Do you suffer from painful menstrual cramping? How about mood swings, bloating, constipation or diarrhea during your moon cycle? Then it is time to turn to herbal remedies, essential oils, homeopathics and other practical advice. I will provide you with instructions and background information for some of these herbs, and essential oils where appropriate. Monthly Menses Getting you down?…..Suffer no more!
Emmenagogue herbs send good vibrations to the female reproductive system. They help to normalize menstruation. These herbs do not need to be feared, they are very helpful to ‘get things flowing’ and restore homeostasis. There are herbs that are considered mild, moderate, and strong emmenagogues, therefore please be aware that if you do have a weak constitution as in a high-risk pregnancy, these herbs should be avoided or used with extreme caution for your safety [1].
**Important to note
There is no hard evidence that “external use” of essential oils have the ability to be abortifacients (abortion-causing). Some feel that since some essential oils have been termed emmenagogues they are dangerous during pregnancy. There is no conclusive evidence that they have abortifacient properties in the amounts used in aromatherapy, this recommendation was born out of an abundance of caution [2]. (If you are considered high-risk due to previous pregnancy loss, then my recommendations are more strict in this regard while pregnant)
There are a few herbs that you may find very helpful to you. The first is Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis). Evening Primrose is an emmenagogue herb and can be used for breast tenderness and PMS, which can include:
- Acne
- Swollen or tender breasts
- Feeling tired
- Trouble sleeping
- Upset stomach, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
- A headache or a backache
- Appetite changes or food cravings
- Joint or muscle pain
- Troubles with concentration or memory
- Tension, irritability, mood swings, or crying spells
- Anxiety or depression
PMS symptoms can vary from woman to woman. I recommend a tincture of Evening Primrose ten days prior to your menses starting if PMS is a problem for you. A tincture can be used up to 3 times a day ½-1-t at a time. You can also rub primrose carrier oil directly into your breasts if you suffer from breast tenderness during the hormonal fluctuations of your moon cycle.
*As I am not aware of your medical history, please do additional research to make sure that this herb/oil is suitable for your use.
Stock photo Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis
Tincture of Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
1-oz whole, fresh Oenothera biennis herb collected just before flowering
1-pt alcohol (High-quality alcohol-Everclear is ideal)
Chop and pound the herb. Mix with half of the alcohol and stir thoroughly. Add the remainder of the alcohol and pour into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Leave to stand for 8-14 days in a warm place. Shake the tincture twice daily. Filter through muslin or filter paper. Bottle and store in a dark-colored tightly capped bottle. Ideally, store out of direct sunshine and heat.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is especially helpful for painful menses. Motherwort Leonurus cardiaca is an anti-spasmodic and may help to regulate menses. These two pieces mix very well together.
*Research these ideas for yourself
I would recommend this blend to sufferers of menstrual cramping:
Menstrual Cramp Herbal Blend
1-part Motherwort (Leonurus cardiac)
1-part Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
½-part Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum tholictroides) root cut
½-part Ginger (Zingiber officinale) root cut
Mix the herbs and store in an airtight container in a dark cool place. To prepare an infusion use 1-cup of boiling water to every 1-t of the herbal blend. Cover and steep for at least 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten if needed with raw honey or natural stevia. Use 4-t as often as needed [3].
Stock photo Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis
Essential Oil Blend
Monthly Menses Belly Rub (2% dilution)
Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) 6 drops
Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) 6 drops
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) 2 drops
Carrier oil of your choice 1 ounce
Blend rub into your belly and apply a nice warming pack for relief and comfort.
That is Not All!
There are a few other things that can be done to make our moon cycle much more comfortable:
- 7-10 days prior to menstruation, increase your intake of calcium/magnesium. A good ratio is 1,000mg calcium to 500mg magnesium daily.
- A daily light exercise program is recommended for health. Many women report cramping is much less severe when they move around while cramping, rather than laying down for example. I realize this is easier said than done.
- Drinking tea can help quite a bit. Make sure to steep your bags for a minimum of 5 minutes to make a strong tea. You can alternate chamomile, red raspberry, and ginger for some relief.
- If diarrhea is a problem you can introduce astringent herbs such as blackberry (Infusion: use 1 tsp. dried leaves to 1/2 cup boiling water. Let steep for 10 minutes and strain. Take 1/2 to 1 cup a day.) If constipation is a problem, you can use a gentle mild laxative such as flaxseed (grind the fresh seeds and place 1-2 tbsp in water and drink.)
- A great homeopathic remedy to try for cramping is Boiron Homeopathic Medicine Cyclease Cramp Tablets. This remedy works great and has really great reviews too.
- Acupuncture is another great idea for PMS. I recommend acupuncture 2x a month for overall body toning.
There are things you can do to relieve suffering! I hope that I helped give you some alternative ideas to get out of discomfort and pain. Please ask me if you have any questions about this topic or ANYTHING else! <3
Closing
I know that I am repeating myself here…..but please do your own due diligence and made sure that none of these recommendations have contraindications for you before use. To your health, and definitely your comfort.
Please note that I am not a medical practitioner. The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. By using this website, you assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.
References
[1] Emmenogogue Herbs. Retrieved from http://www.sisterzeus.com/Emmeno.htm
[2] Buckle, J., Ryan, K., Chin, K. (2014) Clinical Aromatherapy for Pregnancy, Labor, and Postpartum. International Journal of Childbirth Education, Vol 29 Issue 4, p21-27, http://www.icea.org/sites/default/files/October%202014%20Proof.pdf
[2] Kerkhof-Knapp Hayes, M. (2015) Complementary Nursing in End of Life Care. Kicozo: Wernhout, NL
[2] Tisserand, R., Young, R. (2014) Essential Oil Safety (2nd Ed) Elsevier: London, UK (p. 163)
[3] American College of Healthcare Sciences, Herb 201 (2013)
