6 herbal teas to relieve painful periods
Painful periods can quickly become a daily burden for women who suffer from them. Dysmenorrhea affects a large number of menstruating women, and 10% of them suffer from a very painful flow that can even be incapacitating on a daily basis. So how can you relieve menstruation with herbal infusions?
Herbal medicine: relieving painful periods with plants
Natural methods for relieving painful periods include infusions, decoctions and herbal teas. Lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, focus on these plants and natural remedies that can help you cope better with menstruation!
Using natural plants
Plants are excellent natural alternatives to drugs for relieving menstruation and the discomforts you may experience throughout the cycle. This is what we call phytotherapy: the use of plants to treat everyday ailments, in this case menstrual pain.Aromatherapy also uses the same raw materials, but in a different form, as essential oils.
Of course, a cup of tea won't be enough to make disabling dysmenorrhea disappear. Bear in mind that it'snot normal to feel pain during your period to the extent that it disrupts your daily activities. If the pain is too intense, consult a health professional - it may be due to a pathology such as endometriosis, or more simply a hormonal imbalance, etc.
While taking medicinal recipes can help soothe menstrual pain, be careful not to take yourself for a chemist's apprentice: plants, even if they are natural remedies, have contraindications and dosages to be respected. Contact your doctor for professional advice. You can buy in supermarkets, pharmacies, herbalists or organic stores. The best is to visit a professional specialized in infusions, who will be able to give you the best advice according to the type of pain you're trying to alleviate. Finally, always opt for organic ingredients.
Using plants in herbal teas
Sage, valerian, raspberry... The leaves are particularly recommended for use in herbal teas. Many can be infused. The first step is to clean and dry them. Infusion is a simple way of using plants in natural remedies!
What are the best herbal teas for painful periods?
Each one has its own benefits: we're going to take a look at several of them today, depending on the type of pain you're experiencing.
Chamomile infusions to reduce digestive problems
Chamomile is the star of infusions: it's well known for the many virtues it brings to the body.
One of the benefits of this flower is that it contributes greatly to reducing digestive problems. This is particularly useful during the menstrual period. Indeed, many people experience digestive problems in the days leading up to their period, or during menstrual flow.
In addition to the digestive benefits this plant provides, it is also recommended for cramps, whether of digestive or uterine origin.
To prepare your infusion, you can steep 3 grams of chamomile in boiling water for 20 minutes. You can add a little honey or maple syrup. You can drink this beverage up to 4 times a day.
Raspberry leaf tea for cramps
Raspberry leaf tea will soon become your go-to drink for combating menstrual cramps and tummy aches. Raspberry leaves are packed with frangin and flavonoids. The latter are known to have antispasmodic properties, meaning that contractions will be reduced by frangin, which stimulates the uterine muscles and combats contractions. To enhance the effectiveness of these herbal teas, they can be drunk on the days preceding the onset of menstruation.
Alchemilla tea for heavy periods
Alchemilla is also known as "women's herb" for its many virtues. It is particularly useful for heavy periods. The active principles (luteinics) it contains are similar to progesterone, the hormone of the menstrual cycle. It can therefore be used to combat menorrhagia (very heavy periods) and regulate the menstrual cycle.
It is ideal as a decoction or infused for 15 minutes in hot water. You can drink two cups a day.
Fennel tea for pain relief
Fennel is highly effective in combating painful periods. It contains fenchone, a substance which makes this perennial plant effective against uncomfortable blood loss by reducing spasms. However, it is not recommended to ingest more than 7 grams of dried fruit per day. There's no need to continue the treatment for more than two weeks.
Lemon balm infusion to reduce stress
Lemon balm is particularly effective in combating anxiety and stress. This aromatic herb soothes mood swings, irritability and anxiety. Very useful when you consider that many people experience these symptoms as they approach their menstrual flow. This plant has been used since ancient times. It can be taken two or three times a day, but should not be taken for more than a week. A good cup of lavender infused during menstruation is also very effective in combating symptoms of anxiety and stress! It is also an antispasmodic, reducing uterine contractions and menstrual pain.
Yarrow to relieve uterine pain
Rich in flavonoids and azulene,yarrow is a plant with antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and relaxing properties. By blocking estrogen production, yarrow relieves menstrual pain (uterine pain) and stomach aches. Yarrow can also be used as an essential oil in a bath, for example.
Is tea also recommended for painful periods?
Tea differs from herbal tea in that it contains theine. It's best to limit consumption to the evening, as theine has an excitatory effect.
You can drink it throughout the day, but beware: tea limits the absorption of certain nutrients, such as iron, which is vital for people suffering from anaemia.
Ginger tea, for example, is very useful during menstruation: ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain.
Some women suffer from water retention during their menstrual cycles. For these problems, green tea can be a good natural remedy.
Generally speaking, the benefits of tea on the menstrual period depend on the variety chosen. However, it's better to choose herbal teas rather than tea.
Whenever possible, we always recommend choosing organic products, even if it means paying a higher price: it's better for your body and for the planet.
Period-related anemia is quite common. It can cause symptoms that are more or less disabling in everyday life. If you suffer from an excessively abundant or even hemorrhagic menstrual flow, consult your doctor! It may conceal an underlying pathology.
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