Ayurveda as a hormone-free therapy for menopausal Symptoms

Ayurveda and Menopause: An Interview with Rutvi Manek. Rutvi worked at hermaid for a year and wrote her master's thesis on Ayurvedic medicine in the context of menopause. In this interview, she shares her insights and experiences.

Rutvi, what led you to the topic of "Ayurvedic Medicine in Menopause"?

R: I come from a family of doctors in India, where Ayurveda is an integral part of everyday life. Both doctors and individuals use home remedies to treat illnesses naturally.There's a trend called "functional medicine," which combines naturopathy, Ayurveda, and traditional Chinese medicine. It's about stimulating the metabolism, engaging all the senses, and bringing hormones into balance.Functional medicine emphasizes finding the root cause of illness, creating personalized plans

based on your unique health picture, and using a holistic approach. It often uses tools like lab tests and dietary analysis, and emphasizes nutrition (gut-health) as a key to healing.

Ayurveda and functional medicine are based on the same principles, but functional medicine leans on modern science and testing, while Ayurveda utilizes traditional practices. When combined in integrative medicine, they can offer a powerful approach to health.

You conducted a market study: How open were women in the West to Ayurveda?

R: I found that there is openness. Many women don't want to take hormones or prefer to try natural remedies first to manage their hormonal balance. Phytotherapy, for example, with Ashwagandha, an estrogen-boosting miracle remedy from India, is a popular option. Some relegate the topic to the esoteric corner, but that's also incorrect because the methods are thousands of years old. There's just no pharmaceutical giant behind it saying that drinking warm water could alleviate your symptoms.

I also felt that it's more of an upper-middle-class topic and not widespread. Ayurvedic assessments are still very expensive in the West, and there are few specialists.

How did you come up with the idea of researching Ayurveda in menopause?

R: The concept isn't mine. There are some institutes, like the Ayurveda Center in Mumbai, my hometown, that have extensively researched women's health and hormonal changes. I looked at future trends and found that some longevity clinics are incorporating Ayurveda into their concept.

How can you apply Ayurvedic principles?

R: In Ayurvedic philosophy, there are three types (Doshas): Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.  Everyone is a combination of these doshas. A woman’s combination changes throughout her life with her hormonal cycle. . Understanding your own body type can help you adjust your daily routine and lifestyle. For example, should I eat spicy food to stimulate circulation? Or drink warm water to aid digestion? Ayurveda offers individual simple solutions for what would work for your body type.

How can Ayurveda help with menopausal symptoms?

R: Together with the hermaid team, I looked at the menopause guidelines and compared the anamnesis with Ayurvedic assessments. There's a connection between the Doshas and hormonal symptoms. If a woman tends towards being overweight, she produces more estrogen, and when progesterone declines, estrogen dominance often occurs. Therefore, weight management is crucial for staying healthy. Simple strategies or treatments help to bring your body back in balance.

How does an Ayurvedic assessment work?

R: An Ayurvedic assessment considers various mental and physical factors, such as body constitution, digestion, sleep, environment, and emotional states. Different methods are used, such as pulse diagnosis, tongue diagnosis, and detailed conversations. Also, all tests which are generally done by a allopathic doctor such as blood tests, hormonal tests, etc as Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine.

How can I integrate Ayurveda into my everyday life?

R: The most important principle is to take a holistic approach, meaning you work on stress management, healthy routines, your diet, but also on self-care and serenity.

• Herbs: In Ayurveda, various herbs are used to balance hormonal changes and alleviate typical menopausal symptoms. Examples include Shatavari, Ashwagandha, and Turmeric.
• Aromatherapy: Essential oils like lavender, rose, or sandalwood have calming and balancing effects. They can be used in aroma lamps, as massage oil, or in baths.
• Massages: Ayurvedic massages with warm oils promote blood circulation, release tension, and reduce stress.
• Nutrition: A balanced diet based on Ayurvedic principles supports digestion and the immune system. Spices like ginger, cumin, and coriander have warming and digestive effects.

If I want to start today, what do I need to do?

R: If you want to start today, I recommend you first gather comprehensive information about Ayurveda. I've developed a digital course module that teaches you the basics.

In Ayurveda, a treatment is prescribed according to the ailments that you have A common treatment program is the Panchkarma which consists of a series of  treatments to detox your body - Vamana (therapeutic vomiting),Virechan (purgation therapy),  Basti (enema therapy) and Nasya (nasal administration), I recommend only doing such a treatment under the guidance of an experienced Ayurvedic therapist.

If you want to start with small changes today, try these principles:

• Drink warm water to stimulate digestion.
• Eat your main meal at lunchtime when your digestion is strongest.
• Get regular fresh air and exercise.
• Take time for relaxation and meditation.

Thank you for the interview, Rutvi!