Tea for Menstural Periods
It is a generally agreed upon fact that periods suck. Cramps, body aches, bloating, mood swings—the list of symptoms goes on and on. Many tea companies have teas meant to help with some of these symptoms, so let’s dive into safety, effectiveness, and ingredients.
Safety and Effectiveness
The first place I turned to for information about the safety and effectiveness of period teas was an expert—my gynecologist. At my most recent appointment (reminder to make one if you are due), I told her that I am a tea drinker and I was wondering if period teas are safe or if they work. She told me that they are in fact perfectly safe, but that it was up to me to determine if they work. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to try any period teas for myself because (TMI ahead) I do not get my period regularly (thanks birth control…), so I still don’t know how effective they are.
One thing to note, though, is that my gynecologist specified that teas for pregnancy and breastfeeding/lactation are a different story when it comes to safety. These are teas that you definitely want to be cautious with and talk to your doctor about.
Ingredients
Raspberry leaf is the most common herb for menstrual cramps. Though research shows the effects are actually quite minimal, raspberry leaf has been reported to stimulate uterine contractions. What is interesting is that these contractions are what actually causes period cramps, so raspberry leaf may actually make your cramps worse. However, if you find that it lessens the pain for you, by all means continue drinking it as needed.
Ginger is another ingredient found in some period teas. It has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial properties, and anti-nausea properties. Research shows that is a promising potential treatment for menstrual pain and discomfort. One study found that it is as effective as Novafen, a commonly used medication for treating menstrual pain. However, Novafen can have unpleasant side effects that ginger does not have.
The last ingredient I’m going to be looking at for this post is chamomile. Chamomile is known to help with sleep, but what is less commonly known is that poor sleep may exacerbate menstrual problems (I’ve definitely noticed this for myself, but it’s nice to know there is research backing it up). Therefore, chamomile may help with period symptoms indirectly by improving sleep. Additionally, one research study found that ingesting chamomile capsules decreased the amount of menstrual bleeding in participants. There’s no indication of whether this result also occurs from drinking chamomile tea, but it certainly can’t hurt.
So What’s the Tea?
In conclusion, period teas are safe, but the effectiveness is still questionable. Many people have positive experiences with them and there is research to support the benefits of many common ingredients in these teas. Feel free to give them a try if you’re struggling with your menstrual period, but don’t be surprised if they don’t cure all your symptoms
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