Home Remedies for Menstrual Cramps

Magnesium

Posted by Sagi (Hamilton, Canada) on 05/24/2008
★★★★★

Had painful menstrual cramps when I was 14/15 years old. The doctor put me on the B.C. pill to alleviate the cramps. Years later, my friend taught me about the importance of magnesium...how muscles need calcium to clench, and magnesium to relax. I started taking 1/4 oz. of magnesium in ionic liquid form, and no longer experienced the warning cramps prior to my period coming on. Wish my mother had known this when I was a teen! I am anxious to start on molasses, as I am looking for a more feasible source of magnesium. Currently believe I have fibroid tumors due to the excessive flow, as well as anemia. Thank you everyone for your testimonials!

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Kim (Westport, MA) on 02/25/2007
★★★★★

I have followed the advice of others on this site regarding the blackstrap molasses cure for cramps! Ohhhhhh my it DOES WORK! I take 1 Tablespoon daily no matter what everyday. During my cycle when my cramps begin I take another tablespoon, guess what within 10-20 minutes I have no pain, no nothing, no symptoms. I also take Apple Cider Vinegar daily as well, and I feel this is helping with the bloating I would have normally gotten. I wish I had taken advice sooner, but all that matters is that it works! I trust what I read here on this site, because it works for me! My fingernails are growing strong and I am also able to have better bowel function, all in all this natural stuff is THE MIRACLE I have been looking for., They say when the student is ready the teacher appears! Guess I was ready! Thanks earthclinic for being my teacher, thanks to all those who write there words within this site. Thank you!

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Suzy (British Columbia, Canada) on 10/24/2006
★★★★★

I SWEAR by this. Taking 2 or more tbsp. (I recommend 3-4 actually) of blackstrap molasses at a time and swallowing it down with water. Within 25 minutes your period cramps will be gone. Also repeat this every few hours at least the first 2 days then you can lessen it if you wish because you will also within half a day, notice a huge reduction in your flow. I know that much molasses at once is so rich (and gross!) to me but it works so well I've stuck to it for years. I used to sweat from the pain of my cramps...I never get them anymore. The bottom line is my flow is cut in half and the days are also cut in half. Someone please try it at least once and put your answer on here. It just works so great. Maybe you can mix the molasses in water or something to make it easier?? Good Luck!

Dewcup and Yarrow Herbs

Posted by Cibitka (Europe) on 06/26/2016 6 posts
★★★★★

Long story short:

Since I can remember, first day - and more specifically first few hours - of my period always give me hell. I could scratch wall with my bare fingers from pain and often I am sick to my stomach from pain. Basically I lay down dead, unable to do anything, just living from 'contraction' to 'contraction' during the first day.
I used to take Ibuprofen, but I wanted to find a natural solution. I have found it in one book written by European herb specialist Maria Treben.

How I stop my period pain:

It takes 2 herbs:

1. Alchemilla xanthochlora (also known as Dewcup or Lady's Mantle)
2. Achillea millefolium (also known as Yarrow)

I use these herbs in dried form. I take same amount of both and make a VERY STRONG herbal tea.

I usually make one cup of it for instant use (to stop the pain I experience during worst few first hours) and then one jug of it for later use during that first day.

For cup: I put about 6 really knobby teaspoons of each herb
For jug: I put about 6 table spoons of each herb

I boil water and pour it slowly over the herbs. Then I place cover over the cup/jug to stop the important essential substances from evaporating. I leave it to infuse for about 15 min and then drink it slowly.

Both herbs are mild, so this one time concentrated 'shot' should not cause any issues, however in these days of ever-present allergies to everything, I would test first small amount when not on period to see if any allergic reactions occur. Also you need to listen to your body and adjust the amount of the herbs - some might need less, some more, to work effectively.

It is important to learn to recognize the very first signs of the 'apocalypse' coming, so that you drink the tea in time to prevent the biggest pain. The infusion takes about 30 to 45 mins to begin working. When it starts working, you will experience sweet comfort flooding your body. After few hours, you might need to take another shot - from jug, to keep the good result. I drink the cup for the first worst hours and then keep up with the jug content during the rest of the day.

