Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

butterburn — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:22:05 GMT

I am seeking a herbal for menstrual cramps as my daughter is still struggling with them in her mid-thirties. I read in the Nature Doctor that the herb butterbur is very good for this condition but it is only mentioned in Mercola for hay fever. Does anyone out there have any information on butterbur? Also I note it seems to be hard to find in Australia.

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

tracysturdivant — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:53:02 GMT

I have to disagree with Dr. Mercola when he states that herbs do not get at the root cause of PMS, and painful periods. He also states that herbs work better than acupuncture. Since I am a licensed acupuncturist who has been practicing for 9 years and specializes in women's health, I can state with assurance that chinese herbal prescriptions can and do get at the root cause of painful periods. Acupuncture alone can also treat these same issues with the same success. This is actually the beauty of Chinese Medicine, it treats the root cause or imbalance and allows the body to heal itself. The elegance of Chinese Herbology is that there are many formulas for painful periods and it is up to the practitioner to select the best formula and the best acupuncture treatment for each patient. Five patients with migraines or painful periods could receive 5 different herbal formulas etc. Diet and lifestyle are extremely important, and sometimes folks need a little extra help.

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

jewelsjovi — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:22:43 GMT

Hi,

I've never posted before but I find this article very interesting and have a question that I don't know who to ask (I've given up going to the "family doctor"). I'm 26, never had any menstrual problems up until about 6 months ago. I'm not on any birth control, eat mostly organics (lots of dark leafy greens), use natural products, drink lots of water and feel very healthy except for that the first 2 days of my period I get cramps and quite severe diarrhea...is this something to be concerned about? Last month I was even nauseous. I have no idea why because usually I have a very great digestive system and this change is a very unpleasant "new" situation...any advice?

Thanks

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

PJette — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:18:32 GMT

Given the recent expose of China's lack of quality control in their manufactering products, is it possible that herbs grown in China and exported to foreign markets should be viewed as potentially dangerous, too?

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

smallfarmgirl — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:51:08 GMT

Had to laugh at the indignation around the spelling of Chinese words as the writer misused "brake" for "break." Or perhaps, that was a "point" being made? Anger always seems to distort our thoughts and actions, where a calm attitude might be more affective ... or is that effective?

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

ohgorsh — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:56:28 GMT

Thats why its so sad the Rain forrest is about gone

This doctor that studied for a century or more died and his daughter took over but she agrees that herbs work

Some day we will all be banned from herbs ,sad reality I betcha

I think the drug pushers are the ones on Tv with every other commercial selling drugs ,,the side effects are worse than the illness ,,,,,,,

Going to try and get some more herbs and heal myself ,thanks for the great ariticle ,,

Hope if it comes from China ,doesnt have paint chips in any of the products

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

Huggles — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:57:31 GMT

I find it funny how everyone always has to insult the article writer and focus on the negative than on the positive. I know from past experience that chinese herbs work. I have worked in a pharmacy and have seenpeople get more and more sick and more health problems since theyve been on drugs. The drugs may help a particular symptom but cause something else to go wrong in your body. They are CHEMICALS we are putting in our body. Our bodies were not made to tolerate chemicals. God gave us nutrition and herbs to cleanse our bodies.. why dont we use them?

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

JoMM — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:13:35 GMT

Jack Root,

If you are a man as your name implies...tread softly because you have NO idea what endometriosis feels like...read the signs and symptoms and even then you will not be able to even remotely understand.

For women who don't have it, but have had children via natural childbirth...Labor contractions are what endometriosis cramps feel like every single month, plus other problems commonly associated with it.

Evening Primrose Oil and natural progesterone and moderate exercise made my cramps MORE painful, not better!

As far as helping the symptom...I had surgery and I have a video tape that shows the adhesions in my pelvic area. That is beyond diet that caused that.

I am not closed to trying new natural herbs and trying to eat healthier. In the mean time, I am still going to use what helps me best rather than suffer.

Thank you CariCahill!

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

Marnie1 — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:43:06 GMT

My midwife introduced me to Evening Primrose Oil after I had my son. Prior to giving birth, I had absolutely no symptoms that Auntie Flo was coming to town. But, as we all know, the body changes--sometimes quite abruptly. After 26 hours of back labor, I gave birth to my boy, and started down the road to lower back pain, breast pain, and PMS. It was unsufferable. I didn't drink caffeine, eat junk food, or consume any of the foods commonly thought to be responsible for all these problems. I refuse to take NSAIDS as that would only pollute my body, and was determined to work with my body to find a way to "realign".

have practiced Tai Chi for about 15 years (yes even while I was pregnant--which I am convinced explains my son's loving nature). I created specialized Tai Chi routines to focus on my issues, worked with my acupuncturist and Chiropractor, and started taking the Evening Primrose Oil religiously. Once I began this regimen, I began noticing effects almost immediately, but it was actually about 6 months before I had enough relief that I stopped worrying about whether I was going to commit homicide that month or not. Now, 5 years later, I am totally pain and PMS free. And I am not poluted with chemicals that will destroy my liver and kidneys.

