be strictly avoided.
On the fourteenth or fifteenth day of the cycle, she should use a laxative of four or five teaspoons of castor oil or senna tea followed by a light diet for the rest of the day.
You can find out your type of prakruthi and decide a diet for yourself
Yoga and meditation are always beneficial and have always played a vital part in curing every type of disease. Yoga exercises done every day replenish and rebalance the physical and emotional systems that are depleted by the everyday stresses that lie so heavy on our lives. Yoga makes it possible to rest on a strong base of confidence and strength within oneself. Women afflicted by endometriosis should practice meditation without fail.
Patients suffering from endometriosis are advised to take at least one or two weeks of rest after the panchakarma experience. At this time, the body is weak after the purification process and needs time to get back to normalcy.
As endometriosis is the result of vata imbalance, patients should take due care to rectify this vata imbalance. It is advised that they follow a regular daily routine of going to bed by 10 pm and rising by 6 am each day. They should also reduce work load and have sufficient rest and sleep to rectify this vatta imbalance
For prevention of endometriosis, ayurveda recommends that women afflicted by this disease reduce their activities as much as possible for the first three days of ther period each month even though this might be impractical to most busy women today. Mild exercises like walking and gentle stroll are to be undertaken daily.
