Published by Jessica Conway
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Each month we experience a point of returning to a vivid reminder of our feminine energy. This is a beautiful process of our body that has the purpose to shed our uterine lining and prepare for the potential to have children. But many women dread this time of month due to discomfort and pain. Some women have anxiety about even getting their period on time, or for others, when the bleeding will stop.
Why do women have such issues with something that is so natural and should be as regular as the moon’s cycles? There are many reasons but it all comes down to one idea: balance. Our environment today is anything but natural. Humans have turned from their circadian rhythms in favor of productivity or entertainment, unnatural food is plentiful and cheap, our homes are filled with plastics and artificial materials which effect our hormones. Stress and poor lifestyle choices also play a role in how regular our moon time appears.
Allopathic methods often prescribe things like birth control, pain relievers, IUD’s or other chemically intrusive measures to bring relief or worse, they say there is nothing that can be done.
Herbs provide a more gentle approach to allow our body to return to a state of balance. Our bodies WANT to function properly. They want to feel comforted, nourished, and supported during menstruation. Our body is not the enemy that needs correcting or suppressing.
So what herbs are helpful for women who are suffering? Here are few of my favorites:
- Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla Vulgaris)- Named after the cloak of the Virgin Mary, lady’s mantle is well known to assist women with period pain and irregularity. Alchemists observed the way the leaves formed a type of cup that caught the morning dew and theorized that the gleaming drops would transform baser metals into gold. The tannins help to balance the menstrual cycle and over time will lessen the amount of bleeding by gently toning the uterus. The flavonoids reduce pain from cramping. It is also useful for endometriosis and fibroids.
- Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica)-A nutritional powerhouse, stinging nettle is a plant that is very misunderstood. Nettles truly will live up to their name due to the stinging hairs present on their stems but, as a tea, there is no risk of being stung as the hairs have lost their histamine and formic acids. Often called “mother’s milk” nettles bring a sense of comfort. Filled with protein, vitamins, and iron, nettles bring much needed nutritious fulfillment during a time when the body is releasing vitamins and minerals. On top of this, nettles balance blood flow, stabilize sugar levels, balance hormones, reduce bloating and relieve cramps.
- Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)- Often used to flavor fish, this anise-scented herb is also surprisingly powerful. Fennel relieves period pain by lowering the prostaglandins in the blood. This helps with the tenderness and soreness we experience. Fennel is anti-inflammatory, relieves bloating and gas, and assists in regulating hormones. As it is a culinary herb, fennel is gentle and easily found.
These herbs can be used separately or together as a tea. I have a formula called Moon Time Tea available here for purchase: https://starsandyarrow.etsy.com/listing/1757102798/moon-time-tea-herbal-tea-to-support
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