Yes, 6 months is a very long time to wait for a satisfactory level of relief. But, I am working with nature and am even more in tune with my body. Of all the methods I incorporated into my healing, I believe that my Tai Chi practice was the most beneficial. Since I already had 15 years of serious Tai Chi practice under my belt, it was fairly simple to design my own focused exercises...I strongly suggest seeking out a good Tai Chi teacher to help with any health issues. Even if you don't have any issues, start taking classes anyway. You'll avoid a lot of problems, and the ones that do come about will be lessened in severity.

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

EDadmehr — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:29:20 GMT

The best herb used for menstrual pain for thousands of years in both Iran and China is cannabis sativa or Indica. I know many women that smoke pot only once or twice a month to deal with their monthly menstrual abdominal pain. It is illegal here and there in China and Iran but if we are talking about the best herb for healing menstrual pain, then this is it, and time has shown!

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

Miss Meliss — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:58:52 GMT

I have suffered with endometriosis for 12 years now, and in the past few years have finally found relief and healing using herbs, diet changes, and vitamins (taken mostly through whole foods), and exercise.

It wasn't until I looked past symptom control, and began to study and understand the causes of the condition that I found relief. I had been on BC, sleeping pills during my period, and 800 mg of IBprofen 3x a day for almost two weeks out of every month.

I now have two daughters, and a third girl on the way! To think that I was told I may never have children--I believe I wouldn't have if I have listened to my doctors who gave me 3 options: birth control, hysterectomy, or depro-provera. I was told that these were my ONLY options to find health. I now know better, thanks to Dr. Mercola and my all time favorite book:

Endometriosis: A key to healing and fertility through nutrition, by Dian Mills

No doctor EVER asked what I was eating, or checked for vitamin deficiencies. Through good oils, whole foods to correct vitamin needs, and herbs (mostly red raspberry leaf), I have totally eliminated my need for Ibprofen. I will NEVER take BC again.

For the first time I am excited to look forward to my future. I feel like I am finally gaining control over something that has controlled me my whole life. AND BEST OF ALL, I am carefully preparing my daughters for womanhood by eliminating certain environmental factors, and increasing good foods and oils that will help them avoid, or to be prepared to battle, this disease.

You can never go wrong with nutrition. The healing power of foods is awesome. I will never see food the same again--it is what gives me life, health, and sustains me. When you harness this power, you can see miracles in your life. I truly believe it!

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

wenrl — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:50:13 GMT

I think what works for you probably depends on what is causing your cramps. I used to have what I thought were pretty bad cramps. Since I have been exercising everyday, doing yoga, drinking water and green tea and eating well, the cramps are minor if I have them at all.

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

curious7 — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:18:59 GMT

The sufferer should make sure they increase their water intake. Please do not confuse water with fluid. And yes the Herbs are very helpful, research for yourself.

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

JoMM — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 07:49:24 GMT

I tried natural remedies (ie Evening Primrose Oil, natural Progesterone, etc) including exercise and they did not work. I had severe cramps from the time I started my period at age 13. I was diagnosed with endometriosis in my late 20's. I had to have a D&C and a laparoscopy. I got pregnant immediately afterward (one month)...Before that, I didn't use any BC.

There is a place for conventional meds! I was taking up to 800 mg Ibuprofen to help the cramp pain. The only thing that works and is extremely effective at a very minimal dose is Vicodin. I also use a warm compress and take warm baths. Thank goodness for that because I spent many years in horrific pain, even after trying natural remedies. When I heard to try exercise for cramps, the exercise actually made the cramps worse, not better!!! Again, there is a place for conventional meds. Just because something works for one person, doesn't mean it works for everyone. It is not a one size fits all. That is what I found out by trying the natural stuff for cramps.

re: Herbs Found to be More Effective Than Drugs to Relieve Menstrual Pain

DizzyIzzy1 — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 22:17:53 GMT

I've not used any chinese herbs before (probably because I went to the only practitioner in town once and lets say we had communication issues... I asked for epsom salts or something similar, he gave me something for ED - I'm a girl!! :D )

BUT

I believe they work - they were put here by our creator to sort us out, and they have a long history of working. If I could find someone who speaks english in town (or if I could learn Mandarin in a short time, which I would love) then I'd be there to try these things.

Evening Primrose Oil is my saviour each month, without it I'm a mess. Again, herbal.

That and exercise - a gentle walk by a lake or the beach is fantastic, followed by a soak in a warm bath and a mug of hot chocolate.

Since I've made a serious effort to eat well and cut the crap and the sugar the cramps have all but disappeared - and not a nurofen in sight.