Pre-menstrual Syndrome

Bloating, breast tenderness, irritability, anger, clumsiness, inability to concentrate… the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are many and varied. The problem can be explained in terms of falling progesterone levels and an orthodox approach thus tends to concentrate on hormone treatments - or use of chaste-tree berries (often given in tincture form, up to 20 drops each morning) as a herbal alternative. Dietary imbalance and candidiasis can also play a part and there is some evidence that cutting out artificial stimulants (themselves a possible stressor on the system) such as caffeine and theobromine in coffee, tea or chocolate can help. PMS has also been linked to various nutritional deficiencies and supplements — notably Vitamin B6 and evening primrose oil - are often successfully used to relieve symptoms.

Herbal medicine can, however, offer a more holistic approach. In traditional Chinese medicine, premenstrual syndrome is seen as an energy imbalance often related to liver Qi (energy) congestion with symptoms of abdominal bloating, menstrual irregularities and period pain leading to a craving for sweet foods - a common PMS symptom - diarrhoea or constipation and fluid retention. Chinese remedies for PMS thus focus on energising and tonifying the liver using herbs like Dung Gui. The Chinese consider that premenstrual breast distension is associated with rising Qi, so they add various bitter orange extracts to the mix to combat this trend. Taking 10 drops of bitter orange tincture in water three to four times a day can certainly help to ease these sorts of symptoms. Parsley tea is a popular remedy for pre-menstrual fluid retention

Herbal BeautyWomen’s monthly cycles have often been associated with the moon, with menstruation traditionally occurring at time of the new moon and ovulation at the full. Some suggest that this natural rhythm is still followed by women who main interests lie within the home, while for those more involved with external activities, menstruation coincides with full moon instead. One way of regulating. the menstrual cycle is to sleep with the curtains open, or a dull light glowing, at the time of a full moon and ensure complete darkness at the new moon.

A more recent remedy for menstrual problems has been evening primrose oil now extensively and expensively marketed in numerous combinations to suit every stage of a woman’s reproductive life. The gamma-linolenic acid it contains is bell to help with production of certain prostaglandins - hormone-like substance, that can act as chemical messengers and.also cause uterine contractions. GLA is contained in borage seed oil (often sold starflower oil), but most women are able to produce it themselves in a normal metabolic process starting from cis-linoleic acid found in leafy plants and seed oils. those on a tight budget a daily teaspoon of good-quality walnut or safflower oil make an adequate alternative to shrink- wrapped supplements.

Period Pain Syndrome

L Herbalists tend to divide period pain into:
Congestive pain, which builds up short before the period starts. It is associated with blood stagnation and blood congestion and can involve bloating and., fluid retention.This sort of pain eases once the period has begun; and

  • Spasmodic pain, due to uterine cramps which start once flow has begun and can be linked to a prostaglandin imbalance and emotional tension.
  • Relaxing anti-cramping remedies like chamomile, St John’s wort or black haw bark (Viburnum prunifalium) are used for the spasmodic sort of pain, whereas more stimulating, hormonal or tonifying herbs like white deadnettle, raspberry leaf rosemary, Dung Gui or chaste-tree can be helpful for the congestive variety.
  • Period pain can often be eased by exercise: rather than curling up with a hot water bottle and feeling miserable, try a brisk walk in the fresh air. Regular sexual intercourse — especially just before menstruation starts — can also help to reduce period pain, while some argue that intercourse during the period is the best way of easing cramps — although there are numerous cultural taboos arguing against intercourse at such times.
  • Period pain can also — as with PMS — be associated with liver stagnation and so can be exacerbated by alcohol and highly processed foods.

Heavy Periods

Heavy periods can sometimes indicate some major underlying problems — such as fibroids or endometriosis — but often they have no apparent cause and are more of an irritant than anything else. Modern medicine tends to respond to complaints of heavy periods with suggestions for hysterectomies which, sadly, many women accept as the only solution. Hysterectomy is something to be avoided if at all possible. In Ayurvedic theory the various energy centres of the body, the chakras, start with the root chakra which in women is found at the womb. Removing this organ thus tends to leave women feeling “rootless” and can lead to emotional disturbances.

Menstrual “heaviness” is also relative: some women always have heavy periods and to them this is normal; others find periods get heavier with age and start to worry.The main thing is to seek professional advice if the pattern of flow changes significantly, but not to be persuaded into unnecessary treatments.

Useful herbs to combat excessive flow include shepherd’s purse (also known as mother’s hearts), marigold, herb Robert, hawthorn and white deadnettle.

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Women’s Ailments Syndrome Relief, Healing With Herbs