Menstrual cramps herbal remedies

Most women will experience menstrual cramps at one time or another during their life. Some women have very mild cramping that does not have cause them any problems. However, there are many women who have severe cramping either before or during their menstrual cycle. Many women search for tried and true remedies to make those horrific cramps go away. There are many natural remedies that can be used safely to relieve menstrual cramps. We would like to say however that women should be evaluated by a medical professional to rule out problems such as endometriosis or fibroids for the cramping before trying these herbal remedies. If there is an underlying medical illness, then intervention by a medical professional should be sought out.

If there is no underlying cause for the cramping, then it is the time to start trying out herbal remedies to relieve the cramps that come along with the menstrual period. First, heat will help relieve cramping. Moist heat is best if it can be utilized as it penetrates the tissues deeper than dry heat will. If that is not possible then use a heating pad but be careful! Heating pads can cause damage to the skin if left on too long.

One of the best remedies that we have found for menstrual cramps are abdominal packs. These are made using squares of flannel or cotton cloth. Mix 1 cup of olive oil and 15 drops of rosemary essential oil, 10 drops of lavender essential oil, and 5 drops of peppermint essential oil. Warm the oil gently in the microwave in a cup or soak the flannel squares in the mixture then heat up the flannel. Place the flannel on the lower abdomen for 20 minutes. Remove the pack, soak it and warm it up again then place it on the lower back for 20 minutes. Cramps are usually gone or much less severe by the time this is done.

Drinking ginger root tea is one way to relieve menstrual cramping. Shave off some ginger root and steep it in boiling water for 15 minutes. Then strain it and pour into a cup. It can be taken twice a day for menstrual cramps. Red raspberry leaf tea is another herbal tea that is used to treat menstrual cramps. Wash the leaves then steep them in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Strain the mixture and drink one cup of the tea. This should be ingested only once daily for menstrual cramps. Chamomile tea can be used to relieve menstrual cramps as well. Chamomile leaves or seeds can be steeped in boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Strain the mixture into a cup then drink it. In addition to helping to relieve menstrual cramps, chamomile tea has a powerful calming effect and can help as a sleeping aid.

Kava kava has been used for years as a way to relieve tension and cause calm in people who have anxiety or tension in their lives. Researchers have found that this herb has two chemicals in its make up that are excellent in relieving pain. It has shown that it has the equivalent in pain relieving qualities as aspirin. Kava has been said to be a type of natural hypnotic substance however it is not addictive and it does not cause any problems with dependency. This herb can also help with issues that come along with anxiety that may be associated with premenstrual syndrome.

Chaste berry and red clover are two other herbs that have been used to help relieve the symptoms of menstrual cramps. Both of these herbs have the chemical make up of plant estrogens and help to replace the lack of estrogen in a woman’s body. Researchers feel that these two herbs help to relieve cramps and other symptoms associated with menstruation by bringing the bodies hormone levels back into balance.

As you can see here there are several natural remedies that can be used for PMS and menstrual cramps. There are enough choices that every woman should be able to find a natural source to help with the pain of her cramps if she should choose to do so in lieu of mainstream medications.

Last updated on Jun 21st, 2010 and filed under Alternative Medicine. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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