The majority of women tend to experience cramps to a varying degree of discomfort during their menses. That discomfort can range from the occasional pinch to severe pain. Cramps are clinically known as dysmenorrhea and there are two kinds, primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary cramps are those of the common type and secondary cramps are caused by a disorder in the reproductive organs.
Theses secondary cramps begin earlier in the cycle and tend to last longer than primary cramps. Make an appointment with your health care provider if you are experiencing pain normally associated with secondary cramps. A disorder may be caused by endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, stenosis of the cervix or tumors.
To address the pain associated with primary cramps, tea is a great place to start. Chamomile is the perfect herb to start with as it provides pain and inflammation relief, as well as having calming properties. The second herb of choice is peppermint for its pain and spasm relief, as well as being quite soothing to the tummy.
Lose leaf herbs such as the ones listed in the recipe can be purchased from your local herbalist or food co-op in their bulk section. You can also purchase them as a prepared tea, but will likely pay more for the individual tea bags and packaging.
Your Guide to Menstrual Cramps. (2014, September 20). WebMD. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/women/menstrual-cramps.