Ginger for menstrual cramps -
With increasing warnings about the dangers of NSAIDs and more people becoming interested in safe natural non-toxic remedies for common ailments an effective remedy for the pain of dysmenorrhea may be hiding in plain sight in the spice cabinet. Now studies have shown that ginger may be effective for menstrual pain specifically.
In a double-blind study comparing the efficacy of ginger ibuprofen and the NSAID mefenamic acid for relief of pain from primary dysmenorrhea in women age 18 and over ginger proved to be as effective as the drugs with no severe side effects reported in any of the cohorts.
The study employed mg capsules of ginger rhizome powder four times a day for three days from the start of their menstrual period compared to mg mefenamic acid or mg ibuprofen capsules on the same protocol. In a randomized placebo controlled study with a cohort of university students with moderate to severe dysmenorrhea ginger given at mg three times a day resulted in significant reductions in pain severity compared to placebo.
Moreover pain reduction was greater when ginger was taken prophylactically starting up to two days before the onset of menstruation and continued for the first three days of bleeding than when it was taken only during the first three days of menstruation.
This is an interesting finding because it suggests that taking ginger in advance of menstruation may help reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea even more than taking it only after bleeding has started.
In a separate RCT involving females of high school age ginger was shown to have similar effects to zinc sulfate in improving primary dysmenorrheal pain—both led to significant alleviation of pain when taken from the day before the commencement of menstruation through the third day of menstrual bleeding.
This is noteworthy because dysmenorrhea is common in younger women and they may experience it as particularly incapacitating. Ginger has also been shown to reduce nausea among university students with primary dysmenorrhea.
Overall study findings support the efficacy of ginger for alleviating the pain of dysmenorrhea. A meta-analysis found that ginger powder given in the range of mg during the first days of the menstrual cycle is the effective dose. A separate meta-analysis looking at studies that compared ginger to mefenamic acid or placebo determined that ginger is more effective than placebo and there was no significant difference between the effects of ginger and the NSAID.
Hot ginger tea can be very soothing and spicy! and potent fresh-grated ginger can be added to hot or cold beverages such as kombucha and used in salad dressing and in stir-fries. Designs for Health has been dedicated to being the most trusted source for superior quality, science-based nutritional products for nearly three decades.
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Ginger — as Effective as NSAIDs for Menstrual Pain. January 17, - Chicory is known to have a positive impact on the digestive processes so, if you are feeling a little queasy as a result of your period, this coffee substitute can have a doubly useful effect.
It's important to bear in mind that decaf tea or coffee options are often made by extracting the caffeine with the help of chemicals, therefore, simply adding another pro-inflammatory element instead. Extra advice: Balance Mineral Drink is another great alternative to coffee - its impressive vitamin and mineral content is great natural way to boost your energy!
A good, fresh, nutrient-packed smoothie could help to ease period pain, especially if it's full of leafy green veggies! This kiwi and ginger green smoothie , for example, provides vitamins and minerals that your body may be lacking at this time of the month.
Amongst the list of ingredients are almond milk and spinach which are good sources of magnesium and iron. Many women struggle with fatigue and low energy during their period, and these can be made worse by low iron levels so, at this time, it can prove helpful to up your intake of this valuable mineral.
Magnesium, on the other hand, has a relaxing effect on muscles which helps to ease cramps. Plus, it can also impact upon mood, working to reduce anxiety and encourage better sleep! Or, why not try our super fruit and veg green smoothie? You can choose a range of flavours to add to your smoothie — why not include some flaxseeds for some bloat-busting fibre and anti-inflammatory omega-3?
Or, throw in some pineapple for a healthy dose of bromelain, another anti-inflammatory that can help with your period pains. Celery also makes a great addition to any smoothie, as its impressive potassium content can help to manage bloating.
You can also find a whole variety of smoothie recipes on our food hub! It's well recognised that smoothies are good for us, but there are a few things to consider to make sure you are getting the maximum benefits they can provide.
Watch my video for my tips on how to make your smoothies even healthier. Ginger is a great ingredient that can do wonders during your period! It has anti-inflammatory properties so it can help with painful cramps. In fact, research has found that ginger was just as effective as ibuprofen when it came to relieving menstrual pain.
You can increase your intake of ginger by putting it in soups or smoothies, though ginger tea is another tasty option. You can buy good quality ginger tea from most health food stores. So, why not swap your usual brew for one flavoured with ginger and see if that helps your cramps? Extra advice: Make your own ginger tea by steeping some fresh ginger in hot water, adding in a drizzle of honey or a slice of lemon for some extra flavour.
