5 TIPS FOR CRAMP RELIEF
I just heard someone say, "I always take four ibuprofen at a time! Less than that doesn't touch the pain."
Pain medication, even when it's over the counter wreaks havoc on your digestive system and liver. While it can help take away the discomfort, it's not addressing the root cause and can be creating more inflammation which will increase the pain down the road.
Even though it might only be one day a month, period pain that keeps you from fully participating in work, relationships and tasks at home, isn't something you have to suffer with! There are more answers than the band-aid of pain medication.
To understand period pain, let's first consider what causes it.
As your uterine lining starts to break down at the end of your cycle, it releases prostaglandins. These stimulate your uterine muscles to contract to help shed the lining. But too many prostaglandins can cause pain. To relieve period pain, we need to focus on reducing prostaglandins and inflammation.
5 Tips for Cramp Relief
1- Essential oils
Essentials oils, when diluted and applied topically, can provide immediate relieve for cramps. Ginger, Digestzen, Marjoram, Lavender, Clary Sage/Clary Calm and Jasmine are all good choices to ease discomfort.
2- Minerals
Magnesium lowers prostaglandins and relaxes the uterus. It can be helpful for both prevention and current relieve. Zinc also inhibits prostaglandins and inflammation. Potassium can also be beneficial when taken regularly.
3- Herbs
Turmeric lowers inflammation which can be taken in a capsule or in a tea. Ginger warms and increases blood flow which can be also taken in a tea.
4- Compress
Castor oil packs can relax muscles and remove toxins from the liver. Apply over abdomen for several hours or over night. Heating pads, hot packs or warm compresses can also be soothing and relax muscles.
5- Dietary Changes
Avoiding inflammatory foods such as sugar, dairy and high histamine foods can reduce your overall inflammation load. Adding in foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (olive oil, cod liver oil, etc) and reducing foods high in omega-6 fatty acids can also significantly reduce overall inflammation and prostaglandins.
I'd be delighted to know if you try any of these ideas and which ones you found the most helpful!
Love the idea of getting to the root cause not just dealing with the discomfort? Check out my 180 Days to Wellness where we dig deep into your personal root causes so that you can be energetic, happy and feel like yourself again!
Pain medication, even when it's over the counter wreaks havoc on your digestive system and liver. While it can help take away the discomfort, it's not addressing the root cause and can be creating more inflammation which will increase the pain down the road.
Even though it might only be one day a month, period pain that keeps you from fully participating in work, relationships and tasks at home, isn't something you have to suffer with! There are more answers than the band-aid of pain medication.
To understand period pain, let's first consider what causes it.
As your uterine lining starts to break down at the end of your cycle, it releases prostaglandins. These stimulate your uterine muscles to contract to help shed the lining. But too many prostaglandins can cause pain. To relieve period pain, we need to focus on reducing prostaglandins and inflammation.
5 Tips for Cramp Relief
1- Essential oils
Essentials oils, when diluted and applied topically, can provide immediate relieve for cramps. Ginger, Digestzen, Marjoram, Lavender, Clary Sage/Clary Calm and Jasmine are all good choices to ease discomfort.
2- Minerals
Magnesium lowers prostaglandins and relaxes the uterus. It can be helpful for both prevention and current relieve. Zinc also inhibits prostaglandins and inflammation. Potassium can also be beneficial when taken regularly.
3- Herbs
Turmeric lowers inflammation which can be taken in a capsule or in a tea. Ginger warms and increases blood flow which can be also taken in a tea.
4- Compress
Castor oil packs can relax muscles and remove toxins from the liver. Apply over abdomen for several hours or over night. Heating pads, hot packs or warm compresses can also be soothing and relax muscles.
5- Dietary Changes
Avoiding inflammatory foods such as sugar, dairy and high histamine foods can reduce your overall inflammation load. Adding in foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (olive oil, cod liver oil, etc) and reducing foods high in omega-6 fatty acids can also significantly reduce overall inflammation and prostaglandins.
I'd be delighted to know if you try any of these ideas and which ones you found the most helpful!
Love the idea of getting to the root cause not just dealing with the discomfort? Check out my 180 Days to Wellness where we dig deep into your personal root causes so that you can be energetic, happy and feel like yourself again!
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