Are you tired of the usual dysmenorrheal over-the-counter drugs that really don’t work and ready to try herbal remedies for menstrual cramps? Do you wonder if the best herbs for period cramps are good enough to help you through your period in a way that no one will even know you have PMS?
The good news is that herbal medicine has solutions for menstrual cramps, and there aren’t any negative side effects experienced from them.
These herbal healing solutions usually range from drinking a cup of herbal tea a few times a day during your period to taking a few capsules of the herbs up to three times daily.
And in herbal medicine, you don’t have to wake up during the middle of the night to take any herbal supplements.
There really isn’t any bad news about herbal medicine, other than you may have to experiment a bit to find what works best for you.
What is the Best Herb for Menstrual Cramps?
Herbs work best when combined together although you could occasionally find one herbal pill composed of only one herb that works well for the health issue you are addressing.
Herbal Remedies for Menstrual Cramps are Easy to Use
There are several herbs you could choose from for menstrual cramps. If considering the use of single herbs, then some of these may be chosen:
Black cohosh
This herb increases the flow of the period yet it equalizes circulation so you won’t bleed too much. It contracts the uterus. The dosage is one herbal pill of black cohosh, 325 mg, taken three times daily. If you take the tincture, only ½ to 1 teaspoon is needed for the dosage per day.
Cramp Bark
With a name such as cramp bark, you know the herb can only be excellent for menstrual cramps. This herb relaxes the uterus and the ovaries. It quickly relieves menstrual cramps and simultaneously works on the mind to ease worries and nervousness.
Cramp bark is usually added to formulas with other herbs that help balance out hormones and support the reproductive tract in its functions. Some formulas with this herb also contain skullcap, cardamon seeds, wild yam, squaw vine, or blue cohosh. The dosage for cramp bark is only 2 oz. of cramp bark tea three to four times daily, or 1 tablespoon three to four times daily if a decoction is made.
White willow bark
White willow bark is the aspirin of herbal medicine. It’s one of the herbs to take when you have a lot of pain; the salicylic acid component is what relieves your pain during your period. Dosage is two capsules twice daily or see the instructions on the bottle you purchased.
Wild yam
Wild yam isn’t an herb that herbalists recommend using by itself for menstrual cramps. However, when used in a formula with other herbs, it can be very effective. For example, it is often added to formulas that contain cramp bark, false unicorn, and squaw vine. The dosage varies, depending on the individual formula used.
Red Raspberry Leaf
This herb is well known in herbal medicine for its positive hormone-balancing effects on women who are menstruating. It’s also quite specific for use during pregnancy, uterine hemorrhages, menstrual cramps, labor pains, and other conditions such as hemorrhoids, colds, fevers and the intestinal flu. Dosage for menstrual cramps is one cup of tea three times daily or 1 to 2 grams red raspberry leaf powder daily.
The list of herbs that help you is never limited to only one herb. The herbs that help you might also include chasteberry, dong quai, and damiana.
Probably the easiest way to take herbs is to take a period vitamin that includes them in the formula. This way you would get the benefit of not only herbs but also vitamins and minerals.
