"I am afraid to leave my house during my periods. I carry a change of clothes everywhere."

Menorrhagia (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding) is a silent epidemic. Women suffer through it, told it's "part of being a woman." It is not. Passing large clots, bleeding for more than 7 days, or getting your period every 15-20 days is a sign of severe physiological imbalance. In Ayurveda, we call this Asrigdara (excessive discharge of blood) or Raktapradara.

It is not just about the bleeding. It is about the loss of Ojas (vitality). Women with heavy bleeding often suffer from hair loss, extreme fatigue, dark circles, and irritability. The goal of Ayurveda is not just to "plug the leak" but to cool the internal heat that is causing the leak in the first place.

The Ayurvedic Cause: The "Milk Pot" Analogy

Understanding the root cause is half the battle. In Ayurveda, blood (Rakta) and Pitta dosha (Fire/Heat) are "Ashraya-Ashrayi" (inseparable friends). When Pitta increases in the body, the blood "boils over."

Ayurvedic Management: Stambhana & Sheetala

The treatment principle is twofold:

1. Stambhana: To stop or block the flow (Astringent therapy).
2. Sheetala Upachara: To cool the blood and reduce Pitta.

1. The Hero Herb: Ashoka

Saraca Asoca is the best friend of a woman's uterus. The tree is legendary in Indian culture (Sita sat under an Ashoka tree in Lanka). The name literally means "Remover of Sorrow."

2. Lodhra (The Absorbent)

Lodhra bark (Symplocos racemosa) is famous for its absorbing properties (Grahi). It absorbs excess moisture and stops secretions. It is used in heavy bleeding and also white discharge. It acts like a natural plug for the open channels.

3. Durva Grass (The Instant Coolant)

The simple Durva grass (scutch grass), often offered to Lord Ganesha, is a powerful haemostatic. It is highly cooling (Sheeta Virya).
Usage: Taking 20ml of fresh Durva juice gives an instant cooling effect and can stop acute bleeding within hours.

Immediate Home Remedies (Kitchen Clinic)

Diet: The Pitta Pacifying Plate

If you keep eating spicy food, no medicine will work because you are constantly fueling the fire.

Clinical Insight: A Clinical Case Study

FAQs on Heavy Bleeding

Final Words

Prevention: Stop Heavy Bleeding Before It Starts

Prevention is always easier than treatment. If you have a tendency toward heavy periods, follow these lifestyle modifications:

• Track Your Cycle: Know your pattern. If you notice flow increasing month-over-month, intervene early with Ashoka tea (7 days before expected period).
• Avoid Ice: No cold water, ice cream, or refrigerated foods, especially during the luteal phase (2 weeks before period). Cold aggravates Kapha and Vata, leading to clots and prolonged bleeding.
• Manage Stress Daily: Cortisol dysregulates estrogen. Practice 10 minutes of Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing) daily to balance hormones naturally.
• Sleep by 10 PM: Hormone synthesis happens during deep sleep. Late nights disrupt the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis, worsening bleeding patterns.

When to See a Doctor Immediately

While Ayurveda can manage most cases of heavy bleeding, certain situations require urgent medical attention:

Types of Menorrhagia: Pitta vs. Vata Heavy Bleeding

Not all heavy bleeding has the same root cause. The treatment changes based on the Dosha involved.

The "Stop Bleeding Now" Diet Protocol

What you eat during your period can either worsen or control the flow. Follow this strictly during bleeding days:

Herbal Protocol: The Trinity

These three herbs form the backbone of Ayurvedic treatment for Menorrhagia. They should be taken under professional guidance.

• Ashoka (Saraca asoca): The "Friend of Women." It tones the uterine muscles, reducing spasms and excessive shedding. Dosage: 3-6g powder with water twice daily.
• Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa): The "Astringent." It constricts blood vessels and stops excess flow. Often combined with Ashoka for synergistic effect.
• Praval Pishti (Coral Calcium): The "Cooler." Made from purified coral, it rapidly cools the blood (Pitta) and stops bleeding. Especially effective for bright red, hot blood.

Yoga for Heavy Bleeding: What to Do & Avoid

Exercise during periods is controversial. Here's the Ayurvedic stance:

Iron Deficiency: The Silent Consequence

Chronic heavy bleeding leads to Anemia (Pandu Roga in Ayurveda). Symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, brittle nails, and hair loss.
Ayurvedic Iron Sources:

• Punarnava Mandoor: An herbo-mineral iron supplement that doesn't cause constipation (unlike modern iron pills).
• Loha Bhasma: Purified iron ash. Rapidly increases hemoglobin.
• Dietary Iron: Beetroot juice, Moringa leaves, Black raisins soaked overnight, Jaggery (instead of refined sugar).

Success Stories: From Flooding to Flow

Scientific Backing

1. Ashoka Bark: Studies show that Ashoka bark extract has significant anti-estrogenic activity and reduces endometrial thickness, thereby controlling heavy menstrual bleeding.
2. Lodhra: Research confirms its astringent properties help in vasoconstriction (narrowing blood vessels), reducing blood loss during menstruation.

Every drop of blood is life energy (Prana). Do not ignore heavy bleeding. It drains your vitality and ages you prematurely. By cooling the Pitta and strengthening the uterus with Ashoka, you can have a peaceful, pain-free cycle.

Restore your vitality,

Dr. Arti Singh, BAMS