Preventive Measures For Cramps

In young women cramps are generally caused by a lack of blood calcium, poor nutrition, stress, and nervous system disorders. They can usually be eliminated by good dietary habits and by removing stress factors. Neither of these are easy to accomplish, however, especially for a young person. It requires a dedicated sense of commitment and self-empowerment.

Supplements and herbs

ON DAILY BASIS

• Take evening primrose oil, borage oil, or blackcurrant seed oil. Take 500 milligrams twice a day, or follow the suggested dosage on container. These natural plant oils are rich in GLA (gamma linolenic acid) which regulates and controls prostaglandin production in the body. Excess prostaglandins circulating in the bloodstream are often responsible for menstrual discomfort, mood swings, and cramps. Eating foods rich in GLA and taking supplemental oils like these has resulted in marked improvement for many young women.
• Take two to three cups daily of Hepatonic Tea. This tea may be made every three days, stored in the refrigerator, and drunk cold.

  HEPATONIC TEA

  • 2 parts raspberry leaf,
  • 1 part dandelion leaf,
  • 1 part nettle leaf,
  • 1 part licorice root,
  • 1 part alfalfa leaf,
  • 1 part motherwort leaf,
  • 2 parts spearmint (orpeppermint),
  • 1 part lemon grass,
  • A pinch of stevia for sweetness.

  Use one teaspoon of mixture per cup, or four to six tablespoons per quart. Bring water to a boil. Place herbs in a quart jar and pour boiling water over them. Cover tightly. Infuse for at least twenty minutes. Strain and rebottle the tea. The tea can be poured into a thermos to keep warm during the day.

• Take liquid Floradix with iron (or another liquid vitamin/mineral formula) daily. Follow the dosage recommended on the bottle.
• Take two capsules of dong quai daily. (However, discontinue dong quai capsules one week before the menstrual cycle begins and do not begin again until all bleeding has stopped. Dong quai is not recommended during the actual menstrual cycle as it can stimulate bleeding by directing energy and heat to the pelvic area).

ONE WEEK BEFORE THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE BEGINS

• Drink two to three cups Cramp Bark Tea daily.
• Take a biochelated calcium supplement and pay special attention to eating a calcium-rich diet during the week before your menstrual cycle is due to begin.

DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Follow any of the suggestions given above for relieving menstrual stress. Oftentimes, if one has been following the program faithfully, there is a noticeable improvement after the first menstrual cycle. One is tempted to believe the problem has been corrected. But, usually this isn't the case, especially for long-standing problems. A pattern frequently seen in healing is for the body to respond quickly at first, as though it is "hungry" for the good treatment. Then the effects taper off and the progress is slow but sure. It generally takes at least three full menstrual cycles or longer to fully correct long-standing problems.