Did you know there really are natural remedies for menstrual cramps? Women since the beginning of time have used home remedies used for exactly this purpose, and they were women from every country on earth. Luckily for us who are living thousands of years later, the women wrote them down and the information has not been lost over the ages.

That’s why the field of herbology is full of dozens of remedies that may be used, and every culture has herbs for cramps that they use. You literally have hundreds of choices!

In fact, it’s not only herbology that offers solutions. Over time, other health practitioners who used natural healing wrote down their solutions, and that knowledge has been revived today. Women wanted to make sure that other women didn’t suffer during their period! Thus, there are natural remedies for menstrual cramps in Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathic medicine, energy medicine, and Chinese medicine.

Chinese Oriental Medicine

Chinese Oriental medical doctors have their own natural remedies for menstrual cramps, including acupuncture. One of the Chinese herbs frequently found in supplements for PMS cramps or other female irregularities is dong quai. This herb alleviates the pain of cramping during the period and also can stimulate the body’s production of red blood cells. Red blood cell count will be lower than usual if you have excessive flow during your period or when you are iron deficient.

Other Chinese herbs used frequently for menstrual cramps include angelica root, red peony root and white peony root. The herbs are often prepared in a decoction, which means they are brewed at low temperature for long periods of time. The herbal decoction may be drunk for about a week prior to the period and through the period. And according to one scientific evaluation of a Chinese herbal formula containing five herbs, the scientists are giving the herbs a thumbs up since results proved the herbs were better than over-the-counter relief. (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Zhu X, et al “Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhoea”Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007;3: CD005288.)

Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurvedic medicine offers a lot of simple solutions for menstrual cramps. Ginger tea, basil tea and flax seeds are amongst the easiest to start.

For the ginger tea, use 1 teaspoon powdered ginger or about a tablespoon of ginger sliced from fresh ginger root. Place the ginger in a tea cup and pour boiling hot water over the herb. Let steep for five minutes. Then drink.

Basil tea may be prepared in a similar way. Take 1 teaspoon basil leaf and place it in a teacup. Pour boiling water over the herb and let steep for 5 minutes. Drink during the day.

Golden flax seeds or regular brown flax seeds contain fat and oil that may interfere with the production of prostaglandins which cause cramping. A few tablespoons may be chewed during the day to alleviate the menstrual cramps.

Homeopathic Natural Remedies

Homeopathic remedies also are available as natural remedies for menstrual cramps. In order to choose the correct homeopathic remedy, you must consider what else is happening when you have cramps. Do you also have heavy bleeding? If so, your homeopathic remedy that may offer you the most relief could be belladonna.

Do you have a lot of anger with the cramps? If so, your homeopathic remedy is Chamomilla or Colocynthis. Do you have shooting pains and back pain? If so, choose nux vomica, magnesia phos, or lachesis.

Nutritional Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps

Health practitioners in the field of nutrition look at menstrual cramps from the viewpoint of what vitamins and minerals may be needed to support the body during this time.

Taking a period vitamin may not only relieve the menstrual cramps but will also provide much needed vitamins and minerals to keep up your energy and vitality.

A period vitamin will usually contain vitamins such as the B complex, vitamins A, D, E, and K, minerals such as iron, magnesium, and calcium, and herbs specifically chosen for relief of menstrual pain.

Natural remedies for menstrual cramps work! Don’t let the pain of your period slow you down during this time of the month. Proceed forward with confidence and calmness and find your remedy.