Herbs for PMS
Agnus castus is a well-known herb for PMS. Here are 8 more herbs you may not have heard about for a variety of premenstrual symptoms: Chamomile, Dandelion, Calendula, Gentian, Valerian, Lemon Balm, Passiflora and even Echinacea. Herbs work so well synergistically, so depending on your symptoms a mix of these herbs may help!
8 Herbal remedies you didn’t know could help PMS
You may have heard that Agnus castus can help PMS, and it can! It is known as “the women’s herb,” thanks to how much it can benefit our hormones. What I love about Agnus castus is that it can often get to the root of the hormonal imbalances that contribute to PMS. However, the downside of Agnus castus is that it is slow-acting. You need to take it every day, often for a few months, to really get the benefit. Our endocrine system is slow-acting and it takes time for the hormones to readjust.
But it doesn’t suit every woman and every hormonal picture. It also isn’t suitable for anyone on hormonal contraceptives. And it might be hard to get your hands on, depending on where you live. So, it is good to know there are lots of other herbs that can help PMS as well.
It is also worth noting that the herbs below can also be used alongside Agnus castus, to help ease symptoms, while the Agnus castus helps to slowly bring the hormones back into balance. These herbs can also be taken together as needed. Herbs work together synergistically, so often a few herbs are needed to work together to help your body get back into balance.
Here are 8 of the herbs that I use in my women’s health clinic, to support women with PMS, in addition to Agnus castus. This list is by no means exhaustive; and if you would like to learn more about herbs for any other period problems, or any specific PMS symptom you can let me know in the comments.
1. Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the most commonly drunk, well-known herbal teas, and many people know of its benefits for aiding sleep. But Chamomile has also been studied for its ability to ease PMS. (3) It is calming for the nervous system, so helps to reduce those emotional symptoms of anger and irritability, and helps us sleep if we tend to become serious overthinkers in the week before we bleed. Chamomile is also great for our digestion. It is anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and helps to ease gas and bloating. So, if you tend to get IBS-like symptoms as part of your PMS symptom picture, Chamomile can help. It’s also a helpful tea to drink once your period comes as well, especially if you get cramps.
I would recommend drinking 3 cups of strong chamomile tea daily to get the benefits.
Pro Tip: get loose dried chamomile flowers and use a French press to make your herbal tea.
If you are using a tea bag, here is how you can make your tea more medicinal:
Cover the tea bag in boiling water and place a lid on the tea cup (a saucer or a little lid from a sugar jar or anything that covers the tea cup). Then, let it infuse for at least 10 minutes before drinking. This will prevent the medicinal volatile compounds called essential oils from escaping into the air, making your tea more medicinal.
| Side note: the essential oils that I am talking about here are part of a whole plant extract, so they are safe to consume; you may even see a sort of shiny film on your tea – these are the essential oils. However, I never recommend eating or drinking essential oils that have already been distilled. Even though some companies suggest adding essential oils to water or to your food, it can be really dangerous and can burn the mucus membranes in your digestive tract; so, I say steer clear of any essential oil companies trying to get you to eat their oils. It is much safer to consume these as part of a whole plant extract in the form of a herbal tea or herbal tincture made from fresh herbs |
2.Dandelion
Dandelion is an amazing herb that can help premenstrual women by supporting the liver. The liver metabolises our hormones and, if our liver is overworked in general, it sometimes needs to use the skin, our largest organ of detoxification, to help it offload toxins, resulting in spots of acne. Dandelion can help prevent this. Dandelion leaf supports the kidneys and can be really helpful for premenstrual bloating and swelling.
3. Calendula
Calendula is a herb that is best known for its skin and lymphatic benefits, but it is also a brilliant menstrual herb. Calendula is an emmenagogue, which means it assists the blood flow in the pelvic region and can help bring on delayed periods. Calendula is a great herb for premenstrual acne and fluid retention. It is well-known for its lymphatic properties, and can help with lymphatic circulation and drainage.
4. Gentian
Liver health is really important for our overall menstrual health. Gentian is best known for its bitter taste, which benefits the liver and aids digestion. Gentian has emmenagogue properties and it can help regulate the menstrual cycle. It also has nervine properties, which are particularly helpful for calming the nervous system in cases of premenstrual or menopausal mood swings.
5. Valerian
Hormonal fluctuations before our period can cause premenstrual insomnia for some women, an often-overlooked symptom of PMS. Valerian aids sleep and calms the nervous system in times of stress. For many of us, simply pushing through our premenstrual week without taking it a bit easier puts a big stress on our bodies; so, taking Valerian in the week before your period can help this. It is also antispasmodic, so it can be helpful if cramps keep you awake at night before or during your period.
6. Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is an uplifting herb that promotes relaxation, eases insomnia and reduces gas and bloating. It has even been studied for its effect on easing heavy periods and period pain. (2) It contains rosmarinic acid, which is a potent antioxidant that supports memory and longevity, so can be helpful if your brain feels foggy before or during your period.
7. Passiflora
Passiflora is another incredible herb for the nervous system, reducing stress and aiding sleep in a very gentle way. If your main PMS symptom is anger and irritability, Passiflora is a great remedy to take throughout the month, alongside Agnus castus. You can take more regular doses throughout the day when the premenstrual mood swings start to emerge!
8. Echinacea
Did you know the immune system is naturally weaker when oestrogen drops in the second half of your cycle? This is why you may be more prone to a cold before or during your period. If this sounds familiar, make sure to take some Echinacea to support your immune system in your premenstrual week. If you want to learn more about how your immune system changes throughout your cycle and what else you can do to prevent premenstrual or period colds then check out my blog: How your immune system changes throughout your cycle.
