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12 home remedies for menstrual cramps (and how to prepare)

Cramps

Home remedies for menstrual cramps are mainly teas with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and calming properties, such as ginger tea, chamomile tea or oregano tea, as they contain substances that help relieve uterine contractions, reducing the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps.

In addition to drinking one of these teas, other ways to relieve menstrual cramps are to place a warm water compress on the abdomen and avoid excess sweet and savory foods and the consumption of foods with caffeine, such as coffee, chocolate and green tea, as they can increase colic. See other ways to relieve menstrual cramps.

Teas for menstrual cramps can be used to alleviate the discomfort of cramps, however, if the cramps are very painful and frequent, you should consult your gynecologist to identify if there is any other cause, such as endometriosis, that could be causing the cramps. and thus, start the most appropriate treatment.

Some home remedy options for menstrual cramps are:

1. Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve menstrual cramps.

Furthermore, chamomile is rich in apigenin, a substance that acts on brain receptors, causing a relaxing and calming effect, helping to reduce insomnia and improve poor sleep quality, which may be related to menstrual problems.

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon of fresh or dried chamomile flowers;
  • 1 cup of boiling water.

Preparation mode:

Add the chamomile flowers to a cup of boiling water, cover and leave to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes. Afterwards, remove the flowers from the water. Leave to cool and then drink. You can drink the tea 2 to 3 times a day.

2. Ginger tea

Ginger tea is rich in phenolic compounds such as gingerol, zingerone and chogaol, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, helping to alleviate the pain of menstrual cramps.

Furthermore, this tea has antiemetic properties, which can help relieve nausea and vomiting that can occur when you have menstrual cramps. See other benefits of ginger tea.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cm of ginger root, cut into slices or grated;
  • 1 liter of boiling water.

Preparation mode:

Add the ginger to a pan with water and let it boil for 5 to 10 minutes. After cooling, strain and drink a maximum of 3 cups per day.

Another option for making tea is to replace the root with 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger, which must be diluted in boiling water.

Ginger tea should be avoided by people who use anticoagulants such as warfarin or acetylsalicylic acid, as it may increase the risk of bleeding or hemorrhage.

Read too: Menstrual cramps: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

3. Lavender tea

Lavender tea, also known as lavender, has analgesic, relaxing and calming properties that help relieve the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps.

Ingredients:

  • 30 g of lavender leaves;
  • 1 liter of water.

Preparation mode:

Bring the water to a boil and then add the lavender flowers and turn off the heat. Cover the pan and let it cool. Strain and drink up to 3 times a day, recommended after each main meal.

Lavender tea should not be consumed by people who have a gastric ulcer.

Another option is to do aromatherapy with lavender essential oil, for this you must add 3 to 4 drops of the essential oil in an electric air freshener or place it on your pillow or bedding.

4. Peppermint tea

Peppermint tea is rich in substances such as menthol and menthone, with antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and calming properties, which help relieve the pain of menstrual cramps.

In addition to tea, a massage with peppermint essential oil placed on the temples also helps to relieve tension and migraines.

Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh peppermint;
  • 150 mL of water.

Preparation mode:

Bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat and add the peppermint leaves. Then cover and let it rest for a few minutes. After cooling, strain the tea and drink it afterwards. You can drink 1 cup of tea 2 to 4 times a day. See other benefits and other recipes with mint.

Peppermint is not recommended during breastfeeding, in cases of stomach inflammation, gastroesophageal reflux, gallstones or serious liver disease.

5. Oregano tea

Oregano is an aromatic herb that has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and, therefore, tea made with this herb can help alleviate the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps. Learn more about the properties of oregano tea.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon of dried oregano leaf;
  • 1 cup of water.

Preparation mode:

Bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat, add the oregano leaves and leave to rest for about 10 minutes. Then strain, let it cool and drink immediately.

6. Fennel tea

Fennel tea has anethole, ursole and camphor in its composition, substances with antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, which help to alleviate the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps.

Furthermore, this tea has digestive properties, which can help relieve nausea or vomiting that may arise due to menstrual cramps.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon of fennel seeds;
  • 1 cup of boiling water.

Preparation mode:

Add the fennel seeds to the cup of boiling water. Cover and let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and then drink 2 to 3 cups a day, 20 minutes before a meal. Another option for preparing this tea is to use a fennel tea bag. Find out other ways to use fennel.

