Menstrual cramps.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: menstrual cramps
From: Karen <74227.1163.CompuServe.COM>
Date: 19 Aug 1995 03:05:59 GMT

> My girlfriend has a seven day period of menstruation (cramps, discharge, etc.). The problem is the fact that this period in her cycle is extremely taxing on her as her cramps, nausea, headaches are extremely intense for the duration of the week.

I have had great success with a catnip/peppermint tea - about ½ tablespoon each in about 16 ounces of water, steep 10 or 15 minutes. Catnip is a good muscle relaxer, and peppermint is good for *everything*! It is quite strong, though, and I only use it when I don't have to do anything - like in the evening before bed, etc. I wouldn't recommend driving under the influence, or operating machinery. And I agree with Mera - it doesn't sound normal. Does she get regular checkups with her ob/gyn or practitioner of choice? Does she have an IUD? Fibroids? Endometryosis? All of these things could be adding to her distress. Also, you didn't mention her age, but women in their teens and early twenties, as well as early to late forties, can have these problems.

From: bwind.BIX.com (Brian)

My wife has had good success with EPO for GLA to get rid of PMS. This has been in combination with a low carb diet and a good daily multivitamin/mineral formula. She also uses flax seed oil or EPA (fish oil) pills to help direct the GLA down the correct biochemical pathway (vs. conversion to archidonic acid).

The most interesting thing though, was something we picked up from the book on vitamins and minerals for doctors by Dr. Mary Dan Eades. She suggested using niacin for dysmenorrhea (sp?), i.e. painful periods, cramping, etc. (vs. PMS which is water retention, mood swings, etc.). Anyway, surprisingly the niacin worked about as well if not better than the pain reliever she used to take (Advil or Motrin or something like that). The only problem was niacin flush, so she tried niacinamide and it worked the same way. So now she tries to stay away from the pain relievers and just the vitamin.

From: Greyart <102517.1042.CompuServe.COM>

Yes,I also suffered, until I found out from my great-grandmother the secret to avoiding them. here you go & good luck (it sometimes takes 2 months to take effect but it is worth it): Take 4 or 5 newly sprouted leaves from a raspberry plant, crush between fingers & place in bottom of tea cup. Add ¾ cup boiling water and steep for 3 minutes. Drink this before bed for one week before your period & the cramps should lessen. (Lipton has a raspberry tea that is just about as good called "soothing moments")