Research has found that compounds within chamomile tea may prove beneficial for menstrual cramps. Like ginger, chamomile also has anti-inflammatory properties which may help to reduce cramp further. I think it's also important to note that these caffeine-free drinks are very calming so, if you find that your mood is unpredictable during your period, these could be some great options for you.
This is yet another tea which is thought to ease period cramps as well as settle digestive issues. One particular study found that peppermint oil relaxes the stomach muscles and reduced both the duration and severity of menstrual cramps for many of the young women who participated.
Researchers concluded that this was due to the anti-spasmodic properties of its menthol content. Tea can be made from the peppermint leaves, which is where oils like menthol can be found and which give this tea its refreshing, minty flavour.
So, this makes it a good option to try if you are suffering from nasty period cramps. Extra advice: Green tea and raspberry leaf tea can be great for reducing period cramps too, thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties!
High sugar content in the likes of fizzy juice and energy drinks can cause energy levels to rise rapidly and then crash, which leaves you even more lethargic than when you started.
As fatigue is often an issue during your period, it's advisable to steer clear of sugary drinks in case the problem is worsened.
Another reason to forego the fizzy juice is the unnecessary bloating that can come along as a result of the carbonation. This is not something you'll want to deal with if on top of difficult period cramps.
Plus, although good quality dark chocolate contains antioxidants and could potentially help with your period symptoms, hot chocolate drinks should also be avoided.
These are often made using a cheaper quality of chocolate and they're usually packed with sugar! Extra advice: even fruit juices from concentrate can contain lots of sugar so, instead, opt for squash or fresh fruit juice not from concentrate.
This is one to consider limiting during your period, hence my recommendation for herbal teas and coffee substitutes at this time. As I discussed in my blog, ' 5 reasons to avoid caffeine during your period ', caffeine activates the sympathetic nervous system which can leave you feeling anxious and stressed.
Caffeine also influences your blood sugar levels which can have a direct impact on your mood, which isn't exactly ideal if your period means your mood is all over the place anyway.
What's more, caffeine could risk draining some essential nutrients such as magnesium which have an important role in pain perception. Extra advice: energy drinks, fizzy juice and tea all contain caffeine. Milk contains saturated fats which have the potential to increase inflammation and irritation which is, in turn, likely to worsen period pain.
Plus, dairy also contains a chemical called prostaglandin which can contribute to cramping. Therefore, this may be another drink that you may want to consider limiting whilst you are on your period, although of course individual factors are also important to consider.
You might want to consider how much milk you may be consuming in total too, as your intake could be adding up if you are opting for various options including hot chocolate and teas throughout the course of a day.
Extra advice: yogurts, milkshakes, cheese, ice cream and butter could all have the potential to cause problems too if it's the case that you are particularly sensitive to dairy.
However, you should always chat to a healthcare professional such as nutritionist or a GP if you are keen to cut out any major food groups. You may also find it helpful to cut back on your alcohol consumption during your period as it can dehydrate you.
This, in turn, could make period symptoms like cravings and fatigue more severe. Alcohol is also another inflammatory element of our diet. Alcohol can have a depressant effect, so if women suffer from PMS already and feel low or moody around their period, then alcohol can risk exacerbating those feelings.
There is also a biological reason that even women who can tolerate alcohol normally, may not tolerate alcohol as well around their period. This is due to lower oestrogen levels at this time which affect some liver enzymes, particularly alcohol dehydrogenase, which is the enzyme that helps break down alcohol.
Extra advice: you can find more information on alcohol and periods in my blog ' Boozy periods: what are the effects?
So, in this blog we've covered 6 great drinks for period cramps as well as some dietary elements which may not so helpful when it comes to your period. But, what else can you do to help with period cramps? Join to receive 7 days of tips and advice from Nutritionist Emma, covering everything you need to know to get your period symptoms under control.
Looking for help to reduce feelings of fatigue and tiredness? Need help regulating and balancing your pH? Pleasant tasting I now add it to my daily smoothie as part of my routine healthy eating. To find local independent stores in your area that sell Balance Mineral Drink, simply type your postcode below.
A traditional herbal remedy used to relieve the symptoms of PMS More info.
