Painful Periods: When Herbal Teas Provide Relief

When you suffer from dysmenorrhea – or simply painful periods – you welcome anything that can ease your discomfort. Moreover, painful periods are often associated with heavy flow: if that’s your case, know that there are menstrual panties for heavy flow that keep you dry for 12 hours straight!

Back to the topic. Anti-inflammatory drugs cause damage over time and can even be ineffective. What if we turned to plants to feel better? Here are 3 herbal tea recipes to relieve pain during this phase of your cycle. 

Painful Periods: Ginger During the Day

Ginger is well known for its toning properties and its action against sore throats or nausea. It is even credited with aphrodisiac qualities. But few know that this root from Southeast Asia has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also antispasmodic and fights abdominal cramps. This makes ginger a powerful ally against the pain that precedes or accompanies periods. 
To enjoy its benefits, you can find ready-made ginger infusions in stores, but ideally, buy a fresh rhizome (in the vegetable section of the supermarket or at the greengrocer) and make your own herbal tea. 

Homemade Ginger Herbal Tea Recipe

Peel a piece of fresh ginger and grate it into a bowl to get about 3 generous tablespoons. Pour this into half a liter of boiling water, turn off the heat, and let it steep for 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much you like the spicy kick of ginger. Strain, and drink your tea hot or cold throughout the day, preferably not in the evening as ginger is stimulating.

 

Valerian in the Evening

Valerian, also known as Cat Herb or cure-all, is also antispasmodic and calms uterine contractions during menstruation. It also helps with migraines. The Greeks already used it in Antiquity to calm nervous agitation and sleep disorders. Valerian will also help you sleep well during your period. Brew a good herbal tea from this magical plant and put on your menstrual panties for a peaceful night!

 

Homemade Valerian Infusion Recipe

At the herbalist’s, get dried valerian root. Pour 3 grams, about a teaspoon, into 250 ml of boiling water. Let it steep for at least ten minutes to benefit from its active substances, then strain. Valerian’s taste is not very pleasant, which is its only drawback. To mask it, add verbena, honey, or even a splash of milk, all three of which promote calm.

Lady’s Mantle for Heavy Periods

Lady’s mantle is a pretty medicinal plant from Europe that was once used for rather particular reasons. It was believed that its astringent properties could firm up the female genital area. Some women used it to appear virgin before marriage, hence its other name, Lady’s Mantle. Today, lady’s mantle is used to reduce heavy menstrual flow because it stimulates progesterone production. Yes, if you lack this hormone – produced during the second half of your menstrual cycle – you generally have heavier bleeding and more tender breasts. 
You can grow lady’s mantle on a balcony or in a garden, as it is hardy and undemanding. But you can also easily find ready-made herbal teas in health food stores or loose leaves to make your own infusion at home!

Homemade Lady’s Mantle Herbal Tea Recipe

To prepare a lady’s mantle decoction for gynecological issues, simply steep 7 grams of dried leaves in 250 ml of boiling water, then strain.
Be careful, any plant taken in high doses can cause side effects (for example, ginger can irritate the stomach). Do not exceed 4 cups per day. If in doubt, consult your doctor.

 

By Elise