Changes

=== Rajaswala ===

=== Rajaswala ===

The term Rajaswala refers to the menstruating woman. Usually a woman menstruates form the age of 12 to 50 years. That means for the major part of her life she menstruates and becomes rajaswala. Thus Rajaswala is the largest and the most important period in the lifetime of a woman as it is also the fertile period necessary for reproduction. The rajaswala paricharya helps women adapt well to the physiological changes taking place in the body during the menstruation and thus prevent occurrence of vrious diseases. It also helps in conceiving a healthy offspring. However it is seen that the rajaswala paricharya is not followed now-a-days. Although the paricharya described in the Ayurveda was exclusively designed for preserving the health of that menstruating woman, in the later years it was misunderstood dirty and impure culturally. Ayurveda looks at the process of menstruation as a completely physiological event and understands it in terms of [[Doshas (दोषाः)|doshas]], [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]], [[Malas (मलाः)|malas]], [[Agni in Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदे अग्निः)|agni]] etc. Through this perspective it was studied, observed and concluded as to what type of diet, lifestyle would be suitable for such a woman so that she would suffer the least during this period and preserve her health like the normal healthy individual once the menstruation stops. Thus all the guidelines given under Rajaswala paricharya in Ayurveda have relevance, background and logical explanation when those are studied from the lens of Ayurveda physiology.<ref>Dr. Pallavi Pai, Dr. Sarita, Dr. Prasad Pandkar (2015), ‘Rajaswala Paricharya’: Effect on Menstrual cycle and its associated symptoms. IOSR-Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS), e-ISSN: 2279-0853, Vol 14(2), 82-87</ref><ref>Prabhu A, Ramadevi G. Rajaswalacharya is the Swasthavritta in Female-A Conceptual Study. Int J Ayu Pharm Chem.2020:13 (3); Pg 288-292</ref> The rajaswala paricharya is described below.

The term Rajaswala refers to the menstruating woman. Usually a woman menstruates form the age of 12 to 50 years. That means for the major part of her life she menstruates and passes through the phase of rajaswala every month. Thus Rajaswala is the largest and the most important period in the lifetime of a woman and thus impacts her reproductive health to great extent. Also, it is the fertile period in her lifetime necessary for reproduction. The rajaswala paricharya helps women adapt well to the physiological changes taking place in the body during the menstruation and thus helps prevent occurrence of various diseases related to hormones, reproductive system and general health. It also helps her in conceiving a healthy offspring. But it is seen that the rajaswala paricharya is not followed now-a-days. Although the paricharya described in Ayurveda was exclusively designed for preserving the health of that menstruating woman and her progeny,<ref name=":0">Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 2 Sutra 25)</ref> in the past years it was misunderstood as a practice to protect others from her (rajaswala) who is dirty and impure. This notion led to the development of the general consensus that bharatieeyas have always considered menstruation as dirty and impure and thus the practice of rajaswala paricharya was being followed. However Ayurveda has always looked at the process of menstruation as a completely physiological event in a woman's life and understood it in terms of [[Doshas (दोषाः)|doshas]], [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]], [[Malas (मलाः)|malas]], [[Agni in Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदे अग्निः)|agni]] etc. In fact the rajaswala paricharya was propounded for betterment of a menstruating woman and maximize her chances of delivering a healthy offspring. Ayurveda scholars studied, observed and concluded as to what type of diet, lifestyle would be suitable for such a woman so that she would suffer the least during this period and preserve her health like the normal healthy individual once the menstruation stops. Therefore all the guidelines given under Rajaswala paricharya in Ayurveda have relevance, background and logical explanation when those are studied from the lens of Ayurveda physiology.<ref>Dr. Pallavi Pai, Dr. Sarita, Dr. Prasad Pandkar (2015), ‘Rajaswala Paricharya’: Effect on Menstrual cycle and its associated symptoms. IOSR-Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS), e-ISSN: 2279-0853, Vol 14(2), 82-87</ref><ref>Prabhu A, Ramadevi G. Rajaswalacharya is the Swasthavritta in Female-A Conceptual Study. Int J Ayu Pharm Chem.2020:13 (3); Pg 288-292</ref> The rajaswala paricharya is described below.

==== Rajaswala paricharya ====

==== Rajaswala paricharya ====

As per Ashtanga Hrudayam sha 1.24-26

All the Ayurveda samhitas (treatises) have discussed about Rajaswala paricharya and suggested following regimen for a menstruating woman.<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutra 24-26)</ref><ref>Astanga Samraha (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutra 44-45)</ref><ref name=":0" />

* कल्याणध्यायिनी त्र्यहम्

* Thoughts and emotions: कल्याणध्यायिनी - The first important thing listed in the paricharya is about the thoughts and emotions of the rajaswala. It is advised that she should focus her attention on virtuous, generous and noble thoughts. It will naturally helps her balance her emotions that might have got affected due to hormonal changes during menstruation. She shouldnt cry.