The trial Pre-game nutrition tips 50 healthy female subjects aged 18—35 mdnstrual who had menstrual discomfort Ginger for menstrual cramps the previous three consecutive months Ginger for menstrual cramps who Ginger for menstrual cramps diagnosed with primary Gingsr, the clinical term for crammps syndrome PMS. Subjects were instructed cor record the severity of their menstrual cramps Amazon Music Downloads Ginger for menstrual cramps first Ginegr days of menstruation as baseline and in the first and second treatment follow-up cycles. Conducted at Chennai Meenakshi Multispecialty Hospital in India, the study assigned participants to one of two groups, administering either mg of Ginfort or placebo twice daily for 56 days. Ginfort, produced by Indian nutraceutical supplier Olene Life Sciences, is the newest offering in the DolCas Biotech portfolio. Moreover, the women said they experienced relief from accompanying symptoms. All subjects in the experimental group reported that they were completely satisfied with the treatment. However, in deriving data that not only showed dramatic benefit at onset of use, but continual and cumulative benefit in the second cycle, we were pleasantly surprised.Ginger for menstrual cramps -
Green tea also has a ton of L-theanine, an amino acid that boosts dopamine and reduces anxiety, which can be helpful for those period-induced mood swings.
Many species of pine trees have been used for their healing properties, and one that may help with painful period cramping is French maritime pink bark extract tea. French maritime pink bark extract contains many plant compounds like vitamins, polyphenols, and other phytonutrients, which may be beneficial to our health.
The tea may also soothe menstrual pain in women with dysmenorrhea, a small study published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine found. In the study, women were given either a French maritime pink bark extract pill or a placebo throughout two full menstrual cycles, and results showed that the women who tool the pine bark experienced less pain.
Overall, research shows you can rely on tea for natural remedies to reducing period cramps. However, if your cramps persist for more than two days and the pain begins to interfere with your daily life, then Abbas suggests consulting with your doctor.
Currently an assistant editor at Prevention. com, Nicol is a Manhattan-based journalist who specializes in health, wellness, beauty, fashion, business, and lifestyle. When Nicol isn't writing, she loves trying new workout classes, testing out the latest face mask, and traveling. Follow her on Instagram for the latest on health, wellness, and lifestyle.
The Healthiest Fast Food Menu Items. Sticky Riesling Chicken. Tomato-Poached Cod with Olives and Capers. Following These Diets May Impact Immunity. Curried Spaghetti Squash and Collards. Spinach Salad With Crispy Lentils and Aged Gouda. com Medical Review Board Prevention Awards Win. Milk contains saturated fats which have the potential to increase inflammation and irritation which is, in turn, likely to worsen period pain.
Plus, dairy also contains a chemical called prostaglandin which can contribute to cramping. Therefore, this may be another drink that you may want to consider limiting whilst you are on your period, although of course individual factors are also important to consider.
You might want to consider how much milk you may be consuming in total too, as your intake could be adding up if you are opting for various options including hot chocolate and teas throughout the course of a day. Extra advice: yogurts, milkshakes, cheese, ice cream and butter could all have the potential to cause problems too if it's the case that you are particularly sensitive to dairy.
However, you should always chat to a healthcare professional such as nutritionist or a GP if you are keen to cut out any major food groups. You may also find it helpful to cut back on your alcohol consumption during your period as it can dehydrate you.
This, in turn, could make period symptoms like cravings and fatigue more severe. Alcohol is also another inflammatory element of our diet. Alcohol can have a depressant effect, so if women suffer from PMS already and feel low or moody around their period, then alcohol can risk exacerbating those feelings.
There is also a biological reason that even women who can tolerate alcohol normally, may not tolerate alcohol as well around their period. This is due to lower oestrogen levels at this time which affect some liver enzymes, particularly alcohol dehydrogenase, which is the enzyme that helps break down alcohol.
Extra advice: you can find more information on alcohol and periods in my blog ' Boozy periods: what are the effects? So, in this blog we've covered 6 great drinks for period cramps as well as some dietary elements which may not so helpful when it comes to your period.
But, what else can you do to help with period cramps? Join to receive 7 days of tips and advice from Nutritionist Emma, covering everything you need to know to get your period symptoms under control. Looking for help to reduce feelings of fatigue and tiredness? Need help regulating and balancing your pH?
Pleasant tasting I now add it to my daily smoothie as part of my routine healthy eating. To find local independent stores in your area that sell Balance Mineral Drink, simply type your postcode below. A traditional herbal remedy used to relieve the symptoms of PMS More info.
Period pain or dysmenorrhoea, can be caused by a number of reasons. The main cause of the pain you Agnus castus is a licensed herbal remedy that can help to relieve symptoms of PMS such as menstrual As the A.
