Menstrual cramps: Home remedies for period pain

Menstrual cramps are not an uncommon problem. It is a major concern for most girls. This pain is the result of a hormonal substance known as prostaglandin. Menstrual cramp can be severe pain in the lower abdomen, which moves to the lower back and thighs. Cramps usually start in the first couple of days in the cycle. It cannot be ignored as the cause could be anything. So, before it gets too late, consult the Gynaec for diagnosis. In the meanwhile, you can fall back on the easy home remedies.

Causes of menstrual pain

Woman’s system or body produces prostaglandin, which is a hormone that helps the uterus to contract. It also helps to get rid of mucus. The uterus should contract in order to generate menstrual flow. This type of contraction results in menstrual pain. The intensity of cramps depends on the amount of prostaglandin, which is produced by your body. There are some other factors that cause menstrual cramps such as endometriosis. Endometriosis is a normal tissue located outside of the uterus. This pain occurs when the uterus tries to remove blood clots that are caused by fibroids.

Home remedies for menstrual pain

Hot fomentation to reduce period pain

The heat gives relief as the muscles contracting will relax. Heat can lower the abdomen pain, which is the easiest way to control menstrual cramps. Heat relaxes and contracts muscles in the uterus.

  • Fill hot water in the hot fomentation bag and place it on the lower abdomen. Place a heating pad over the lower part of your abdomen and your lower back. This reduces the pain.
  • Alternatively, you can use a bottle too. Use a regular plastic bottle that is filled with hot water. Apply the heat that is more comfortable or the amount of heat that are able to bare.
  • Soak a towel in water and wring out the excess water. Heat it in the microwave for one minute. Place it on the lower abdomen and helps to cool down. Repeat it for a few minutes and reduce its pain. This helps to relieve pain and make you feel better.

Increase intake of calcium for menstrual cramps

Calcium is an essential mineral for women. Calcium can reduce menstrual pain. This helps to maintain with the muscle tone. Thus, due to lack of calcium, the muscles become hyperactive, which causes menstrual cramps. Thus, calcium provides a great relief from menstrual pain. Calcium reduces water retention and improves mood.

  • Include a glass of skimmed milk or a cup of yogurt provides 300 mg of calcium. Consume lots of natural foods that are rich in calcium.
  • All the dairy products contain calcium. Include leafy vegetables in your diet. Sesame seed is also good or reducing menstrual cramp. Take soaked almonds which are very good for women.

Drink plenty of water to reduce abdomen pain

Drinking lots of water keeps you hydrated and makes the body retain water. During the cramps, it is good to take warm water or hot liquids. This increases blood flow to the stomach.

  • Eat a lot of berries, water based fruits like watermelons, lettuce, and cucumbers.

Natural herb ginger to treat menstrual pain

Ginger is the most effective home remedy to ease out menstrual cramps. This herb helps to play a role in lowering the levels of pain that causes prostaglandins. This helps to fight fatigue that is associated with premenstrual syndrome. This helps to get rid of irregular periods. Ginger is good for sore throat, cold and cough. It is also good for menstrual cramps.

  • Take a ginger and grate it into small pieces and boil them in a cup of water. Boil them for about 5 minutes. Strain the solution and add a little amount of honey to it. Add half a lemon juice into it. Mix them well and drink this tea three times a day.
  • You can add ginger in your food while cooking or suck on some ginger candies.

Cinnamon best to prevent menstrual cramps

Cinnamon contains dietary fiber, iron, calcium and manganese. Cinnamon is rich in antispasmodic, anti clotting and anti-inflammatory properties. This relieves from menstrual pain and is an excellent source of dietary fiber. Thus, it is also rich in calcium, iron and manganese.

  • Take cinnamon tea and stir it with one fourth of cinnamon powder. Add them into a cup of hot water. Let them steep for five minutes. Add a little amount of honey into it. Drink this solution 2 – 3 cups of cinnamon tea in one to two days before your period starts to prevent cramps. You can also add one half teaspoon of cinnamon powder and one tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm water. Drink 3 times a day to relieve from period pain.
  • You can just chew a cinnamon stick or make tea with it. This will soothe the pain.

