Did you know that physical and emotional stress can actually make menstrual cramps worse? As if they aren’t bad enough already, right?
Staying stress-free is only part of the equation for easing the painful uterine muscle cramps that may accompany your monthly period. Here are some tips to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps naturally!
- Make a massage oil that contains natural muscle relaxers like chamomile, ginger, lavender, marjoram, or melissa (lemon balm). Mix 2-3 drops of the essential oils of your choice into an ounce of carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond. Rub the mixture gently over the affected area as needed.
- Apply an oil infused with Saint John’s wort to your belly. Cover with a thin cloth (like a t-shirt) and then apply a heating pad or hot water bottle.
- Try wild yam root or valerian root tea to ease cramps and relax muscles. Wild yam root is particularly known for easing uterine cramps; valerian is a general relaxing agent.
- Taking evening primrose capsules during your menstrual period can help your body adjust to the hormonal changes. During your period, your body sends hormone-like signals that cause uterine cramps.
- Using olive oil and flaxseed oil in cooking can help your body adjust to the hormonal fluctuations. Avoid hydrogenated oils like margarine.
- Gentle exercise can help ease muscle cramps, if you can tolerate it. Try belly dancing to help tone uterine muscles. Don’t exercise if it makes the pain worse; try something gentle like walking, if you can tolerate it.
- Make time to just relax! Whether you take a hot bath with a few drops of lavender essential oil in the water, kick back with your favorite music and a heated eye mask, or just curl up with a good book… taking a little time for yourself is important every day.