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Diet is Key
The worse you eat, the worse you’ll feel. Eating cleansing foods like fresh raw organic fruits and vegetables helps to restore some balance to the out-of-balance body. Avoid refined sugar, dairy, meat, flour-based products like bread and pasta, rich heavy food and anything with preservatives. Your tummy will thank you.
There are ways that may work for some women to keep them from having menstrual cramps or at least reducing their severity. Many of these prevention tips are naturopathic solutions and can be used as treatments when menstrual cramps do occur.
The pain from menstrual cramps starts in the lower abdomen and the pelvis and can extend to the lower back as well as the legs. For some women the pain may be only a dull ache while for others they are more painful.
Menstrual cramps usually begin before the period actually starts and will normally be the worst about 24 hours after they begin. They generally subside after one to two days. Other symptoms that may accompany cramps are:
Imbibe a 500- to 1,000-mg dose of evening primrose oil extract once a day. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some studies have shown that the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in evening primrose oil may relieve menstrual symptoms, including cramping. Evening primrose is a North American flowering plant that now also grows in Europe. The flower's seeds are the source of the oil, which is extracted for capsules and liquid preparations.
Rub Clary Sage, lavender, peppermint, cypress, ylang ylang or rose oil onto the back of your neck and your stomach in the area where you are feeling crampy. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that some small studies have shown this treatment to be effective for easing cramps. Sage, lavender and rose are all common garden plants, and their essential oils can be extracted from their leaves and petals.
Here are some other remedies:
Diet is Key
The worse you eat, the worse you’ll feel. Eating cleansing foods like fresh raw organic fruits and vegetables helps to restore some balance to the out-of-balance body. Avoid refined sugar, dairy, meat, flour-based products like bread and pasta, rich heavy food and anything with preservatives. Your tummy will thank you.
There are ways that may work for some women to keep them from having menstrual cramps or at least reducing their severity. Many of these prevention tips are naturopathic solutions and can be used as treatments when menstrual cramps do occur.
- Get regular aerobic exercise.
- Cut back or eliminate coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and black tea, especially in the days before the period begins.
- Cut back or eliminate alcohol consumption.
- Reduce or eliminate the amount of meat and dairy food in the diet. They can aid in the production of the prostaglandins that help to cause cramps.
- Cut back on salt before the period begins.
- Eat more foods that contain B3, E, magnesium citrate, zinc and calcium citrate. Zinc, calcium, vitamin E, and B vitamins help to reduce cramps, bloating and other menstrual symptoms.
- Eat foods rich in Omega 3 and fatty acids like walnuts, hemp, chia and flax seed. Doing this can inhibit the production of prostaglandins.
- Practice certain yoga positions to aid the proper balance of the uterine function.
- Avoid the use of intra-uterine devices (IUDs) as a method of birth control. These devices can increase menstrual cramps.
- Use sanitary pads instead of tampons.
The pain from menstrual cramps starts in the lower abdomen and the pelvis and can extend to the lower back as well as the legs. For some women the pain may be only a dull ache while for others they are more painful.
Menstrual cramps usually begin before the period actually starts and will normally be the worst about 24 hours after they begin. They generally subside after one to two days. Other symptoms that may accompany cramps are:
- Headache
- Nausea, which can rarely be followed by vomiting
- Constipation
- Diarrhea (The prostaglandins cause the muscles of the intestinal tract to contract.)
- More frequent urination.
Imbibe a 500- to 1,000-mg dose of evening primrose oil extract once a day. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some studies have shown that the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in evening primrose oil may relieve menstrual symptoms, including cramping. Evening primrose is a North American flowering plant that now also grows in Europe. The flower's seeds are the source of the oil, which is extracted for capsules and liquid preparations.
Rub Clary Sage, lavender, peppermint, cypress, ylang ylang or rose oil onto the back of your neck and your stomach in the area where you are feeling crampy. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that some small studies have shown this treatment to be effective for easing cramps. Sage, lavender and rose are all common garden plants, and their essential oils can be extracted from their leaves and petals.
Here are some other remedies:
- Place a hot water bottle on your stomach. A damp towel heated in the microwave can also be used. This relaxes the muscles that cramp.
- Abdominal cramping can be relieved through orgasm. The muscle contractions that occur during an orgasm make the blood and other fluids leave organs that are congested.
- Drink two cups of peppermint or wintergreen tea a day. The mint leaves can be added to any type of tea.
- Drinking hot liquids can increase blood flow and relax muscles that cramp. Drink any herbal tea or heat up lemonade. Don’t drink any hot liquids that contain caffeine. Caffeine increases nervous energy and can make menstrual cramps worse.
- A hot bath with mineral salts (epsom salt) can help relax muscles (adding oils mentioned above). Soak for at least 20 minutes.
- Basil has a natural painkiller called caffeic acid and it can relieve the pain menstrual cramping. To make a basil tea, put two tablespoons of basil leaves in a pint of boiling water. Allow this to steep covered until it comes to room temperature. To ease cramps, drink ½ cup to 1 cup of the tea every hour.
- Cinnamon has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. Sprinkle cinnamon in tea or on breakfast food.
- Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can make menstrual cramps worse.
- Getting plenty of rest can help to decrease cramps.