Fennel tea should not be used by women who are breastfeeding or have a suspected or confirmed pregnancy.

7. Green tea

Green tea, made from the plant Camellia sinensishas phenolic compounds in its composition, especially epigallocatechin, which has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antioxidant properties, which help relieve menstrual cramps.

Furthermore, this tea has an antiproliferative effect that can help alleviate cramps related to endometriosis, for example.

Green tea can be used in the form of tea, infusion or natural extract, and should be used with medical advice as excessive use can harm the liver.

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves or 1 green tea bag;
  • 1 cup of boiling water.

Preparation mode:

Add the leaves or green tea bag to the cup of boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain or remove the sachet, wait for it to cool and then drink. This tea can be consumed 3 to 4 times a day, or as advised by your doctor.

Green tea should not be consumed by teenagers, women who are breastfeeding, or who have insomnia, hyperthyroidism, gastritis or high blood pressure. Furthermore, as it contains caffeine in its composition, you should avoid drinking this tea at the end of the day or in quantities greater than recommended.

8. Mango leaf tea

Mango leaf tea has antispasmodic properties and is therefore useful for relieving cramps.

Ingredients:

  • 20 grams of mango leaves;
  • 1 liter of boiling water.

Preparation mode:

Place the ingredients in a pan and let it boil for 5 minutes. Cover and let it cool, then strain and, to sweeten this tea, add 1 teaspoon of bee honey per cup. However, this addition should only happen when drinking, and not in the entire liter of tea.

To make colic less intense, naturally, this tea should be taken 4 times a day, in the two days before menstruation begins and on the first day of menstruation.

9. Agnocasto tea

Agnocasto tea, prepared with the medicinal plant The chaste lamb’s vineis rich in flavonoids, essential oils, iridoids and glycosides, with antispasmodic action, in addition to helping to balance female hormones, which can help alleviate menstrual cramps.

Furthermore, agnocasto tea can help regulate menstruation in cases of very long or very short intervals between periods, absence of menstruation or polycystic ovary syndrome, for example.

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon of agnocasto fruits;
  • 300 mL of water.

Preparation mode:

Add the ingredients to a container and bring to a boil, letting it boil for about 3 to 4 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to 2 cups per day, for a maximum period of 3 months. See other ways to use agnocasto.

Agnocasto tea should not be used by anyone under 18 years of age, or in cases of suspected or confirmed pregnancy, breastfeeding, by women undergoing hormone replacement treatment or taking oral contraceptives or sex hormones.

Care must be taken when administering tea doses, as high dosages can cause intestinal problems.

10. Basil tea

Basil tea is rich in essential oils, such as geraniol, eugenol and linalool, as well as tannins, saponins and flavonoids, with antispasmodic properties, making it a good option for a home remedy for menstrual cramps. See other benefits of basil.

Ingredients:

  • 10 fresh or dried basil leaves;
  • 1 cup of water.

Preparation mode:

Bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat and add the basil leaves. Cover and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to 3 times a day.

Basil tea should not be consumed by women who are pregnant or suspected of being pregnant, women who are breastfeeding, or those who have low blood pressure.

11. Mugwort tea

A great home remedy to get rid of cramps is mugwort tea, because it has an antispasmodic action that reduces pain and abdominal discomfort caused by intestinal or menstrual cramps.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon of artemisia leaves;
  • 1 cup of boiling water.

Preparation mode:

Add the ingredients and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Then cover, let it cool and drink 2 to 3 cups a day. To increase the effect of this tea, the woman can place a bag of warm water on her belly and lie on her side.

Mugwort tea should not be used by pregnant women, as it can cause uterine contractions and cause miscarriage. This tea should also not be used by breastfeeding women.

12. Calendula tea

Calendula tea with fennel and nutmeg, due to its antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and calming properties, can also help regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce the pain of colic that can occur during this period.

Ingredients:

  • 1 handful of marigold flowers;
  • 1 teaspoon of nutmeg;
  • 1 teaspoon of fennel;
  • 1 glass of water.

Preparation mode:

Place the ingredients in a pan and let it boil for 10 minutes. Then turn off the heat, cover the pan and let it cool. Then, sweeten to taste, strain and drink twice a day.