We’ve been asking ourselves, why natural healing methods are so often overlooked. What do herbal medicine, Ayurveda, and everyday lifestyle habits really offer, and which remedies genuinely help?
The fluctuations of energy, mood, and hormones across the menstrual cycle affect daily life more than many realise. Although natural remedies have existed for centuries to support women through PMS, cramps, and hormonal imbalances, many still rely only on painkillers or ignore symptoms altogether.
Survey on natural medicine for the female cycle
We created a survey to find out what remedies women from different cultures use and how familiar they are with natural forms of support.
Participate at our survey here. (google.com)
Survey Results
The survey, based on eight responses, provides an initial insight into attitudes toward natural approaches to menstrual health. Familiarity with natural treatments varies, with some respondents actively using them while others remain uncertain or choose not to treat symptoms at all. Most participants expressed openness to combining natural and conventional medicine, indicating acceptance of integrative care. Trust in menstrual health advice is drawn from multiple sources, including medical professionals and personal research. The main barriers to using natural treatments appear to be limited knowledge and scepticism rather than rejection. Due to the small sample size, these findings should be considered exploratory.
More results can be found here (PDF).
Natural Menstrual Support Across Cultures: What Women Use and What Works
Across the world, women have long used natural remedies to ease menstrual discomfort, yet many of these practices are fading from daily life. In our survey, participants shared a wide range of approaches:
– herbal teas
– warm compresses
– dietary adjustments
– traditional post-partum herbs
– body-based practices like massage or yoga
Interestingly, the same symptoms, cramps, irritability, fatigue, bloating, often appear everywhere, but the solutions differ depending on culture, access, and family knowledge. This shows that the menstrual cycle is universal, while the ways we care for it are shaped by tradition and environment.
Why Natural Methods Are Still Underused
Even though many women have heard of herbal drinks, heat therapy, or lifestyle changes, these options are still not used much. Menstrual education often prioritises painkillers over root causes, natural remedies feel slow or uncertain, and many people don’t know which herbs are safe or how to use them correctly.
Culture also shapes choices. In some places, period pain is seen as “normal,” so women just endure it; in others, traditional methods are viewed as outdated or not scientific. As a result, many keep dealing with symptoms that could be eased with simple, supportive habits.
Ayurveda
Ayurvedic medicine, one of the world’s oldest holistic health systems originating in India, understands health as a state of individual balance unique to each person. Every woman has her own constitutional makeup, or Prakriti, which influences how her body, mind, and metabolism function. When this natural balance is disturbed through stress, improper diet, irregular routines, or lifestyle pressures it can manifest in different ways, including menstrual discomfort or cycle irregularities.
On a personal note, this approach resonates deeply with me, as I am currently studying Ayurvedic medicine. Working on this project alongside my training has allowed me to better understand how individualized care and traditional knowledge can offer meaningful support for women’s health in today’s world.
Interview on menstrual health through the lens of Ayurveda
Dr. Divya Chauhan in conversation with Jasmine.
Question 1: Many women experience PMS, painful periods, or irregular cycles. Which natural interventions in Ayurveda have the most evidence behind them?
Dr. Divya Chauhan:
As practicing Vaidya, we understand that menstrual health is not limited to the uterus—it reflects the quality of Rasa Dhatu and the proper functioning of Apana Vata. I often explain to my patients that the menstrual cycle is like a report card for their internal balance.
In my practice, I avoid one-size-fits-all solutions. Before prescribing anything, I perform Dashavidha Pariksha to understand both the patient’s constitution (Prakriti) and their present imbalance (Vikruti). Otherwise, we end up treating symptoms rather than addressing root causes.
Care During Menstruation: Rajaswala Paricharya
Herbal medicine alone is not enough if lifestyle contradicts the body’s natural rhythms. During menstruation, digestive fire (Agni) is naturally weaker, while Apana Vata is at its peak downward movement. If a woman continues high-intensity workouts or consumes heavy and stimulating foods during this time, it aggravates Vata.
This disturbance can lead to blockage (Srotorodha) and formation of toxins (Ama), eventually affecting reproductive channels. Therefore, I advise light, easily digestible food (Laghvahara) and reduced physical strain during menstruation to support natural cleansing and protect digestion.
Herbal Interventions for Different Patterns
When herbal treatment is required, it is always selected with a specific therapeutic intention.
For dry or irregular cycles, I often prescribe Shatavari. It acts as a Rasayana, nourishing Rasa Dhatu and helping rebuild the system, thereby improving menstrual quality.
For painful or congested cycles, Ashoka remains my gold standard. It supports ovarian function, reduces pain, and is especially useful in cases of heavy bleeding due to its astringent action.
For acute Vata-type menstrual pain, particularly when cramping is intense, Dashamoola helps stabilize disturbed Apana Vata effectively.
Each treatment is individualized; the goal is not simply symptom relief but restoration of systemic balance.
The Mind–Body Connection
We must also address the mental channels (Manovaha Srotas). PMS is not merely hormonal; it reflects an overflow of Raja and Tama gunas, creating emotional turbulence. Treatment focuses on restoring Sattva, or mental clarity and calmness. When the mind stabilizes, hormonal and tissue equilibrium (Dhatu Samya) can follow. Ultimately, when digestion is strong and bodily channels are clear, the menstrual cycle naturally finds balance.
Question 2: How do lifestyle factors such as sleep, stress, and digestion interact with the menstrual cycle from a natural medicine perspective?
Dr. Divya Chauhan:
In Ayurveda, menstruation is never viewed as an isolated event. It reflects a woman’s digestion, sleep, and emotional state.
