Many women experience severe pain in the abdomen, lower back, and thighs, sometimes accompanied by severe headaches and nausea. If you suffer from painful menstrual cramps and want to give your painkillers a skip, there are a couple of home remedies for menstrual cramps you can try. Medically known as dysmenorrhea, menstrual cramps occur when the uterus sheds its lining every month.
Home Remedies For Menstrual Cramps
Heating Pads
Applying heat to your lower abdomen may relieve cramps. Studies have shown that it is almost as effective as taking pain relievers like ibuprofen for reducing menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).
You Will Need
- A heating pad
What You Have To Do
- Place a heating pad or water bottle filled with hot water
- on your lower abdomen and lower back for about 10 minutes.
- Alternatively, you can also soak a clean washcloth in hot water, wring it, and place it on your abdomen and back.
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Ginger
Ginger is a common ingredient used to relieve period cramps. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger help in reducing the pain associated with menstrual cramps. It also helps cure nausea and calms an upset stomach.
You Will Need
- 1 inch of ginger
- 1 cup of hot water
- Honey
What You Have To Do
- Steep an inch of ginger in a cup of hot water for about 10 minutes.
- Let it cool for a bit. Add honey to it.
- Drink it up.
How Often You Should Do This
- Drink ginger tea 2-3 times daily.
Green Tea
Green tea contains flavonoids called catechins that give it its medicinal properties. Green tea is a natural antioxidant and also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This can help relieve the pain and inflammation associated with period cramps.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves
- 1 cup of water
- Honey
What You Have To Do
- Add the green tea leaves to a cup of water and bring it to a boil.
- Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes and strain it.
- Allow it to cool a bit and add some honey for flavor.
- Consume it.
How Often You Should Do This
- Drink green tea 3-4 times daily.
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Yogurt
Yogurt is a rich source of calcium and contains trace amounts of vitamin D. The intake of both calcium and vitamin D helps reduce the symptoms of PMS and relieves period cramps
You Will Need
- 1 cup of plain yogurt
What You Have To Do
- Consume a bowl of plain yogurt.
How Often You Should Do This
- Do this 3-4 times daily when you are on your period.
Foot Massage
Your feet have pressure points that can help in providing immediate relief from period cramps. These points are usually located about three finger widths above your ankle bones. Gently massaging these points with your thumbs and fingers may help relieve period cramps and their symptoms, like bloating, insomnia, and dizziness. This massage is known as reflexology or zone therapy. However, this alone won’t help you get rid of period cramps. It can only provide temporary relief.
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Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera has healing and anti-inflammatory properties and can help improve blood flow. This can help in relieving painful period cramps.
You Will Need
- 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice
What You Have To Do
- Consume aloe vera juice daily.
How Often You Should Do This
- Start drinking aloe vera juice once a day, a few days before your period begins.
Lemon Juice
Lemon has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also rich in vitamin C, which helps with iron absorption (that is often lost during menstruation) and is good for your reproductive system. Thus, lemon may help in providing relief from period cramps.
You Will Need
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 glass of water
- Honey
What You Have To Do
- Squeeze half a lemon into a glass of warm water and mix well.
- Add some honey to it and drink.
How Often You Should Do This
- Have lemon juice once every morning on an empty stomach