Did you know the average age of starting your periods has changed? A years ago, 16 was the average age for a girl to get her first period in the UK but now this has dropped to just 12!
I have read and agree to A. Settings Deny Accept. Checked and approved by: Dr Anne Henderson , Consultant Gynaecologist, British Menopause Society Accredited Specialist, Medico-legal expert MA MB BChir MRCOG Period cramps can be hard to put up with every month but, good news, you don't have to!
Written by Emma Thornton Qualified Nutritionist BSc, MSc, RNutr emmatalkshealth EmmaThornton Ask a question 06 May What should you drink to help period cramps?
Water Keeping yourself hydrated is always essential but it becomes even more important during your period.
My Top Tip: Balance Mineral Drink contains a sensible dose of magnesium, which can reduce period cramps, as well as other important nutrients like vitamin D and calcium. Vogel Balance Mineral Drink with Vitamin D3, Magnesium, Zinc, Potassium and Calcium.
Shop now Find Balance Mineral drink in a store near you. Where to buy Balance Mineral Drink locally. Then look no further than Balance Mineral Drink!
Search for your nearest store in the UK by inserting your post code below Search. Do periods make you sleep more? Coping with mood swings: Part 2 Coping with mood swings: Part 1 Why am I so bloated during my period?
Why does my stomach get upset during my period Why are my period cramps worse at night Can vitamin D deficiency make your period worse? Top tips for coping with your period during summer Does the pill make you more sensitive to caffeine? The study employed mg capsules of ginger rhizome powder four times a day for three days from the start of their menstrual period compared to mg mefenamic acid or mg ibuprofen capsules on the same protocol.
In a randomized placebo controlled study with a cohort of university students with moderate to severe dysmenorrhea ginger given at mg three times a day resulted in significant reductions in pain severity compared to placebo. Moreover pain reduction was greater when ginger was taken prophylactically starting up to two days before the onset of menstruation and continued for the first three days of bleeding than when it was taken only during the first three days of menstruation.
This is an interesting finding because it suggests that taking ginger in advance of menstruation may help reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea even more than taking it only after bleeding has started.
In a separate RCT involving females of high school age ginger was shown to have similar effects to zinc sulfate in improving primary dysmenorrheal pain—both led to significant alleviation of pain when taken from the day before the commencement of menstruation through the third day of menstrual bleeding.
This is noteworthy because dysmenorrhea is common in younger women and they may experience it as particularly incapacitating.
Ginger has also been shown to reduce nausea among university students with primary dysmenorrhea. Overall study findings support the efficacy of ginger for alleviating the pain of dysmenorrhea. A meta-analysis found that ginger powder given in the range of mg during the first days of the menstrual cycle is the effective dose.
A separate meta-analysis looking at studies that compared ginger to mefenamic acid or placebo determined that ginger is more effective than placebo and there was no significant difference between the effects of ginger and the NSAID.
Hot ginger tea can be very soothing and spicy! and potent fresh-grated ginger can be added to hot or cold beverages such as kombucha and used in salad dressing and in stir-fries.
mensfrual Publications 0 comments. Ginger for menstrual cramps crsmps one of the most common Ulcer prevention during chemotherapy women seek menwtrual from their family menstrjal. Naturopaths have safer alternatives to chronic Ginger for menstrual cramps medication use, which can be equally as effective, especially when combined with simple diet changes and nutrient supplementation. Ginger is a well-known anti-inflammatory, that has been shown in head to head trials against ibuprofen for menstrual cramps 1. Multiple trials have compared multiple dosing strategies, with the most success coming from women who start ginger capsules days before their expected period 2—6. Period cramps can be awful and often xramps with unpleasant symptoms like nausea or Superfood supplement for stress relief. Most Ginger for menstrual cramps reach for pain relievers or a heating pad crajps period cramps Ginger for menstrual cramps, meenstrual the foods you eat can Gingsr play a role in Ginger for menstrual cramps bad your cramps feel. Many foods can help ease cramps, while others can actually make them worse. Period cramps occur when the cells that line your uterus break down before being shed through menstruation. As they break down, these endometrial cells release inflammatory compounds called prostaglandins that trigger the muscles in your uterus to contract. These muscle contractions are what you're feeling when period cramps hit. But the foods you eat can relieve cramps by providing important nutrients that relieve inflammation or stop these muscle contractions.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-118166255-59e7b9ce9abed50011cc4517.jpg "Ginger for menstrual cramps")
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