| When approached as a dialogue with your feminine soul, discomforts and symptoms in the genitals and the cycle flow can be an opportunity to experience your most significant relationship: self-flowering, self-healing. Rather than run to the nearest drugstore or health practitioner for minor and/or transient issues, women have self-healing options that often can be traced back many centuries and even millenia. Applying self-soothing measures and tenderly asking yourself "what's the matter?", listening to what comes up over hours or days, can often be just what the deepest tissues in your body require to restore equilibrium. (Like anything else, if you do not experience a significant shift in the first 12-24 hours you may wish to consult a physician of some kind). Good hygiene, as in proper hand-washing of your own and lover's hands before genital contact goes a long way in protecting the balance of the internal tissues. (The majority of women who died in and after hospital childbirth from puerperal fever during early Western obstetrics did so because obstetricians did not start routinely washing their hands until at least the 1850s, and so infections were rapidly circulated in the huge maternity wards of large cities. In some periods of history, particularly the "Dark Ages", there were even midwives who did not use proper hygiene). Below is a sample of the most basic remedies for healing & harmony throughout the cycle, many of which have been practiced on this earth for a long time. Much of this information, and more, can be found in such classics as Hygieia: A Woman's Herbal and Our Bodies, Ourselves. Also pertinent for your daughters, nieces, and grand-daughters. NOTE: Due to hormones in the water supply and factory-farmed foods, many girls in American culture are having menarche (first period and sprouting breasts) as young as 9. The biological health age for menarche in the ancient, earth-based cultures of the world is 16-18... a few added years for childishness, continual play, and freedom from the hormonal effects upon gender relations and communication in general. Things are indeed changing - and womb ecology reflects world ecology. Keeping this in mind, it is worth remembering that the modern crisis of menses is also an opportunity for the body to detoxify and release what doesn't serve it. Though most of the earth's women up until recently had few periods (they were pregnant or nursing-on-demand most of their adult lives )they also had a different world ecology. Our bodies are coping with so many historically unprecedented environmental & emotional-mental toxins, that natural menses can actually be a boon for self-healing and rebalancing, provided that good self-care is part of the picture. Without good self-care, modern natural menses can indeed be depleting. However, the "solution" currently marketed in pharmaceuticals advertisements in women's magazines and on the television - a new hormonal birth control pill to further suppress the cycle and create spotting (not a real menses, and there is no fertile time) every four months is misrepresented and involves the usual misinformation to women, at great profit to pharmaceutical companies, When AUNT FLO comes to town, it's time to wear some red, have fresh cut roses or lilies around your house, unplug the phone, sip tea, and stay put at home the first, or second, day if you can - in sweet retreat. THE MENSTRUAL RETREAT: BE WELL HYDRATED & EAT HEALTHY As in Labor & Birth, the likelihood of increasing your discomfort and pain is multiplied if you get even a little dehydrated, and if you are sedentary for any significant time. Proper hydration is primarily in the form of room temperature filtered or spring water, supplemented by herbal teas and raw juices. Combined with the typical demands of having to perform at a job or with other responsibilities you can't get out of - the stress hormone, adrenaline, can start circulating and affect your catecholamine levels, resulting in a lower pain threshold and a greater embodiment of all distresses. The need for self-care retreat and restoration is especially important the first heavy day or two, and if not attended to will create feelings of physical & emotional depletion as you continue into your new cycle. In many ancient cultures, menstruating women were not expected to do anything but bleed in private retreat, served nourishing food and drink by the older women. MENSTRUAL APPAREL: Avoid the chemical additives, bleaching agents (dioxin), and pesticide residues in conventional commercial (nonbiodegradeable) pads and tampons. Your family jewels deserve the best: look for organic cotton disposable items at your local natural grocer's. Better yet, reclaim the pleasures of flowing by investing in a half-dozen cotton flannel reusable pads to use at least half the time (nightsize ones are also available). Nothing