Ayurveda For Sexual Health: It’s harsh but true that we are not taught this topic clearly in schools or any educational premises. Fortunately, Ayurveda has a lot to say on the topic of sexual health referred to as Vajikarana. It’s important for all sexually active adults. Our mind gets clouded with various doubts regarding this particular term. What does Ayurveda have to say about sex? Is it good or bad? How often should we have it? When should we have sex? What sorts of things can we do to improve our sex life? We will be clearing these doubtful clouds from your mind with this article.
Ayurveda For Sexual Health (Maithuna Karma)
Ancient literature described Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha as the four Purusharthas (motives) of life and the achievement of each of these is the basic need of every individual. The concept of Kama reveals that recreational aspects like pleasure are equally important to its procreation aspects (progeny). In ancient days, it was a routine procedure to take an aphrodisiac before undertaking sexual intercourse. But nowadays, there has been a drastic change in his day by day activities including lifestyle, food habits etc.
Forget about vibes. Forget pleasure and most importantly forget what today’s generation telling you. Sex is an exchange, it’s an energy transfer. It’s not only physical intimacy; there’s an exchange of energy field, emotions, and essence. No wonder why your life feels scattered, foggy, and stuck. You are carrying pieces of different energies that don’t belong to your destiny. It’s costing you more than money. It’s costing you clarity and ambition. To overcome we shall discuss the right way to practice sexual activities as mentioned in ancient text.
How does season affect sexual activities?
Have you ever noticed how there are seasons where flowers turn into fruits and blossom, and there are seasons where nature rests? The same goes with our human body. In Ayurveda, the concept of seasonal regimen (Ritucharya) includes guidelines for various lifestyle practices, including diet, behavior, and even sexual activity.
1. Hemanta and Shishira Ritu (Early & Late Winter – Nov to Feb)
Ashtanga Hridayam, Sutrasthana 3/7:
हिमे हि पुरुषस्येन्द्रियं बलं चाग्निश्च वर्धते ।
तस्मिन् रतिं समाचरेत् स्त्रीषु वीर्यं च रक्षयेत् ॥
In winter, a person’s strength and digestive fire are greatly enhanced. Hence, one may indulge in sexual activity more frequently, taking care not to deplete semen.
2. Vasanta Ritu (Spring – March to April)
Ashtanga Hridayam, Sutrasthana 3/18
वसन्ते कफवृद्धिश्च श्लेष्मा पाकोऽल्पतेजसि ।
बलं चावसितं पूर्वं यास्यत्यायासहेतुकम् ॥
In spring, Kapha accumulates and starts to liquefy. The body’s strength is moderate, so excessive exertion (including sexual activity) can cause fatigue.
3. Grishma Ritu (Summer – May to June)
Ashtanga Hridayam, Sutrasthana 3/ 20
ग्लानिं लभते काले दीप्तं स्याद्भानुतेजसा ।
बलं चानिलशोषेण क्लान्तं स्यान्नात्यतिक्रमे ॥
During summer, the sun’s heat causes debility and dryness in the body. One should avoid overexertion, including sexual intercourse, to prevent further depletion of strength.
4. Varsha Ritu (Monsoon – July to August)
Ashtanga Hridayam, Sutrasthana 3/24
वर्षासु वातकुपितं बलं चान्नेषु चासहम् ।
विष्टम्भि यान्ति दोषाश्च तस्माच्चेष्टा विवर्जयेत् ॥
In the rainy season, Vata is highly aggravated and the digestive power is poor. Hence, all strenuous activities including sex should be avoided.
5. Sharad Ritu (Autumn – Sept to Oct)
Ashtanga Hridayam, Sutrasthana 3/27
शरदि पित्तप्रकोपोऽयं बलं स्यादल्पमेव च ।
नातिप्रवृत्तिं कुर्यात्तु स्त्रीषु चैव विशेषतः ॥
During autumn, Pitta is at its peak and the body strength is reduced. One should avoid excessive indulgence in sexual activities.
How does age affect sexual activities?
As we get older, our energies, doshic influence, experience a natural change in when we want to engage sexually, and frequency. So it is natural for sexual frequency and desire to change as we age.
