Home Remedies for PMS
What is PMS
Pms stands for premenstrual syndrome marked by a hormonal imbalance which results in physical and emotional changes in women. This occurs before menses, say 7 to 14 days prior to the menstrual cycle or period. Over 80% women experience pre-menstrual syndrome.
PMS Causes
Hormonal changes mainly low progesterone levels in the body prior to a period are believed to be the main cause for pms. Premenstrual syndrome could also be caused due to calcium-magnesium imbalance.
PMS Symptoms
The most common pre menstrual symptoms are cramps, bloating, premenstrual aches and pain, headache, irritability, mood swings, depression, breast tenderness and food cravings. Some women experience dizziness, sweating, palpitations, nausea, stomach problems, fatigue, swelling due to water retention on face, hands and ankles. PMS symptoms vary from woman to woman but these are the most common ones.
Remedies for PMS
Get PMS help for premenstrual tension, fatigue and pain relief by trying these simple natural remedies for pms syndrome.
- Salt water bath: Hot bath with a teaspoon of salt added to bath water helps to relieve muscle cramps and pms joint pain.
- Aromatherapy for PMS: Healing Essential Oil Tub Bath – Prepare a healing oil with 3 drops geranium, 3 drops clary sage and 2 drops ylang ylang. Mix this into a teaspoon of dispersant such as sweet almond oil, mustard oil, sesame, full fat milk or alcohol. Pour this aromatic oil mix into a tub bath filled with warm water. This essential oil blend which seeps into the skin along with inhaled fumes, is relaxing. Scented candles and a dim lighted environment soothe and calm the mind.
- Comforting Massage: Your partner can express his love and understanding by giving you a massage from day 21 of your cycle to the end of the cycle. Pay special attention to lower back, stomach, feet and breasts. Do this twice a day. Or you could visit a spa and ask for a deep tissue massage given by professional massage therapists. This is a great de-stressor as it releases tension knots and can relieve premenstrual tension.
- PMS diet: A menstruating woman who eats small, frequent healthy foods can help to keep her blood sugar in control and minimize food cravings. Restrict salt, and caffeine intake as they worsen water retention. Increase potassium intake, restrict refined sugar intake. A wholesome PMS diet would be one with lots of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and fish. Soyabeans and alfalfa seeds are particularly beneficial to reduce hot flashes and PMS symptoms.
- Herbs for PMS: Chase tree herb is a great PMS cure to relieve cramping pain. Add 10 drops of chase tree extract in a glass of water and drink this. Yarrow tea is great to relieve your pms cramps instantly.
- Nutrition supplements: Magnesium supplement of 1000 mgs per day relieves pre menstrual symptoms.
- Evening Primrose Oil Supplements: EPO or evening primrose oil is a rich source of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), an essential omega 6 fatty acid. GLA is involved in forming prostaglandins which play a positive role in balancing hormones. Studies have shown that women who take 500 mg EPO capsules 6 times a day for the whole month got relief from PMS symptoms particularly irritability, depression and breast pain.
- Regular exercise: Daily exercise is highly beneficial to reduce pms symptoms mainly the mood swings.
