Ayurvedic Solutions And Herbal Remedies For Menstrual Cramps

Introduction

Menstrual cramps are a common health condition suffered by women during their menstrual periods. These are sharp pains in the lower abdomen which start from the first day of your menstrual period and sometimes continue for 2 to 3 days.

Menstrual cramps may occur due to various reasons like contractions in the womb, uterus, etc due to prostaglandins and other chemicals. These pains may be mild or severe that affect even the daily routine of women.

According to Ayurveda, Menstrual cramps are known as "Kashtartava". Ayurveda says that Vata imbalance is the main reason for menstrual cramps because the imbalance of Vata leads to contraction of blood vessels in the reproductive tissues due to the cold energy flow resulting in severe abdominal pain.

Symptoms Of Menstrual Cramps

Even though menstrual cramps are a common health condition for most women, in some cases the situation may worsen. General symptoms of menstruation cramps are

• Sharp pain in your lower abdomen.
• Headache.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Dizziness.
• Heavier period flow with intense pain.
• Severe back pain already starts before the menstruation days.

Sharp abdominal pain, dizziness, heavier period flow with intense pain, nausea, headache, severe back pain, etc are the common symptoms of menstrual cramps.
Ayurveda suggests that healthy lifestyle changes can reduce pain during menstruation periods.

Causes Of Menstrual Cramps

General reasons behind Menstrual cramps are

• Stressful life.
• Fibroids( Fibrous tissues growing inside the wall of the womb).
• Swelling of reproductive organs.
• A sexually transmitted infection.
• Excessive level of prostaglandins (a hormone that makes the uterus contract during menstruation).
• Pelvic inflammatory diseases affect the ovaries, uterus, and cervix. .
• Calcium deficiency is another reason for menstrual cramps. .
• Adenomyosis (A health condition in which the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle of the uterus).
• Cervical stenosis (A condition where the opening of the uterus becomes narrowing).

Menstrual cramps may occur due to various reasons. Common causes for the occurrence of menstrual cramps are fibroids, stressful life, cervical stenosis, Adenomyosis, calcium deficiency, pelvic inflammatory diseases, swelling of reproductive organs, excessive level of prostaglandins, sexually transmitted infection, etc.

Herbal Remedies To Treat Menstrual Cramps

Herbal remedies are always dependable because of the negative chances of side effects to the human body. Various herbs that can cure menstrual cramps are

• Yashtimadhu

  Yashtimadhu is a herb that is rich in anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial properties. Also, Yashtimadhu can balance Vata and Pitta doshas, hence the herb is good to use during menstruation days to reduce abdominal pain. .

• Cinnamon

  Cinnamon is rich in anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory properties. Cinnamon drink with a mix of honey during the first day of your menstrual day helps to get relief from menstrual cramps. .

• Ashoka

  Ashoka is very popularly known to have properties to balance Vata dosha which will automatically reduce abdominal pain during the menstrual period.

• Asparagus

  Asparagus helps to reduce the symptoms of feeling fatigue before your menstrual period.

• Lodhra

  Lodhra is a fine natural remedy to reduce menstruation pains, excessive bleeding, and menstruation disorders. .

Cinnamon, Yashtimadhu, Lodhra, Asparagus, Ashoka, etc are the finest herbs that can cure menstruation pains.

Lifestyle Changes To Reduce Menstrual Cramps

Natural ways to reduce the symptoms of menstrual cramps are following a healthy lifestyle.

• Regular exercises are fine remedies to reduce the menstrual cramps.
• Yoga postures like Cobra, Cat, and Cow can reduce pain during menstrual periods.
• A healthy diet can reduce menstrual pains. Include more vegetables (broccoli, green leafy vegetables, papaya), and fruits like (banana, avocados) and nuts (almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds), etc in your diet to keep you healthy.
• Drinking more water reduces painful bloating during menstruation.
• Avoid the over usage of caffeine, fatty foods, salty foods, carbonated beverages, etc because these foods may create bloating and water retention.
• Massaging therapy with essential oils for 20 minutes on the abdomen, side and back can reduce the pain during menstruation.
• Applying heat to the abdomen and lower back is a fine remedy to reduce menstrual pains.

A healthy lifestyle can prevent various diseases, similarly menstrual cramps also.

Conclusion

All the information related to menstrual cramps is collected from various ancient Ayurvedic resources. The body type of each person is different. So always seek the advice of your doctor before starting self-medication.