PMS. These three bold, capital letters, express a most unwelcomed time in your cycle. While loved ones feel the need to duck for cover, your innate response might be to hide under the covers, wrapped in warmth, clutching a piece of chocolate. This seems to be a desirable solution for many women, rather than face the outside world with such emotional and physical discomfort.
By Anthia Koullouros
Changes during your premenstrual phase are normal: sensitiveness, warmer temperature, cravings and a desire to be comforted or simply left alone can all be attributed to hormonal fluctuations. It’s when these symptoms become uncomfortable, intense and persistent however, that they form “the syndrome”.
The onset, duration, intensity and symptoms of PMS vary from individual to individual, as do the underlying reasons; the following natural remedies offer relief from common symptoms. Seeking advice from your practitioner and addressing the root cause will then help prevent the problem for good!
Killer cramps: Warmth and tenderness is the key. Add 5 drops of essential oil of Clary Sage in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and gently rub on your tummy. Follow by placing a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel over the area. Heel Homoeopathic Remedy: Traumeel and Spascupreel are very effective anti spasmodic remedies.
Ferocious sugar cravings: An increase in appetite is a normal phenomenon, but the key to quelling this out of control desire is to stop eating sugar in general. You will only crave what you are already eating. Until you address the hormonal imbalance, satisfy the cravings with organic licorice, mint, lemon myrtle and vanilla tea. Schuessler Tissue Salt: Combination 5 will also assist.
Mood madness: When Aunty Flow finally arrives, all is well again. Chaste tree berry, St John’s wort & Blue cohosh herbal tinctures come to the rescue and offer calming, mood-moderating relief. Schuessler Tissue Salt: Kali phos and Combination 5 will also assist.
Sluggish bowels: As your temperature rises in this phase, your body begins to dry; hydration is key. Drink organic raw dandelion root tea (3-4 cups per day) and take a dose of organic pysllium husks (1 tablespoon stirred in ½ a cup of a good quality, organic, full-fat and probiotic-rich yoghurt) to support healthy stools. Also eat a raw green apple and a carrot per day. Chew until liquid before you swallow.
Blooming blemishes: Whether you experience a solitary monthly pimple or regular acne, keeping your bowels cleansed through adequate hydration can assist in its reduction. Address the infection and scarring by applying straight lavender essential oil on the affected area. Drink organic nettle and burdock tea and Schuessler Tissue Salt: Combination D.
The Roman Empire: A term coined by my client for her ever-expanding, bloated premenstrual tummy. The solution for this symptom is correcting sluggish bowels and soothing cramps.
Helmut head: A tightening of muscles & tension in your head can be relieved by applying a few drops of rosemary, lavender, and eucalyptus essential oils. Dilute in a teaspoon of olive oil and massage onto your temples, neck and shoulders. Herbal teas with rosemary, chamomile and lavender also soothe and relax. Homeopathic remedies by Heel, called Neuroheel and Schuessler Tissue salt: Mag phos are also effective.
Education, awareness and respect for your cycle will allow you to ride these changes with ease, appreciating the inherent wisdom this aspect of womanhood imparts. Your menstrual cycle brings to the surface what needs to be addressed, commanding you to rest and take stock or flourish with energy and creativity.
Note:
Schuessler Tissue Salt: Tissue Salts are specially prepared micro-doses of the body’s 12 essential minerals. They do not require a prescription.
Heel Homoeopathic Remedies: A range of German products that work effectively for symptom relief. See your practitioner for a prescription.
By Anthia Koullouros
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