I have advised several girls in my job about this herbal mix and they now swear by it. Some had it so bad that they fainted from pain. They spread it now to their friends and I haven't heard yet about anyone not having a good result with it. They put away pills and do 'my' tea now, for which I am glad, because I strongly believe in Nature as a biggest Healer : )

Availability of the herbs:

I am not sure, whether these two herbs are available outside selected EU countries - I certainly don't see them growing in wild in southern EU.

Magnesium

Posted by Sarah (Baltimore, Md) on 12/28/2012
★★★★★

I started taking magnesium when I feel my period starting and I barely feel any pain at all. I used to get it really bad. I take homeopathic mag phos, 4 tablets every 15 mn for 2 hours and some more the next couple days. That's all!! It's amazing. it's also helped me ALOT with moods and moments of stress!! Highly recommend it....

Red Raspberry Tea

Posted by Iluvshoes! (San Francisco, Ca) on 08/28/2012
★★★★★

I had very painful cramps with Very Heavy bleeding that lasted for 5 days! And this cycle repeated every 21 days! So I would have a full period twice a month!! I was miserable and had to schedule my life around my cycle, because I was doubled over in pain or afraid of the embarrasment of bleeding onto my clothes! A friend recomended drinking this tea and my life changed!! I no longer have ANY Cramps!! The bleeding has subsided to 3 days with a normal flow and now my cycle is regulated to every 26 days or once a month. I have more energy and vitality and dont have to call in sick anymore!! This tea is blessing not only for pregnancy but for your menstrual cycle as well!! I tell every woman I know about this tea!! No need for birth control pills or other hormonal intervention. I love its pleasant light taste and enjoy drinking a cup a day.

Oregano Oil

Posted by Jill (Bronx, New York, United States) on 12/18/2009
★★★★★

I find that a couple of drops of wild oil of oregano in a cup of water takes the edge off my cramps.

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Tina (Rochester, NY USA) on 03/24/2009
★★★★★

Black Strap Molasses and menstrual cramps: I started taking 1 TBSP of organic black strap molasses in my coffee a couple of days before my period. I ordinarily have to take (2)ibuprofen every 4 hours for the first 2 days. This month I cut way back on the frequency of the ibuprofen. It seems like the black strap molasses is having a positive effect. I will know better next month. I do not like taking medication, so any natural remedy is a welcome change.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Crista (Pekin, Illinois) on 10/27/2008
★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar for Menstral Cramps

I actually was taking the ACV for my sinuses and it ended up helping me with my cramps. I was still very tired and used a heating pad cause my back was aching, but not to the point of needing to take main medicine like I always have had to before. Usually my cramps make it so hard to concentrate on anything, and I just lay around for a day. I am in college and i was able to do my homework without problems because the pain was hardly there. I don't take ACV 3 times a day. I just started two weeks ago using it and I just use about 3 tablespoons of ACV and 3 tablespoons of honey in a tall coffee mug so about a 16 ounce container. I bet it I used it more it would have helped even more, but my husband doesn't like the smell of the vinegar so much :-) It is also clearing my sinuses quite nicely. I think I may be stopping my nasacort for my Rhrinitis soon. The ACV seems to work better, and I am starting to really like the taste.

Ginger

Posted by Jennifer (St. Thomas, Virgin Islands) on 10/26/2008
★★★★★

Ginger for Menstural Cramps

I used to take Motrin Ibuprofrin for menstural cramps, and now I am so happy to have discovered a natural cure.
I boil 8 cups of water add about 2 inches of fresh ginger root that has been cut into 1/8" disks. You can mash up the ginger if desired. Boil the ginger for three minutes, then simmer for ten minutes. You can drink as ginger water, or add a tea bag (i like to add two green tea bags). Two cups of ginger water should relieve the cramps. I usally save the rest in my fridge and drink as needed.

