It is normal to experience mild cramps just before and during your periods. Women use different methods to ease menstrual cramps. Some take medications, while most try to reduce their pain naturally. One of the natural ways they use is the consumption of tea for period cramps.

If you are considering using teas to relieve your cramps but cannot decide which one to use, then you have come to the right place. This article covers all the best herbal teas and herbs that help relieve periods cramps. So, keep reading to find the right solution for your period pain.

The best teas for menstrual cramps

Teas for menstrual cramps

Ginger tea

Ginger tea is a popular remedy that people often use for pain, including menstrual cramps. It is made from the root of ginger spice. You can use plain ginger root or ginger powder to make this tea.

Ginger has long been used in traditional medicines. It has amazing anti-inflammatory as well as pain-relieving properties. [1] In one study, college students took 200 mg of ginger powder every 6 hours. They noticed that it was as effective in reducing menstrual pain as Novafen medicine is. [2]

As a result, ginger tea appears to be one of the best herbs for menstrual cramps.

Peppermint tea

It is a refreshing tea that is also one used for menstrual cramps. Peppermint contains a compound called menthol. It produces a cooling sensation and has many health benefits, such as reducing gastrointestinal pain, muscle spasms, and stomach cramps. [3]

Although there is no study to prove the effects of menthol on menstrual cramps, some unscientific sources say that it may help with uterine contractions and, in this way, reduce menstrual cramps. Peppermint tea also has relaxing properties and can elevate your mood during your periods.

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Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea is another herbal tea that is effective in reducing period cramps. It is made by using dried flowers of the chamomile plant, due to which it has a floral taste.

Studies do not indicate the direct effect of chamomile tea on menstrual cramps, but it helps with periods in different ways. It reduces fatigue and stimulates your body to fall asleep. In one study of 1,000 plus women, researchers found that menstrual problems increase in women when they have poor sleep quality. [4]

One study also proves that taking it regularly helped women reduce their menstrual bleeding. [5] These studies indirectly support the role of the chamomile herb for menstrual cramps. So, you should consider it to manage your period pain.

Cinnamon tea

Dried cinnamon bark is used to make this popular tea. It has a sweet taste. There are a few pieces of research that show that cinnamon can help decrease inflammation. A decrease in inflammation means a reduction in bloating that women often experience during periods. [6]

Studies also suggest that the cinnamon herb effectively reduces the signs of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). One of its symptoms is menstrual irregularities. It indicates that cinnamon tea may also help you to reduce period pain.

Oolong tea

Oolong tea is made up of the ingredients of both black and green tea. Therefore, its benefits include the benefits of both forms of tea. In it, the herbal leaves are dried and then used to make tea.

In one study, researchers discovered that taking oolong tea helped women reduce their menstrual cramps. [7] So, next time your period pain does not let you do anything, make a cup of soothing oolong tea and let it do its magic. Oolong tea has helped many women with their period cramps.

Fennel tea

Fennel tea is made up of fennel plant seeds. People have long been using it to reduce the symptoms of digestive issues and stomach cramps. It may have anti-inflammatory properties.

In a study, 50 women who experienced severe period pain were divided into two groups. One group was given fennel tea, while the other group was given a placebo. In the end, researchers discovered that 54% of women who took fennel tea regularly experienced fewer period cramps compared to the other group. [8] It shows that the fennel plant may be one of the most effective tea for menstrual cramps.

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Green tea

Leaves of the Camellia sinensis are dried and used to make green tea, which is quite popular. Green tea is a mixture of many compounds that exhibit different health properties. For example, it has anti-oxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties. So, it may help in reducing bloating as well as menstrual cramps.

It also contains L-theanine, which is well-known for inducing relaxation and calmness to the mind and body. A study of 1,000 plus women concluded that women had fewer menstrual cramps after consuming green tea. [7]

So, you should also consider green tea for your period cramps if you really want to get rid of them.

Thyme tea

Thyme tea is another popular tea that people from different parts of the world enjoy. This tea is an herb that people use in cooking. It also has many health benefits.

In a study that was published in Adolescent Health, Medicine, and Therapeutics, more than 250 teenagers were given thyme tea for a few days. They noticed that taking this herbal tea for menstrual cramps reduced their pain up to 63.2%. [9]

The study has shown the effectiveness of thyme tea. Many women also describe how it reduces their painful cramps. Thus, if you have not found the right tea for your painful cramps yet, then you should consider trying thyme tea.

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Precautionary measures

All of these teas are generally considered safe for most women. However, you should be cautious about these teas if you take other medications. It is because many medications can interact with the compounds of the teas. If you really want to take any of these teas, then it is best to first talk to your doctor.

Summing up

All of the above-mentioned teas are effective in reducing menstrual cramps. Research proves the effectiveness of some of them, while the everyday use of others by women shows that those teas help with menstrual cramps. If you have mild cramps during your period, you should consider taking one of these teas.

Important note

Some health conditions can cause severe cramps during periods. These cramps tend to last longer, don’t go away with pain medications, and are often associated with other symptoms like heavy bleeding, clotting, dizziness, fatigue, and headaches. Potential causes of severe menstrual cramps include :

If you experience severe menstrual cramps, it is important to consult your healthcare provider.

References

  1. Bioactive Compounds and Bioactivities of Ginger ( Zingiber officinale Roscoe) – PubMed (nih.gov)
  2. Effect of Ginger and Novafen on menstrual pain: A cross-over trial – PubMed (nih.gov)
  3. The impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data (nih.gov)
  4. Effects of an intervention with drinking chamomile tea on sleep quality and depression in sleep disturbed postnatal women: a randomized controlled trial – PubMed (nih.gov)
  5. Do Chamomile effect on duration, amount of bleeding, and interval of menstrual cycles? – PubMed (nih.gov)
  6. Impact of Cinnamon Supplementation on cardiometabolic Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials – PubMed (nih.gov)
  7. Association of tea drinking and dysmenorrhoea among reproductive-age women in Shanghai, China (2013-2015): a cross-sectional study – PubMed (nih.gov)
  8. Effect of fennel on pain intensity in dysmenorrhoea: A placebo-controlled trial (nih.gov)
  9. Thyme Tea and Primary Dysmenorrhea Among Young Female Students – PubMed (nih.gov)
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About the Author

Hermione M.

My name is Hermione. I am the founder of WomenH and I write about women's health, wellness, mental health, and personal growth. I created this platform to inspire women to take care of themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally to become their best selves. Thank you for stopping by.

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