Chinese Herbs Could Give You Relief From Menstrual Cramps

The menstrual cycle is known by different names in different nationalities. One of the most common renditions of this is the term ‘AF’ which is used for ‘Aunt Flo (rence)’ which could also stand for ‘Aunt Flow’. The use of this term is often made to discreetly announce the arrival of a menstrual period. Some may call it ‘chums’ (which means friends) or the ‘curse’. Regardless of what its called, the menstrual cycle is an integral part of a woman’s life cycle.

Another ugly accompaniment of the menstrual period, other than all that blood of course, is the presence of the menstrual cramp. Like some evil cousin, she drops in unannounced. Along with her, she brings days and nights of squeamishness and doesn’t let you sit in peace.

Most women resort to some form of drugs to take care of their menstrual cramp problem. We, however, suggest that you go the ‘herbal’ way. According to a new study, Chinese herbs may be better at relieving you from the pain of a menstrual cramp than any other drug has ever been.

Chinese Herbs For Menstrual Cramps:

Australia based researchers conducted the study and it showed that the herbs did play a significant role in reducing the pain that the women were suffering from before the herbs were administered to them. But the best aspect of it was that it actually kept the recurrence of a menstrual cramp the next month at bay. It was effective for up to 3 months.

The author of this study was Xiaoshu Zhu, who is associated with the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research in Sydney. According to him the measures of effectiveness that were available at the moment suggested that the Chinese herbal medicines administered to those suffering from menstrual cramps was superior to the placebo treatments available in the market today.

About The Study:

Period pain is known to affect a good 50 % of the reproductive aged women. Around 60 % of them experience such severe pain that they cannot go about their days as usual – they are absent from school or work.

This survey involved somewhere around 39 trials, wherein, the participants were given concoctions which included herbs that would regulate their ‘qi’ (energy). It helped to warm their body and ended up boosting their liver and kidney functions.

Some of the herbs that were used here included:

• Baishao – White peony root
• Chishao – Red peony root
• Xiangfu – Nut-grass rhizome
• Danggui – Chinese angelica root
• Yimucao – Chinese Motherwort
• Gancao – Liquorice root
• Rougui – Cinnamon bark
• Chuanxiong – Szechuan lovage root

The researchers, however, quickly added that this discovery was still in its trial stages. Intensive studies would have to be conducted on the findings before they could confirm its effectiveness. So all we have to do now is wait and watch.