Won’t these headaches leave you alone? Do you feel bloated, tired, constantly irritated, suffer from cramps, mood swings or depression? Yes, you are PMSing! Again! But don’t worry you are not alone. Almost 85% of menstruating women nowadays suffer from at least one of these symptoms monthly and just like you, know how frustrating that problem can be. PMS (premenstrual syndrome) can negatively affect your life, relationships and wellbeing in general. But listen, just because you are a woman doesn’t mean that you have to live like that. You were not meant to suffer and even though there is not a “real cure” for PMS, there are simple treatments that can relieve the discomfort. One of these is tea of course!
In this post 1001 Tea Facts will introduce you to 10 kinds of herbal tea that promise to alleviate the painful symptoms of PMS, whatever these may be, and help you enjoy life as you were supposed to.
1. Chamomile:
Naturally caffeine-free, Chamomile tea is effective for multiple PMS symptoms. It is a mild sedative and has anti-inflammatory effects. A cup of chamomile tea is a natural, safe way to ease cramps since it increases levels of the amino acid glycine in your body, which may help reduce muscle spasms and encourage your body to relax. If PMS has you feeling anxious, upset and worried, steep a hot, steaming cup of chamomile tea and enjoy its soothing aroma and delicious taste. It will melt your stress away. And the best part is, it has no side effects and is very inexpensive. To make chamomile tea you can steep 1 tsp of dried chamomile flowers into 1 cup of water for 3-5 minutes. I suggest organic Egyptian Chamomile tea which is made out of the finest blooms from the Nile River Valley.
2. Evening Primrose:
This is an herb found all across the U.S., with four-pedal flowers of cream or yellow color that bloom from June through September. Numerous studies today, have shown its effectiveness against certain ailments, with PMS being one of them. The plant’s essential oil is an excellent source of gamma linoleic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that women struggling with PMS tend to be deficient in. Evening primrose tea can efficiently help relieve you from breast tenderness, fluid retention, headaches and mood swings. To increase effectiveness of it you should drink it regularly for a few months before starting to see any noticeable results. You can prepare evening primrose tea using the entire plant but you will usually find it in the form of oil which is produce by cold press from the seeds of the plant and you can inhale it.
3. Chasteberry:
One of the most common herbs used to treat female conditions is Chasteberry (formally known as Vitex Agnus Cactus), native to the Mediterranean area. Clinical studies have demonstrated that the plant’s extract can be effective in the management of PMS. The fruits of the Chaste tree are rich in flavonoids, alkaloids and other chemical compounds known to help with hormonal imbalances. Consumption of chasteberry tea will relieve breast tenderness by regulating your hormones and blood flow. It can also positively treat headaches, cramps and reduce stress and irritability associated with PMS. It is currently officially approved in Germany for the treatment of pms symptoms and is generally safe to use.
4. Peppermint:
One of the best ways to treat bloating caused by PMS is by drinking a cup -or two- of peppermint tea. This fragrant and soothing herbal tisane has so many health benefits to offer from easing headaches and fatigue to relieving emotional stress and anxiety. The essential oil contained in peppermint has been proven to help take down the discomfort caused by cramps and bloating that often accompanies you before your period arrives. Peppermint tea is caffeine-free and is absolutely safe to use. It’s vey easy to make and drinking only a few cups daily can make a difference to your overall wellbeing. I recommend my favorite blend of peppermint tea with chamomile and rooibos.
5. Black Cohosh:
This is a tall herb with dark, knotted roots and white flowers native to eastern North America. The roots of the plant have been used for centuries for the treatment of numerous gynecological conditions. It seems that black cohosh (also known as “black snake root”) acts like an estrogen in your body and regulates your hormones. Drinking black cohosh root tea during that hard time of the month has been shown to make mood swings less severe. Also it can cure you from cramps and headaches. However, this is an herb that has to be consumed in moderation because side effects (even though rare) are possible if taken in large doses. To make black cohosh root tea steep one tsp. of dried toot into 1 cup of boiled water for 15 minutes. You can drink one cup daily, one week prior to your menstrual cycle.
6. Dandelion Leaf:
I am sure you have seen this yellow flowered herb in your backyards. What you probably didn’t know is that this is one of the best natural remedies for PMS symptoms. This herb has a long history of usage for the ailment of numerous health conditions from digestive disorders to breast problems. Steeping the leaves of the flower into a tea and drinking just two cups daily can provide great relief from water retention, one of the most common symptoms of PMS. It is a natural diuretic which in contrast to pharmaceutical ones won’t strip your body of precious potassium. Moreover, dandelion leaves are rich in essential for your body nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C and iron. If you don’t feel like collecting weeds I would suggest just purchasing the leaves dried. Pour 1 tsp. of dried leaves into a cup of boiling water and let steep for 5 minutes.
8. Red Raspberry Leaf:
This herb is very popular for use among pregnant women but it has been proven to be very a very good alternative to prescribed or over the counter medical remedies for PMS too. One of the two beneficial compounds contained in it are fragarine and tannins but it is also full of vitamins A, vitamin E and B-complex. Fragarine can help tone and tighten the pelvic region muscles, thereby reducing spasms of them which helps relieve you from cramps. Regular consumption of at least two, three cups a day is required in order to benefit from it. I suggest purchasing organic dry leaves of the plant for best results which you can steep in boiled water for 10 minutes.
9. St. John’s Wort:
The flowering tops of St. John’s wort have been used for the treatment of depression for centuries in Europe. If you suffer from moodiness and anxiety because of PMS, then this herb could greatly assist you relieve those symptoms. Two to three cups daily of St John’s wort daily can effectively help you fight those “blues” that come with PMS every month. You can prepare your own tea by steeping 1 tsp. of the dried herb in boiled water for 3-10 minutes.
10. Dong Quai:
Dong quai is derived from the root of the carrot-like plant “Angelica sinensis” and has been used for thousands of years in Asia as a tonic for the female reproductive system. This is the reason why it is also known as “female ginseng”. It has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic actions and countless of women use it to reduce pain caused from cramps during PMS. It can also help you with fatigue and irritability. Dong quai is believed to work well in combination with chasteberry to restore hormonal imbalances. It is rich in Vitamin A, C, E, and B vitamins such as B3 and B12. To prepare you own Dong quai tea steep a tsp of dried root into boiled water for 5-10 minutes.
Please note: The information contained in this post is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice and/or treatment by a licensed physician. This is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects. Even though these herbs are relatively safe to use by anyone, you might want to consult your doctor before starting any therapy with herbs since these may not be suitable in some cases and depending your medical condition.
Is there any herb that you use for treating PMS symptoms? I would like to know!