Raspberry: menstrual cramps.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: Remedy for menstrual cramps?
From: moonrose13.aol.com (MoonRose13)
Date: 5 Jan 1997 18:00:30 GMT

> Can anyone suggest an herbal remedy for menstrual cramps? I have tried a B complex formula (50mg each) which also includes 15mg of each of the following: black cohosh, skullcap, valerian, passion flower, ginger root, hops, and wood betony. This has not worked. Ibuprofen isn't working well either.

Hello,

I have endometriosis so I know what you are going through. Raspberry tea is just the trick you need. Make sure it is raspberry leaf tea and not just a flavored tea. It reduces the pain by a great amount and also regulates the flow. No more heavy bleeding. It has worked wonders for me. I drink a cup about every two to three hours during the first two to three days. I hope this helps you.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: Remedy for menstrual cramps?
From: johnna.interchange.ubc.ca (Miranda's Magic)
Date: Wed, 08 Jan 1997 03:47:29 GMT

I also have endometriosis and have tried raspberry leaf tea. It didn't have the same effect on me as it did for MoonRose. My pain was not reduced by the tea, but then my pain is resistant to most analgesic drugs too. It didn't affect my flow either. The best thing would be for you to try it yourself, as it will no doubt affect you uniquely. A further note of interest--I couldn't tolerate the taste of the raspberry leaves alone. I ended up having to steep the raspberry leaves with a teabag of another flavour or my own herbal blend in order to choke it back. If you find it unpalatable, you might try this.

> Well, the problem isn't mine. I was asking for my girlfriend. What is endometriosis? Is that the same as cramps? The symptoms you describe are the same, so I'll try the tea.

Endometriosis is a disease whereby tissue like the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, usually in the abdominal cavity. This tissue is affected monthly by the hormone cycle and when it sheds blood this blood has no way of leaving the body. The collecting blood, scar tissue, and irritation caused by this "foreign matter" (it's not where it should be) can cause a great deal of pain, infertility, and a host of other symptoms. It can be found on ovaries & tubes, the bladder, the bowel, the abdominal walls, the outside of the uterus, etc. It can occur as "powderburns", lesions, even large "chocolate" cysts. In some people it causes extreme pain, in others even extensive disease causes no pain or other symptoms & is only discovered during surgery for something else (usually infertility). Symptoms can include severe menstrual cramps & cyclical pain that accompanies the menstrual cycle (ie. pain with ovulation and/or period), intercourse, exercise & pelvic exams; fatigue; heavy or irregular periods; painful bowel movements; menstrual diarrhea; painful and frequent urination; backache.

More information can be found at alt.support.endometriosis, where the addresses for the Endometriosis Association and various endo-related web sites may be obtained.