Menstrual cramps are common, but they are not normal. We have normalized our pain, learned to suppress it, numb it with pills, and ignore it. Even today, most women would prefer not to know about their menstruation. Tampons and menstrual cups “help” us greatly in disconnecting from our bleeding. Let’s take a look together at where our menstrual pains originate and how to relieve menstrual pain using herbal infusions.

What happens during menstruation?

During menstruation, the uterus contracts to help expel the lining that forms each month for egg implantation. Hormonal substances (prostaglandins) trigger these uterine muscle contractions. Prostaglandins are necessary for bodily processes such as tissue healing, but an excess of them can cause chronic pain. Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more severe menstrual cramps.

What causes it?

Excessive prostaglandin production is caused by estrogen dominance (estrogenic foods: sugar, dairy/processed foods, coffee, alcohol, stress).

How to help yourself?

Exercise increases blood flow and endorphin production, which can reduce the excessive production of prostaglandins and the pain you experience. Daily practices and rituals such as yoga, brisk walking, regular walks, and swimming are also excellent ways to relax and stretch muscles. And did you know that with the help of heat and herbs, we can relieve intense uterine muscle contractions and thus prevent severe menstrual cramps?

Let’s see how!

Why does herbal steaming work?

Herbal steaming is based on the principles of simple heat therapy (thermotherapy).

Thermotherapy in the pelvic area works by using warm steam to relax uterine muscles, increase blood flow, enhance the elasticity of vascular tissues, and thus alleviate pain.

For this method to be effective, it is good to start warming the uterus/body several days before the expected onset of menstruation. I do this using the following practices, and my menstruation has been painless for several years now.

• Warm socks
• Warm baths or sitz baths (e.g., herbal sitz bath)
• Hot water bottle
• Rebozo wrap
• Herbal steam / 2-1 days before menstruation
• Warm broths and soups for breakfast

Cold feet – Cold uterus

Always keep your feet and lower back warm! A favorite saying of our mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers… Well, whether we liked it as children or not, they were right..

Whether you are cleaning, cooking, or enjoying an herbal steam, watch out for cold feet! The pelvic floor and feet are connected by a network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascial systems that run throughout the body. Cold from the feet travels directly to the uterus, where we lose a lot of internal heat. Internal heat is responsible for a relaxed and calm YONI – a woman.

..Next time you treat yourself to an herbal steam therapy, don’t forget to pull out the thickest, softest socks you have from your drawer 🙂

Which herbs do we choose?

We choose a blend of herbs with phytoestrogenic (hormonal) effects + bitter compounds.

– Raspberry leaf, Yarrow, Motherwort, Lavender, Lady’s Mantle, Fennel, Sage.