"In Tamil Nadu when a girl first starts to menstruate, she is given a certain type of diet and a certain regimen is followed for 10 to 14 days. During this period the girl, menstruating for the first time, is fed sesame oil – about 150ml – along with a raw egg (of a country chicken) every day, early in the morning. The girl digests this food in about six hours and after that she is fed a preparation of urad dal and sesame oil, known as kali. During these days she is protected from household work, exercise, sun, rain, wind, cold, smoke, dust, anger, grief, walking long distances, travelling in vehicles, day sleep or loud speech. After four to seven days of this oil intake, she stays in a sheltered room for an equal number of days – as many days as she took the oil.
The ritual comes to an end with a grand ceremony known as punita (or manjal) neerattu vizha (sacred bath ceremony).
This is a perfect example of a traditional health practice of our people based on Ayurvedic concepts. Consuming large quantities of a fat, in this case oil, is called sneha pana. This is an important treatment procedure which is practised in Ayurvedic hospitals for treating various diseases. During this treatment the patients are protected in the manner described above. The reason behind this practice is to regulate the flow of Vayu (in this case Apana Vayu) which is responsible for menstrual flow.
Oil is the best substance for regulating Vayu. Consuming oil also gives strength and sturdiness to the body. Oil is hot in efficacy; and egg which gives strength and nourishment, is also hot in efficacy. Urad dal is hot in efficacy, fatty, good for improving the reproductive dhatu, increases strength, fat, controls Vayu, nourishes, and reduces pain in the abdomen. All these together ensure a proper and painfree menstrual cycle which lays the foundation for a healthy reproductive life.
This ritual is practised and preserved by the poor of this country who still hold on to our traditions.
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