Everything begins with Agni, the metabolic fire. Classical Ayurvedic texts teach that disease originates from weak digestion. When digestion becomes sluggish (Agni-mandya), toxins (Ama) form instead of healthy nourishment (Rasa Dhatu). Since menstrual fluid (Artava) is derived from Rasa, toxic accumulation eventually obstructs reproductive channels (Artava-vaha Srotas). Interestingly, modern research shows that women with irregular cycles often consume higher amounts of sugary foods and refined carbohydrates, which aligns with Ayurveda’s concept of channel blockage.
The Role of Sleep
Sleep (Nidra) is one of the three pillars of health in Ayurveda. It stabilizes both mental and hormonal systems. In clinical practice, I frequently observe that women sleeping fewer than seven hours are more likely to experience menstrual irregularities. Classical texts also emphasize that strength, nourishment, and well-being depend heavily on proper sleep.
Stress and Emotional Health
Stress disrupts mental channels (Manovaha Srotas) and increases Raja and Tama gunas, disturbing the downward flow of Apana Vata. This disturbance often manifests as PMS or irregular cycles. To manage this, I apply Sattvavajaya Chikitsa—therapeutic approaches aimed at restoring mental balance—along with calming herbs such as Brahmi.
Exercise and Balance
Regular physical activity improves insulin sensitivity and supports menstrual regularity. However, Ayurveda cautions against heavy exertion during menstruation itself. Overexertion during this time can reverse Apana Vata’s natural downward movement, leading to painful menstruation. The guiding principle is balance, consistent activity combined with appropriate rest.
Final Thought
My goal as a physician is to align digestion, sleep, mental wellbeing, and lifestyle so that the body’s natural intelligence can function smoothly. When digestion is strong and bodily channels remain clear, menstrual health improves naturally.
Jamu – Indonesia
Jamu is a traditional Indonesian natural medicine practice that uses plant-based ingredients such as roots, spices, and medicinal herbs to support the body’s balance and healing processes. In women’s health, certain Jamu preparations are traditionally used to help regulate the menstrual cycle, ease cramps and fatigue, and support recovery and hormonal balance before and after menstruation. Passed down through generations, Jamu remains an important part of everyday natural health care for many women in Indonesia today.
Kunyit Asam (turmeric–tamarind drink) shows a simple herbal drink, that can warm the body and help ease menstrual pain and nausea.
Kiranti is a option of a commercial brand of Jamu commonly used in Indonesia for the menstrual cycle, reflecting a tradition passed down from grandmothers to mothers and daughters. Many women trust it because its ingredients come from herbal blends used for generations. An elderly Jamu seller I interviewed, shared how similar mixes were relied on in her time. Kiranti helps ease menstrual discomfort, reduce odor, and regulate the cycle—and it’s easily found in almost any grocery store or pharmacy across Indonesia.
Naturopathy
Naturopathy in Switzerland is a complementary medical approach that works alongside conventional healthcare and focuses on supporting the body’s natural regulation through nutrition, lifestyle changes, plant-based remedies, and preventive care.
Compared with traditional systems such as Ayurveda or Indonesia’s Jamu, which are rooted in long-standing cultural healing traditions, Swiss naturopathy tends to focus more on practical, modern lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, sleep, and nutrient balance. In women’s health, this approach helps address menstrual discomfort and hormonal imbalance by supporting overall wellbeing rather than treating symptoms alone.
Conclusion – What Herbal Medicine, Ayurveda, and Lifestyle Medicine can offer
Based on our interviews, natural approaches seem to work best when they support both the symptoms and the body’s deeper balance. The mothers we spoke with, who are familiar with natural medicine and have sold jamu, described using herbs not just for quick relief but for long-term cycle support. They mentioned ingredients like ginger and turmeric to help reduce cramps and inflammation, and calming teas such as chamomile or peppermint for bloating, headaches, and emotional tension. They also emphasised that, what works depends on the person’s body and daily condition, which connects with the Ayurvedic idea of looking at digestion, stress, sleep, and body-temperature patterns. Several interviewees highlighted simple habits too, like eating warm meals during menstruation, moving gently, and choosing herbs according to individual needs.
Whether through Ayurveda, Indonesian Jamu traditions, or everyday herbal and lifestyle practices, one message appears across cultures: menstrual health reflects overall wellbeing. While remedies differ from place to place, the intention remains the same: to support the body rather than ignore its signals. As conversations around women’s health become more open, rediscovering and responsibly integrating traditional knowledge with modern care may help more women move from simply enduring their cycle to understanding and supporting it.
Our Reflection
Working on this project as a group allowed us to combine different perspectives and experiences while exploring how menstrual health is supported across cultures. Gathering information through surveys, interviews, and conversations with practitioners and traditional healers showed us how much knowledge still lives in everyday communities and personal stories, not only in books or medical sources.
Collaborating also meant learning from each other’s strengths—whether organising interviews, researching sources, or connecting with people willing to share their experiences. Collecting information sometimes required patience and flexibility, especially when working across languages and cultural contexts, but it also made the process more meaningful.
Overall, the project showed us how valuable teamwork and open dialogue are when exploring health topics, and how sharing knowledge can help make conversations about menstrual health more accessible and less taboo.
List of team members
Revia Imdi Rachmadany
Shafina
Jasmine Sonja
(Reviewed by Jael – THE ! ambassador)
Sources
Very Well Health, (verywellhealth.com)
ChatGPT (chatgpt.com) and Perplexity AI (perplexity.ai) as support for grammar
Canva (canva.com)
On-topic posts on dontwastemy.energy
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