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Natural Home Remedies to Relieve Menstrual Cramps

By Diane Hanson

Almost every woman experience some menstrual cramps during her periods. Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, can be mild, moderate or even severe. Other symptoms that sometimes accompany menstrual cramps include nausea and vomiting, sweating, dizziness, and loose stools.

While some women rely upon over-the-counter medications to relieve period cramps, others prefer natural home remedies and natural cures.

Menstrual Cramps Home Remedy Using Heating Packs

Many women have found that a heating pack or a hot water bottle placed on your lower back or abdomen helps to relieve painful menstrual cramps.

If you don't own a heating pack, it can be easily made by filling a sock with flaxseed or rice grains and heat it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes before use.

However, for some women, a build-up of blood in their pelvis may be the cause behind period cramps. In this case, an ice pack actually works better than a heat pack since the cold from the ice pack helps to draw blood out of the pelvis and towards the extremities. Experiment with both kinds of packs to see which works for you.

Menstrual Cramps Home Remedy Using Herbal Teas

Chamomile is an excellent natural cure for menstrual cramps and discomfort associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Add 2 teaspoons of dried Chamomile flowers to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for at least 5 minutes.

If you are using Chamomile tea bags, just follow the directions on the box. If you desire, add honey or sugar to sweeten the taste. For best results, start drinking Chamomile tea a few days before your period, and then drink at least 2 cups daily during your menstruation.

Raspberry leaf tea, cramp bark tea, peppermint tea and ginger root tea have been known to stop period cramps naturally.

Vitamins and Minerals for Treating Menstrual Cramps

Having a healthy balanced diet that are rich in calcium, magnesium, and zincwill also help reduce period pain. B-vitamins, especially Vitamin B6, have been found to relieve cramping, bloating and migraines.

Calcium is known to help maintain muscle tone as well as prevent menstrual cramps and pain. A daily intake of 800 mg of calcium, which is about 3 cups of milk, is recommended. Magnesium helps calcium absorption. You can find magnesium in beans, whole wheat, tofu, shrimp, fish, nuts, and green leafy vegetables.

It is also a good idea to reduce salt, sugar and caffeine intake during the week leading up to your period so that you have less severe menstrual cramps.

Regular Exercise as a Natural Cure for Menstrual Cramps

Exercise is considered to be the best natural cure to reduce the severe menstrual cramps as well as to relax you. You can walk for about 20 minutes everyday or perform some gentle yoga positions to relieve menstrual pains.

what can i do to relieve menstrual cramps naturally

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