7 Ayurvedic Remedies for Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps feel like a tour through the hellfire. Many women go through this torment every month. But this does not have to be this way! Our ancestors handled it well with these simple Ayurvedic home remedies for menstrual cramps.

However, the millennials have walked too far from their roots. They have got into this habit of popping pain killers and anti-spasmodic every month. But these temporary fixes come with a long list of side effects.

That’s why I recommend young ladies of this modern generation to take a step back. Ayurveda lays special emphasis on dealing with women’s problems. Be it menstrual cramps, fertility issues, sexual troubles or white discharge. Ayurveda introduced simple and efficient remedies from the kitchen that could work magic. Here are a few amazing home remedies for Menstrual cramps that has worked for generations.

Check out these 7 simple Ayurvedic home remedies for Menstrual cramps!

Also Read: 5 amazing tips on managing irregular periods

8 Simple Ayurvedic remedies for Menstrual cramps

1. Hingu (Asafoetida)

A famous Indian condiment, asafoetida has more than aroma and flavour to offer.

It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-spasmodic effects. In ancient times, ladies used a pinch of hingu to cure their bloating, flatulence and cramps associated with periods. It can also help in normalizing progesterone secretion. This helps regulate blood flow and relieve menstrual cramps.

Thus, you can try adding asafoetida to the diet to regularize irregular periods, menstrual pain and overflow. Trust me, it’s a boon for women with the problems of heavy and painful periods. Hingu has been the secret ingredient of home remedies for Menstrual cramps for eons.

How to add hingu to your diet?

• Add a pinch of hingu to a glass of buttermilk. 
• The refreshing drink fires up your digestion and prevents bloating. 
• Adding a pinch of hingu can add to its antispasmodic actions. 
• Drink it twice or thrice a day to relieve menstrual cramps.

Also Read: Ayurvedic treatment for delayed periods

2. Ajwain(carom seeds)

Call it a mouth freshener, a flavouring spice or a medicine!

Ajwain is a simple kitchen remedy that can bring permanent relief to the period woes. It is effective in relieving a range of muscular and abdominal cramps. Ajwain is a handy home remedy for menstrual problems and digestive issues. 

Ajwain oil also works as an excellent muscle relaxer. You can just apply the oil to the soar muscles and it would ease your muscle cramps and pain. In India, our ancestors used fennel seeds or ajwain as a mouth freshener after meals for such benefits. 

How to use Ajwain for period cramps?

There are a number of ways to add Ajwain to your diet. Check out some of the simple ways.

Ajwain Tea

• Ajwain Tea is very effective in relieving menstrual cramps.
• Add 2 pinches of Ajwain in 2 cups of water.
• Let it boil until the water reduces to half. 
• Strain the water, add honey and drink the tea. 
• Drink this tea two to three times a day for better relief.

Add it to your meals.

• Sprinkle a pinch of Ajwain to your dal, sambhar or buttermilk.
• You can also add it to the dough before making your Chapathi or roti.
• Roast some ajwain seeds and add them to a glass of milk for unbearable pain. 

3. Methi seeds (Fenugreek)

These bitter seeds have many sweet benefits!

Methi seed is another common kitchen spice that works magic in relieving period cramps. A clinical study confirmed that ingesting methi seeds is effective in reducing the duration of dysmenorrhea.

Several studies confirmed that methi seeds could reduce the severity of period pain to a great extent. It is one of the simplest, easiest and natural cure for period cramps.

How to use Methi seeds for dysmenorrhea?

• Soak a tsp of methi seeds in a glass of water.
• Leave it overnight for 12 hours. 
• The next morning, drink this glass of methi seeds infused water.

Also Read: Methi in diabetes

4. Gud (Jaggery)

It seems there is one more reason to satiate your sweet tooth.

I have always advised you all to make a smooth shift from sugar to jaggery. Whether it’s your tea or coffee or sweet dishes, use jaggery powder instead of sugar. 

Jaggery has many medicinal benefits. It is rich in many essential nutrients like sodium and potassium. Jaggery also contains iron and selenium that helps in avoiding anaemia. It is very effective in curing mood swings, cramps, and other symptoms of menstruation.

How to use jaggery for dysmenorrhea?

As I already said, you can add half a tsp of powdered jaggery to your coffee, tea, milk or yoghurt.

Another great way to use jaggery to combat dysmenorrhea is to combine it with Methi and ajwain seeds. Make small balls using these ingredients and eat 2-3 balls on an empty stomach.

5. Aloe Vera Juice

The green gel of Aloe vera is every woman’s best friend!

We all know a touch of aloe vera gel works magic for hair and skin. But ingesting the juice of this gel also has many medicinal benefits. It is a superb cure for digestive issues. 

But that’s not it! Aloe vera juice is also a potent cure for period cramps.  It is a natural pain killer that aids in relieving menstrual pain without causing any side effects.

How to use Aloe Vera Gel for Period Pain?

• Extract the gel from an aloe vera leaf.
• Blend it in a juicer by adding a few scoops of water.
• Drink this juice on an empty stomach every morning, especially 3-5 days before your period date. 
• You can also continue this drink throughout your periods.

If you have a jam-packed schedule then you can also get the all-natural Ayurvedic Aloe Vera Juice from Ayurvedic stores.

6. Til ka tel (Sesame Oil)

Sort all your problems with sesame oil!

Sesame oil has a special place in the Indian household. From regrowing hair to oil pulling, sesame oil comes in handy with its numerous health benefits. It is also a life saviour when it comes to period cramps. 

Sesame oil can come in handy in curing period pain. It is rich in linoleic acid and has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Studies confirmed that sesame oil can help cure oligomenorrhea. Massage your body with sesame oil every day before bedtime for astounding results.

How to use sesame oil in dysmenorrhea?

• Take about a tsp of sesame oil into your palm.
• Massage your lower abdomen with the oil.
• Go for gentle strokes going downwards. 
• For best results, heat the oil to make it a bit warm. 

7. Cumin Seeds

Trust Cumin seeds for their curing effects!

Cumin is a common kitchen spice that does more than flavouring your food. It has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties that have relaxing effects. A cup of cumin tea can help in ridding the painful menstrual cramps.

Studies on the treatment of dysmenorrhea concluded that cumin seeds can help in the management of period cramps. 

How to use Cumin seeds for curing periods of pain?

• Boil a cup of water in a pan.
• Add a spoonful of cumin seeds to the pan.
• Let the medicinal benefits of cumin seeds infuse into the water.
• Steep and drink it warm.

Also Read: Health benefits of Banana blossom

Ayurvedic home remedies: Try it out!

That time of the month is often tagged with discomfort, mood swings, pain and cramps. Many women have a hard time every month sailing through these four or five days. But it’s a natural cycle and it’s not meant to be tough!

If you are having trouble with your periods then there is something going wrong. Maybe it’s your diet or lifestyle or your body demanding a little extra support. This cannot be accomplished with the pills.

So, try supplementing your diet with these natural remedies. Make sure you take ample rest. Take up a healthy habit of exercising; any form of moderate motion would work great. And don’t forget to stay hydrated. 

Also Read:

Menstrual Sinusitis – A painful period problem