I remember when I was pregnant with my first child, my body changed so fast I couldn’t believe it! I just felt bloated all the time…then the weight gain! Food cravings came next, “why was I craving Mexican food?” Ironically, my now adult son absolutely loves Mexican food so who knows?

Gradually, as my body changed I embraced these and other changes—like the constant sound blood pounding in my ears!

My OB/GYN assured me this was a normal part of pregnancy. I realized this was just all part of my incredible journey into motherhood. In addition, knowing I was eating healthy, exercising and doing all the right things gave me a definite sense of peace.

At the time, I wasn’t following Ayurveda, but I was trying hard to have as natural a pregnancy as I could—with certain limitations of course! I was aware of the connection between Western medicine and the holistic world, which helped me trust in my OB/GYN.

Fast forward to today and, while I was not familiar with Ayurveda then, it is clear that it has played a huge role in guiding me through my own pregnancy. Meditation, stretching and breathing were all encouraged by my doctor.

What is Ayurveda?

Literally translated Ayurveda, means the science of life.Ayurveda is a traditional healing system that originated in India, about 5,000 years ago. It is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems. Western medicine borrows many of its remedies and treatments from Ayurveda. 

Here are some ayurvedic tips to help you cope.

Doshas and pregnancy

Your dosha is your dominant mind/body constitution. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. While all three are present in everyone, we all have a dominant dosha from birth.

Vata dosha means movement, and pregnancy is rapidly changing and moving. As such, pregnancy so embodies this dosha. Pregnancy is associated with high vata directed towards the baby. 

Some ways to balance vata are to eat a diet focusing on sweet, sour, and salty rasas (tastes). Incorporate yoga into your day to promote a calm state of mind, and to balance the apana vayu (downward and outward flow of energy). Avoid activities that include sudden movements—like jumping and lifting heavy objects during pregnancy. 

Focus on grounding, positive activities like meditation and self massage. This should be a time of nurturance and calmness. Avoid stress as much as possible. 

Other habits to indulge in include sitting in silence (put those cell phones and computers away), oil massage,  and nurturing your senses. Put yourself in a warm, relaxing bath, add essential oils and afterwards give yourself an oil massage—focusing on areas of tenderness or areas that demand more TLC.

Yoga can be not only relaxing to the body but relaxing to the mind. According to Nina Spears of baby-chick.com, these are some yoga poses that encourage pelvic and hip-opening; butterfly pose, squats, hip flexor stretch, pigeon and seated straddle. 

Sleep and pregnancy

Can you sleep too much when you are pregnant? Well, that depends on the quality of sleep you are getting.  Are you getting up several times during the night, or having disturbed sleep? The recommendation for pregnant woman is to get 7-9 hours of sleep. That said, your body needs the rest so listen to your body!

During the first trimester, rising progesterone levels and increased blood volume are the cause of feeling so sleepy. In the third trimester, extra baby weight, as well as the emotional anxiety of labor, and the stress of parenthood can also contribute. Functioning without adequate sleep can lead to many things, including your ability to focus, think clearly and of course your emotional well-being. Check out healthline.com for more information.

Eating and pregnancy

You may be breezing through the first trimester. Or, you may be constantly nauseous, fatigued and craving weird (or maybe wonderful) foods. Or, you may be wondering what food choices are best for you and baby. Just remember: what the mother eats, drinks, feels and does affects her little one’s life for many years to come. 

Your agni, or digestive fire, is in a weakened state during pregnancy and many changes are occurring both physically and psychologically. It is important to eat Sattvic, simple foods, with the focus on nourishment for both mom and baby.  

Some pregnancy superfoods are grounding and deliver prana or cosmic life force. These include organic dairy, nuts, whole grains, beans, fruit and fresh cooked vegetables. 

During pregnancy and postpartum, Vata dosha is off balance because of all the changes that have occurred. Avoid spicy foods while maintaining regular and consistent eating times. Avoid leftovers…aim for fresh food as much as possible. Limit raw or cold foods, and try not to over or under eat. 

