In my clinical practice in Chattanooga, TN, many of my clients seek out Ayurveda for vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.
In this case study, a 40-year old female long distance runner with a delicate build and an active lifestyle experienced relief of hot flashes, unwanted sweating, and an abnormal menstrual cycle using Ayurveda.
The client had a significant running history including multiple marathons and a 50-mile ultra marathon. The client complained of diarrhea 2-3 times a month, insomnia once a month, hot flashes once daily with sweating that stained her clothing, and waking once nightly with sweating.
She reported a history of diarrhea daily which she was controlling with Imodium and a careful vegetarian diet.
She craved cold showers, cold water, and cold salads. The color and consistency of her stool varied daily. Menses was irregular and varied throughout life including incidences of missed periods, long durations between periods, long periods, and occasional heavy bleeding.
During assessment, it was noted that her abdomen and forearms were warm and damp.
The client’s care plan included strict exercise guidelines, which were adhered to diligently. Client received guidance on seasonal considerations for exercise, exercise and meal consumption, and exercise and menstrual cycles. Foods to avoid and foods to favor were reviewed and adhered to with good compliance.
For approximately one month, the client consumed an herbal water, called a siddhajal, containing Shadanga churnam. Shadanga churnam is an herbal powder that contains musta (Cyperus rotundus), parpataka (Fumaria indica), usheera (Vetiveria zizanioides), chandana (Santalum album), udeechya (Andropogan vetiveria Linn), and nagara (Zingiber officinale).
This formula is useful for fever, diarrhea, excess thirst, and burning sensation. It is also useful in some instances of excess alcohol consumption. The client enjoyed the herbal water and upon follow-up, appeared to have a less ruddy complexion, fuller tissues, and reported improved digestion.
To further balance the client’s pitta dosha or heat management system, the client underwent an At-Home Cleanse. She consumed Avipattikar churna on the morning of the cleanse, in hot water. Client reported seven loose motions that day and followed a simple meal plan that evening and the next day to gently and easily rebuild digestive capacity.
After her At-Home Cleanse, the client took Drakshadi kwatham for 7 days and then began Tiktaka kwatham for one month.
Puffed rice was consumed as a successful alternative to Imodium in a few instances where her stomach was gurgling and she was concerned of an episode of diarrhea.
Client since reported one stress-related incidence of diarrhea and has discontinued her reliance on Imodium. Her stool is now formed with 1-2 movements per day. She is sleeping throughout the night with no incidence of unwanted sweating. She wakes with enthusiasm, a sign of good health according to Ayurveda.
Related Articles
Related
How to Cool Off with Ayurveda: Summer Heat Survival
Ayurveda, the ancient system of health from India, is ripe with wisdom for all stages and times of life, including how to cool off in summer heat. If you've been struggling with symptoms of inflammation this summer, have been irritable, short-tempered, or impatient,...
Why You Should Consider a Holistic Approach to Healthcare
Holistic health care is a growing trend in the medical community, and it's becoming increasingly popular. The term "holistic" refers to an approach to health care in which the practitioner considers the whole person and their surroundings. For example, if you have a...
Mindfulness and Meditation Techniques for Reducing Stress and Anxiety.
In today’s fast-paced and stressful world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the pressures of everyday life. Stress and anxiety can take a toll on our physical and mental health, leading to a host of problems such as headaches, insomnia, high blood pressure, and even...
Recent Comments