Painful Cycles and PMS

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to a group of physical and emotional symptoms that some women experience in the week or two before their menstrual period. Symptoms subside when the menstrual period starts and within a couple of days of menstrual flow. PMS symptoms can vary greatly from woman to woman and cycle to cycle, and they can range from mild to severe. Some women note that their symptoms are worse during times of increased emotional or physical stress.

Research has shown that teenage girls suffer the same PMS symptoms as older females. Alongside the emotional and physical changes of adolescence, this can make for an explosive combination which leaves everyone feeling miserable. The parents of PMS teens have reported increased tension in the home and a deterioration of family relationships during their teenage daughter's PMS weeks. Fatigue, insomnia and a lack concentration associated with PMS can also disrupt your educational or after-school activities.

• Breast swelling and tenderness.
• Bloating, water retention, weight gain.
• Changes in bowel habits.
• Acne.
• Food cravings, especially for sweet or salty foods.
• Sleep pattern changes.
• Fatigue, lack of energy.
• Decreased sexual desire.
• Pain.

• Aggression
• Withdrawal from family and friends.
• Depression, sadness, hopelessness.
• Anger, irritability.
• Anxiety
• Mood swings.
• Decreased alertness, inability to concentrate.

Our PMS formula can help alleviate the mental and physical symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties of this combination of herbs will help decrease the discomfort associated with bloating, abdominal cramps, constipation, swelling or tenderness in the breasts, cyclic acne, and joint or muscle pain. Feelings of irritability, unhappiness, tension, stress, and anxiety should diminish with use of this herbal tincture

Menstrual Cramps

Nearly every woman will have menstrual cramps in her life. But for some women, the cramps are severe not just occasionally but month after month. Doctors call this condition dysmenorrhea. It literally means “difficult monthly flow,” and that’s an understatement. In many cases, the cramps are accompanied by other problems, such as nausea, diarrhea, or overall achiness. It’s unfortunate, but cramps are a normal part of menstruation. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get relief. There are a number of strategies that will help reduce monthly pain.

Our Menstrual formula can help alleviate the mental and physical symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties of this combination of herbs will help decrease the discomfort associated with bloating, abdominal cramps, constipation, swelling or tenderness in the breasts, cyclic acne, and joint or muscle pain. Feelings of irritability, unhappiness, tension, stress, and anxiety should diminish with use of this herbal tincture.

Heat helps, so throw a heating pad into the microwave or fill a hot water bottle and place it on your stomach or back. However, for some women, a build-up of blood in their pelvis may be the culprit behind their cramps, in which case an ice pack is actually more useful than a heat pack. The cold from the ice pack works to draw the blood out of the pelvis and towards the extremities. Try using both kinds of packs to see which is best for you. Our Muscle and Joint Repair Oil is a powerful heating oil rub that will penetrate deep, to temporarily relieve pain and cramps all day.

Yoga can also help relive menstrual pain. This sequence of three yoga poses will help alleviate menstrual cramping. The combination is a Downward Facing Dog, then a Camel Pose, a Bridge Pose followed by the Lotus Pose.

1. A Downward Facing Dog is performed from a standing position. Place hands on thighs, and bend forward, bringing your head to your knees.
2. Then in one movement, bring palms to the floor, at the slightly in front of your feet, and bring your left leg back, while bending the right leg.
3. Bring the right leg back. Adjust your feet and bring your bottom up, while sloping your back down. You should be comfortable in this posture.
4. Next bring both knees slowly to the floor, keeping palms flat on the floor. Straighten the back, and place hands on upper thighs.
5. Bring the left arm back to touch the calf or ankle, and then do the right one. Hold for a few minutes. That was the Camel Pose.
6. From the Camel Pose, go into a bridge pose. Sit down on legs, then put your left leg in front of you, and then the right.
7. Place the back on the floor. Bend the knees, keeping the feet flat on the floor.
8. Lift your lower body from your calves, through your knees, your bottom, your lower back and your upper back. Keep the shoulders and head on the floor.
9. Slowly come back to a seated position and sit in cross-legged Lotus position. Sit calmly for a few minutes.