Ayurvedic Post Natal Mother Care Based On Season And Place
Ayurveda has explained in detail about post natal care of mother. Seasons and place – both have their effect on mental and physical health. Keeping this in mind, Ayurveda has explained in little variations in post natal mother care.
Table of Contents
Ayurvedic post natal care
In the last article, we learnt about basics of Ayurvedic post natal care here.
In General following diet for the mother in the first week.
1. Rice gruel mixed with a pinch of ginger and pepper.
2. Horsegram soup added with a spoon of ghee and a pinch of salt.
3. Ash gourd, and radish – fried in ghee.
4. Meat soup – Those accustomed to non veg, can have meat soup.
In Rural India and in folklore Ayurveda practice, they make a laddu out of dry fruits, called Gondh Ki Laddu or Edible Gum Laddu.
It is administered from 2nd week till 3 – 4 months to improve strength and immunity of the nursing mother.
Post natal care based on season and place
Post-natal care during cold seasons
During winter or rainy season – in cold, moist place –
- Because of coldness, Vata and Kapha will be high. Due to this, digestion power will be low. Hence, ghee is best avoided for the initial 3 days.
- Instead, 2 ounce of rice is added with 12 ounce of water and boiled. The scum of this water is added with a pinch of ginger and pepper. This drink is given to the mother.
- Once after digestion power is improved, ghee processed with pepper and such other spices are given.
- Ears should be kept closed
- Warm and soothing clothes are preferred.
- Diet and activities with hot qualities are preferred.
- Direct wind exposure is best avoided.
Post-natal care during hot seasons
During summer and / or in dry places with high temperature.
- In such places and season Pitta and Vata is high. Hence ghee processed with long pepper etc are administered freely.
- Oil massage with Balaswagandhadi taila / Ksheerabala taila followed by hot water bath is given extra significance.
5 comments on “Ayurvedic Post Natal Mother Care Based On Season And Place”
Alison
Good evening Dr.Hebbar,
Thank you for your wonderful information on post natal care. I was in India this passed summer and learned about ayurvedic treatments in post natal care.
The challange will be in educating the public and being able to offer a program that familes can implement easily, here in canada.Currently it is winter and quite cold.I am working on putting a program together that is suited to this climate and exploring local herbs that have common properties as ones used in vettu vellum, as well as for kurrukku and char.
I will keep you posted as I slowly move into my vision to help support women in preventing postpartum depression.
Here, in North American, we really are going about pregnancies and deliveries in the wrong way. It is believed that 15% of women experience postpartum depression and most do not talk about it. I had postpartum depression for 2 years before I went for help…and of course, at that time, I knew nothing about ayurveda and so took antidepressants for another two years. I remember explaining to my Dr., for three weeks following the delivery, that I felt like I was experiencing electrical shocks or mini convulsions.
Of course, I now know what that is but was completely disregarded and no one was interested in helping me. So, with an open heart,I will try to help those who experience the same, through education and support.
Once again, thank you for taking into consideration, the differences in climates when addressing post natal care.
Blessings,
Alison
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Dear Ms Allison,
Amazed to learn your interest in Ayurveda 🙂
Many thanks for your valuable inputs. In fact the total post natal care explained in Ayurveda takes both mental and physical health into consideration. ‘Vata’ has its effect both on body and mind. For example, Depression suggests towards depleted Vata activity. So, using herbs like Dashamoola etc, oil massage helps both body and mind to become robust.
Ayurvedic treatment added with little care, love and support from fellow family members will definitely help the mother to stay away from depression.
It is also noteworthy that, if the mother is falling into post partum depression, the line of treatment would slightly change in Ayurveda, to include herbs that support mental health.
Nice to hear from you. 🙂
M?
Nice article
Sylvia Surfer
Wondering why hot water bath is recommended in hot climate with high Pitta and Vata? Thank you
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, the new mother will be very susceptible to cold, cough attacks, irrespective of weather and Prakruti (Body type)
Usually the new mother is given oil massage, as explained in the article.
Hot water bath is very useful even to get rid of the massaged oil.