feels better against tender skin. Be wary of pads made from synthetic fibers which breed bacteria. EMOTIONAL PROCESSING: As the menstruating womb's lining is made up of three receptive "layers," with the top layer being shed each month, like a veil... the second layer is developing towards being suitable for implantation in two weeks, and the third layer is actually interwoven in the myometrium , the muscle tissue. On a physical cellular level it take 3 cycless to release all womb-associations to certain habits as well as imprints from a past lover and start a lining fresh from recent past associations. Honoring this can bring new meaning to menses. FOOT BATHS do wonders. Sitting in a chair and soaking your feet in a deep basin of HOT water causes a huge circulation shift to occur, and will quickly soothe cramps (as well as headache and colds). It helps to have a kettle of extra boiled water nearby to top up the basin's heat. Soak for 10-20 minutes, then pat feet dry and put on socks. If you have a partner handy, serious FOOT MASSAGE is sweet - in as much of an upright position as possible, try a chair and footrest. GINGER TEA stimulates a sluggish digestion and moves your circulation. Best made from fresh Ginger slices simmered for 10 minutes - or you can also use quality teabags, steeped for 10 minutes in your teapot. Remember, this is a medicinal tea, much stronger than a beverage tea. Two cups a day works wonders. PARSLEY is potent. A sprig of washed Parsley actually placed in the vagina will speedily relieve cramps. If the Parsley is from your own garden, all the better! If you eat a lot of Parsley the day before and/or the first day of your period, you will definitely notice a heavier flow so you might want to avoid tabouli on those days... HOT WATER SIPPING - The Ayurvedic-yogini secret for nurturing the fire in your belly is also a powerful support for the "apana-vayu," the downward energy of menstruation. Every half hour to an hour, sip a few sips to a cup of plain hot water (heated by a dispenser or kettle, not from the hot water tap). One of the easiest remedies to do at an office job! YOGA, EXERCISE: Gentle movement of the pelvis and pelvic girdle muscles help move congestion. Though you may be tempted to hold an immobile pity party on the couch, Rock Pose, Half-Lotus Pose, and Cat/Cow (on hands-knees) are very beneficial for downward flow and can even be done on a bed. If in an office chair, keeping one foot up in a half cross-legged position, and one foot on the floor, switching them regularly, will help energize your lower back. You can also dance it out, from your belly, if you can create the privacy! Focusing your premenstrual time with the specific and powerful balancing poses of Pidgeon Pose, Camel Pose, and Half-Lotus (all of which work the lower back and align the womb/ovaries) smoothes out the menses experience and creates little need for much of the above remedies. And things about other times of the Month: Fertility & Sexuality Midcyle Bleeding: Light spotting during the fertile time in the natural cycle is actually quite common, which contributes to the high inaccuracy rate of cervical culture tests (pap smears). Heavy spotting should point you in the direction of a hormone-balancing lifestyle changes. Such a course would include daily personal yoga/tai chi/chi gong/pilates practice, elimination of non-fermented soy products and non-freerange meats & dairy, elimination of tap water & filtered tap water (recycled urban water supplies have large amounts of estrogen in them, and hormones are not filterable) and reducing your egg intake if you are a heavy egg eater. Cigarette smoking causes cervical changes and can contribute to bleeding, worth stopping. "Abnormal Uterine Bleeding" is a medical term that simply describes spotting outside of the menstrual time (though most women have midcycle bleeding at least some of the time) and is not a diagnosis of disease, though it can serve as a tool for attuning to the womb. Cycle-balancing herbs can be helpful allies too. See Hygieia Secretions: It's important to know the cervical mucus pattern of the natural cycle. A significant portion of gynecological office visits by young women is because of undue concern and ignorance of the natural, healthy, fertile mucus. A certain portion of ignorant gynecologists then go on to misdiagnose infection and prescribe unnecessary medicines. Cervical mucus changes its form during the cycle from slippery egg-white clear to tacky & cream colored and it may have the slightest sweet or salty smell during sexual arousal. Did you know that fertile mucus has a chrystalization pattern (seen under microscope) that looks like lush ferns? The ferning effect actually helps wave sperm deeper into the warm womb sea. Discharge that is not cycle-related has distinct qualities: it is odorous (yeasty or