Swelling During Pregnancy: Ayurvedic Treatment, Causes & Natural Remedies

During pregnancy, the enlarged uterus exerts pressure on the pelvic blood vessels and constricts them, which leads to swelling of the feet. Swelling may also be due to lack of protein, lack of iron, or lack of exercise. Or it may be due to high blood pressure or poor circulation. Whatever the cause, it is important to treat it.

See also “Edema” During pregnancy, the enlarged uterus exerts pressure on the pelvic blood vessels and constricts them, which leads to swelling of the feet. Swelling may also be due to lack of protein, lack of iron, or lack of exercise. Or it may be due to high blood pressure or poor circulation. Whatever the cause, it is important to treat it.

EFFECTIVE HERBAL REMEDIES

. Mix equal proportions of these three herbs, and use ¼ to ½

DRINK CUMIN-CORIANDER-FENNEL TEA

teaspoon of each herb per cup of hot water. Drink 2 or 3 times a day.

. If the swelling is severe, certain herbal teas made of diuretic herbs can help

USE A DIURETIC TEA

to stimulate the kidneys. Make a tea of punarnava or gokshura, or combine the two in equal proportions, using 1 teaspoon of the mixture steeped in a cup of hot water. Drink 2 or 3 times a day. This tea will act as a mild diuretic and will remove the swelling.

TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR

In certain extreme cases, during the last stage of pregnancy the placenta releases toxins and creates a condition characterized by increased blood pressure and swelling of the extremities; proteinurea, convulsions, and coma can develop. This dangerous condition is called eclampsia or pregnancy toxemia. It cannot be treated by home remedies; it requires prompt, expert medical supervision and care. However, the following herbal formula will help, as an adjunct to treatment, to relieve the convulsions:

brahmi jatamamsi shanka pushpi

Mix these herbs in equal amounts. Use ½ teaspoon of the mixture to make a tea, and drink it twice a day.

NOTE: If there is ever a generalized swelling of the entire body (including, in men, a swelling of the penis and scrotum), this is a very serious, life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment.

FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE . Use these herbs:

hawthorn berry passion flower arjuna

Mix in equal proportion, and use 1 teaspoon to make a tea. Take twice a day after meals until the situation is normalized. This simple tea will effectively regulate blood pressure. (For more suggestions, see “Hypertension.”)

. The swelling may be due to anemia. Folic acid anemia is common during

IF THE PROBLEM IS ANEMIA

pregnancy, and iron deficiency anemia not uncommon. You can have tests to determine whether you have these deficiencies. If you do, providing the missing ingredients will help reduce or eliminate the swelling. See “Anemia” for suggestions.

. Lack of protein may also be the culprit. If you determine that this is the case,

PROTEIN DEFICIENCY

eat more protein foods, such as soy products.

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO RELIEVE EDEMA

. Walking every day for 20 to 30 minutes will improve circulation and help reduce

EXERCISE

swelling.

AVOID SALT . Salt makes the body retain water and promotes swelling.

. When lying down, put a pillow under your feet. This will drain the water and

RAISE YOUR FEET

help to gradually decrease the swelling. Teeth and Gums—Ayurvedic Care

According to Ayurveda, teeth are a by-product of bone. Cavities in the teeth, and receding gums, are signs of aggravation of vata in the skeletal system.

. Problems with teeth are often related to a deficiency of calcium,

FOR MINERAL DEFICIENCY

magnesium, and zinc. To prevent future problems or to alleviate a deficiency:

• Chew a handful of calcium-rich white sesame seeds every morning. (Then brush your teeth without putting any toothpaste on the brush, so the residue of the sesame seeds can rub against your teeth, polishing and cleaning them.) • You can also use a mineral supplement containing a daily dose of approximately these amounts: calcium (1,200 mg.), magnesium (600 mg.), and zinc (60 mg.) per tablet.

. You can make your teeth healthier and more beautiful by massaging your

MASSAGE YOUR GUMS

gums daily with sesame oil. Take a mouthful of warm sesame oil and swish it from side to side for 2 to 3 minutes. Don’t swallow it. Spit out the oil, then gently massage your gums with your index finger. This is an excellent preventive measure for receding gums, tooth infection, and cavities.

. Ayurvedic dentistry recommends the use of bitter and astringent herbs for

HERBAL TOOTH CLEANSER

cleaning the teeth. The main herbs used are neem, which is bitter, and lohdra, kushta, and bilva, which are all astringent. You can make an excellent cleanser for brushing your teeth by mixing the powdered form of neem and an equal amount of any of the astringent herbs and use the mixture to brush your teeth as usual. You can also buy commercial toothpastes and powders containing these herbs in natural food stores and from most suppliers of Ayurvedic herbs.

• You may also be able to find powders for the teeth made out of finely ground, roasted almond shells. These are highly beneficial for maintaining the good health of the teeth.

. Receding gums, and sensitivity of teeth to cold

USE TEA TREE OIL FOR RECEDING GUMS AND SENSITIVE TEETH

and hot temperatures, indicate a bacterial infection in the roots of the teeth.

• To treat the infection, wet a clean toothbrush, and put a few drops of tea tree oil directly onto the brush. Brush your teeth. Then use a cotton swab to apply some tea tree oil to the exposed part of the gums. This treatment will help arrest further infection of the teeth and will take care of pain and sensitivity to hot and cold. • You can also apply some tea tree oil to your dental floss. This will help you reach some possible deep pockets of infection that the brush doesn’t reach. (Commercial floss treated with tea tree oil is also available.)

. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of chewing food well. This not only helps the

CHEW WELL

digestive process, but also stimulates the gums. . For strengthening teeth and gums, try eating 4 figs and chewing them well, once a

TRY FIGS

day.

. Gently tap your teeth together 5 or 6 times, almost clenching them—but gently,

TAP YOUR TEETH

so that you don’t break the crowns! This is said to stimulate the energy meridians related to the teeth.

• arjuna
• bilva
• brahmi
• coriander
• cumin
• fennel
• gokshura
• jatamamsi
• neem
• punarnava
• sesame
• shankhapushpi
• tea tree