Menstruation is a biological process that can cause uncomfortable hormone changes and painful cramps for women monthly. While these symptoms are natural, finding ways to manage the discomfort is key.
Suffering from menstrual cramps? This article will explore the link between various types of tea and reducing discomfort from menstrual cramps. We will also explore the different types of tea you can try and specify the different precautions you should take.
Menstruation: An Overview
Menstruation is a natural bodily cycle that women at reproductive ages experience monthly. During the menstrual cycle, the outer lining of the uterus sheds, leading to bleeding and release of uterine tissue that can last for several days.
Along with bleeding, many women also experience various other symptoms such as bloating, fatigue or abdominal cramps. Menstrual cramps (also known as dysmenorrhea) occur when the uterine lining begins to shed, leading to discomfort in the lower abdomen.
Can Tea Help With Menstrual Cramps?
Tea has been celebrated for its natural health benefits for years. While research is still ongoing, there are studies that show that certain types of herbal tea can be effective for alleviating menstrual cramps, relaxing muscles and reducing overall inflammation.
These benefits mainly originate from their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. This targets the root causes of discomfort and decreases pain.
What Tea Helps Relieve Menstrual Cramps?
Several types of tea have been traditionally used to ease menstrual cramps. In this section, we will explore some of the most popular and effective options:
Ginger Tea
Does ginger tea help with menstrual cramps?
Ginger is popular for the presence of various anti-inflammatory compounds, which can be consumed to reduce pain and discomfort associated with menstrual cramps. These include shogaols and gingerols that are filled with antioxidants and lead to a wide variety of bioactive benefits. [1]
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Red raspberry leaf tea can help you reduce discomfort caused by menstrual cramps with its uterine-toning properties and ability to regulate the menstrual cycle. Raspberry leaf tea fertility benefits make it a great option for reducing menstrual cramping and supporting overall hormonal balance.
Chamomile Tea
Is chamomile tea good for menstrual cramps? Chamomile tea is well known for its calming properties that can help relax muscles, reduce pain caused by menstrual cramps, and promote better sleep.
Research has also shown that chamomile may possess antispasmodic properties, which can help ease menstrual cramps. Therefore, you can enjoy chamomile tea for relaxation and pain relief.
Cinnamon Tea
Research has shown that cinnamon tea may help with pain caused by menstrual cramps. Its anti-inflammatory effects can relax the uterine muscle and reduce the intensity of pain during menstrual cycles.
However, it is not advised to drink more than two to three cups of cinnamon tea per day as it may cause digestive issues, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting. It is also important to consult a doctor about how it may react with different medications.
Green Tea
Filled with natural antioxidants, green tea has been shown to provide minor relief from pain caused by menstrual cramps. It contains L-theanine, an amino acid popular for its calming effects on the body. [2]
It is important to choose decaffeinated green teas to avoid increasing oestrogen levels, which may make menstrual cramps worse.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. Similar to green tea, oolong tea contains a large amount of antioxidants and may possess anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it is usually associated with a less painful menstrual cycle. [3]
Fennel Tea
Usually used to treat digestive issues, fennel tea has traditionally been used as a home remedy to relieve pain from menstrual cramps. Fennel contains a natural compound called Emmenagogue, which stimulates blood flow to the pelvic area and uterus.
Peppermint Tea
Often used to treat nausea, peppermint tea may also reduce the severity of menstrual cramps. Peppermint tea is a muscle relaxant that can help your body release tension and immediately relieve pain.
It is rich in menthol, which can decrease gastrointestinal pain, stomach cramps, and bloating. Peppermint tea can also help treat headaches, a common side effect of menstrual cramps. [4]
Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm tea may help relieve menstrual cramps as well as decrease the side effects of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It contains menthol and bioflavonoids, usually used to treat inflammatory conditions.
However, it is important to check with your doctor before consuming lemon balm if you are currently taking hormone-regulating medications.
Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea can be a mild diuretic, potentially reducing water retention and bloating associated with menstrual cramps. It can also help cleanse the liver, which can help the body filter out excess oestrogen.
Cramp Bark Tea
Cramp bark is a shrub traditionally used as a remedy for cramps, muscle spasms, and urinary conditions. Cramp bark tea has antioxidant properties that can remove toxins from the kidney and liver. It can also help decrease heavy bleeding during menstruation. [5]
Turmeric Tea
This is one of the most effective natural tea for menstrual cramps. Curcumin is a bioactive compound naturally found in turmeric tea. It can help reduce menstrual cramps by relaxing muscles and decreasing the frequency of uterus contractions. It is also filled with various anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants. [6]
Fertility Tea With Raspberry Leaf and Nettle
Herbal Hermit’s raspberry leaf and nettle fertility tea is a blend of herbal tea specifically crafted to improve fertility and support overall reproductive health.
This tea can also provide pain relief to individuals affected by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Our blend combines the natural benefits of raspberry leaves, nettle and other traditional herbs to help you maintain a healthy uterus and naturally regulate your menstrual cycle. It contains completely natural and preservative-free ingredients, providing a safe and healthy way to improve fertility.
Precautions To Take:
Herbal teas can be extremely useful for alleviating pain caused by menstrual cramps. However, there are some precautions that are important for you to consider. These include:
- Drinking tea that contains caffeine: Consuming tea blends that contain or have excessive amounts of caffeine during your menstrual cycle can actually make symptoms like cramps worse.
- Medication: It is important to consult your doctor or a certified health professional about how various tea blends react with any medications you may be taking.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Some herbal tea blends may not be safe to consume while pregnant or while breastfeeding.
- Intake: You should limit your intake of these tea blends to a maximum of two or three cups per day. Exceeding this can lead to negative side effects.
- Added sugars: Try to avoid adding sugar to your tea blends as it can worsen menstrual cramps by increasing inflammation. Instead, try using natural sweeteners like honey.
Key Takeaways
While research on how effective herbal teas are for reducing pain from menstrual cramps is still ongoing, some of these options may provide you with short-term relief. This is mainly because of their anti-inflammatory properties and natural compounds.
By incorporating some of these teas into your diet, you will be able to reduce discomfort from cramps during your menstrual cycle.
People Also Ask/ FAQs
These teas are safe for most people to consume. However, it still advised to consult a healthcare professional to be sure that the tea blend you choose to consume is safe to drink with your dietary restrictions and allergies in mind.
The amount of tea you should drink on a daily basis for relief from menstrual cramps depends on your own preferences and as well as the severity of the pain. However, it is generally advised to drink a maximum of three cups per day.
It is crucial to speak to your doctor or a licensed healthcare professional before combining any herbal tea blends with your other medications.
There are no major side effects associated with consuming these tea blends. However, some may experience allergic reactions to some of the herbs present in each mix. Therefore, it is important to monitor the way your body reacts to these teas and stop consumption if you experience any negative side effects.
