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Rasamruta, 6:4 February 2014
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ISSN 0976-0075 Ayurveda e-Journal Rasamruta
World's First e - journal of Ayurveda
Scientific Revolution in Ayurveda!
Prevalence of Menstrual Related Taboos in Special Context with Ayurvedic Rajaswala
Paricharya in Young Girls
Dr. Jasmine Gujarathi1,Dr. Dilip Jani2 and Dr. ARV Murthy3
G. J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand, Gujarat
Rasamruta, 6:4, February 2014
ABSTRACT
Menstruation is a natural phenomenon, but it is also related with biology, psychology,
society and religion for women. Menstruation is considered to be a mirror of reproductive health.
The present day lifestyle and ideology towards launching female in society might have changed
the traditional Indian culture of adopting the age old rituals. Tradition related to menstruation
varies from ban of certain activities during cycle, to performance of certain rituals at the end of
menstruation. Ayurveda, the age old science of life has mentioned certain do‟s and don‟ts to be
followed during menstruation under Rajaswala paricharya. Observance of certain rules is
followed by all cultures all over the world, yet there is prevalence of certain menstrual taboos.
This topic is often neglected or least discussed amongst all healthy practices. In the present study
literary research was done on Rajaswala paricharya from classical text of Ayurveda and from
modern texts for understanding the scientific basis of menstrual restrictions. A cross sectional
survey study performed in the form of pilot study on 798 girls with a pre-designed questionnaire
after taking consent. In a gross conclusion, maximum (n=712) 89.22% of girls were following
the restriction related to religious activities, whereas only 14.16% (n=113) avoided cooking
during menstruation. There are many evidences supporting the regime mentioned in our classics
to be observed during menstruation and it should be the aim of the learners of Ayurveda to bring
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back the tradition and culture lost with the ages. To come on more firm conclusion a large scale
study can be planned keeping into an Ayurvedic perspective for Indian population.
Key words: Rajaswala Paricharya, Menstrual taboos, Menotoxin, Pheromones.
Introduction
A woman undergoes drastic physical, psychological and emotional changes throughout her life
time. Menstruation is one the important milestone in her life remarking the power of
reproduction. An average women menstruate almost quarter of her fertile life. There are many
cultures and traditions associated with menstruation. Since time ages a menstruating female is
considered to be impure and unclean and not only in Hinduism, but Islam, Christianity,
Buddhism, Judaism all hold beliefs regarding menstruation.[8] The striking similarity amongst
theses religions is consistent themes including isolation, exclusion from religious services, and
restraint from sexual intercourse.
Ayurveda, the invaluable system of medicine, helps women in journey towards better health
throughout different phases of life and add quality to her life. This is accomplished with
Paricharyas – modes of life to be performed during the different phases like Menstruation
(Rajaswala), Fertile period (Rutukal, Pregnancy (Garbhini), Postpartum (Sutika)s. As because of
drastic physical and psychic changes during these periods, she has affinity towards various
diseases. Following these modes of life, women respond to the changes in her body healthily.
Aims and Objectives:
1. To study the prevalence to adopt traditional rituals during menstrual cycle.
2. To explore the menstrual taboos practiced since ages worldwide.
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3. To study the scientific basis of Rajaswala Paricharya mentioned in Ayurveda.
4. To understand the myths and facts about menstruation practices.
Materials and Methods:
Literary research on Rajaswala paricharya and menstrual taboos was done.
A cross sectional survey was conducted to assess the observance of restrictions during
menstruation among young girls of rural and urban areas.
Inclusion criteria: Girls of rural and urban areas within the age group of 16 to 21 years
Exclusion criteria: Girls unwilling to participate in the survey.
Rajaswala paricharya
Menstruating female is termed as Rajaswala. Ayurveda too describes disciplined life to be
observed by her for the first three days of menstrual cycle. Along with the regimen to be
followed by the Rajaswala, the couple should observe celibacy as ill effects of non observance
are shown on offspring which will be conceived by the female who is not following the regimen.
[Table I] The ultimate aim of all Acharyas while mentioning all Paricharyas was attaining a
healthy progeny with maintaining the health of female during antenatal and postnatal period.[1,2,3]
Table I : Do’s and Don’ts of Rajaswala Paricharya
Sr.
