Ayurveda Ireland

We as human beings are influenced by the moon, but do you know how?  Do a quick search on google about how the moon influences the body and you will get a huge amount of suggestions, over 2 million to be exact.  While both men and women experience changes throughout the month in response to what phase the moon is in, women have the most dramatic response to the moon.

First of all, lets think about the moon and what we know it influences on earth.  The most obvious is the moon’s influence on the ocean.  When the moon is full the ocean experiences high tides and when the moon is dark (new moon) the ocean experiences low tides.  Well, the same can be said in the physical body.  When the tide is high (full moon) the water content in our body is full and this is when women naturally ovulate.  When the tide is out or the moon is dark we have the least amount of water content in our bodies and this is when women will naturally menstruate. Just as the moon pulls the tide out of the ocean, the moon also pulls the fluid out of the body.

How does this affect my health?
Have you ever noticed that you have certain times of the month when you “feel” better than at other times?  This is normal and natural.  Those of us who have less water content in our bodies feel more balanced when the moon is full then when the moon is dark.  Those of us who have extra fat or water in our bodies feel better during the new moon phase as the pull of the moon draws the water content from the body.  Because women are more tuned in to their emotions they are more likely to feel and respond to these changes even if they are unaware of them.  The phase of the moon also affects our cravings.  If you are a dry person and the moon is full you will feel most balanced and so your cravings will be minimal at this time.  But, during the new moon you will be craving heavy foods such as sweets and comfort foods because the water content has been taken from your body. The sweet taste is the most nourishing of all tastes and “fills” us up again.

Most women, if not on a contraception pill or devise, will start to ovulate with the full moon and cleanse the body through menstruating during the new moon.  And, as women, our emotions are heightened either at ovulation or menstruation.  The more balanced you are the less dramatic this time of the month will be for you.  The more “out of balance” you are the more you will experience mood swings, cravings and/or tiredness, not to mention a whole host of other discomforts we experience.

What I want you to get from this article is that it is natural to have certain times of the month when you “feel” better, have more energy and when you crave foods.  What I want you to check in with yourself about is if the low energy and cravings occur all the time.  If they do then adjusting your food will not only clear up the energy and food cravings, but will also clear up the discomfort around your monthly cycle.

Here are a few things to try during the two pivotal changes of the moon to increase energy and stop craving foods:

During the Full Moon

1. Implement a new routine such as healthy eating or exercise.  This is the best time as most of us “feel” better when the moon is full.
2. Drink less liquids
3. Avoid heavy dairy or oily foods

During the New Moon

1. Eat foods that are moist, nourishing and tasty
2. Allow full flavours in your “healthy” food items at this time because if you don’t you will be eating the non-healthy foods
3. Don’t forget to add some oil to your food as this will help keep the cravings down

Always listen to your body.  If you are craving a sweet food or a comfort food then ask yourself if it’s something you need or something you want.  If it’s something you want purely because it tastes good then try to substitute the item with a “healthy” choice.  Also, if you are giving your body all it needs in terms of nutrition then cravings will be minimal or non-existent so pay attention to your meals and make sure you are giving your body 4 components:

1. Vegetable
2. Protein
3. Whole grain
4. Little oil

When all 4 of these components are included in your mid-day meal you will reduce cravings and feel an increase in energy.

In conclusion, pay attention to your body and notice if you feel a change during the phases of the moon. Allow your body the changes it needs during the month without putting judgment on yourself or what you feel you need to do.  If cravings are strong and regular then pay attention to your meals and make sure you are giving your body all the nutrition it needs, especially at the mid-day meal or lunch.  And last but not least, love the body you were given and treat it as something special because it is.  It is what you were given to use and to understand it will give you an insight to your health.

Fertility, according to Ayurveda, is not just about the health of the egg and sperm but also the woman’s reproductive tissue (shukra) and her ojas (constitutional strength).  Envision a woman’s womb like a nest.  If the nest is too dry, undernourished, or out of balance an egg cannot grow. In order for conditions to be “just right” she needs to have her body strong and ready to carry a life.  A nest or womb that is ready to receive an egg to grow needs to be moist, fertile, warm and nourished.  The monthly cycle of a woman is a good indicator to the quality of the womb and its ability to carry a life.

