It’s that time of the month and you’re probably dreading the cramps that usually accompany your period. You’ve probably stock up on your favorite comfort foods to assuage the pain or perhaps you have filled your medicine cabinet with pain killers and ointments to soothe the throbbing pain. If you are one of the millions of women who suffer from menstrual cramps every time they have their period, you can try these home remedies to ease the cramps before they even become full blown.
Light exercises can help. Exercising might be the last thing in your mind right now especially when you’re curled up in pain but experts suggest that doing light exercises such as walking or even yoga for that matter can actually help reduce the cramps that you are feeling. Doing light exercises can increase blood flow in your body which can lessen the pain that you are feeling.
Drink some cinnamon tea. Another home remedy that can help relieve the pain from your period is drinking some cinnamon tea. Cinnamon is known for its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties which can combat the pain that usually accompany your menstrual period. Steep a tea bag in a cup of hot water for 2 to 3 minutes. You can add some honey to sweeten your drink. Sip afterwards to help reduce menstrual cramps.
Add some heat. Since cramps occur because the uterine muscles are contracting, applying heat on your lower abdomen can help provide relief. Invest on a heating pad to warm this area of your body. The heat helps increase blood flow which can prevent muscle contractions. If you don’t have any heating pad, you can fill up a bottle with hot water then wrap it in a cloth or towel before pressing on your abdominal muscles. It will have the same effect in minimizing the pain that you are feeling.
Peppermint. Another home remedy that you can use to get relief from menstrual cramps is peppermint as it helps relax the muscles and can even suppress your appetite. You can steep some peppermint leaves in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes then drain afterwards to remove the leaves. Add some honey to taste and sip afterwards. You can also apply some peppermint oil on the affected area to ease the pain of your menstrual cramps.
Drink water. Water is another remedy that can ease the pain in your lower abdomen. Go for warm or hot water as the heat can help the muscles relax. You can also get water through the food that you eat such as cucumber, watermelons, and the like. Drinking tea is also highly recommended so you might want to prepare some to reduce muscle cramps during your period.
These home remedies do come in handy when it comes to reducing menstrual cramps. You don’t really need to rely on over-the-counter medicines to counter the effects of cramps because you can go the safer route and use the remedies mentioned above.
Source: everydayhealth.com
