Herbal Remedies for Period Pain
There are many elements contributing to a woman's monthly cycle and bleed that can make it uncomfortable. Most of these are caused by an imbalance of hormones. Treating period pain can be approached in a few different ways — dealing with the immediate discomfort from both an internal and external approach, AND dealing with the underlying root causes and imbalance.
Natural remedies for period pain
There are a number of supplements you can take, as well as massage techniques you can use with essential oils and in your baths that relieve period pain.
Cramps and painful periods, known medically as Dysmenorrhea, plague many women. Sometimes so severely that it can disrupt even the simplest of day-to-day tasks. Treating symptoms naturally and gently using the natural remedies for period pain here, is better for you and your body than using chemicals and over the counter pain killers.
Menstrual cramps should be treated like any other muscle cramps. Your aim is to relax the muscles as much and as quickly as possible…
Cinnamon
One of the most simple kitchen ingredients also happens to be one of THE most effective remedies for cramps you can find. Cinnamon is a general circulation enhancer, but specifically it will increase circulation to your uterus and joints.
You can consume cinnamon liberally in your food and it still not be a high enough quantity, so you are best taking a cinnamon supplement in capsule form for the best results. Start taking a few days before you are due to start your period, or if like me you start to get cramps beforehand - for me it is usually the week (7days) before, then start taking the capsules about 8days before your period start date. And so on...
The dosage of cinnamon you should be taking is about 2,000mg daily. Most people see results taking 840mg of cinnamon three times a day. But you can take 1,000mg twice a day if that's easier.
The reason you need to start taking cinnamon a few days before your due date is to allow it to get into your system before the cramps start. This way you should hopefully experience as little pain as possible.
Calcium/Magnesium
Both Calcium and magnesium can have huge benefits for your mensural cycle. In terms of pain and cramps during your moon cycle magnesium works to relax the muscles of your uterus and reducing the prostaglandins that cause period pain.
Calcium may also reduce your pain. It helps maintain muscle tone and has been shown to improve symptoms of pain, water retention, and also mood and concentration during your cycle.
Cramp Bark
Cramp bark is a relaxer of muscle spasms and tension. It is so good it is even named for it! Cramp bark is fast, effective, and a strong remedy to use daily as soon as cramps begin to happen.
You can take cramp bark daily and it will help to effectively relax the uterus and relieve your pain. It is also a good herb to take if you suffer from excessive blood flow too. As an astringent it works to 'dry out' and regulate your blood loss.
One ounce per day drunk in a tea should be effective enough, but you can use more if you feel it is needed. Start at one ounce and see how you feel.
Raspberry Leaf
The simple red raspberry leaf has a long history of being used to treat women's reproductive issues. It is a uterine relaxant, helping to relax the muscles of your uterus and relieve tension and cramped muscles.
It is also another herb that will strengthen and tone.
You can drink raspberry leaf tea - take two teaspoons of the dried leaf and add hot water, this can be drunk regularly throughout the days when you are suffering. Or take raspberry leaf as a tincture - 2-4ml taken 4 times a day should be enough to relieve pain symptoms.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is a herb you can take long term for long term treatment. It's most powerful properties are as a relaxant and normaliser of the female reproductive system.
Painful or delayed periods, ovarian cramps or cramping pains in your womb, it will work of all of them. It also has a normalising action on female reproductive hormones, and you can use it safely to regain normal hormone function and balance. For example, if you have recently stopped or are planning to stop using the contraceptive pill or IUD.
The shoots and leaves can be dried and used as a tea or a tincture. A teaspoon full is enough for a cup of tea, which you can drink three times a day. Or take 2-4ml of your tincture three times a day.
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Wild Yam
Wild yam is the second herb that you can take long term for long term treatment. A super valuable herb, at one time it was the only source of chemicals that were used for contraceptive hormone manufacturing.It is anti-inflammatory, and anti-spasmodic meaning it will help you to reduce inflammation throughout your body, and relieve pain and cramping in your uterus that is the cause of period pains.
Take dried wild yam (1-2 teaspoon fulls) as a tea three times a day, or as a tincture - 2-4ml three times a day.
Willow Bark
Willow bark is an anti-inflammatory. It works by by inhibiting and stimulating various inflammatory and anti-inflammatory substances called prostaglandins in your body.
Specifically lower back pain, which can often come along with period pains, as well as muscle pains in your uterus.
Dried willow bark can be used to make a tea, or the fresh bark can be used to make tinctures. Take either of these 2-3 times a day.
Period Pain Tea
To make a tea which you can drink specifically when you are suffering
from period pain and cramps mix together the following:
. 2 parts Black Haw Bark
. 2 parts Cramp Bark
. 1 part Pasqueflower
You can also add Black cohosh and/or wild yam too depending on your symptoms.
This tea is a mix of soothing, toning, anti-spasmodic, and nerve relaxing herbs which work together to relieve your period pain and relax your whole body.
Treating Period Pain Externally
Essential oils are also another form of Natural remedies for period pain. There are a number of essential oils that can benefit you during your moon cycle. Essential oils can work by scent on your mood and emotions, and physically by being absorbed into your bloodstream via contact with your skin.
Mixing oils and adding them to your hot baths or massaging onto your abdomen will help you to relieve pain and inflammation throughout your period. As well as help to balance your emotions and mood (but we will cover this in another post).
In terms of your pain, which oils are most effective will depend on what's causing you pain. As with everything thing in natural remedies, you will have to experiment with oils and formulas until you find what works for your body. Everyone's body is different and responds differently to each herb.
Try one or all of these mixtures, in turn, to see which you feel has the best results.
These oils are a combination of anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, nervine, sedative and tonics which work together to reduce inflammation, relieve cramps and spasms, relax nerves and relieve nerve pain, relax your whole mind & body, and strengthen your reproductive system.
Essential Oil Blend for Congestive Pain
Chamomile - 10 drops
Clary-Sage - 5 drops
Red Thyme - 15 drops
Essential Oil Blend for Spasmodic Pain
Lavender - 5 drops
Peppermint - 10 drops
Nutmeg - 10 drops
Cypress - 5 drops
For both of the above make sure to mix with about 30ml of almond oil or other base oil for massaging. Start using these oil mixes when your cramps start, whether that is before or during your period, and continue using them until your bleeding stops.
You should massage these oils over your whole abdomen and lower back area, as well as your shoulders.
Massage technique for period pain
When using your essential oils for massaging into and around your abdomen you want to use a specific method of movement so that you are relieving pain and drawing any toxins down and out of your reproductive system.
Place your hands on your waist with your thumbs on your lower back.
Begin at your lower back and slide both hands over your hips.
Now slide each hand over your abdomen from your waist down.
Then repeat the whole process until all your oil is absorbed.
You can do this 3-4 times a day, or as required throughout your day.
Essential Oil Baths
In addition to massaging with the oils above you can mix one or a combination of the following oils into your bath during your menstruation.
Geranium Neroli Clary Sage Palma Rosa
Use four drops of each oil per bath. You need only do this for two of your baths during your menstruation period, and you must space out the use of these oils. For example on the first and third, or first & fourth days of your period.
Always make sure you leave at least one days gap in-between oil baths.
xo Emly