Home Remedies for Menstruation Relief

Menstruation is the term used for the natural monthly cycle of periods in the female body. Periods are when the unfertilized eggs are ejected out of the reproductive system along with blood and several other tissue cells. This flow happens once a month. The flow is profuse on one particular day of the month. However the discomfort of the periods could generally last for three days.

In Ayurveda, menses (i.e. the flow of the menstrual period) is considered to be the excess pitta which flows out of the body. It is called as Raja. Hence the menstrual flow is also called as Raja Pravritti.

It's estimated that about one-third of infertility cases can be attributed to females. 30 to 40 percent of these cases are caused by irregular or infrequent ovulation and menstruation.

A condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the more common underlying causes of ovulation problems and/or infertility. It affects approximately 5-10 percent of women in their reproductive years. Symptoms of PCOS include:

•Irregular menstruation, abnormal menstruation, or no menstruation

•Being overweight or obese, sometimes even when dieting and exercising

•Insulin resistance, which could lead to the development of Type II Diabetes

•Hair growth on the chest and/or face, due to increased testosterone levels

•High blood pressure

Anorexia is something more drastic than just a problem with food. It is a strange way of using food, body weight or starving oneself to feel more in charge of one's life, to ease nervousness, anger, and anxiety. Most people with anorexia are females.

Anorexia is an eating disorder where people, especially the teen group (adolescent girls) starve themselves - the main reason is to lose weight and turn lean. Anorexia usually begins in young people around the onset of puberty. Weight loss is obtained by many ways - some harmful also. The common techniques used are excessive exercise, intake of laxatives/ diet pills, vomiting after a meal and starving oneself to limitless extent.

Symptoms:

There are many symptoms for anorexia; not all individuals may experience similar symptoms. The common symptoms include a body weight that is inconsistent with age, build and height (usually 15% below normal weight).

Other symptoms include:

• Constant exercise

• Loss of hair on head

• Fatigue and muscle tiredness, headaches

• Obsession with food and calories

• Irregular menstruation in women - loss of atleast 3 menstrual periods

• Amenorrhea (loss of menstruation)

• Unusual eating habits (ie. cutting food into tiny pieces, picking at food)

• Mood swings

Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Menstruation

a)Bloodwort (Achillea millefolium)

The hot infusion of leaves of the bloodwort is taken as an emmenagogue. A decoction of the herb can correct irregular periods. The herb also yields an oil which can be used in the treatment of female reproductive disorders.

b) Chicory (Chichorium intybus)

Seeds of chicory are prepared into a decoction to treat problems of obstructed menstruation.

c)Dill (Anethum sowa)

This fragrant herb is efficient in stimulating menstrual cycles. It helps women who have delayed periods to get their periods on time. Young anemic girls are prone to spasmodic menstruation, which can be quite painful.