5 herbal teas to help with period pain & bloating

There’s enough going on without pain and bloating around your period, and maybe a nice cuppa will help.

Raspberry Leaf

You may know of raspberry leaf being used in pregnancy and postpartum to help with the muscle tone of the uterus and pelvic floor muscles, but it is also good for bloating and heavy periods.   The key constituent in raspberry leaf is the alkaloid fragarine which acts as a uterine tonifier, reducing menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding.  It also contains tannins that are astringent, and flavonoids that support tissue and capillary health which together helps reduce excessive bleeding and bloating.  As a nutritive herb, raspberry also contains manganese, iron, calcium, selenium and vitamin C.

Ginger

The amazing ginger!  Ginger has been found to be as effective as Nurofen and Ponstan in treating period pain with research showing it relieves both pain and nausea.  Reducing the cramping pain can help reduce bloating as well.  Ginger is also anti-inflammatory and helps promote circulation.  It is easy to make fresh ginger tea by slicing fresh ginger thinly and simmering in water for 5 minutes.  Add a little honey if you like.

Chamomile and peppermint

This is a powerhouse combo of carminative herbs.  Carminatives are herbal remedies that are rich in volatile oils (so they also smell fabulous) that help to reduce and prevent the formation of excess gas in the digestive tract.  This can help ease cocky wind pain and bloating as well as nausea.   The menthol volatile oil in the peppermint also helps reduce uterine cramps and period pain. The oils in the chamomile will also help with period cramps plus chamomile has a glycoside compound that helps with feeling relaxed.

Dandelion leaf

Dandelion’s old French name is pis-en-lit, or *pee a bed because of its diuretic properties.  If you feel bloated from fluid rather than wind or have tender swollen breasts before your period  then this is worth trying.  Nettle can also be helpful as can the herb cleavers. Note: dandelion root tea/coffee is made from the root and looks like coffee, not green leaf, and it works on digestion and the liver.

Hibiscus tea

Hibiscus may help regulate a hormone made in your adrenal glands called aldosterone.  Aldosterone in turn regulates the levels of sodium and potassium within the body; too much and the kidneys retain sodium which means they also retain water, leading to fluid retention and bloating.  By influencing aldosterone, hibiscus acts as a diuretic and reduces bloating as well as helps reduce high blood pressure.