mediherb
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Herbal Relief for Painful Periods
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The Top 5 Herbal Treatments You Probably Already Own

Herbal Relief for Painful Periods


Guest post by Integria Practitioner Symposium 2023 student blog competition winner Nikki Ward.

Beautiful Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

 This culinary herb and hardy garden plant is full of benefits for your health and beauty! Coming to us from the Mediterranean, the fresh leaves can be used to darken grey hair, reduce dandruff and support hair growth.1 Boil a cup of fresh rosemary sprigs in two cups of water, strain and use as your final rinse or apply with a spray bottle. Rosemary can even help your cognitive power! A study has shown that even at culinary doses - the amount you would eat in a normal soup or roast meal - Rosemary improved speed of memory, which is important as we age.1

Lovely Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)

Feeling a little frazzled with the pace of life right now? Lavender is available in grandma’s garden or can be obtained as a dried herb or essential oil. Lavender also originates from the sunny Mediterranean and its aroma has been well studied. When used as aromatherapy, lavender has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety.2 Place a cup of dried Lavender flowers and leaves into an organza bag and place it inside your pillowcase. The aromatics of the Lavender will permeate your pillow, lulling you into restful sleep, and providing a foundation of calm for the day ahead.

It's Time for Some Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

This European beauty enjoys a sunny, dry climate and is a well-known culinary herb.3 Its essential oil, thymol, has powerful antiviral and antioxidant properties making it perfect for a winter soup or tea when you have a sore and inflamed throat. The tea is surprisingly pleasant as well as soothing. Take a few fresh Thyme sprigs from the garden—or dried from the herb drawer - steep them in 2 cups of boiling water. If you don’t have a teapot, try your coffee plunger! Be sure to keep the lid on while the important volatile oils are released from the tiny leaves, and take a moment out of your day to sit, sip, and be soothed.

Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Turmeric as a powdered herb is a brilliantly-bright orange colour. It is responsible for the colour of many Indian and Middle Eastern curries.4 Not only is it delicious and beautiful looking, it has anti-inflammatory effects that have been shown to bring pain relief to joints and muscles.4 Add Turmeric, grated fresh from the rhizome or as a dried powder, to your cooking. Approximately one teaspoon per serve is a great balance of healthful constituents and flavour. Dishes with coconut oil or coconut cream, and some black pepper enhance the therapeutic benefits even further. Enjoy!

Hot and Spicy Ginger Rhizome (Zingiber officinale)

And finally, can settle a queasy belly. Whether it be a child about to head out on a car trip, fearful of travel sickness, or a plain old upset tummy, Ginger tea is soothing and anti-nausea.5 Slice a thumb-sized piece of fresh Ginger into 3mm wide slices, with the skin peeled off. Place the Ginger into 2 cups of water and bring to the boil for 20 minutes, being careful to keep the lid on to capture the wonderful essential oils. Strain the pale amber coloured liquid into a mug-you-can-hug and settle down in a calm space and feel your nausea subside.

Beyond the garden and spice drawer is a world of herbal options in many formulations that can be easy to take. Speak to your local natural health practitioner to be inspired. You can find a practitioner at mediherb.com/en-au/mediherb-find-a-practitioner

References:

  1. Andrade JM, Faustino C, Garcia C, Ladeiras D, Reis CP, Rijo P. Rosmarinus officinalis L.: an update review of its phytochemistry and biological activity. Future Sci OA. 2018 Apr;4(4): FSO283. DOI:10.4155/fsoa-2017-0124
  2. Shamabadi A, Hasanzadeh A, Ahmadzade A, Ghadimi H, Gholami M, Akhondzadeh S. The anxiolytic effects of Lavandula angustifolia (lavender): An overview of systematic reviews. Journal of Herbal Medicine. 2023 Aug;40:100672. DOI:10.1016/j.hermed.2023.100672
  3. Prasanth Reddy V, Ravi Vital K, Varsha PV, Satyam S. Review on Thymus vulgaris traditional uses and pharmacological properties. Med Aromat Plants. 2014;3(164):2167-0412.
  4. Kocaadam B, Şanlier N. Curcumin, an active component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), and its effects on health. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2017 Sep 2;57(13):2889-95. DOI:10.1080/10408398.2015.1077195
  5. Mao Q, Xu X, Cao S, Gan R, Corke H, Beta T, et al. Bioactive Compounds and Bioactivities of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Foods. 2019 May 30;8(6):185. DOI:10.3390/foods8060185