How to Get Rid of Severe Menstrual Cramps With Herbs
Painful menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea, affect up to 15 percent of all women, according to Medline physician Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD, and the condition can be severe enough to to disrupt their lives for several days. The culprits are prostaglandins--molecular compounds released during menstruation which constrict blood vessels and cause uterine muscles to contract sharply. Many women take analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications to ease the pain of cramps, but if you're looking for drug-free relief, there are plenty of natural herb remedies you can try.
Things You'll Need
- Handful of ginger root
- Teakettle
- Raspberry leaf tea
- Cumin seeds
- Cloves
- Blackhaw
- Ayurvedic herbs
Instructions
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Make a pain-relieving herbal tea. Simmer a handful of ginger root in water for 15 minutes, and drink the tea for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Or try raspberry leaf tea, recommended by herbalists for its ability to relax the uterus.
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Turn to your kitchen for relief. Cumin seeds are rich in calcium, which helps promote good muscle tone, and clove helps to relax smooth muscle tissue.
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Take black haw, also known as viburnum prunifolium. Not only is it a muscle and uterine relaxant, but it also contains salicin, which is similar to aspirin.
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Try ayurvedic herbs, many of them prized for centuries for their healing qualities. These include andropogon muricatus or vetiver--an East Indian grass recommended by healers as a vasodilator and antispasmodic--along with the oil of the Mesua ferrea, or Ceylon ironwood tree, also valued as an antispasmodic. Piper cubeba, or Java pepper, is used for its warming and soothing qualities, while the oil of Nardostachy jatamansi, or spikenard, has a relaxant effect.
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Prevent painful cramps naturally by staying active. Exercise improves circulation in the pelvic organs.
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Tips & Warnings
To avoid making cramps worse, wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes that are sufficiently warm, and avoid tight belts and over-snug pants. Being chilled and feeling constricted around the abdomen can worsen cramps.
Never start herbal or vitamin regimens without consulting your doctor; these substances can interfere with prescription medications. To learn about possible side effects, visit the U.S. Library of Medicine website listed under "Resources."
