Smooth out your monthly cycle

 
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The human body is a delicate balancing act, and never more so than during a woman's monthly cycle. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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Interestingly, in Ayurveda, the menstrual cycle has its very own AIR, FIRE and EARTH stage. If you can recognize which phase affects you most, then you can understand how to support yourself through your period.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ Here’s what you can do at each stage of the cycle: ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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AIR STAGE: YOUR PERIOD

From day 1-4: ⁣⁣⁣⁣This phase is about pushing the blood lost during a period down & out of the body. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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+ Issues: Digestive upset, constipation, pain during intercourse, fatigue, anxiety and insomnia⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
+ Tips:

  • keep warm

  • lighten your social calendar so you can recharge

  • take calming & nourishing herbs like ashwagandha, shatavari (and triphala/haritaki, if constipated)

  • drink licorice and holy basil teas ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

  • avoid: anxiety-inducing stimulants like caffeine ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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EARTH STAGE: PERIOD UNTIL OVULATION

From day 4-14: This stage of the cycle is often filled w/ energy & vitality. It’s about building the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the uterus and prepping for conception.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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+ Issues: Fluid retention, breast lumps, weight gain, discharge, tiredness, back ache & heaviness⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
+ Tips:

  • keep yourself energized by walking around

  • try herbs that support oestrogen balance like shatavari & aloe vera

  • cook w/ invigorating spices like turmeric & ginger

  • drink cinnamon, matcha teas

  • avoid hibernating ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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FIRE STAGE: OVULATION TO NEXT PERIOD

From day 14-18:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ This stage is prepping the body for new life, where the sex hormone progesterone peaks. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣


⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣+ Issues: Severe PMS, skin irritations, headaches, diarrhea, emotional overload⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
+ Tips:

  • help the liver metabolize the high hormone levels w/ spirulina & aloe vera

  • take ashwagandha & shatavari

  • eat antioxidant-packed dark leafy greens: spinach, kale, broccoli

  • drink cooling mint teas

  • avoid🍸