* मृजालङ्काररहिता

* Lifestyle: मृजालङ्काररहिता - Apart form basic cleaning and menstrual hygiene, she should abstain from other cleaning procedures she other wise performs in a day. This includes most of the activities under [[Dinacharya (दिनचर्या)|dinacharya]] morning routines like anjana, [[Abhyanga (अभ्यङ्गम् )|abhyanga]], [[Nasya (नस्यम्)|nasyam]], snanam etc. Also she refrain from wearing ornaments or taking efforts to beautify herself. Skipping these activities does not damage her image but instead save her efforts, gives her resting time and facilitate easy menstruation.

* दर्भसंस्तरशायिनी|  

* क्षैरेयं यावकं स्तोकं कोष्ठशोधनकर्षणम्||२४||  

* पर्णे शरावे हस्ते वा भुञ्जीत ब्रह्मचारिणी|

* Sleep and mattress: दर्भसंस्तरशायिनी - It is advisable that she rests and sleeps on a mat made up from darbha (Desmotachya bipinnata) grass which is believed to be a detoxifying and sacred grass traditionally. However, Ayurveda scholars have specifically identified this grass since it is cooling in nature and has all the necessary [[Gunas : An Ayurvedic perspective (आयुर्वेदे गुणाः)|gunas]] and [[Therapeutic activity in Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदे कर्म)|karmas]] (medicinal properties) to treat menorrhagia (excessive bleeding during menstruation), urinary tract infections and also pain in abdomen<ref>Bhavaprakasha Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/e-Nighantu/bhavaprakashanighantu/?mod=read&h=darbh Purvakhanada Prathama bhaga Mishra prakaranam Kusha])</ref> which can be present in a menstruating woman. She is also advised to avoid day time sleeping.

* तीक्ष्णोष्णाऽम्ललवणानि च वर्जयेत् Ash. Samg. Sha 1. 44-45

* ऋतौ प्रथमदिवसात् प्रभृति ब्रह्मचारिणी दिवास्वप्नाञ्जनाश्रुपातस्नानानुलेपनाभ्यङ्गनखच्छेदनप्रधावनहसनकथनातिशब्दश्रवणावलेखनानिलायासान् परिहरेत् |  किं कारणं? दिवा स्वपन्त्याः स्वापशीलः, अञ्जनादन्धः, रोदनाद्विकृतदृष्टिः, स्नानानुलेपनाद्दुःखशीलः ^[१] , तैलाभ्यङ्गात् कुष्ठी, नखापकर्तनात् कुनखी, प्रधावनाच्चञ्चलः, हसनाच्छ्यावदन्तौष्ठतालुजिह्वः, प्रलापी चातिकथनात् ^[२] , अतिशब्दश्रवणाद्बधिरः, अवलेखनात् खलतिः, मारुतायाससेवनादुन्मत्तो गर्भो भवतीत्येवमेतान् परिहरेत् | दर्भसंस्तरशायिनीं करतलशरावपर्णान्यतमभोजिनीं हविष्यं, त्र्यहं च भर्तुः संरक्षेत् | Su Sha 2.25

** क्षैरेयं यावकं स्तोकं कोष्ठशोधनकर्षणम् - Eat  Havishya  (meal  made  from  Sali rice, ghee and milk) The food that is made up from Yawaka  or meal made  of  barley  and  milk should be taken.  She should eat in lesser amount that usual and the diet should be such that it facilitates easy evacuation of bowels. This suggests she should avoid food that is constipating in nature and heavy to digest. She should make sure that the entire process of digestion and excretion is easy and smooth during this period.  

** पर्णे शरावे हस्ते वा भुञ्जीत ब्रह्मचारिणी - She should eat in food plate made up of leaves, clay pot or food in her hands. This is possibly to ensure that the food that she consumes is lesser in quantity or in quantity which such vessel can accommodate.

** तीक्ष्णोष्णाऽम्ललवणानि च वर्जयेत् - It is advised to avoid spicy, sour, salty food and food that is teekshna & ushna (hot) in [[Gunas : An Ayurvedic perspective (आयुर्वेदे गुणाः)|gunas]].  

* ऋतौ प्रथमदिवसात् प्रभृति ब्रह्मचारिणी - It suggests that a menstruating woman should ideally follow sexual abstinence during 3 days of menstruation.  

