Menstrual cramps are an essential part of life for any menstruating woman. While some look for period pain relief in medication, others try home remedies. Period pain is not something that women can afford to ignore as they navigate through the hustle and bustle of life, bearing it all. Medications often come with their own sets of problems in the form of side effects. Before we delve deep into the ways that offer period pain relief, we need to find out what causes period cramps in the first place.
Menstrual cramps are triggered by the production of natural hormone-like substances called prostaglandins in our uterus. These chemicals trigger contractions and inflammation inside the womb by making the muscles of your uterus tighten and relax, which causes the cramps. While home remedies include herbal drinks, acupuncture, a heating pad, and essential oil massage, medications include moderate use of ibuprofen or naproxen. The herbal drinks have a calming effect on your period pain and can provide you with instant relief by re-energizing you.
Here are the top 8 herbal drinks that can be of great help to you if you are struggling with period cramps.
- Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea has a mild floral flavor with a slightly bitter taste. It has a calming and comforting aroma. Chamomile tea is another popular herbal drink that is used as a natural remedy for menstrual cramps. Its calming and anti-inflammatory properties can help alleviate pain and discomfort during menstruation. Besides, the flavonoid compound present in it has anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile is rich in compounds like glycine and Hippurate, which have been traditionally associated with the relief of muscle contractions. It is this muscle relaxant effect that plays a crucial role in addressing menstrual cramps.
Trouble Sleeping?
Try Chamomile Tea! This herbal tea contains bioactive phytochemicals that help improve sleep. Chamomile tea acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in the body + assists with digestive disorders & upset stomachs. #insomnia #stressrelief #sleepy #guthealth pic.twitter.com/5ctJKGJnrJ
— Lori Shemek, PhD (@LoriShemek) February 6, 2020- Turmeric Milk
Turmeric milk has a slightly spicy flavor with a sweet taste. The turmeric gives it a vibrant yellow color and makes the milk texture dense. Turmeric milk is an elixir that not only cures sore throat but also finds use in providing relief to women suffering from period cramps. Turmeric contains curcumin, which is a potent anti-inflammatory compound. Besides, turmeric has revitalizing properties that help fight the gloom and frequent mood swings that are associated with periods. Additionally, turmeric, which helps in improving digestion, also helps in reducing bloating issues and other discomfort that accompanies the period.
Immunity booster✨Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk).
Turmeric is a potent antioxidant with antimicrobial & anticancer effects pic.twitter.com/Oq5wOA5Rav
— Cleopatra 🪷 ✞𓆃 (@amandaperera) March 28, 2020- Ginger Tea
Ginger tea has a spicy flavor with a slightly peppery taste. The pungent aroma of ginger gives the tea a light yellow color. Ginger tea has been traditionally known for its healing properties and ensuring a calming effect. Besides being helpful in various digestive ailments, it finds use in alleviating period pain. It is its anti-inflammatory properties that make it such a useful component in treating period pain. Ginger is enriched with compounds like gingerols and shogaols, which are proven to have anti-inflammatory properties. They contribute to reducing inflammation in the uterine lining, thus alleviating cramps to a major extent.
Ginger is also known to have a muscle relaxant effect that helps reduce contractions in the uterus. Additionally, ginger shows analgesic properties as it has the potential to lower prostaglandin levels, which are primarily responsible for causing pain and inflammation. Besides providing relief for period cramps, it also takes good care of the bloating issue that you encounter during those uncomfortable days of the month.
Feeling run down? This homemade ginger tea can help ease congestion, soothe an upset stomach, and keep you hydrated. pic.twitter.com/QCjR8CWJbP
— WebMD (@WebMD) January 18, 2022- Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea has a refreshing, minty flavor, which can have a bitter aftertaste. The peppermint leaves give it a strong, aromatic scent as well as a cool and tingling sensation on the tongue. Peppermint tea is derived from the leaves of the peppermint plant, which is rich in menthol. Menthol has a cooling sensation and is known for its analgesic properties. Peppermint is an important ingredient in treating gastrointestinal pain, particularly connected to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The menthol in peppermint has a muscle relaxant effect and smoothens muscle contractions, thereby reducing painful cramps.