fishy), it is curdled (like cottage cheese) or frothy (like soda cream?) or yellowish or greenish, see below. Learning through experience, a woman should eventually be able to prevent full-blown infections from ever occurring, by avoiding infection in the first place, and by heeding early signs & symptoms of imbalance with good self-care. Orgasm: Encouraging your partner to focus on your breasts more than your clitoris naturally arouses full body heart-womb orgasmic consciousness upon intercourse, as well as greatly reduces premenstrual breast discomforts in the monthly cycle. See Tantric Orgasm for Women. During the first few days of menses, the downward flow, when blessed with self-care and reasonable retreat, can be a pleasurable, even erotic, sort of private awareness. Full body orgasmic states can smoothe the premenstrual shift, and be a celebration when menses is passed. The roots of this word in Greek mean "swelling" - and the relaxation effect (22 times the strength of an average tranquilizer, and much more pleasurable) of a full-body orgasm makes women feel SWELL. The energetic channel to full body orgasm is begun in the breasts, where in yogic anatomy women have a 2nd halo or arcline between the nipples, radiating out from within each breast. Holding that awareness and honoring the breasts by flowing your love from them and receiving your lover's undivided attention to them for significant periods of time, expands the sensation of orgasm far before and beyond its mere 10 seconds of peak climax. PMS: How one defines this term is relevant. For those inclined to good self-care and self-healing, there is the option to frame the monthly shift of consciousness as a "PreMenstrual Surge" which corellates nicely later to the "Power Surges" of menopause aka "hot flashes." The presence of a "Syndrome" of oppressive & aggressive symptoms generally indicates that our monthly rhythm of menstruation and hormone production is not properly aligned. Be rebalancing the daily rhythm of our lives through a good routine and harmonious relationships, the monthly rhythm of the menstrual cycle can become stabilized, fully alleviating PMS dramas for some of us. Cervicitis & Vaginitis: The cervix is the throat of the womb-heart, the vulva the lips, the vagina the mouth. Just like with your other throat, often the earliest signs of an immune system imbalance creates subtle feelings in the throat. Inflamed-feeling, itchy, or raw feeling in the vagina or close by on the cervix - if not well-attended to will lead to discharge (note - a subtle cervical scraping feeling can be a very early indication of the advent of a herpes simplex outbreak for those who have herpes). Discharge not attended to can lead to an infection/inflammation of the womb, which is a very serious situation. Ancient remedies for these imbalances are straightforward and simple - however, they must be incorporated early on in the symptoms, and for some non-allergic scenarios like STDs a systemic antibiotic (anti-bacterial) is necessary. For millenia, the antibiotic of a raw, unpeeled ORGANIC Garlic clove in the vagina has been used by women to stop infection in its tracks, very helpful for itchiness or fishiness and a host of bacteria. The large size cloves are replaced every 10-12 hours for anywhere from 24-72 hours. Garlic is so strong that most situations are resolved in 24 hours. Removing the clove involves standing with one foot up on something and gently nudging the clove out with a clean finger and some bearing down. Cloves can also be wrapped/tied in sterile gauze to create a stringed tampon of sorts. A little raw, minced Garlic eaten with your meals or kyolic Garlic capsules are very helpful through the duration for the overall immune system yet may be too strong for sensitive constitutions, in which case reknowned immunity-enhancing herbal tinctures such as Reishi/Astragalus may be your preference. Also the pro-biotic approach (introducing zillions of "good bacteria") to address imbalance has been done with live culture raw yogurt. For yeasty infection with a white curdy discharge, or its precursor, a thick white discharge - or non-itchy but extreme tenderness from marathon sex, live yogurt is cooling and soothing and can prevent further infection. You can use an applicator, or spoon in a couple of spoonfuls while on your back with knees bent and feet up in privacy. Same timing, once every 10-12 hours for 24-48 hours. As sexual abstinence during imbalance is essential, you don't have to worry too much about your goat-sweet or garlic-spicy smell. If you are worried, eat a teaspoon of raw Fennel seeds a couple times a day to sweeten your scent. For post-coital tenderness, allergic reaction to fabric detergent, or soap residue irritation, Aloe Vera gel applied with clean hands, is very soothing. The Cycle, Fertile Windows, & The Schedule: Keeping