Try these 4 soothing teas to deal with painful menstrual cramps

A cup of tea can fix pretty much everything, be it a sore throat or low mood. But, have you tried using it to soothe painful menstrual cramps?

Ask any woman, and she’ll go on and on about how period cramps are such a menace! They don’t just hamper mobility but can also cause irritability. They are, however, a necessary evil given that a regular menstrual cycle is a prime sign of good health. We may not be able to completely get rid of cramps but we can take active steps to manage them. Tea, when made with the right ingredients, can be used to soothe yourself on days when menstrual cramps can cause severe discomfort.

Try these four teas to help you combat painful periods:

1. Ginger tea

One of the most-loved ingredients found in Indian kitchens is adrak or ginger. You can prepare a steaming cup of ginger tea by brewing ginger and tea leaves in hot water or milk for seven to eight minutes on a low flame.

The thing is that ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, and can feel very soothing when you’re suffering from menstrual discomfort. In addition, a study published in BioMed Central noted that those who consumed ginger thrice a day experienced less pain during menstruation. Moreover, ginger can also prove to be helpful when it comes to decreasing nausea, which is another side-effect associated with periods.

2. Fennel tea

Add a teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds and a quarter teaspoon of tea leaves to a cup of water, and boil this mixture. Let it steep for eight to 10 minutes. You can replace the water with milk. In addition, you may also avoid using tea leaves, if you’re not fond of strong tea.

Fennel, or saunf, is often consumed after heavy meals to aid digestion but not many know that it can greatly help with bloating and cramps. It has anti-carminative and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to ease the pain caused by menstruation. A piece of research published in the AYU Journal observed that women who did consume fennel reported decreased menstrual discomfort.

3. Chamomile tea

In order to prepare this fragrant tea, add two to three teaspoons of chamomile tea to two cups of boiling water. Let it brew for five to eight minutes, depending on how strong you want it to be. You can also add some honey to this tea to sweeten it.

Chamomile tea, prepared from the flowers of the chamomile plant, is known to have a calming effect on our body. So, it can prove to be extremely beneficial when it comes to symptoms of PMS. What’s more, a study published in the Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Infertility noted that chamomile tea can relieve painful menstrual cramps, restoring comfort.

4. Green tea

Add a teaspoon or two of green tea to boiling water, and let it brew for 5 to 10 minutes in order to prepare yourself a cuppa of this magical herbal tea. In case you find it too bitter for your taste, you can add some lemon and honey to enhance the flavour.

Green tea is known to reduce bloating, which is a common symptom of menstruation and can cause severe discomfort. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties which can also help to deal with painful cramps.

So ladies, brew yourself a cup of comforting tea when aunt Flo is troubling you!