Pickle Juice

Posted by Jessica (Los Angeles, CA) on 06/15/2008
★★★★★

In desperate need of relief from menstrual cramps I looked up your website answers. Scared as I was to down to pickle juice, I am ecstatic to report IMMEDIATE RELIEF! Menstruation is the loss of the muscle wall of the uterus, so it made perfect sense to give this remedy a try. So glad for the advice, thanks to all who voted yea!

Ginger

Posted by Leigh (Charleston, Sc) on 08/12/2012
★★★★★

All I can say is Wow! Thank you so much!! I can't believe how well it works. I've been suffering for years from horrible cramps. To the point where I have to throw up. After a very restless night and a painful morning in bed, I decided to see what suggestions this website has. The only thing I had at home from all of the suggestions, was dried Ginger root. I put about half a teaspoon in a glass, poured boiling hot water to make tea from it. And drank it all after it cooled down a bit, I have to say I wasn't sure it would work, but I did pray! And 10 minutes later I could not believe no more cramping!! I guess the Ginger has a way of relaxing the muscles. Thank you!!!!!

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Becky (Queen Creek, AZ) on 05/16/2007
★★★★★

I tried the blackstrap molasses remedy last month for menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding. I started taking it right about when my period started. It helped a little bit, but I did still have some cramping. But I have been taking it every day for the past month and a half, and when I had my period this month, I had ABSOLUTELY NO CRAMPING! How wonderful! I think the bleeding was a normal level as well. Thanks for much for the info! I take 2 tablespoons of blackstrap molasses every morning in a glass of water along with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.

Papaya

Posted by Shedacares (Philippines) on 12/13/2015 1 posts
★★★★★

Papain found in papaya relieves menstrual cramps. This fruit also is one of nature's best in cleansing the colon, and preventing constipation. There are so many products in the market that is rich in fiber but find one with papaya.. discover the healing wonders of herbs!

Hip and Knee Pain

Posted by Meg (Atlanta, Ga) on 10/26/2016

I would experience random joint pains in the day or two before my period.... I considered it my early warning sign that it was about to start. Apparently the prostaglandins that are given off from the uterus are somehow linked up to other areas that are slightly inflamed already, hence the joint pain. I'm an athlete, so there's usually some area of my body that's been overworked and a little inflamed. Anyway, that's my layperson explanation of it. Perhaps your ob/gyn can offer more info?

Evening Primrose Oil

Posted by Sunny (Ca) on 11/21/2013
★★★★★

Evening Primrose Oil for Menstrual Cramps:

It works!!!!!!! Ok I have only tried this once so I will update later. I took one the day my period started then I took another later that day. The soft gels I used were 1000mgs each. I took them for 3 days two a day. (My period is 3 days). I know this is going to only get better as I DID NOT HAVE TO TAKE ANY ACETAMINOPHEN/TYNENOL not one!!!!! And I always have, even when tying other remedies that I want to be strong but cant and end up taking the tynenol due to me not being able to stand my cramps. For my upcoming period I will try to take more as to not have any cramps at all. As I did have cramps but they were very light, not like the ones I have previosly gotten. Maybe I'll start a couple days/ week earlier like the other person suggested. Like I said ill update, but wow what a difference. Thank you father for creating such beautiful nautural working products like this <3. I bought it at Walmart, but any kind will do, I suggest cold pressed if you can get it.

Also know that the evening primrose oil is good for pain in general. Try for heaches too!

Pass the love forward- Sunny

Evening Primrose Oil

Posted by SUNNY (Ca) on 08/19/2024

I forgot about this post lol. My update is I do not take Evening primrose any more. I needed something stronger. I take crampbark capsules they work better and I only have to take a few, so its cheaper. I still suggest you try to get to the bottom of your problem.It can be so many things like cysts, endometriosis, pmdd, etc. And improve your health diet etc. But to help you get thru take the cramp bark. I thank God everyday for it, to survive my cramps, while having to life.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mrs.kennedy0711 (Nocona, Texas, United States) on 04/07/2013