Indicators that show the womb is ready to receive and grow a baby are:

• Monthly cycle is regular with adequate amount of blood flow
• Ovulation discharge is present and is moist and sticky
• There is little to no mood swings or discomfort before or during monthly cycle
• The woman’s body has an adequate amount of fat (not too much, but not under weight)

Remember that once you conceive your body will take from you in order to nourish and grow the body of the baby.  If you don’t have enough to supply yourself and the baby then you will find depletion in your own tissue while the baby will receive all it needs.  This depletion can lead to depression after birth and possible health issues in the mother.

Ayurveda teaches that the food you give your body feeds 7 different layers of tissue (dhatus*).  Once food has been consumed the first layer of tissue (rasa dhatu*) is fed and if the quality and quantity is there and digestion is good then the second layer (rakta dhatu*) is fed and so on until the 7^th and final tissue is fed which is the reproductive tissue (shukra dhatu*).  Also, when the body is under a lot of stress the first tissue that gets depleted is the 7^th tissue (shukra dhatu*) or the reproductive tissue and then the 6^th tissue (majja dhatu) and so on.  That is why it is very important that the mother, in preparation to conceiving, eat foods that are best for her body type so all of the 7 tissues (dhatus*) get fed.

7 ways you can increase your chances of conceiving:

1. Avoid stressful situations: When women put themselves in stressful situations or conditions they are depleting the reproductive tissue.  Our bodies are very wise.  Women can only carry a baby if the situation and circumstances around them make them feel comfortable and safe.  Stress is an indicator that things are not safe.  When things are not safe the blood stops flowing to the reproductive tissue and feeds only those vital organs to maintain life.  On the other hand, when the body is in a time of growth and prosperity, comfort and the feeling of being safe prevail and the reproductive tissue has adequate blood flow and so is able to carry and maintain a life.
2. Eat foods that are nourishing for you: If you know your bodies constitution, according to Ayurvedic principles, then the foods you are eating will be most balancing for you and will nourish and support the growth of a fetus.  If you don’t know your individual constitution and are not good about listening to your bodies needs then you could be giving your body foods that are depleting.  Not all “health foods” are healthy for everyone.
3. Avoid black tea and coffee:  Black tea and coffee are dieretics and deplete the body through dehydration.  This can be a big issue if your dominate constitution is Vata.  Replace black tea and coffee with warm water or herbal teas.  Herbal teas that are nourishing for the reproductive tissue are red raspberry and strawberry leaves, chamomile, nettles, rose and licorice.
4. Make sure you get adequate amounts of healthy oil in your diet:  Healthy oil such as extra virgin olive oil, flaxseed or linseed oil, ghee, sesame and sunflower oils keep the hormones balanced and the tissue nourished.  An inadequate amount of oil can show up as insomnia, constipation, dry skin, over active mind, twitches and tremours.
5. Learn to let go without feeling you have to be in control of everything:  Letting go can literally help you to feel lighter.  The more you try to hold on or make something happen that is showing you resistance the more stress you are putting on your body.  When you let go you start to go with the flow of life and everything starts to happen without effort.
6. Stop smoking: Smoking not only is bad for your health, but it dries out the body and leaves toxins in the system.  Remember that your baby will receive all that it needs and what you have available, good or bad.  Those toxins that you inhale through smoking will also go into the growth of your baby.  Make sure that if you do smoke or if you find yourself pregnant then please stop during the pregnancy.
7. Get outside and walk daily:  Walking is a great way to get your exercise and safe to do through out the pregnancy.  Walking keeps your muscles loose and gets the metabolism moving.  If you can get out for a walk daily you will see your energy stay up and you feel good through your whole day.  In addition, connecting with fresh air and getting outside does wonders on your outlook and state of mind.  All for the positive.

*Dhatu is the Sanskrit term for tissue.  There are 7 dhatus that make up the physical bodies health.  The 7 dhatus are:

1. Rasa Dhatu- plasma
2. Rakta Dhatu- blood
3. Mamsa Dhatu- muscle
4. Meda Dhatu- fat
5. Asthi Dhatu- bone
6. Majja Dhatu- bone marrow or nervous system
7. Shukra Dhatu- reproductive tissue