Kiera Nachman of Motherly says, “incorporating fats and oils into your diet, as well eating sattvic foods are beneficial.” Try nourishing the mind and body through oil massage. This increases the qualities of purity and clarity in your mind.” (ref: https://www.mother.ly/lifestyle/ayurveda-for-pregnancy) 

Eating disorders during pregnancy are more common than previously thought, according to pubmed, Understanding eating disorders and using screening tools should be incorporated into antenatal care for the best possible outcome. While most babies are born without complications, the risks of women with anorexia or bulimia can be higher incidences of c- sections and post-partum depression. 

If you think you have an eating disorder, and are concerned about your pregnancy here are some resources to check out. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/pregnancy-and-eating-disorders

Just remember that no matter what you are going through with your pregnancy, Ayurveda has solutions. What do you expect from more than 5,000 years of holistic practice?

Namaste!

As a clinical practitioner of Ayurveda, with a background in clinical nursing, Emily has dedicated her life to bringing together Eastern and Western medicine. To do so, she has split her time between her center in New Mexico and India. But that was before the pandemic.

Having to close her center due to COVID, Emily decided to start Yoga Health Coaching and pivot online. She has been on the fast track of YHC, transitioning her business to the new model.

Listen to the podcast to learn more about the support Emily has found in the YHC community, how she is organizing her business and learning how to sell high end tickets.

What you’ll get out of tuning in:

• How to pivot your existing wellness business
• How to sell a high end coaching ticket
• How to brainstorm your course bonuses

Links Mentioned in Episode:

• Find out more about the Lead the Journey Course
• Check the Find the Money Course
• Watch the Masterclass

Show Highlights:

• Bring East and West together
• Organizing your mind with the Lead the Journey Course
• Helping your members make lasting changes

Timestamps:

• 2:55 Splitting time between New Mexico and India
• 11:49 The dynamic energy of having a community
• 17:51 Implementing YHC in an existing business
• 26:53 Vata overload and overwhelm as a Coach

Guest Bio:

Emily is the founder of Agni Ayurveda, in Santa Fe, NM. She is a clinical practitioner of Ayurveda specializing in Panchakarma cleansing, and a wisdom keeper of Vedic Astrology. Emily was trained by mystical doctors and healing masters who guided her to fine tune her capacity to perceive the many levels of reality that make up our human experience. With a background in clinical nursing, Emily is continually engaged in the process of learning and personal development. Her whole-being enrichment approach to healing bridges the East-West paradigm. She teaches and lectures internationally and currently resides part of the year in Vaidyagrama Ayurveda Healing Village, in Coimbatore, India.

An Ancient Oil Made Modern

Castor Oil’s hand-shaped leaves and reputation for healing have given this ancient oil the nickname “Palm of Christ.” Cultures all over the world have used the oil- derived from the seed of the plant- for everything from skincare in the cosmetic industry to digestive care as a laxative. Edgar Cayce popularized the use of castor oil in the 1940’s and 50’s, especially in the form of castor oil packs. Today, many healthcare practitioners are rediscovering the benefits of using real, therapeutic quality castor oil in ayurveda practice and for holistic medicine. It is truly one of the earth’s most versatile healing gifts – both inexpensive and easy to use.

How it Works

Through the lens of Ayurveda and pharmacology, castor oil has a variety of ways that it helps heal. The chemical compounds in castor oil and its Ayurvedic qualities give it the following properties and effects:

Botanical Name: Ricinus Communis

Sanskrit Name: Eranda Tailam

Part Used: Seed

Rasa: Sweet, Pungent, Astringent

Virya: Cooling (externally), Heating (internally)

Vipaka: Sweet

Consistency: Thick, Sticky, Gooey

Color: Clear or amber

Key Actions of Castor Oil

Purgative, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, anti-rheumatic, laxative, immune stimulant, insecticidal, anti-viral, labor-inducing, anti-allergic, anti-parisitic, rejuvenative, anti-aging, germicidal, disinfectant, and analgesic are the remedial attributes of pure castor oil.