In fact as children in the Kapha stage of life there should be no sexual activity, ideally until just after menarche for women or a few years after puberty for men. But during the Kapha to Pitta transition and during the Pitta time of a young man’s or young woman’s life is when you can indulge into the most frequent practices, roughly from 18-25 years of age.
In middle-life, which is defined as the Pitta age of life, sexual frequency can be moderate. As we transition into the Vata time of life with the additional reductions of sexual frequency often considered to be the norm, this is ideally just a natural effect of changing hormones and stage of life. If we are fully into the Vata age of life (post-menopause or generally over the age of 70 for men) this is an ideal time abstain from sex to maintain the vital shukra, or sexual essence of the body.
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What is the best time?
रात्रौ शक्तिविशेषेण कामं सेवेत बुद्धिमान्।
भोजनान्ते त्रियोगेण स्निग्धकाले सुखावहम्॥
The wise should engage in sexual activity during the night, particularly after digestion has settled, when the body is calm and strength is stable, as such timing brings pleasure and preserves health.
Ayurvedic traditions provide guidelines on the best time to engage in sexual activity during a 24-hour period using the principles of Dinacharya (daily routine), Tridosa model (the dosas), and biological rhythms. Ayurveda segments a person’s day, and the time of day, into segments relating to the three dosas – Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. During the evening until midnight, the human body transitions from a Kapha dominant stage to that of a Pitta stage. Therefore, engaging in sexual activity when transitioning from a Kapha to Pitta state (i.e., about 9 PM – midnight) incorporates emotional connection with passion, vitality, and vigor, making it the best time.
Ayurveda prohibits sexual activity if you have just eaten. The body requires digestion to be the prime focus, and engaging in sexual activity takes away energy that would be used for digestion. Therefore it is best to wait 2-3 hours after dinner before engaging in sexual activity.
Assuming dinner and the act of commuting destinations was from 6 PM – 8 PM, this typically puts the ideal time span from 9 PM – 11 PM. This is because, generally, the food is partially digested, the stomach is not heavy, and the body is abler to warm itself and become comfortable in an intimate activity.
Ayurveda believes that nighttime would be superior to daytime sexual activity, as the act of sleeping to follow allows for both Ojas replenishment and complete bodily recovery. Engaging in sexual activity during daylight would run the risk of fatigue, body fatigue, weakness, and lack of immediate restorative sleep.
The mind during the night is naturally quieter, less distracted, and emotionally receptive. The environment is peaceful, free from daily stressors, and offers privacy, enhancing emotional bonding and relaxation. Such a mental and emotional state is ideal for a fulfilling and balanced sexual experience, which in Ayurveda is not just physical, but also emotional and spiritual.
Ever increasing stress, pollution, industrial hazards, and sedentary lifestyle are the main factors responsible for arising cases of sexual disorders. It’s very common in today’s world, owing to the feeling of social inadequacy. Studies have reported 40% of impotency in today’s population.
Causes of sexual disorder: Ayurveda For Sexual Health
There is no proper reference explaining the cause independently, the below mentioned factors according to Acharyas lead to various sexual disorders:
- Excessive intake of Amla Rasa and articles having Amla Vipaka and Katu Vipaka
- Anashana (Fasting long)
- Alpashana (Consumption of lesser quantity of food)
- Shukravega Nigraha
- Akalamaithuna (improper time of sexual intercourse)
- Ayoni Gamana (sexual intercourse at any place other than the vagina)
- Atimaithuna (Excess of sexual intercourse)
- Rajasvala Gamana (sexual intercourse with menstruating woman)
- Apriya Gamana (sexual intercourse with a disagreeable partner)
- Intake of Kshara
- Intake of Viruddha Ahara
- Ahara-viharas antagonistic to Rasavaha Srotas
- Maithuna in restricted places like Chaitya (place of worship), Shmashana (crematorium), Chatvara (the place where many roads meet), etc
In older times kings used to practice sexual discipline (Brahmacharya). They knew sexual energy corresponds to creative energy to build an empire efficiently. Adapt to these principles from ancient world to achieve the sense of wholeness in you. Sex and lust is not an enemy, lack of control is. A man who can control his desires can live a life without momentary pleasure by achieving greatness. It is advisable to protect your energy and channel the power into purpose.