No
Do’s during menstruation
Don’ts during
menstruation
Abnormalities in child on
non observance of rules
1
To observe celibacy during first
three day s of menstruation
Sleeping during day
time...diva swapna
Over sleepy
Use of collyrium
(Anjana)
Blind
Weeping /
Crying...rodana
Visual disturbances
2
Sleep on Darbha mattress
Bathing and anointment
Miserable
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(Lepana)
Massage (Abhyanga)
Kustha (skin disease) and
other skin disorders
3
Should eat meal made of ghee
Shali rice and milk or meal
made of barley
Nail pairing...nakha
kartana
Deformity in nails
Chasing /
Running..dhavana
Reckless, indecisive
4
To eat food directly taking over
palm or in clay utensil, leaves
Laughing
Discoloration (black) of
teeth, lips and tongue
Indulging in long
conversations
Over talkative
5
To take food in less quantity
Listening to various
topics
Deaf
Combing
Bald
6
Concentrate on auspicious
things
Nasal instillation of
medicine (Nasya)
Menstrual abnormalities
(female child)
Exposure to wind
Insanity...unmada
Intercourse performed on first day of menstruation will not cause pregnancy or if conceived will
suffer from intra uterine death or will die immediately after delivery. On second day of
menstruation, conceived foetus will face abortion or intrauterine death or death within few days
after delivery and on third day, the conceived child will suffer from defective body parts or less
longevity and with other deficiencies [4,5,6]
Even while mentioning the selection of partner and contraindicated conditions while performing
coitus, Acharyas have prohibited coitus in a Rajaswala i.e. during menstruation.
Menstrual taboos
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Taboo is derived from Polynesian language, in which the word is a combination of the
word ta which means 'to mark,' with the word bu which is simply an adjective of intensity.
„Tapua‟ the root of the word „taboo‟ in Polynesian has two meanings – Sacred and menstruation.
Besides, taboo also means forbidden, prohibited, disallowed wonderful, magic, terrible,
frightening and immutable law. Taboo does not result in formal punishment if it is broken.
People believe that a taboo must be followed or it will result in harm to the person as well as its
community.[7]
Taboos may serve many functions and often remain in effect after their original reason has
disappeared. The rise of rationalism and science has reduced the potency of many former taboos
in modern cultures.
Menstrual taboos in culture and religions across the globe[8]
1. Isolation of menstruating women in special designed huts outside village is practiced
today also in some villages of south India today also. This seclusion ranges from 3 to 7
days (special sacred reed hut termed as „Giparu‟)
2. In Hindu families menstruating female is kept separate form household, not allowed to
perform domestic duties, restricted from touching anything, sit in separate areas during
religious festivals. Going to temple or worshipping an intercourse is restricted during
menstruation.
3. Other taboos in Hinduism are resting, cannot comb hair or bathe. Not allowed to use
water springs for personal hygiene. Not to cook and must keep separate utensils. Women
must not mount on horse, ox or elephant nor may they drive a vehicle.
4. Cultural taboos include avoiding sour foods for fear of smelly period, fish and meat are
restricted and not touching certain food items like pickles‟ to prevent contamination and
the general belief that menstruation dispels toxic blood.
5. In Jewish culture taboos include playing sports together, directly handling or receiving
objects and eating together in the same plate.
6. Menstruating Muslim women in most conservative families are restricted from praying,
touching the Quran, fasting during Ramzan. Ritual washing after menstruation to become
clean again.
7. In Buddhism menstruating women cannot meditate nor do they have contact with priest.
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8. In ancient literature Manusmriti states that "The wisdom, the energy, the strength, the
might, and the vitality of a man who approaches a woman who has menstrual excretions,
utterly perish".
9. In Western cultures, in attempts to avoid letting other people know they are menstruating,
many women avoid participating in activities such as sports and sexual intercourse In
addition, these women may avoid other activities such as concerts, camping, picnics, or
any other activity that may limit their access to a bathroom for fear of leaking and letting
out their 'secret‟.
