menstrual cramps

French women claim that chamomile not only relieves menstrual cramps, but also eases the emotional stress that sometimes accompanies menstruation. The Greeks and Romans, too, believed in the ability of chamomile to soothe the cramps of painful periods. To make chamomile tea, steep 1 tbsp of dried flowers in a cup of boiling water. Cover with a saucer, and allow to brew in a warm place for 10 minutes. Strain and drink.

The root of the plant known as either dong quai or tang kwei, (depending on the Chinese dialect spoken) is used by Chinese women to regulate periods and to relieve menstrual cramps. It tastes something like celery and is often included in Chinese recipes. It also can be taken in powdered and in pill forms. The powdered herb, available in capsules from health food stores is taken 3 times a day, one capsule each time. You can open the capsule and sprinkle the powder on salads or in soups. Don quai is also used frequently by older Chinese women, who find that it eases the symptoms of menopause. Warning: The Chinese say that this preparation should never be taken with fruit or fruit juices. As with manufactured medicines, changes in stomach acidity can change the properties of the drug, making it more potent in some cases.

A 2,000 year old Chinese medical book, Shen-Nung Pen Ts'ao Chingar, describes a time tested remedy for menstrual difficulties. Called Chinese angelica, dang gui, or "women's ginseng," this plant is still used today to relieve a host of gynecological problems. It has antispasmodic action and eases painful periods. Its most effective use, though, is in the treatment of menstrual irregularity.

Amaranth is a 3' high plant with bright red and purple flowers. In france, its leaves are cooked and eaten like spinach. Highly nutritious, the dish is said to prevent both cramps and heavy bleeding during menstruation. Amaranth is an astringent, which inhibits bleeding. Its high protein content provides energy as well.

An infusion of shepherd's purse was a French remedy for reducing heavy, painful menstrual bleeding. The herb contains tyramine, which constricts blood vessels and thus reduces bleeding. Make shepherd's purse tea by soaking a handful of the fresh plant in 1 liter of boiling water for 20 minutes. Strain and drink 24 hours before the onset of menstruation.

The Chinese treat menstrual pain with a tea made from dried gingerroot boiled in water along with equal amounts of brown sugar and seeded red dates. Ginger increases blood circulation, which can relieve spasms in the uterus.

Lady's mantle, also called "bear's foot" or "lion's foot", is common to France and Germany. This perennial plant is easilly identified by its numerous yellow green flowers. Used to slow excessive flow of blood during menstrual periods, it is usually taken as a tincture or tea. Tannins in the tea act as an astringent, constricting tissue and decreasing secretions.

The Chinese were the first to discover that the leaves of the raspberry bush have medicinal value. Centuries later, the English, too, recognized the possible applications of those leaves, which can be brewed into a tea that relieves menstrual cramps. An added benefit: The leaves are an excellent source of calcium, iron, phosphorous, and vitamins A, B, and E. A woman's body is often depleted of these important nutrients during normal menstruation, and drinking raspberry leaf tea is an effective way to restore them.

Saint Johnswort & Raspberry Tea

This tea is used to ease menstrual cramps. Infuse equal parts of Saint Johnswort leaves and Raspberry leaves in boiling water for 10 minutes.

The mugwort flower grows throughout artic Europe, North Africa, Siberia, western Asia, and the Himalayas. Quite humble in its apperance, this flower has many medicinal applications. It is most commonly used to encourage menstruation, an application popular in the Philippines, Vietnam, India, Korea, China, Europe (especially Portugal), and rural areas of the United States.

Warning: Mugwort should not be used during pregnancy or taken in large amounts or for long periods of time.

Cramp Bark relieves menstrual cramps. Native Americans called it squaw bush and used it for that same purpose. Cramp bark is a muscle and nerve relaxant. to prevent cramps, drink 2 cups of cramp bark tea daily, starting a week before your period will begin. Prepare the tea by steeping a tsp of the herb in a cup of boiled water for about 7 minutes. Strain and drink. Warning: The berries

of the cramp bark are poisonous.

Red raspberry leaf strengthens the uterus wall and regulates menstrual flow. It nourishes the reproductive organs, especially the uterine muscles, and helps strengthen and prepare the body for childbirth. It is also highly valued for its soothing and astringent properties to the stomach and intestinal tract. Raspberry leaf is a nutrient-rich herb that helps balance the body so that diarrhea or constipation can be relieved.

The early Native Americans used Black Cohosh to treat snakebite and a tea from the root is reputed to soothe sore throat. They also used the root to help ease complaints associated with the skeletal system. It is a traditional approach for many gynecological topics, including menstrual cramps, labor and delivery, and menstruation. When combined with other nervine herbs, it provides excellent soothing properties. Black Cohosh also nourishes the respiratory system. Black Cohosh has traditionally been used to calm the nervous system by nourishing blood vessels, and balancing the hormones in menopausal women. Studies show it contains substances that bind to estrogen receptors. It has also been shown in lab experiments (in vitro) to inhibit microbial activity.

Cramping During Menstruation - Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tablespoon of dried raspberry leaves. Cover and allow to steep 15 minutes. Strain and sweeten. Drink warm several times during the day.

Menstrual Cramps - Mix 1 ounce each of cramp bark, skullcap, and blue cohosh. Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Place in a quart of warm wine. Steep several days. Strain and take 1 tablespoon doses several times a day for cramps.

FEMALE PROBLEMS: For the relief of the physical discomforts often

associated with menopause, pregnancy and vaginal/uterine disorders: SQUAWVINE, SLIPPERY ELM BARK, YELLOW DOCK ROOT, COMFREY ROOT, MARSHMALLOW ROOT, CHICKWEED, GOLDEN SEAL ROOT and MULLEIN. This combination of herbs is used most effectively as a suppository. Another good combination most effective in the treatment of a prolapsed uterus or other prolapsed organs such as the lower bowel or kidney is the combination of: WHITE OAK BARK, COMFREY ROOT, YELLOWDOCK, MULLEIN, BLACK WALNUT, MARSHMALLOW and LOBELIA. The combination is best used as a douche elevating the pelvis to retain the solution as long as possible.

Contraception, Childbirth, and Menstrual Cramps: Raspberry lear, wild yam root, angelica, motherwort, ginger, squaw vine, black cohosh, blue chhose, licorice root, yarrow, mugwort and nettle.

The above herbs were used as teas and taken 2-3 times per day.

CRAMPS : Avoid consuming Alcohol and fatty foods. Supplements of

Magnesium and calcium is suggested. The Following herbs are suggested - Black Currant, Borage, Chamomile, Chaste Berry Tree, Cramp Bark, Dong Quai, Feverfew, Motherwort, Scullcap and wild yams.

Cramp Bark: Cramp Bark is one of the best female regulators in the herb world. It is a uterine sedative, aiding in menstrual cramps and afterbirth. It helps to prevent miscarriage, as well as internal hemmorhaging.

MENSTRUATION: Normalizing herbs include: GOLDEN SEAL ROOT, BLESSED THISTLE, CAYENNE, UVA-URSI, CRAMP BARK, FALSE UNICORN ROOT, RASPBERRY LEAVES, SQUAW VINE and GINGER.