Postnatal Wellness in Ayurveda
After birth, Ayurveda gives special attention to the Sutika Kala, the postnatal period, traditionally counted as about 40 days. Sutika means a woman who has recently given birth, and kala means period.
Ayurvedic postnatal care is complementary to your medical, gynaecological, psychiatric and specialist care. Our Chief Ayurvedic Consultant, Dr. Hemlata Soni, focuses on women’s health. For a personal plan, see Postnatal Care.
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Ayurveda describes this time as one when Agni (the digestive fire) is weak and Vata (the energy linked with movement and dryness) is easily disturbed. This is traditional guidance, not a tested protocol.
Precautions & When to See a Doctor
Postnatal check-ups with your midwife, gynaecologist or doctor come first. Do not stop prescribed medicines, such as iron, thyroid, blood pressure or mood medicines, without speaking to your doctor. Tell us if you are breastfeeding, and tell us about every medicine and supplement you take. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting any herb or Ayurvedic product while breastfeeding, and buy products only from licensed sources, because some Ayurvedic products have been found to contain lead, mercury or arsenic [5, 6].
Call 112 straight away for heavy bleeding that soaks through pads quickly or contains large clots, chest pain or breathlessness, a seizure (fit), fainting, confusion, seeing or hearing things, or a severe headache with blurred vision. Get urgent medical care for fever, a painful, red or swollen breast or calf, redness, pus or a foul smell from a stitched or caesarean wound, or sudden swelling of the face or hands. See your doctor promptly for low mood that does not ease. Sudden swelling of the face or hands needs 112 if it comes with a severe headache or blurred vision.
If you are in crisis or thinking of harming yourself, call Tele-MANAS 14416 (free, 24×7) or 112 now. Thoughts of harming your baby also need emergency help.
Who Should Not Start These Without Advice
Strong cleansing treatments, including Panchakarma and Basti (a medicated enema), are not a routine step in the early weeks after birth. Any such treatment needs full assessment and your doctor’s agreement. While you are breastfeeding, we do not advise Panchakarma; see Breastfeeding Support. Avoid heat, steam and oil therapies with a fever, infection, heavy bleeding or an unhealed wound.
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Rest, Food and Warmth
Tradition advises rest in the early weeks: limited stairs and lifting, family help with housework, and short, gentle walks as your body allows. Meals are traditionally fresh, warm and easy to digest, such as soups, lentils, rice porridge and well-cooked vegetables, with a little ghee (clarified butter) in cooking. Breastfeeding needs extra energy and fluids; a dietitian can advise on iron and other needs.
Massage, Family Support and Mood
Warm oil massage, or Abhyanga (a full-body oil massage), is a common traditional practice. Do not massage over stitches, a caesarean wound, broken or infected skin, or a painful, red or swollen breast or calf, and check with your doctor before any massage of the abdomen.
Family support is central to the tradition: help with cooking and night-time care, and someone who notices changes in your mood. Low mood, anxiety or confusion after birth needs medical assessment. To ask about psychological support in English or Hindi, use our contact page.
What the Evidence Shows
Rest, food, massage and family support have not been tested in the studies cited here, so we do not claim they speed recovery. For milk supply, three randomised, placebo-controlled trials of specific Ayurvedic products are relevant:
- A 2025 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of shatavari root extract (Asparagus racemosus, a herb used in Ayurveda) found improved milk volume and mothers’ satisfaction with lactation [1].
- A 2025 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Ayush-SS granules, in exclusively breastfeeding mothers with insufficient lactation, found more mothers exclusively breastfeeding at six months and better perceived milk supply. The authors call for more research [2].
- A 2022 trial of the Shavari Bar found more milk expressed than placebo (64.7 ml against 49.7 ml on average), with no adverse events reported in either group [3].
The trials test specific products, so the evidence is promising but not conclusive.
Other evidence is weaker. A 2017 case study described one breastfeeding woman with postpartum rheumatoid arthritis whose disease was reported to go into complete remission after four months of Ayurvedic treatment. The treatment included herbs, Panchakarma (classical cleansing therapy), a medicated enema, medicated oil massage and steam sweating [4]. This is one case, so it cannot show what caused the change or that Ayurveda treats this condition. Rheumatoid arthritis needs care from your doctor or rheumatologist. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice.
A 2004 study found potentially harmful levels of lead, mercury or arsenic in one of five products tested, and a 2008 study found detectable levels in one-fifth of Ayurvedic medicines bought online [5, 6].
Prepared by the AyurSoul Healthcare team from the published research listed below. Medical review by Dr. Hemlata Soni, BAMS is in progress. This page is for education and does not replace individual medical advice. Medical disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the traditional postnatal period?
Traditionally about 40 days. Recovery varies, so your doctor will advise on your own timeline.
Can Ayurvedic herbs help milk supply?
Some specific products have shown better milk outcomes in trials, but the evidence is promising, not conclusive. Ask your doctor before taking any herb while breastfeeding. For feeding support, see Breastfeeding Support.
Can I have a massage after a caesarean?
Only once your doctor has checked your wound. Keep clear of the incision and abdomen unless your doctor agrees.
Clinical Research
6 studies: 3 randomised trials, 1 case report, 2 narrative articles.
Show the 6 studies
Numbers in the text refer to this list. Each study is labelled by type: systematic reviews and randomised trials are stronger evidence than pilot studies or single case reports.
- Ajgaonkar A, Debnath T, Bhatnagar S, et al.. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd) root extract for postpartum lactation: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2025. Randomised controlled trial PubMed
- Saxena U, Ota S, Rajput S, et al.. Clinical evaluation of Ayush-SS granules in exclusively breastfeeding mothers with insufficient lactation: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. International breastfeeding journal, 2025. Randomised controlled trial PubMed
- Birla A, Satia M, Shah R, et al.. Postpartum Use of Shavari Bar® Improves Breast Milk Output: A Double-Blind, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study. Cureus, 2022. Randomised controlled trial PubMed
- Deshpande SV, Deshpande VS, Potdar SS. Effect of panchakarma and Ayurvedic treatment in postpartum rheumatoid arthritis (amavata): A case study. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 2017. Case report: low evidential weight PubMed
- Saper RB, Kales SN, Paquin J, et al.. Heavy metal content of ayurvedic herbal medicine products. JAMA, 2004. Perspective / narrative article PubMed
- Saper RB, Phillips RS, Sehgal A, et al.. Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet. JAMA, 2008. Perspective / narrative article PubMed