If you’re one of the many women who suffer from menstrual cramps, you know just how painful they can be. Luckily, there are a number of herbs that can help to alleviate the pain. In this blog post, we will discuss the best herbs for menstrual cramps and how they can help to make your monthly cycle more bearable.
We do not tend to talk about the menstrual cycle and period pain. It is usually a taboo topic. However, it is an important topic for women’s health that needs to be discussed. It is a normal part of being a woman and talking about it can help women understand their bodies and reproductive health.
What are the symptoms of menstrual cramps and why do they occur?
The symptoms of menstrual cramps can vary from woman to woman. However, the most common symptom is a pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region. This pain can range from mild to severe and can last for a few minutes to a few days. The pain is caused by the uterus contractions in order to shed the endometrium (the lining of the uterus).
These contractions are necessary in order to shed the endometrium, but they can be very painful for some women.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to the severity of period cramps. These include:
The number of prostaglandins produced.
Prostaglandins are hormones that promote the contraction of the uterus. The more prostaglandins that are produced, the more severe the cramping will be.
The thickness of the endometrium.
The thicker the endometrium, the harder it is for the uterus to shed it. This can lead to more painful periods.
Emotional stress
Women who are under a lot of emotional stress tend to have more severe cramps.
What are some common PMS symptoms?
There are a number of symptoms that are commonly associated with PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) These include:
Bloating
Breast tenderness
Fatigue
Headaches
Irritability
Mood swings
Pimples/acne
Trouble sleeping
These symptoms can range from mild to severe and usually occur a week or two before the start of the menstrual cycle.
While these symptoms can be very unpleasant, there are a number of herbal remedies that can help to alleviate them, along with helping to reduce your painful menstrual cramps.
Herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years and is a valuable resource for women in helping to treat menstrual cramps, to regulate our cycles and to manage symptoms naturally.
Traditional herbal remedies are often associated with the idea of women as caretakers and healers. We know our bodies, and this centuries old wisdom passed down from woman to woman should not be over looked.
If you start to notice a lot of changes in your mood and cycle, and are heading towards this season then also think of keeping an eye out for menopause symptoms too.
Here are some of the best herbs for menstrual cramps:
10 Herbal Remedies For Less Pain In Your Menstrual Cycle
Ginger
Ginger is a common remedy for nausea and vomiting. However, it can also be helpful in relieving period cramps. Ginger helps to relax the muscles and reduce inflammation. You can find it in form of ginger capsules, ginger tea, or fresh ginger root.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a calming herb that can help to relieve stress and tension. It is also a natural pain reliever. You can use it as Chamomile tea or Chamomile capsules.
Cramp bark
Cramp bark is an herb that has been used for centuries to relieve cramps. It helps to relax the muscles and reduce inflammation. You can find it in tincture, capsule, or tea form.
Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are a common home remedy for menstrual cramps. They help to relax the muscles and reduce inflammation. You can find them in the spice aisle of your local grocery store.
Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea is a refreshing and soothing herb that can help to relieve menstrual cramps. Peppermint contains menthol, which helps to relax the muscles. You can find peppermint tea bags at your local grocery store.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is also known as snakeroot or bugbane, and has been used for hundreds of years for menstrual pain relief, as well as being one of the most popular herbs to help with symptoms of menopause and peri-menopause.
Cinnamon
Whether you take powdered cinnamon mixed with honey and water, or drink cinnamon tea, this warming herb is known to help alleviate the painful symptoms of your period.
Sage Essential Oil
You can buy cramp relief oil blends which tend to strongly feature clary sage oil, or you can use clary sage oil for massage on the abdomen area to help sooth pain.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family, and has been shown in clinical studies to make a difference on the severity of menstrual symptoms.
You can take lemon balm in capsule form or as a herbal tea.
Castor Oil
Using a castor oil pack placed over the abdomen can help to soothe your period cramps. A simple caster oil pack is made by soaking a cloth or flannel in caster oil, place it on your abdomen area and then add a thin towel on top, and a hot water bottle over the top of that.
You can make your own or buy a castor oil pack kit if that is easier.
What are some home remedies to help with that time of the month?
There are a number of home remedies that can help with menstrual cramps. Here are some of the most effective:
- Applying a heating pad or hot water bottle to the lower abdomen
- Taking a hot bath
- Drinking herbal teas like chamomile tea, red raspberry leaf tea or fennel tea
- Eating ginger in any form
- Drinking fennel seed tea
- Taking cramp bark capsules or tincture
Another great way to help reduce the severity of your period symptoms is to switch to reusable period underwear, made from soft cotton. These natural materials do not irritate in the same way that some tampons and pads can, so many women find that using these products actually shortens their period by a day or two, and can help lighten then flow as well as making you feel more comfortable throughout.
We love the WUKA brand but you can experiment with different brands and order on Amazon, or try the re-usable pads which come in all kinds of different patterns and colors.
Are there essential oils you can use for painful cramps?
There are a number of essential oils that can be helpful in relieving period cramps. These include:
- Ginger oil
- Fennel oil
- Clary sage oil
- Lavender oil
- Peppermint oil
You can use these oils in a diffuser or make a roller bottle by adding them to a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or fractionated coconut oil.
You may want to diffuse oils or burn some relaxing incense to make your home smell good and help you feel more relaxed at this time since lowering stress levels is helpful too.
Is heavy bleeding a cause for concern?
If you are experiencing heavy bleeding, or what feels like excessive bleeding compared to your normal blood flow, it is important to see your doctor. Heavy bleeding can be a sign of a more serious problem such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis. While period cramps can be very painful, there are a number of herbal remedies that can help to alleviate your abdominal pain.
What are some good pain medication options?
If you are experiencing painful menstruation, there are a number of over-the-counter and prescription medications that can help. These include:
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Naproxen sodium (Aleve)
Aspirin
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
If you are taking any other medications regularly , it is important to talk to your doctor before taking any of these medications for your menstrual pain relief
What can help with water retention during your menstrual period?
There are a number of things that can help with water retention during your menstrual period. These include:
Eating a low-sodium diet
Drinking plenty of fluids
Exercising regularly
Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
Taking diuretics such as parsley, dandelion root, or ginger
When should you see a doctor about menstrual cramps?
If you are experiencing severe pain, heavy bleeding, or other symptoms that are not relieved by home remedies or over-the-counter medications, it is important to see your doctor.
To recap, what are some natural ways to help with menstrual cramps?
There are a number of natural ways to help with menstrual cramps. These include:
- Ginger
- Chamomile
- Cramp bark
- Fennel seeds
- Peppermint tea
- Applying heat
- Taking a hot bath
- Eating a low-sodium diet
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Exercising regularly
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
- Taking diuretics such as parsley, dandelion root, or ginger.
If you are experiencing severe pain, heavy bleeding, or other symptoms that are not relieved by home remedies or over-the-counter medications, it is important to see your doctor.
We hope this article was helpful in providing some relief for your menstrual cramps!
Do you have any other home remedies that have worked well for you? Please share them with us in the comments below!
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Anna is a Wales-based writer and graduate from SOAS University of London.
As the voice behind On Your Journey, she empowers women to embrace holistic well-being and spiritual growth through her expert insights into wellness and symbolism.
When she isn't writing thought-provoking articles, you'll find her busy crafting and raising her 4 children.
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