BC Vancouver Naturopathic
Ladies, we all know it. Menstrual cramps suck. There’s no sugar coating what is inevitably a bad experience that comes every month. Most people reach for medications that provide temporary pain relief when the going gets particularly tough. But speaking from experience, too much medication can lead to your body, specifically your gut, wearing out. But what’s a gal to do? Here are some home remedies you can try to get much needed relief from your menstrual cramps.
Across cultures, ginger is highly recommended and rated for its applications in soothing menstrual cramps. Ginger can be taken in many forms, but fresh is always best. Try grinding up about a teaspoon of fresh ginger, swallowing it and then drinking a glass of water immediately. Personally, I prefer to add the teaspoon of fresh ginger to a glass of hot water and waiting for it to cool slightly before drinking all the contents. Do this for each day that you’re in your menstrual cycle and you’ll experience comfort for sure.
A more exotic remedy is the banana flower. Cook the flower completely and eat it with curd. This will help reduce your pain and flow.
Eat leafy vegetables and whole grain foods for their magnesium content. This way, you avoid the detriment that sometimes come along with taking magnesium supplements since too much of this mineral can lead to diarrhea and muscle weakness.
Fish lovers, here is some good news. Eating fatty fish containing omega 3 fatty acids helps reduce pain as well when consumed on a regular basis, instead of just when your menstrual cramps are here. For those who prefer not to eat fish, omega 3 fatty acid supplements are now widely available and don’t worry, they don’t smell or tasty fishy at all.
Together with what you can eat to feel better, you can also increase you level of physical activity. Do what feels good, without overworking your body. Try simple exercises that don’t require a gym membership, like walking, running, or aerobics and yoga. The good news for those lacking motivation in this area is that simply stretching can relieve pain in some individuals.
While the above are strategies you can test to relieve menstrual cramps, you must keep in mind that each person is unique and some remedies may work better on one person than another. Keep in mind before you suggest these to someone else that some people may be allergic to certain foods or herbal supplements. At the end of the day, do what feels right to you and soon you’ll be on your way to relief from your monthly menstrual cramps.
If you want to discuss with a professional about menstrual and hormonal irregularities, book an appointment at Naturopath Vancouver, a Vancouver Naturopathic clinic, at your earliest convenience.
