Do you dread suffering from the menstrual cramps during that time of the month?
Do you also suffer from painful stomach, leg and thigh cramps during your periods?
Do you turn to a painkiller every time you start experiencing the menstrual cramps?
Most of the women suffer from painful menstrual cramps which start with the offset of the periods and make them very uncomfortable.
Those 3-4 days are the most emotionally and physically exhausting times of the month. With all the discomfort, pain and cramping, all that women really want is to relax, lie down, and let the pain vanish to get immediate period pain relief.
While there are a plethora of painkillers available for cramps which can help you get rid of the pain, but, taking a painkiller every time you feel the pain might not be the best thing to do. Consuming painkillers for a long time start affecting our organs.
You can try the best natural remedies for menstrual cramps, to get relief from the pain without any side effects.
What Causes Menstrual Cramps?
Menstrual cramps are caused due to the shedding of the uterine wall’s inner lining. In order to make the inner lining is shed, the body starts producing higher levels of “Prostaglandins”. This hormone pushes the lining out of the uterus.
The rise in “Prostaglandin” causes the uterine contractions resulting in pain, inflammation, cramps and discomfort. The occurrence of menstrual cramps during the periods is known as “dysmenorrhea”.
Apart from the Prostaglandin’s hormonal action, the uterus also gets devoid of blood due to which muscle spasms occur.
In some women, the menstrual cramps are accompanied by a headache, nausea, diarrhea, loose stools, and severe pain in the lower back, abdomen, inner thighs, and the hips.
Lower back pain is one of the biggest issues during the menstruation, but if you are suffering from chronic back pain already, the situation becomes even worse.
Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps
There are many home remedies which can be used to get relief from the menstrual cramps and pain, and that’s how you can avoid the painkillers.
Increase Your Magnesium Intake
The enhanced intake of magnesium can help in getting rid of the menstrual cramps. Some of the best dietary sources of magnesium include bananas, dried fruits, yogurt, avocados, dark leafy greens, avocados, beans and whole grains.
So, eat more magnesium rich foods during your period.
Curl Up With A Heating Pad
Using a heating pad on the painful areas can help you get significant relief from the pain. You can either use a towel drenched in hot water or the heating pad/ bottle to ease the cramps.
Hot water treatment works excellently on the abdominal cramps.
Ginger Tea
Ginger is very effective against the menstrual cramps, and the best way to consume ginger during your periods is by preparing the ginger tea.
How to Prepare Ginger Tea?
- Boil one and a half cup of water and add half a tablespoon of grated or crushed ginger in it.
- Let it boil on slow gas for 8-10 minutes.
- Strain the tea and let it cool a bit.
- Add one tablespoon of honey in the tea before you drink it.
- You can also add a few drops of lemon juice if you like.
Carom Seeds
Roast the carom seeds and have them with a warm glass of milk to get immediate relief from the menstrual cramps and pain.
Alternatively, you can take some carom seeds with a glass of water or apply the carom oil on your abdomen, thighs or legs to get rid of the pain.
Green Tea
Green tea with honey is quite effective against the pain caused by the menstrual cramps.
While green tea works wonder in relieving the pain, the jasmine flavored green tea is even more effective in calming the mind and the body.
Carrot Juice
Having a glass of a carrot juice or raw carrot is one of the best ways to deal with problems caused by the menstrual cramps. Carrots are a rich source of iron, beta carotene, and Vitamin A.
When you drink carrot juice or eat raw carrots during the periods, it helps in regularizing the blood flow and helps in making the cramps less severe.
Carrot juice is also quite effective in beating the PMS fatigue.
Aloe Vera Juice
Drinking Aloe Vera juice with honey is can significantly ease the flow during the periods while reducing the pain caused by the menstrual cramps.
Avoid Caffeine and Red Meat
Caffeine and red meat are rich in properties which can exacerbate the pain caused by the cramps during the menstruation. So, try to avoid these in your diet during your periods to suppress the menstrual cramps pain.
Wild Yam
One of the best home remedies for menstrual cramps is to eat the wild yam, also known as ratalu. Wild Yam possesses the exceptional antispasmodic properties, which make the menstrual pain much more bearable.
Milk
Milk, which is rich in calcium can help you overcome the period pain.
Calcium is a very good cure for the menstrual cramps and that’s why when you drink a glass of milk with your breakfast or before going to sleep, you can get relief from the pain caused by these cramps. If you are lactose intolerant, then you can choose to eat the calcium tablets instead of milk to give your body the right dose of calcium.
Papaya
Eat a lot of papaya before and during the periods. Papaya is rich in an enzyme called “papain” which helps in regulating and easing the flow during the menstruation while relieving you from the menstrual cramps.
Lavender Oil Massage
Lavender oil is one of the best body oils which can be used for massage during the periods. Applying the lavender oil around your abdomen and lower back during the periods eases the cramps in just 15-20 minutes.
Basil Leaves or Tea
Basil is one of the wonderful herbs with a plethora of medicinal properties. To get immediate relief from the menstrual cramps, chew some basil leaves every day during the periods, or prepare the basil tea.
How to Prepare Basil Tea?
- Boil 6-8 basil leaves in one glass of water for about 10 minutes
- Strain the tea and drink it.
- If you want, you can add some honey to it for a little sweetness.
Flax seeds
Exceptionally rich in the omega-3 fatty acids, the flax seeds also offer instant relief from the menstrual cramps during the periods.
All you need to do is consume 1 tablespoon of flax seeds or flax seeds powder daily during the periods. You can put the flax seeds in your smoothie, into a glass of juice or simply add them to your salad.
Relax
One of the most significant things you can do to ease the menstrual cramps and discomfort during the periods is by relaxing yourself. Find out some free time, refrain from taking up more work during these days and read a book, listen to music, or indulge in an activity that helps you unwind.
Exercise
In so much physical stress and discomfort, exercise might be the last thing that you would want to do. But, light exercises help in enhancing the blood circulation in the cramped areas and you start feeling the relief from the pain.
Avoid doing exhausting physical activities, but indulge yourself in light exercises or yoga (some yoga poses can help you get rid of menstrual cramps) to feel better.
Drink Plenty of Water
Though drinking water is helpful in multiple ways, but one of the benefits of consuming plenty of water during periods is that it helps in easing the flow and muscle cramps during the menstruation.
To get more benefits from water, you can prefer consuming lukewarm or warm water.
Final Words:
These home remedies for instant muscle cramp relief not only curb the pain but also make you feel better.
These natural remedies are quite effective against the pain and in easing the muscles. However, if your muscle cramps seem severe and you are not getting any relief despite trying some of these remedies, you must consult your physician.
