Easing Period Pain with Chinese Herbs

Period pain is something many women experience month after month throughout their reproductive years. It is a frustrating condition and women are often not provided many healthful options in treating their pain. For a lot of women, their period pain can range anywhere from mild dull aches to intense debilitating pain that makes it difficult for them to work and enjoy life as normal. The good news is there are options for you in helping you live period pain free.

In Chinese medicine, whenever symptoms arise in the body, it is a sign that something is out of balance that needs to be addressed. When we experience period pain, most people’s knee-jerk reaction is to reach for the painkillers, anything to stop the pain. However, we do know that taking these kinds of medications are a band-aid type approach for treating period pain. Taking painkillers simply masks the symptoms resulting it to come back month after month, instead of addressing what is causing the symptom to arise in the first place and treating that.

There are several different causes of period pain in Chinese medicine such as Qi stagnation and Blood stasis in the lower abdomen, and it can mean there is an imbalance in oestrogen and progesterone levels. The beauty of Chinese herbs is that we can discover exactly what is causing your period pain to arise and tailor your herbs to match your cause.

Listed below is a selection of commonly used herbs in Chinese medicine to treat period pain:

• Bai Shao (white peony root) – this herb helps to nourish the blood, regulate menstruation and soothe the Liver for a healthy period free of pain.
• Dang Gui (Dong Quai) – this is one of the go to herbs in Chinese medicine gynaecology. It helps to promote a healthy menstrual cycle, invigorates the blood (good if there is clotting or amenorrhoea) and alleviates pain.
• Zhi Gan Cao (Licorice Root) – an overall harmonising herb, this helps to relieve painful menstruation and improve progesterone production.
• Yu Jin (Turmeric) – by now we have all heard that turmeric is the super herb to help treat inflammation, but have you thought about using it for period pain? Pain associated with the period can often be due to inflammation. Taking this herb can help to decrease inflammation and alleviate pain associated with the period.
• Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) – this warming herb helps to increase circulation, has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and helps to decrease pain.

If you have been experiencing severe period pain, it is important to seek out the help of an experienced practitioner and investigate further. But know that you are not alone and there are things you can do to help support your body living period pain free.

Interested in learning more? Leave us a comment below or give us a call at the clinic on 9510 3700 to find out how Chinese herbal medicine can help you.

DISCLAIMER: Taking herbal medicines are always best done under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Come chat to us at the clinic to see what herb is best suited for you and your body.