Papaya good for health to get rid of period pain

Papaya is rich in Vitamins A and C. This fruit is good for digestion. This is good for skin, eyes and also relax menstrual pain. Papaya has anti-inflammatory properties, which is helpful in treating menstrual cramps. This is rich in nutrients such as carotene, iron, calcium and vitamin A and C. This helps to soothe the uterine walls and can ease muscle contractions. ]

  • Include papaya into your diet that helps to minimize pain.

Basil leaves natural herb acts as a pain killer

Basil is an herb that has pain killing agent.

  • Put some basil leaves to a cup of water and boil it. Cover it airtight and drink it after it gets cold.
  • You can crush the leaves, extract juice and add it to hot water, consume it.

Parsley reduces cramps

Parsley looks like cilantro, but it is not the same. It has aipol and myristicin which relax the cramps and also regular menstrual cycles if you have irregular ones.

  • Put a quarter cup of parsley leaves and a full cup of water. Boil the mixture. Strain the solution and drink it hot. You may take this two times in a day.

Blackstrap molasses prevent menstrual pain

This could be something new that you might be coming across. This is rich in calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, magnesium, vitamin B6 and selenium. It reduces the blood clots and eases the menstrual pain.

  • In a cup of warm milk, add two spoons of blackstrap molasses. Make sure to gulp it when your cramps begin.

Flaxseed removes fatty acid for period pain

Flaxseed helps in reducing the cramps with its fatty acids.

  • Take 2 spoons of flaxseed every day. You can also add this to your salads or any foods.

Chamomile tea good for health

It is an herb which has anti-spasmodic property. This can help relax the uterus by controlling the contractions.

  • Take 1 cup of boiled water, dip chamomile tea bag and cover it. Wait for 15 minutes. Add honey or lemon juice to this mixture and consume it. Take this potion a week before your menstrual cycle.

Exercise reduces menstrual cramps

It sounds weird to exercise during or before the cycle, but the exercise releases endorphins, a pain killer. Walking also helps. Yoga is a good idea to reduce these cramps. You must follow a good schedule of your day so that you can practice yoga.

Coriander seeds improve irregular periods

Coriander seeds have anti inflammatory property that helps to reduce menstrual pain. It helps and improves irregular menstrual cycle. Take a handful of coriander seeds and add them in boiling water. Let it steep for some time and strain the solution. Drink this solution twice a day to reduce menstrual cramps.

Alternatively, take 15 – 20 coriander seeds in a glass of boiling water. Let them boil until the water reduced to half. Let the mixture become warm, strain the solution and drink it. If you don’t like the bitter taste, you can add a little bit of sugar into it while drinking. This helps to reduce excess blood flow and severe pain.

Apple cider vinegar to reduce duration of period

Apple cider vinegar is the best food to get rid of menstrual cramps. Apple cider vinegar helps to regulate clotting and can reduce the duration of the period. This also helps with the amount of blood lost and also prevents anemia problems. Apple cider vinegar is rich in potassium and calcium that helps to reduce cramping by easing the muscles in the uterus. Take a teaspoon of unfiltered or organic apple cider vinegar with a cup of warm water. Drink this solution before going for a meal. Repeat this process thrice a day. This remedy is used to the increase in intake of the solution, if you have excessive menstrual bleeding.

Apart from these remedies, one has to keep in mind as to what foods are taken. Avoid caffeine and tea. Stay away from alcohol too. Cut down on carbonated beverages. Instead of tea, take some green teas or gulp a ginger based tea or lemon tea. Add some berries to your diet. Nutrition plays an important role in our lives. Poor intake of healthy foods causes deficiency. Take foods that have essential vitamins and also rich in iron. Brown rice, dry fruits such as almonds, walnuts and pumpkin seeds are good as they ease the pain. Olives and broccoli in your salads give you essential nutrients. Chicken and fish are good, add leafy vegetables too to your diet list.