A hot cup of peppermint tea is wonderful for clearing up those stuffed up sinuses this fall. pic.twitter.com/DNYZ3QIHFg
— Sharecare (@SharecareInc) September 25, 2014- Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon tea has a warm, spicy flavor with a subtle sweetness. Cinnamon tea is not only tasty, but it has reenergizing properties. Cinnamon has anti-inflammation properties that help in reducing inflammation and reducing period pain. Cinnamon also helps manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by poor blood sugar regulation and chronic anovulation that makes the menstrual cycle irregular.
Cinnamon tea is excellent in helping to beat sugar cravings.
Cinnamon helps the body control the amount of sugar in our blood, which then evens out the 'highs' and 'lows' that can induce cravings = balanced blood sugar.#sugarcravings #holidaytip #cinnamon #wednesdaywellness pic.twitter.com/EmtbvJBPlE
— Lori Shemek, PhD (@LoriShemek) December 11, 2019- Green Tea
Green tea has a slightly bitter and grassy flavor that people often find refreshing. Green tea has a lot of benefits, ranging from helping in the weight loss journey to improving our skin. Despite not being known for its analgesic properties, it can alleviate period pain. It is rich in compounds like catechins that have anti-inflammatory properties, thereby reducing inflammation in the body and indirectly contributing to pain relief. Besides, green tea is rich in anti-oxidants and can have detoxifying effects on the body.
Hot green tea 🍵
Ahmad green tea is my fav when it comes to hot green tea. Green tea ni elok tau for your health especially for weight loss. Bought it for RM5.30 je 25 sachet. Try lah! pic.twitter.com/103LQjbCGx
— Rin ♡ (@Nurintashaa) October 21, 2021- Fennel Tea
Fennel has a unique, slightly liquor ice-like flavor with a hint of anise. It has a sweet and slightly spicy taste. Fennel is an herb with anti-inflammatory properties and, therefore, reduces inflammation in the uterine lining. It is also known for its muscle relaxant effect which reduces contractions and gives pain relief. Moreover, fennel is also known to help in digestion, which can help alleviate the bloating and discomfort that often accompany menstrual cramps.
Wild fennel herbal tea can lower levels of blood sugar and can in turn treat diabetes. It removes excess sugar that is stored in the body due to its diuretic properties and helps in stimulating the production of insulin from the pancreas… pic.twitter.com/C93WMJQFNb
— Sabelo ka Lindamkhonto vi (@SabzerAzoh) May 20, 2021- Thyme Tea
Thyme tea has a slightly spicy flavor with a subtle herbal aroma. Thyme is an herb that makes the best drink to alleviate period pain. The culinary herb is sourced from the dried aerial parts of some members of the genus Thymus of flowering plants in the mint family. Its strong smell helps in relaxing nerves. Thyme tea has a component called carvacrol that has a naturally relaxing and supportive effect on the nervous system. Although not directly, it indirectly helps us to reduce cramps.
Craving a herbal tea that's as comforting as it is invigorating?
Let's dive into the world of Ginger and Thyme Tea and its incredible potential for your health.
This Ginger and Thyme Tea is great for digestion, inflammation, and debloating.
Instructions:
1. Add filtered water… pic.twitter.com/n4KsMU2aRU
— Barbara Oneill (@BarbaraOneillAU) July 3, 2024Next time when you are down with period pain, don’t forget to try at least some of them. If they do not cure you completely, they can provide you with temporary relief.
FAQ
1. What causes menstrual cramps?
Menstrual cramps are caused by the production of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that trigger contractions and inflammation in the uterus.
2. How do herbal teas help alleviate menstrual cramps?
Herbal teas like chamomile, turmeric, ginger, peppermint, cinnamon, green tea, fennel, and thyme contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant, or pain-relieving properties, which can help reduce menstrual cramps.
3. What do women do to achieve period pain relief?
While home remedies include herbal drinks, acupuncture, a heating pad, and essential oil massage, medications include moderate use of ibuprofen or naproxen.
4. Are there any side effects to drinking herbal teas for menstrual cramps?
Herbal teas are generally considered safe and the best thing about them is that they are free from any kind of side-effects.
5. Can herbal teas be used as a substitute for medication?
Herbal teas can be a helpful addition to your treatment plan for menstrual cramps, but unfortunately they may not be sufficient for severe pain.
