Page 31 - February 2024

with small amounts of ghee and milk (A.H.
Sharira Sthana 1/25). Avoiding activities

and foods which vitiate vata is advised to
maintain healthy apāna (outflow) and the

normal physiology of menstruation.

When the time is right, I plan to celebrate

the beautiful transformation and coming of
age for my daughter. It’s not easy to protect

her from the onslaught of high calorie fast
foods and sugary-chocolatey- processed
‘foods’ that kids find so attractive to

consume, while explaining ‘why’ so that she
develops her own sense of right and wrong.

But, at the same time creating a sense
of belonging among her friends and the
culture we live in. I hope she will be spared

the menstrual irregularities which are so
common among young girls and decides

not to take hormones that mess with her
metaphysical aura. I also pray she does not
decide look upon her period as a curse, but

as a gift that requires tending and nurturing,
much a like a beautiful garden with an

abundant harvest. Time alone will tell! In
the meantime, I have Ayurveda to lean on.

Uma Hingorani
Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner

References:
1. YS Raghuram. (2018, November 19).
2. Anagha S., Deole Y.S. (2023, March 6). Artava.
3. https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/
artava#ayurveda
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstruation_
celebration
5. https://www.myavni.com/blogs/
explorewithavniblog/how-a-girls-first-blood-is-
celebrated-in-different-parts-of-india
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