7 Best Herbal Essential Oils For Cramps
Herbal essential oils for Cramps are natural, plant-based extracts that have been used for centuries to alleviate menstrual cramps and other symptoms associated with PMS.
These oils offer numerous benefits, including reducing inflammation, relaxing muscles, and balancing hormones, making them a popular alternative to over-the-counter pain relievers.
Some of the most effective herbal essential oils for cramps include clary sage, which helps to reduce prostaglandins and ease cramp pain; ginger, which has anti-inflammatory properties and warms the body; chamomile, which calms the mind and body; peppermint, which cools the body and reduces cramp spasms; fennel, which helps to ease bloating and digestive discomfort; and lavender, which promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety.
By incorporating these oils into your self-care routine, you can find natural relief from cramps and enjoy a more comfortable menstrual cycle.
According to "Journal of ethnopharmacology", essential oils for cramps, specifically fennel essential oil (FEO), have been found to reduce the intensity of uterine contractions induced by oxytocin and prostaglandin E2, potentially providing relief for individuals experiencing primary dysmenorrhea.
Below there's a list of the 7 best herbal essential oils for cramps.
- 1. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils
- 2. Zingiber officinale essential oils
- 3. Mentha x piperita essential oils
- 4. Angelica archangelica essential oils
- 5. Foeniculum vulgare essential oils
- 6. Valeriana officinalis essential oils
- 7. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils
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1. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils
Lavandula angustifolia essential oils, also known as English lavender oil, have been traditionally used to treat menstrual cramps due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
The bioactive constituents such as linalool and linalyl acetate in this herbal preparation help to reduce muscle spasms and alleviate pain associated with cramps.
Lavandula angustifolia essential oils work by inhibiting the release of pain-causing chemicals in the body and promoting relaxation, which can help to ease cramping and discomfort.
The benefits of using Lavandula angustifolia essential oils to treat menstrual cramps include reduced pain, improved sleep, and a sense of calm, making it a popular natural remedy for this common condition.
Related Study
According to "Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity", Lavandula angustifolia essential oils may help alleviate cramps due to the presence of biologically active chemical constituents with significant spasmolytic effects.
2. Zingiber officinale essential oils
Zingiber officinale essential oils, derived from the rhizome of the ginger plant, have been traditionally used to alleviate menstrual cramps and other related symptoms.
The antispasmodic properties of this herbal preparation help to relax the uterine muscles, thereby reducing the severity of cramps.
The bioactive constituents, including gingerol, shogaol, and zingerone, exhibit anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, contributing to the relief from menstrual cramps.
The benefits of using Zingiber officinale essential oils to treat menstrual cramps include natural pain relief, reduced inflammation, and improved overall well-being.
3. Mentha x piperita essential oils
Mentha x piperita essential oils, also known as peppermint oil, possess anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and analgesic properties that help to treat menstrual cramps.
The herbal preparation's ability to relax the uterine muscles and reduce prostaglandin production, a hormone-like substance that stimulates cramps, contributes to its effectiveness in alleviating this symptom.
The bioactive constituents of peppermint oil, including menthone, menthol, and limonene, help to inhibit the production of prostaglandins and reduce inflammation in the uterine area, thereby providing relief from cramps.
Regular use of Mentha x piperita essential oils can provide long-term benefits, including reduced frequency and severity of menstrual cramps, improved mood, and enhanced overall well-being.
Related Study
According to "Current pharmaceutical biotechnology", Mentha x piperita essential oils for cramps may be beneficial due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which can help modulate the mRNA expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) and suppress 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT3) or the serotonin receptors.
4. Angelica archangelica essential oils
Angelica archangelica essential oils are commonly used to treat menstrual cramps due to its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to relax the uterine muscles and reduce pain.
This herbal preparation works by reducing prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that cause the uterine muscles to contract, resulting in cramps.
The bioactive constituents of Angelica archangelica, including sesquiterpenes, coumarins, and flavonoids, contribute to its therapeutic effects, with sesquiterpenes being particularly effective in relaxing smooth muscles.
By using Angelica archangelica essential oils, women can experience relief from menstrual cramps and other symptoms associated with PMS, promoting overall well-being and quality of life.
Related Study
According to "Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica", Angelica archangelica essential oils have bidirectional effects on the uterus smooth muscle, which can inhibit the contraction of the uterus smooth muscle, thereby providing relief from cramps.
5. Foeniculum vulgare essential oils
Foeniculum vulgare essential oils, derived from the seeds of the fennel plant, have been traditionally used to treat menstrual cramps due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
The anethole and limonene present in Foeniculum vulgare essential oils help to reduce pain and inflammation, providing relief from cramps.
Foeniculum vulgare essential oils also exhibit a uterine relaxing effect, which contributes to the alleviation of cramps.
The benefits of Foeniculum vulgare essential oils in treating menstrual cramps include reduced pain, improved mood, and overall well-being.
Related Study
According to "International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics", Foeniculum vulgare essential oils can be used as a safe and effective herbal drug for primary dysmenorrhea, although it may have a lower potency than mefenamic acid in the dosages used for this study.
6. Valeriana officinalis essential oils
Valeriana officinalis essential oils have been traditionally used to treat menstrual cramps due to their analgesic and antispasmodic properties.
The herbal preparation helps to treat cramps by reducing muscle spasms and inflammation in the uterus, providing relief from pain and discomfort.
The bioactive constituents of Valeriana officinalis, including valerenic acid, isovalerenic acid, and valepotriates, contribute to its therapeutic effects by inhibiting the release of pain-causing neurotransmitters and relaxing smooth muscle tissues.
The benefits of using Valeriana officinalis essential oils to treat menstrual cramps include natural pain relief, reduced frequency and severity of cramps, and improved overall well-being.
Related Study
According to "World journal of plastic surgery", Valeriana officinalis essential oils, derived from the root of the valerian plant, have been found to have analgesic effects in reducing cramp-related pain, particularly when used in conjunction with other extracts such as turnip, in a study on rats.
7. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils
Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils, extracted from the leaves of the rosemary plant, have been traditionally used to alleviate menstrual cramps due to their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
The bioactive constituents, including carnosic acid, rosmanol, and bornyl acetate, help to relax uterine muscles and reduce prostaglandins, which contribute to the severity of cramps.
By regulating the body's hormonal balance and reducing inflammation, Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils provide relief from menstrual cramps, allowing individuals to manage their symptoms effectively.
The benefits of using this herbal preparation include reduced discomfort, improved mood, and enhanced overall well-being, making it a popular natural remedy for menstrual cramp relief.
Related Study
According to "Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM", Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils did not show results specifically for cramps in the given study, but it was found to have significant and concentration-dependent antinociceptive effects, being more potent than Syzygium aromaticum in the antinociceptive effect.