I just started the apple cider vinegar to try and help my period.. I have been bleeding for over a month and went through 3 boxs of tampons.. I am really hoping this helps because I am ready to stop!!! All I am wondering about is do I have to keep drinking it all through out the month or just when I am bleeding??? My doctor told me I can't have babies so I am trying everything I can to try and have one!!! Plz I need all the feedback I can get!!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Ky Mama (Clinton, Ky) on 04/07/2013

I would definitely do the Apple Cider Vinegar daily. Blackstrap Molasses may also help a lot. It helps with lots of female issues. 1 Tablespoon Morning and evening. This will help your iron levels too, which can't be good with all that bleeding.

Ten years ago I was bleeding every two weeks. An Ob told me that I would have to take an antibiotic and birth control pills to fix my cycle or I would never get pregnant again. (The antibiotic was because she said I had a blocked fallopian tube and I only have one, having lost one to a tubal pregnancy many years ago. ) I threw away her prescriptions. I researched natural progesterone by using that for three months I was able to regulate my cycles. (I didn't have to use it forever. ) I have had three children since then in spite of the doctor's threats.

I am 46 and my cycles are better than they have been in all my life. I think it may be because of daily Apple Cider Vinegar for a couple of years. I have always been a heavy bleeder but it isn't so bad now. (And usually it gets worse when you get older. ) I know it would be better if I kept up with the Blackstrap molasses but I don't like it. :)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Sunny (Ca) on 09/05/2021

That's not normal and you need to go to the doctor to get checked. Try to get health insurance or save to go. What if it's serious? No amount of money is worth your life. Continue to take the ACV, but go get checked!

Calcium

Posted by M_mtz (El Centro, Ca, USA) on 06/23/2012
★★★★★

Hi All- I believe that cramps have something to do with a deficiency of Calcium. I had very severe cramps growing up to the point that it felt as if I had been hit by a car and dragged several yards, every inch of my body ached. It was aweful. Then in my early 30's, I happened upon a wonderful website called blueribbonbabies.com while searching for reason why I had developed toxemia with my first and only pregnancy. According to the website, the cure is Calcium/Milk and when I checked my prenatal pills at the time (1992), there was almost NO CALCIUM in the mix! I felt totally misled by my healthcare providers! How could they not insist a pregnant woman take Calcium and let me get so sick! That is a whole other story.

My point is that I started feeling much better healthwise when I started taking CALCIUM/MAGNESIUM/ZINC mix, almost never get sick and cramping had also disappeared which was amazing!

Now in my 50's I am going thru the menopause and the cramping is back. Though not as severe. I think that it has again something to do with Calcium. Just observing, don't you notice how about this time (menopause) our relatives all start to shrink? I have taken about 2 capsules of the recommended 3 thinking I will get some from my diet. I have increased it slightly and do notice the cramps diminish. I was telling my sister the other night that it felt as if the Calcium was being sucked out of my pelvis... Anything to do with why seniors often break at the pelvis? Hmmmm..... Just a humble observer of the world...

Turmeric

Posted by Sunny (South Gate, Ca) on 04/28/2013
★★★★★

OH LG, I FEEL YOU GIRL! I have the same symptoms as you do I hated with a passion getting my period. Since I got it every month I had been bed ridden and cying in the fetal positon missed school/ work got nothing done and got so emotional/ exorcist girl lol. GUYS!! BE NICE AND HELP OUT! It is inhumane to ask someone to function when feeling like that ( nausea, killer cramps, I was so cold, diearea feeling, headaches, bloat, can't stand up straight, back ache, no appetite, no energy, moody, irritated, sad, feel dirty, feel fat) It made me feel like such a weak and useless female. At first I tried tynenol ( fast acting) at the first sing of cramps and it does work but I felt guilty in taking so many. I felt like such a "pill popper" but it was what I needed to do get anything done. I wanted a natural remedy, because these meds cause acid in the body. Tumeric is the natural pain killer ( Tumeric is just a spice/ food) so no harm!!! :) Thank you GOD for you natural gifts <3