Natural Remedies For Menstrual Cramps Relief

Technology has afforded us a great number of advancements -- pain and even discomfort management being among the many. However, when it comes to relieving menstrual cramps, or any type of pain for that matter, sometimes the best relief comes from age-old medicines and herbs, rather than from the highly commercialized pharmaceutical industry.

Herbs

Herbal supplements, mixtures of herbs, or herbs made into a tea, provide relief for some women who suffer from painful menstrual cramps. Much like traditional medicines, certain herbs work to alleviate, or to counteract, certain symptoms.

Chamomile tea is a popular and effective herb used to help alleviate menstrual cramp pain. When ingested, it acts as a natural muscle relaxer and the warmth of the tea is helpful to alleviate some of the pain that you feel as well. Along with chamomile tea, here are a few more teas that women drink before, or during, their period:

• Raspberry leaf tea

• Cramp bark tea

• Chamomile tea

• Ginger root tea

• Pennyroyal tea

Among the most effective herbs for alleviating painful menstrual cramps are ancient Chinese herbs. Not only have these herbs been used for centuries, some are even used, to this day, in Chinese hospitals. The most common Chinese herbs recommended to help alleviate menstrual cramp pain are as follows:

• Chinese angelica root

• Red peony root

• White peony root

• Chinese motherwort

• Szechuan lovage root

• Cinnamon bark

According to a study published in 2007, these ancient Chinese herbs appear to be more effective for treating menstrual pain than common over-the-counter pain relievers or birth control pills, which are commonly prescribed or recommended by Western doctors.

You can read more on that study here:

http://www.natureleads.com/news/cache/2007_12_11_03_17_26_PM.htm

Here are a few other commonly suggested natural remedies for menstrual cramp relief:

• Liquorice root

• Fennel fruit

• Celery seed

• Black cohosh

• Flaxseed oil

Homeopathic medicines

Homeopathic medicines differ from conventional medications, and they also differ somewhat from run-of-the-mill herbal-based treatments. Homeopathy, in simple terms, is a medicinal-like treatment that, when taken, essentially causes your body to mimic a symptom, thereby causing your body to “kick in” and try to alleviate the ailment.

Unless you are dealing with a one-time ailment with specific symptoms, suggestions will vary regarding treatment with a specific homeopathic remedy, even if you are suffering from the all-too-common menstrual cramp. While homeopathic remedies are considered safe by most measures, you should perform a little bit of research regarding the homeopathic remedy that is right for you.

Here are some common homeopathic remedies that are recommended for women during their menstrual cycles:

• Sabina

• Sepia

• Colocynthis

• Belladonna

• Kreosotum

• Lachesis

Western doctors, by and large, choose to recommend pharmaceutical drugs over herbal or homeopathic remedies for menstrual cramp sufferers. This fact, however, does not mean that over-the-counter drugs are the only way, or even the best way, to treat menstrual cramps in your situation. In fact, women have been suffering from menstrual cramps for as long as women have been having menstrual cycles -- drug companies didn’t exist thousands of years ago, and these age-old traditions may very well be the best medicine for your ailment.

You may be able to pick up some of these herbs or homeopathic remedies locally, but quite honestly, it’s a gamble. Especially when you are looking for homeopathic medicines, or even certain herbs, it is best to order them online. Instead of ‘shop hopping’, which may end up being a waste of your time and money (fuel costs); with a few clicks of your mouse, you can have your natural remedy of choice delivered straight to your door in a few days.

Technology is wonderful, and its advancements have given us a great number of choices when it comes to relieving menstrual cramp pain, but bottom line -- women have been dealing with these pains for centuries, and sometimes the best treatment comes through time-tested, age-old remedies.