Reduce stress levels.
Strive to live a stress-free life to ease your PMS symptoms.
Get a relaxing massage.
Add 1 or 2 drops of essential oil of clary sage, chamomile, geranium, lavender or orange blossom to unscented lotion or massage oil. Then massage the mixture on your aching abdomen or lower back.
Take a mineral bath.
This will keep your muscles relaxed and at ease. In a tubful of warm water add 1 cup sea salt and 1 cup baking soda. Soak for 20 minutes.
Exercise and remain fit.
Exercise not only helps keep your body in good shape, but also in better functioning of the brain. This helps with a positive attitude and mood.
Be Romantic
Keeping a regular love life helps the premenstrual cycle. Intercourse stimulates the blood flow which otherwise remains sluggish and lethargic.
Use light therapy to ease PMS symptoms.
The idea is to sit in front of a therapeutic light box for 20 to 45 minutes a day. This is especially beneficial during winter months.
Drink a cup or two of red raspberry leaf tea.
Red raspberry leaf tea helps with cramps.
Drink a cup or two of dandelion tea.
Dandelion tea helps with bloating.
Discover herbal supplements and oils.
- Use oils like evening primrose, borage, flax seed and pumpkin seed which contain Essential Fatty Acids (EFA). These acids are changed into ‘good’ prostaglandin in the body. You can have primrose oil daily 3 to 6 grams. You can also use one tablespoon flaxseed oil for salad dressing.
- Chaste tree berry (Vitex agnus castus) is an herb, used to reduce PMS problems. Take 10 drops of chaste tree berry extract every morning from mid-cycle until your period begins. It may take nearly three months to see the results.
- Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is a Chinese herb used widely for PMS. It contains phytoestrogens and is a good for balancing hormones. It helps relieve pain and also uterine cramps. Have 3 to 4 ml of Dong quai tincture three times a day during the second half of your cycle. Before consuming this herb you should keep in mind that it produces photosensitivity and should not be used if you have heavy menstrual flow or are pregnant, as it increases the flow.
Diet plays a very important role with PMS problems.
- Eat complex carbohydrates such as whole grain breads, pasta, cereals, fiber and protein.
- Cut down on sugar and fat intake.
- Start avoiding salt for the last few days before your period start as it would reduce bloating and fluid retention.
- Avoiding caffeine helps prevent irritable feelings and also eases breast soreness.
- Avoid alcohol, as it depresses you even further.
- Drink plenty of warm water.
- Eat coconut, raisins, papaya and sweet juicy fruits.
- Increase your diet with fiber as it helps remove excess estrogens.
- Consume a magnesium rich diet with millet, buckwheat and barley.
- Eat smaller meals to keep your blood sugar level steady and to prevent the craving for sweets.
- Avoid saturated fats like red meat, cheese and butter as it increases the bad prostaglandins level causing uterine discomfort, bloating and mood swings.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
