PMS.

Date: Mon, 26 Feb 1996 09:14:24 -0800
Sender: HERB.TREARNPC.EGE.EDU.TR
From: Colette Gardiner <coletteg.EFN.ORG>
Subject: Re: PMS

> I don't know if this has been discussed a lot before or not, but I would like to hear of people's experience of herbs and PMS. My herbalist told me that he has found that belly dancing really helps, has anyone tried this?

Belly dancing greatly tones all the abdominal muscles includung the uterus,which in a indirect manner can benefit the entire menstrual cycle. Belly dancing also will help with increasing local circulation to the ovaries and uterus, more blood flow to these organs means better hormonal message relay to and from the glands in the brain which are part of the hormone regulatory process.

However in many cases other factors need to be addressed as well, diet, not just taking away foods that can be hard on the body, but actually making sure you have the proper nutrients at the proper time in the cycle can also make a difference (maybe I'll do a blurb on this for the FAQ) and last but not least sensible support of the liver is strongly reccomended since the liver is the organ responsible for breaking down hormones.

Good luck Colette Gardiner

From: Sherlei Jackson <jacksonj.WOLFENET.COM>

Best herb I have found for PMS/painful periods is Red Raspberry Leaf. Get it in bulk (not bags) and drink 3 cups daily. For some they see results in one month, others take a few months. After your PMS / painful periods improve, you need only drink the tea starting one week prior to starting. (This is an herbal answer only. There are other considerations (diet, rest, exercise, etc. that you need to consider also.)

From: Colleen <ksscjw.FAST.NET>

I, too, have found that raspberry tea helps; although I don't consume anywhere near as much as Sherlei recommends.

In general, I have found decaffinated (preferably herbal) teas help. I think it has something to do with the warm liquid. It helps relax me, reducing the stress of the pain. But coffee, with or without caffeine, is always a bad idea for me.