I've suffered from painful menstrual cycles since the very first days. The first time I bled was painful, and I found it fitting as I hated the fact I was now a woman and no longer a child.
You see, I used to bleed heavily and long, which led to severe Anemia at the age of 15. The doctor's only solution was to put me on a birth control pill, with the intention to shorten my periods. Little that I knew that taking birth control at such a young age could lead to a variety of other problems that later in life caused me a lot of unnecessary pain.
I finally decided to let go of the pill at the age of 27, when I finally started taking my body and health more seriously than ever. My entire system went through a whole process of detoxification; I no longer experienced fatigue, headaches, nausea, or pain in my breasts, but I started suffering from excruciating pain in my womb and my abdomen every single period. The pain was so crippling, I was sure I was probably dying without knowing, but
multiple scans haven't revealed anything irregular, and I wasn't sure what to do.
While the doctors urged me to go back on the pill to "shelve the problem", my acupuncturist advised quite the contrary, telling me about countless young women experiencing the same symptoms after years of using birth control and IUDs (who are now being used by teenage women across the world). So I proceeded to seek natural remedies, that came to be my little saviors during difficult times.
Here is one simple-to-make recipe that can alleviate menstrual pain and ease PMS symptoms.
Ingredients
500g cranberries (fresh or frozen)
Small ginger root, chopped
3 tablespoons of honey
1 freshly squeezed lemon
Optional
Cinnamon stick
Short rosemary branch
Cranberry-Ginger Potion for Menstrual Health
Recipe
Add the cranberries and the chopped ginger to a big pot.
Cover with 2 liters of water.
Bring to a boil and then let simmer on low heat for an hour.
When the cranberries soften and the water is infused with all the goodness, turn the heat off.
Add the honey and lemon and stir until combined, then let sit for another hour.
When the tea is cooled down, put it through a strainer and keep it bottled up in the fridge for up to 2 months.
Tip: If you find the taste overwhelming or want to keep the tea for longer, you could always add a little to a cup and add boiling water on top, to defuse the tea while still enjoying its benefits. Now let's talk about benefits, shall we?!
Cranberries
Rich with wonderful vitamin C, cranberries have been known as a huge benefactor to women's health around the world. Packed with antioxidants, they promote your immune system and can help prevent signs of premature aging. By increasing your Magnesium levels, they contribute to a painless muscle contraction, hence less painful cramps. They not only ease PMS symptoms but are highly effective in treating and preventing UTIs (urinary tract infections) as well.
Ginger Root
Because of its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, ginger helps with both pain and bloating and has tremendous effects on hormones that cause excessive menstrual bleeding and cramps.
Honey
Consuming honey during periods on a regular basis and especially a few days prior to menstruation usually helps prevent the build-up of cramp-causing hormones. When the build-up of these compounds at the beginning of the menstrual cycle is reduced, it ensures less pain and bleeding during your period.
Lemon
Being rich in fiber, lemon is good for preventing muscle spasms. Also, it's helpful to have a boost of vitamin C, as you may be losing more red blood cells than your body can keep up with during your period. A lemon would boost your iron absorption and prevent Anemia in the long run.
Rosemary
Studies have shown that Rosemary helps with relieving extreme period cramps. It soothes the nerves, calms down muscle cramps, and eases the bleeding process.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon helps to reduce inflammation and provides relief from period pain and nausea. Using cinnamon during or before your period can help reduce your menstrual flow naturally.
Also, here's an interesting study about the effects of cinnamon on menstrual pain:
I hope this recipe will become a new favorite in your book and will serve as a remedy in times of need. I have been using it for several years now, and I love the way it balances me during my cycle, and how gently it soothes the pain away.
Let me know if you try it and how it made you feel, and make sure to tag me on Instagram @elyriasmoon.
Cheers,
Yours truly,
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