Natural Ayurvedic Remedies for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

(by:  Dr. Shikha Sharma , Modified: January 30, 2015 ... http://food.ndtv.com/health/natural-ayurvedic-remedies-for-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-pcos-735300)

A large number of women all over the world suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). It's a condition that affects a woman's menstrual cycle, hormones and ovulation. This condition can manifest itself in many ways - cysts in the ovary that can be seen with an ultrasound, acne, hair fall, excessive hair growth on the body, discoloration and pigmentation of the skin. In some cases, it also causes infertility. Usually, PCOS can be detected through an ultrasound but sometimes the ultrasound does not show the cysts. This doesn't mean those women aren't suffering from PCOS. They might be experiencing other symptoms like thinning of the hair, acne, insulin imbalance and lowered fertility.

Any woman during her life may show some cysts in the ovary which resolve on their own. Only in a few cases do they become more persistent. According to Ayurveda, this condition was considered a menstrual problem that was caused due to an imbalance of the three doshas, the two important ones being Pitta (fire) and Kapha (water). And this problem was treated with natural remedies like detoxification, pacifying the pitta and improving fertility.

(Also see - How to lose weight according to Ayurveda)

Step 1

Pre-Detoxification treatment

In this step, the vitiated doshas are pacified with the help of Triphala churan. It has to be take every night for a month along with luke warm water before going to sleep. Food which creates imbalance in the pitta or kapha is removed from the diet. For example, all dairy products like milk, curd, butter, cheese and paneer increase kapha in the body and should be removed. All food items that may irritate the intestines or cause toxin build up like white bread, packaged foods and junk food are removed. Tea and coffee should be removed from the diet as they create a lot of toxic build up of pitta in the system.

Natural oils are used which provide the essential fatty acids without having inflammatory effects. For example, flaxseed oil, cold pressed olive oil, avocado oil or evening primrose oil. They can also be taken as supplements. Refined carbohydrates are removed from the diet and complex carbs like broken wheat dalia (taken with vegetable rather than milk) and barley dalia is taken in meals along with fresh fruits, freshly cooked green vegetables and salads. Meat, eggs and fish are avoided during the treatment.

(Also see - Less water intake may cause cystitis in women)

Step 2

Herbs to support the body are introduced:

1. Licorice - It's a good hormone balancer plus it also decreases inflammation of the ovaries.

2. Peony - In western natural medicine, this is combined with licorice to alleviate the menstrual irregularity and inflammation. It also balances the high serum testosterone (reason for acne).

3. Fennel seeds - Helps reduce high insulin resistance.

4. Aloe vera juice - It helps by detoxifying and calming the intestine so that further inflammatory substances are nor created in the intestine.

5. Guduchi - It helps the body as it acts as an inflammation reducing herb. It also helps decrease the inflammatory response of the body and boosts metabolism.

6. Shatavari herb is one of the most popular herbs prescribed to women to treat disorders as it balances the hormones .

7. Cinnamon is given to reduce the insulin imbalance. A decoction can also be taken.

8. Fenugreek seeds - One teaspoon every morning on empty stomach also reduces the insulin hypersensitivity.

Step 3

Detoxification

The body does not heal only with herbs if the problem is long standing or has a genetic predisposition. It needs proper detoxifying methodology. In Ayurveda, Panchkarma evolved as a specialized branch which deals in proper detoxification of the body. The detoxification methods use natural cleansing outlets of the human excretion system, which is Medicated loose motions ( removes excess pitta), medically supervised vomiting (vaman) and vasti (medicated enema). This is followed by a body massage by medicated oils followed by detoxification via sweating.

Step 4

After all these treatments, the problem is more or less resolved and the final stage includes giving tonics and rasayans to boost fertility.

(Also see - Treat asthma with Ayurveda)

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