track of Aunt Flo's arrivals and departures in your day calendar gives you data you can use when making scheduling plans - helping your plan for some retreat time. Knowing your Natal Lunar AND Biological Fertile times can greatly enhance creativity, self-promotion, easy travel, and personal evolution as well as explain the deep, organic desire for seminal intercourse - so if you can't allow a baby in, be aware. Scent & Secretions: As discussed, secretions carry secret information about your vulva/womb ecology. Arousal secretions are additional to the normal cervical mucus and can be quite abundant in a well-hydrated and heart-womb connected sexual relation. Alcohol, besides being toxic in many digestive scenarios, is quite dehydrating and so the romantic bottle of wine, if drunk in a short period of time and/or after a dehydrated day, can wreak havoc on female secretions while it blurs intuitive clarity. Ingesting sweet herbs on a regular basis will sweeten your (and your man's) scent - Fennel seeds were part of the tantrika dietary practice for that reason! You can also try Cardamom, Rosewater in your drinking water throughout the day, and Vanilla Bean. Pineapple juice is also an excellent body aromatic. Secretion-wise, Condoms are actually problematic in and of themselves, though they provide a greater security of necessary protection in certain scenarios. Most women are in fact allergic to latex in the vagina, as well as the nonoxyenol-9 spermicide that some condoms contain. Lubricated condoms are insufficient for prolonged intercourse - as they heat up and dry out the vagina after a time. Aloe Vera gel, frequently applied is very helpful for the above circumstances. Believe it or not, organic raw egg white is an excellent natural lubricant, a fresh & beautiful little container can be brought bedside, and even sweetened with Rosewater. Also, small amounts (half-teaspoon) of high-quality, raw Honey can be carefully placed on the condomed phallus for application - Honey is moisturizing to tender tissues and is a natural antibiotic. Keep in mind that Honey can be used for other lovemaking delights, however if you want to conceive, remember that as an antibiotic,it has qualities that are not friendly to sperm. A good rule for natural lubrication is moon centers massage as the first act of lovemaking, which creates emotional connection as well as internal tissue engorgement and secretions... |
| Signs & Symptoms: Womb and Soul throughout the Monthly Cycle |
with again, no long term studies on the impacts upon the
glandular system.
Cramping during menses comes from various underlying causes
and conditions, and ranges from mild aching to moderate dragging
down cramps to severe, knife-like pangs! All of these are helpful
messages from the body about what needs to be addressed in the
bodymind's lifestyle. It's important to remember that menses
need not involve cramps! While addressing the root causes of
cramping and/or adhesions/endometriosis (sedentariness, diet,
womb misalignment, tampon sensitivity, and emotional issues)
there are remedies to soothe your soul.
glandular system.
Cramping during menses comes from various underlying causes
and conditions, and ranges from mild aching to moderate dragging
down cramps to severe, knife-like pangs! All of these are helpful
messages from the body about what needs to be addressed in the
bodymind's lifestyle. It's important to remember that menses
need not involve cramps! While addressing the root causes of
cramping and/or adhesions/endometriosis (sedentariness, diet,
womb misalignment, tampon sensitivity, and emotional issues)
there are remedies to soothe your soul.
HOT WATER BOTTLE - This once de rigeur item in every
household has lost its popularity, but is much preferable to the
electric heating pad for the sensitive womb area. Why disrupt
your delicate personal electromagnetic field in the lower
chakras when they need all the support they can get... Hot
water bottles will eventually burst after a few years of usage
with fresh boiled water, which is why it is important to only
use half boiled water and half hot tap water. If you don't have
a hot water bottle, a 7 pound purring house cat does the trick,
and better yet, your love partner's steady healing hand.
household has lost its popularity, but is much preferable to the
electric heating pad for the sensitive womb area. Why disrupt
your delicate personal electromagnetic field in the lower
chakras when they need all the support they can get... Hot
water bottles will eventually burst after a few years of usage
with fresh boiled water, which is why it is important to only
use half boiled water and half hot tap water. If you don't have
a hot water bottle, a 7 pound purring house cat does the trick,
and better yet, your love partner's steady healing hand.
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