10. In England some believe that the milk handled by a woman during her menses cannot be
churned to butter; that hams will not take salt at her hands. Many of the primitives
believe that the evil spirit may get into menstruating women in the form of a snake, lizard
or bird.
11. In South Africa, the kaffirs think that if these women drink milk, the cow will die. In
rural India, they must be purified before being allowed to milk cows. In south India
however they do not think they can make these women pure enough to milk cows, so
they let the men do it.
12. Pliny says that if a menstruating woman sits under a tree, the fruit will tumble down and
all plants will turn yellow if she comes near them. In Galela menstruating women are not
allowed to enter the tobacco field. In Sumatra, they must keep away from the rice fields.
In Saigon, if such a woman works on opium, it will turn bitter. In central Australia they
are not allowed to gather bulbs which are their foodstuff.
13. In north of France, menstruating women are not permitted to enter into the sugar factories
as they will spoil the boiling sugar. In Syria, they must keep away from salting or
pickling.
14. The ancient Jews protected themselves in many ways from a menstruating woman.
Whatever they touched had to be burned. Men were not permitted to uncover her
nakedness. A menstruating woman could not go to church, or touch anything sacred. Her
husband was not permitted to hand her anything. At the end of menstruation, she was
bathed by two women in a special cleansing basin. On the seventh day, she cut her nails,
combed her hair and was immersed three times. She put on fresh linen. After this, her
husband was allowed to become intimate.
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Evidences showing presence of Menotoxin and Pheromones:
A toxic substance with specific pharmacological and chemical reactions called „Menotoxins‟
believed to be secreted in blood serum, blood corpuscles, saliva, sweat, milk and other secretions
of menstruating women is under research since 1920s. Researches on menstrual blood shows that
menotoxin has phytotoxic property by inhibiting growth of roots and stems and has distorting
influence on geotropic properties of seedlings. Chemically these menotoxins exhibited properties
near to oxy-cholestrin which causes prolongation of blood coagulation. In other work it was
suggested that Necrosin has properties identical to menstrual discharge. Necrosin is a toxic
substance (inflammatory exudates) that induces leucopenia. Menotoxin is also reported to be
responsible for dysmenorrhoea, eclampsia and Pre Menstrual Syndrome[9,10,11]
During various studies on menstrual synchronization done in dormitory, a possible existence of
volatile compound „Pheromone‟ was revealed with its possible mechanism on manipulation of
menstrual cycle. This odourless compound derived from axilla of menstruating women may
shorten or lengthen menstrual cycle of recipient women in follicular or ovulatory phase
respectively.[12,13,14] Many studies conducted later to support this event failed to report menstrual
synchrony and reported faults in statistical analysis and faults in research of McClintock.[15]
Menstrual synchrony is reported in some events in women staying together (work place or in
family).[16]
Physical activity and Menstruation:
Vigorous exercise in the form of athletic training may delay menarche. The reasons for apparent
effects of exercise on menstrual cycles are loss of body fat (resulting in estrogen deficit), overall
weight loss, dietary factors (especially low percentage of calories from protein and less dietary
cholesterol which is building block of estrogen) emotional stress and exercise triggered release
of endorphin (natural sedative akin to morphine). Late complication of amenorrhoea is
premature bone loss. Hence excessive exercise have clinical effects such as absence of
menstruation, osteoporosis, irregular menstruation, inter menstrual bleeding, abnormal growth of
uterine lining or infertility. The nature and severity of the symptoms seen are dependent on
number of variables such as specific type of exercise, intensity and duration.[17,18]
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Ayurveda describes the role of Apana vayu for the normal function of menstruation and any
physical activity done during menstruation may hamper this function and lead to imbalance in
the cycle.
Survey Study – The cross sectional survey of young girls of urban and rural areas was
conducted at Vidyanagar and New Vallabh Vidyanagar of Anand district.
Observation & Results:
In the questionnaire regarding restrictions observed during menstruation all 798 girls responded
by marking one or more restrictions they were following during first three five days of
menstruation. [Table 2] N is the number of girls responded to the question. The variation in N is
because certain girls left the question unanswered. Hence the statistical data is measured only
amongst the girls who answered the particular question.
