Shatpushpa / Dill Powder for Painful Menstruation

Painful menstruation, also known as dysmenorrhoea, is a common problem of women in the reproductive age group. There are several causes attributed to this condition; such as congenital malformation of the genital tract, mechanical obstruction, infection, vascular congestion and sometimes psychogenic causes. The nature, severity and time of pain vary from individual to individual depending on the underlying cause, tolerance capacity and the individual’s perception of the condition.

Painful menstruation without pathologic conditions can be successfully managed with simple remedies such as powder of Shatpushpa and observing certain do’s and don’ts:

1. Food intake around menstual period should be light, soft and easy to digest. Heavy meals, overeating and dry, spicy, and cold foods should be avoided. If the appetite is weak, switch over to liquid or semi-solid diet.
2. Women should maintain a relaxed state of mind before and during menstrual days keeping away aggression, anger, frustration and irritation. Proper sleep and deep breathing with relaxed mind help to improve tolerance and alleviate pain.
3. Suppression of defecation and urination urges should be avoided.
4. Sipping of warm water and hot water fomentation over lower abdomen give relief from pain.
5. Excessive physical or mental exertion, dietary irregularities and mental irritation should be avoided and due care should be taken to have proper meals and rest.

Method of preparation – Soft decoction or infusion is prepared by boiling 2 to 3 grams of Shatpushpa in 50 ml of water until half of it remains. Or, soak Shatpushpa fruits in 25 to 30 ml of hot water for half an hour and then filter the contents to obtain infusion.

Dose and mode of administration

Two to three grams of the powder is to be taken twice a day with warm water, preferably after meals. The powder can be mixed with an equal amount of honey and swallowed with warm water or milk. Or, 25 to 30 ml of decoction or infusion can be taken twice or thrice daily. For continous pain or heaviness use of 2-3 teaspoonsful (10- 15 ml) infusion is recommended at hourly intervals.

Precautions and safety aspects

• Hot (pungent) spicy and sour food items should be avoided during menstruation and medication with Shatpushpa powder. In summer either the dose of Shatpushpa should be reduced or should be taken with some cooling, soft and soothing liquid.
• Use of Shatpushpa may be discontinued if menstrual blood flow increases and symptoms of giddiness, heat, burning, excessive thirst and dryness appear. These symptoms usually appear in women with hot body-mind constitution, i.e. Paittik constitution and can be negated by consuming soft, lubricating, soothing, semisolid and juicy food items.
• Toxic or adverse effects of Shatpushpa are not reported in the literature.
• Deep-fried, oily foods that may cause abdominal heaviness, indigestion and constipation, etc. should be avoided.
• Cold water bath, dry massage, night awakening, irregularity in sleep, excessive walking, excessive coitus, strenuous exertion and mental stress, etc. should be avoided.