Pharmacological and Medicinal Use of Castor Oil

•      Cleanses the Colon
•      Removes Stagnation and Blockages in the GI tract
•      Stimulates Lymphatic Circulation
•      Relieves Constipation
•      Breaks up Scar Tissue
•      Reduces Inflammation in the Joints
•      Relieves Pain and Inflammation in the Muscles
•      Helps Grow Eyelashes
•      Moisturizes and Thickens Hair
•      Helps with Menstrual Cramps
•      Reduces Bloating & Stomach Cramps
•      Helps with Dry Itchy Eyes
•      Topical Treatment for Skin Infections/ Sunburn
•      Natural Beauty Remedies
•       Promotes Restful Sleep

The Top 5 Ways To Use Castor Oil for Home Care

Now that your curiosity is peaked- here are some of the ways I recommend castor oil be used at home.

1.  Home Detoxification to Decrease Ama

Castor oil is often an essential part of an Ayurvedic home cleanse due to its incomparable purgative properties. This powerful laxative is used specifically to cleanse out the colon, and to flush out excess toxins and Pitta (heat) from the body. It is recommended to use only under the guidance of a knowledgeable health practitioner.

2.  Skin Care

Castor oil has been used widely in the treatment of many skin disorders including psoriasis, eczema, severely dry skin, ulcers, bug bites, unwanted sun spots, sunburns and wrinkles. Combining castor oil with neem oil is effective for dandruff and dry itchy scalp. Mixing it with coconut or jojoba oil or your favorite mask is a perfect way to apply to skin.

3.  Joint Pain

Castor oil – a powerful anti-inflammatory agent which can be taken internally or applied externally, also has a strong affinity for the joints. Ricinoleic acid, which is defined as the main fatty acid found in castor oil, has anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show that when castor oil is applied externally to joints, inflammation and pain can be reduced.

4. Eyebrow, Eyelashes and Hair Thickener

For long beautiful lashes, thick eyebrows and luscious thick hair, apply a little castor oil to your eyebrows, lashes and hair. The proteins and fatty acids in castor oil nourish the hair follicles and promote hair growth. Use 100% organic cold pressed ‘hexane-free’ sterile castor oil as it works best for all your beauty treatments.

5. Care of PMS, Stomach Cramps and Bloating

Castor oil can be massaged on the body externally to help ease PMS related pain. Depending on the severity of the pain and discomfort, the most effective results can be achieved by using a castor oil pack. See the “How To” section to learn how to make your own castor oil pack.

Castor Oil- “How To’s”

How to Make a Castor Oil Pack

• Apply an ample quantity of Castor oil to the affected area of your body.
• Cover with a flannel cloth,
• Apply mild heat using a hot water bottle or heating pad for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Curious about the details?  Check out this video link for a more detailed explanation.

How to Make Castor Oil Cookies for Constipation and Regularity

¼  cup organic castor oil

½ cup raw coconut palm sugar

½ cup water

½ tsp salt

1 tsp.baking soda

1 tsp. freshly grated ginger

2 cups organic wheat or any flour of choice

Mix all ingredients well to make a dough. Spoon onto a cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 15 – 20 minutes.

Eat 2-3 cookies after dinner to help regulate bowels and help with constipation.

Safe for kids too!

Recipe by Dr. Manisha Kshirsagar.

Castor Oil Cautions

• Castor oil is relatively safe, but it can cause side effects in some people.  Consult your medical practitioner first before deciding whether to use this oil.
• Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid use if you have hypersensitivity, GI obstruction or perforation, severe impaction, symptoms of appendicitis abdominal surgery, ulcerative colitis and rectal fissures.
• Only use 100% organic, cold pressed, hexane free castor oil from a reputable source- do not harvest yourself due to its extremely high allergenic qualities.

Reference:  

The Oil That Heals: A Physician’s Successes With Castor Oil Treatments