Table 2: Menstrual practices
Menstrual restriction practices
N =798
(Number of girls )
%
Restriction from Cooking
113
14.16
Touching others
87
10.90
Religious activity
332
41.60
Visiting temple
380
47.62
Sleeping in same bed
47
5.89
Touching plants
58
7.27
Touching pickels
49
6.14
Application of turmeric, kajal
19
2.38
Touching flowers
8
1.00
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Visiting neighbours
8
1.00
No restrictions
25
3.13
Table 2 reveals that only 3.13% of girls did not follow any restrictions during menstruation.
Religious activity (41.60%) and visiting temple (47.62%) was restricted most girls. Whereas
factors inducing isolation like sleeping somewhere else, visiting others was followed minimum.
Table 3: Reasons for following restrictions
Reasons for following restrictions
N= 676
%
Culture
267
39.50
Religion
301
44.53
Scared to be punished
10
1.48
Something bad will happen to family
33
4.88
Others
65
9.62
N = number of respondents
Table 3 shows the fact that the reason for observance of the rules was mentioned as religion
(44.53%) and culture (39.50%) by majority of girls. Fear of punishment to them and family
members because of misconduct was seen in few.
Table 4: Reasons to disagree
Why disagree to follow restrictions every time
N= 583
%
New culture
144
24.70
Not possible to follow restrictions in present time
223
38.25
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Are allowed to perform routine activities
123
21.10
Others
93
15.95
Table 4 reveals that the girls when asked why they want to disagree for following such
restrictions, 38.25% believed that it was not possible to follow the rules in present time as they
were collegians. 24.70% believed that it is an old culture and new culture does not follow such
rules. 21.10% were allowed to continue normal routine without any restrictions.
Table 5: Breaking rules of restrictions
Tried to break restrictions
N= 684
%
Yes
257
37.57
No
427
62.43
Table 5 shows that maximum girls (62.43%) agreed that they have tried to break these rules of
restrictions many times.
Table 6: Female members of family following restrictions
Who in the family follows restrictions
N= 760
%
Grandmother
212
27.89
Mother
418
55.00
Sister
51
6.71
Others
79
10.39
When inquired about the female family members observing such rules, 55% girls revealed that
their mother and 27.89% mentioned grandmother as follower of such restrictions. [Table 6]
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Discussion
21st Century has looked into major changes into the society in which women are
empowered with similar status as of male in the so called male dominant society. Also the role of
female has shifted from just being a source of reproduction and house hold work to an earning
individual of the family. The families have shifted from group family to nuclear family where the
burden of household, career, job, children and others is seen majorly on the female member of
the family.
Because of these reasons there has been a change in the observation of menstrual taboos
or restrictions to be followed during menstruation practiced in families since ages. The female
has to cook, do the household work, go for job and do all the activities from which she was
restricted as per culture and tradition.
Reviewing all the literature related to Rajaswala paricharya and menstrual taboos, it
seems that major restrictions are directed towards isolation, less physical exertion and celibacy.
Though there are still biases in different religions against women, there is a strong need to
analyze the origin behind the restrictions and the faith behind them. The reasons behind
observance of these restrictions in culture and tradition were that they were not considered clean
and hygienic enough. Some still believe that the main reason is to maintain and unequal status
quo between men and women. The roles of menotoxin and pheromones of menstruating female
on others have been under research since decades but there are no established facts on the same
studies. Part of the educated society even believes that some taboos or restrictions are illogical
but they do not have the power to refuse them particularly in relation to visiting temple. The
taboos have implications on women physically, emotionally and socially when she is eliminated
from participating in some social activities. The repercussions of non observance of Rajaswala
Paricharya on offspring need to be studied and researched. Isolation and avoidance of physical
strain was the main aim of restrictions mentioned in Ayurveda. Current study revealed that
observance of restrictions is limited majorly to religious activities.
1Associate Professor, Dept of Prasuti Tantra and Stri Roga,
2Associate Professor & HOD, Dept. of Dravyaguna,
3Dean & Superintendent, G. J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh
Vidyanagar, Anand, Gujarat
Rasamruta, 6:4 February 2014
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References
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