Dysmenorrhea and Premenstrual Syndrome

Post date: Oct 17, 2017 2:16:26 PM

BLACK HAW – VIBURNUM PRUNIFOLIUM – DRIED TRUNK OR STEM BARK

From the early accounts from our Eclectic herbal medicine practitioners, black haw has been used as an antispasmodic for painful periods and to prevent miscarriage. Painful menstruation is a result of the uterus making many small contractions. Black haw calms and quiets the uterus, relieving pain during menstruation. (It is also used to manage threatened miscarriage.)

The dried bark is used and bitter to taste so a tincture can be prepared and more easily taken. I have sprinkled in black haw with chaste tree berries and other herbs when creating a tea for women with PMS. Allowing the tea to steep at least 15 minutes will help to bring out the constituents of the tea when it contains bark and roots.

Safety: None reported.

Dose: 5-10 mL 3x/day of a 1:5 in 60%; decoction of 2 teaspoons bark simmered for 20 minutes in 10 ounces water, 3x/day.

CHAMOMILE– MATRICARIA RECUTITA – FLOWER HEADS

I mentioned the use of chamomile above for dysmenorrhea and it also must be recognized as a very useful herb for PMS. Lesser known here in the U.S. as an herb for premenstrual cramping, it is commonly used in Europe for this purpose. Chamomile has many uses. The German Commission E Monographs approves chamomile use as an antispasmodic – a plant that eases spasms or cramping . Remember Peter Rabbit? His mum gave him chamomile tea when he had a belly ache from overeating from the farmer’s garden nearby. Chamomile works just as well for uterine cramping as for abdominal bloating and cramping by calming overly spastic- functioning tissues.

PMS and its many symptoms have herbal remedies for all of them. Herbs such as dandelion and violet leaf are great for fluid retention, passion flower and blue vervain may be used for nervous tension. Migraine headaches are best managed with feverfew and skullcap . Painful cramping is managed with the above uterine relaxant herbs such as black haw or chamomile, as well as another herb that I will mention later in more detail; crampbark. Chaste tree, the great hormone regulator has also been shown to allay the symptoms of PMS (Shellenberg, 2001).

Tea For Menstrual Cramps

Ingredients

1 tablespoon chamomile

1 tablespoon catnip

2 tablespoons ginger, fresh rhizome or dried root, sliced or grated

4 cups water

Cramp bark tincture, optional

Directions

Decoct the ginger in a covered pot at a low simmer for 20 minutes.
Remove from the heat and add the chamomile and catnip.
Cover the pot and steep for another 5 to 8 minutes.
Strain and add honey to taste.
Drink ½ cup every 30 to 60 minutes for pain relief.
For additional relief add 10 drops of cramp bark tincture to tea before drinking.

Premenstrual Syndrome Formula

Adapted from Sharol Tilgner

Helpful for both emotional issues that arise before onset of menstruation as well as for cramping.

Ingredients

2 parts dong quai

2 parts dandelion root

1 part wild yam

1 part astragalus

1/2 part licorice

Vodka or brandy

Directions

Coarsely grind the herbs in a coffee or spice grinder. If this is not possible, simply skip this step.
Place the herbs in a Mason jar.
Cover with your chosen menstruum (vodka or brandy).
Place a tight-fitting lid on top and give it a shake.
Be sure to label your tincture including all the ingredients and the date you started the tincture.
Shake daily and after 4 to 6 weeks strain out the herbs.
Bottle your tincture with a proper label.
Take 30 to 60 drops 3x per day. Can start 5 days prior to menstruation if needed

PMS Nervous System Support

Adapted from Rosemary Gladstar

Ingredients

1 part oatstraw

3 parts chamomile

3 parts raspberry

1 part motherwort

3 parts lemon balm

3 parts peppermint

2 parts nettle

2 parts red clover

Directions

Blend herbs together.
Combine 4-6 tablespoon of herb blend for each quart of boiling hot water..
Let steep in a covered container for 20 minutes before straining.

From: https://theherbalacademy.com

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