10 Best Herbs for Painful Periods that Actually Work

Learn the top herbs for painful periods! Herbal remedies are amazing at helping with heavy menstrual bleeding to severe menstrual cramps.

Periods can be a nightmare. Around 80% of women have pain during menstruation at least some point in their life. 

I developed PCOS after having my babies and had just horrible abdominal pain, cramps, severe pelvic pain, and heavy bleeding. I tried all the traditional medicine and nothing worked.

Finally, I learned about some period pain herbal remedies and deciding to give them a try and they WORKED!

I was finally able to reduce my menstrual cramps and finally not live in a curled up ball on my bed throughout the month.

Since then, I learned all about other herbs that help with menstrual cramps and decided to make a list of all my favorites.

If you have unbearable period pain and are tired of all the pain relievers you take, check out these herbs for menstrual cramps and bleeding to see if they help you too!

I am not a doctor/physician, nurse, or any other medical professional. This is for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. 

What Causes Period Pain? 

There are so many potential causes for period pain. 

Heavy bleeding often can cause lots of pain along with menstrual cramps and back pain. 

Your diet highly affects your menstrual pain as well. Sugars and other anti-inflammatory foods can make your uterus cramp up more during your menstrual period. 

Another cause can be toxins and chemicals in the products you use daily. 

From shampoo to deodorant, and even makeup, can potentially have toxic chemicals such as endocrine and hormone disruptors that make your periods more painful. 

For instance, your pads and tampons more than likely have toxins in them.

Only New York has a law where companies have to disclose what ingredients are in their feminine products.

All other states don’t which means there could be many dangerous toxins hurting you. 

Changing my pads actually made a significant difference in my pain! This was the first step I took in taking control of my women’s health and down there.

If you want to try some of the lifestyle and dietary changes, a naturopathic doctor might be your best option. They can help you with making sure you are getting all the essential nutrients your body needs or offer some dietary supplements to help out.

Additionally, they can also help with traditional Chinese medicine, and other homeopathic remedy for painful periods.

If you can’t afford a naturopathic doctor, the good news is that you can actually try some of these menstrual herbs on your own!

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What is Dysmenorrhea? 

Dysmenorrhea is the technical term for the pain during your menstrual cycle There are two main types: primary and secondary. 

Primary dysmenorrhea is when you always seem to have pain during your period.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is when the pain is usually caused by a reproductive systems disorder. This can be caused by ovarian cysts, PCOS, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and many other medical conditions.

Both types can be treated and many natural remedies for period pain can help for dysmenorrhea.

Best Herbs for Painful Periods 

There are actually a lot of herbs you can try to take away your pain during periods. 

Some have anti-inflammatory effects while others help to relax your muscles. Here we will take a look at a few of the best herbs for menstruation related symptoms:

Ginger 

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and has been used in traditional medicine for a long time. 

There have been many studies that show how ginger can be used to bring relief for menstruation related pains. It works best when you use it a few days before your period [source]. 

Cramp Bark 

Just like the name states, cramp bark is another great herb used in many menstrual cramp remedies.

Cramp bark has been used for a long time for menstrual pains as it is an uterine decongestant. Cramp bark helps to relax the tissues in your muscles and brings pain relief for period symptoms you may be experiencing [source]. 

This is one of the most common herbs you will find when looking for a natural remedy for painful periods. It is the first one I used and personally love!

Red Raspberry Leaf 

One study found Red Raspberry Leaf helps to tighten the pelvic muscles to strengthen the uterus using a compound called fragarine [source]. 

Many use this in teas to drink before and during their periods. It is also a great one for fertility and is even used throughout pregnancy to help with labor too!

Lots of people like to drink red raspberry leaf tea, but I’ve always preferred this raspberry leaf herbal supplement extract.

Lady’s Mantle Leaf 

Lady’s Mantle Leaf helps to regulate periods. It is often used for women with heavier periods and excessive bleeding. 

However, it also will help to prepare the uterus for giving birth and prevent hemorrhages.

Lady’s Mantle helps to regulate menstruation cycles as it helps your body produce and further regulate progesterone in your body [source].  

Cinnamon 

Many love and use cinnamon for baking and making delicious treats. But, cinnamon also helps to regulate insulin levels in the body. 

Insulin has a lot to do with hormones, which in turn play a major part in menstruation. Cinnamon also helps with irregular periods as well. 

Adding cinnamon to your herbal tea or herbal blends for your premenstrual syndrome pain is a great addition [source]. 

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh has been used traditionally to relieve menstrual cramps and menopausal symptoms by balancing hormones [source].

While it is mainly used for menopause, some women have great success taking it for menstrual cramps too. If you have lots of hot flashes with your periods, this herb is worth a try!

Chamomile

Chamomile tea has calming effects that can help relax muscles and ease menstrual discomfort.

There are studies showing that drinking chamomile tea can help with menstrual cramps as it has anti-spasmodic properties [source].

Turmeric

Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce period pain when consumed regularly.

Many love using turmeric regularly to help with inflammation. By doing so, each month, the period pains are often less because there is not as much inflammation in their bodies.

One study found that adding 1 gram of turmeric powder a day while bleeding helped lower the pains associated with that time of the month [source].

Chaste Berry 

Chaste berry, also known as vitex berry, is another one of the most commonly used herbs for heavy painful periods.

Chaste berry actually helps to normalize estrogen and progesterone levels. If you experience breast pain, this can also help bring your some relief [source].

Dong Quai 

Dong Quai sometimes is referred to as the female herb because it is so powerful for female health. 

This herb has been used for thousands of years in the Chinese use of herbal medicine. It is mainly used for the female reproductive system. 

It may be able to help relieve cramps, reduce pms pains, and may even help with menopause [source]. 

Herbs for Menstrual Cramps FAQS

Herbs for Menstrual Periods Wrap-Up

During your cycle, you may find yourself in a lot of pain. That type of pain does not have to be normal. 

Try some of these medicinal herbs and natural treatments for that time of the month and find some relief. 

Hopefully these herbal remedies for period pain help you out, but if you have severe pain, you probably have some hormone balance problem or an underlying condition like PCOS or endometriosis. Talk to your doctor before it gets too serious.