Reasoning: (TBE)Recognizing the changes infemale’s body during menstruation (Rajaswala),Ayurveda peers have described certain do’s and don’tsin the form of Rajaswala paricharya to maintain her balance of Doshas and help in proper menstrual func-tion. These modifications are in the form of eatinglight meal, observing celibacy, to eat directly orthrough leaf or clay vessel, avoiding pungent andspicy foods, not to sleep during daytime, not to per-form strenuous activities, avoiding use of scents in theform of anointments.1,2 Apart from these, many cul-tural and traditional restrictions are prevalent in manysocieties in the form of menstrual taboos in which iso-lation, not to perform domestic work, religious activi-ties, and sexual activities are major.The observance and non observance of menstrual re-strictions and taboos are under debate since a decade.The issue of gender inequality and women empower-ment is raised while discussing about the restrictionsto be followed by female during menstruation. The21st century woman considers these restrictions as burden and a path of obstruction towards her empow-erment but the science behind following certain rulesare not emphasized. One 3should understand the sci-ence behind this and not blindly follow all the cam- paigns. The role of Apana vayu, menotoxins andvolatile compound like pheromones should never beoverlooked.3 Menotoxin – a substance with certain pharmacological and chemical reactions is believed to be secreted in sweat, saliva, menstrual blood, milk andother secretions in menstruating women. The researchshows that chemically these menotoxins exhibited properties near to oxycholestrin which causes prolon-gation of blood coagulation. The properties of this substance menotoxin were considered identical to Ne-crosin in another work. Necrosin is a toxic substance(inflammatory exudates) that induces leucopenia. 4,5  Pheromones, volatile compounds released in sweat,known for sexual attraction are supposed to influencemenstrual cycle of other female in contact. The inter-val of menstrual cycle of recipient female is short-ened.6,7,8 This is known as menstrual synchronizationwhich is common in hostel inmates and female mem- bers of same family Many explanations have been offered for the apparent effects of exercise on menstrual cycles, including lossof body fat (resulting in estrogen deficit), overallweight loss, dietary factors (especially low percentageof calories from protein and less dietary cholesterolwhich is building block of estrogen) emotional stressand exercise triggered release of endorphin (naturalsedative akin to morphine).3  Non observance of certain rules and restrictions leadsto sickness related to reproductive health of female.The tremendous increase in the infertility and PCODare the results of diet and lifestyle changes which are harmful for reproductive function  

Reasoning: (TBE)Recognizing the changes infemale’s body during menstruation (Rajaswala),Ayurveda peers have described certain do’s and don’tsin the form of Rajaswala paricharya to maintain her balance of Doshas and help in proper menstrual func-tion. These modifications are in the form of eatinglight meal, observing celibacy, to eat directly orthrough leaf or clay vessel, avoiding pungent andspicy foods, not to sleep during daytime, not to per-form strenuous activities, avoiding use of scents in theform of anointments.1,2 Apart from these, many cul-tural and traditional restrictions are prevalent in manysocieties in the form of menstrual taboos in which iso-lation, not to perform domestic work, religious activi-ties, and sexual activities are major.The observance and non observance of menstrual re-strictions and taboos are under debate since a decade.The issue of gender inequality and women empower-ment is raised while discussing about the restrictionsto be followed by female during menstruation. The21st century woman considers these restrictions as burden and a path of obstruction towards her empow-erment but the science behind following certain rulesare not emphasized. One 3should understand the sci-ence behind this and not blindly follow all the cam- paigns. The role of Apana vayu, menotoxins andvolatile compound like pheromones should never beoverlooked.3 Menotoxin – a substance with certain pharmacological and chemical reactions is believed to be secreted in sweat, saliva, menstrual blood, milk andother secretions in menstruating women. The researchshows that chemically these menotoxins exhibited properties near to oxycholestrin which causes prolon-gation of blood coagulation. The properties of this substance menotoxin were considered identical to Ne-crosin in another work. Necrosin is a toxic substance(inflammatory exudates) that induces leucopenia. 4,5  Pheromones, volatile compounds released in sweat,known for sexual attraction are supposed to influencemenstrual cycle of other female in contact. The inter-val of menstrual cycle of recipient female is short-ened.6,7,8 This is known as menstrual synchronizationwhich is common in hostel inmates and female mem- bers of same family Many explanations have been offered for the apparent effects of exercise on menstrual cycles, including lossof body fat (resulting in estrogen deficit), overallweight loss, dietary factors (especially low percentageof calories from protein and less dietary cholesterolwhich is building block of estrogen) emotional stressand exercise triggered release of endorphin (naturalsedative akin to morphine).3  Non observance of certain rules and restrictions leadsto sickness related to reproductive health of female.The tremendous increase in the infertility and PCODare the results of diet and lifestyle changes which are harmful for reproductive function