11 Best Herbal Essential Oils For Menstrual Cramps
Herbal essential oils for Menstrual cramps are natural extracts derived from plants and herbs that are used to alleviate and soothe the discomforts associated with menstrual cramps.
These oils offer various benefits, including reducing inflammation, relaxing muscles, and promoting emotional well-being, making them a popular alternative to traditional pain-relieving medications.
Examples of herbal essential oils used to treat menstrual cramps include clary sage, which reduces stress and anxiety, and ginger, which has anti-inflammatory properties that help to ease pain and discomfort.
Other oils, such as peppermint, lavender, and chamomile, also provide relief by promoting relaxation and calming the mind and body, while frankincense and geranium are used to reduce pain and inflammation.
According to "Complementary therapies in medicine", essential oils for menstrual cramps may be beneficial as some medicinal plants used to treat primary dysmenorrhoea show evidence of efficacy in relieving menstrual pain.
Below there's a list of the 11 best herbal essential oils for menstrual cramps.
- 1. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils
- 2. Zingiber officinale essential oils
- 3. Curcuma longa essential oils
- 4. Mentha x piperita essential oils
- 5. Foeniculum vulgare essential oils
- 6. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils
- 7. Valeriana officinalis essential oils
- 8. Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils
- 9. Cinnamomum verum essential oils
- 10. Elettaria cardamomum essential oils
- 11. Cymbopogon citratus essential oils
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1. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils
Lavandula angustifolia essential oils have been traditionally used to alleviate menstrual cramps due to their anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and analgesic properties.
The bioactive constituents, including linalool and linalyl acetate, help to relax the uterine muscles, reduce prostaglandin levels, and ease pain, thereby providing relief from menstrual cramps.
By promoting relaxation and reducing inflammation, Lavandula angustifolia essential oils help to treat menstrual cramps by soothing the uterine muscles and reducing the severity of symptoms.
The benefits of using Lavandula angustifolia essential oils to treat menstrual cramps include reduced pain, improved sleep, and a decrease in anxiety and stress associated with menstrual discomfort.
Related Study
According to "Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity", Lavandula angustifolia essential oils do not specifically relate to menstrual cramps in the given STUDY, but it does have antispasmodic activities, which suggests its potential in relieving smooth muscle contractions, including those associated with menstrual cramps.
2. Zingiber officinale essential oils
Zingiber officinale essential oils, extracted from the rhizome of the ginger plant, have been traditionally used to alleviate menstrual cramps due to their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
These properties help to reduce pain and inflammation associated with menstrual cramps, providing relief to women suffering from this condition.
The bioactive constituents of Zingiber officinale essential oils, including gingerol and shogaol, have been identified as the primary compounds responsible for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
By using Zingiber officinale essential oils, women can experience benefits such as reduced menstrual cramp intensity, improved mood, and increased overall well-being, making it a popular natural remedy for menstrual cramp relief.
3. Curcuma longa essential oils
Curcuma longa essential oils, extracted from the rhizomes of the turmeric plant, have been traditionally used to alleviate menstrual cramps due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
The bioactive constituents, including curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin, help to reduce prostaglandin production, which is the primary cause of menstrual cramps.
By inhibiting the production of these hormone-like substances, Curcuma longa essential oils help to relax the uterine muscles, providing relief from severe cramps and discomfort.
Regular use of Curcuma longa essential oils has been shown to provide benefits in treating menstrual cramps, including reduced frequency and severity of episodes, improved mood, and enhanced overall well-being.
Related Study
According to "Journal of pharmacopuncture", Curcuma longa essential oils for menstrual cramps may be beneficial due to its antioxidant compounds with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
4. Mentha x piperita essential oils
Mentha x piperita essential oils, also known as peppermint oil, have been traditionally used to treat menstrual cramps due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
The bioactive constituents present in peppermint oil, including menthol and menthone, help to relax the uterine muscles and reduce spasms, thereby alleviating cramping and discomfort.
The anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint oil also help to reduce prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that cause the uterus to contract and lead to menstrual cramps.
By using peppermint oil, women can experience relief from menstrual cramps, improved mood, and reduced anxiety, making it a beneficial natural remedy for managing menstrual discomfort.
5. Foeniculum vulgare essential oils
Foeniculum vulgare essential oils, also known as anise or fennel oil, have been traditionally used to treat menstrual cramps due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antispasmodic properties.
The bioactive constituents of this oil, including anethole and fenchone, help to relax the uterine muscles, reduce pain and inflammation, and ease menstrual cramp symptoms.
By inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, a hormone-like substance that causes muscle contractions, Foeniculum vulgare essential oils help to alleviate menstrual cramp discomfort, allowing women to feel more comfortable and relaxed during their menstrual cycle.
The benefits of using Foeniculum vulgare essential oils for menstrual cramps include reduced pain, improved mood, and enhanced 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 for menstrual cramps, the essence of fennel 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. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils
Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils have been traditionally used to treat menstrual cramps due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties.
The bioactive constituents present in these oils, such as camphor, bornyl acetate, and borneol, help to reduce muscle spasms and alleviate pain associated with menstrual cramps.
By acting on the nervous system and relaxing the uterine muscles, Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils help to ease the discomfort and reduce the severity of menstrual cramps.
The benefits of using these essential oils include natural pain relief, reduced inflammation, and improved overall well-being, making them a popular alternative remedy for menstrual cramp relief.
7. Valeriana officinalis essential oils
Valeriana officinalis essential oils have been traditionally used to treat menstrual cramps due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties.
The herbal preparation helps to treat this ailment by relaxing the uterine muscles, reducing pain and discomfort associated with cramps, and promoting a sense of calm and well-being.
The bioactive constituents of Valeriana officinalis, including valerenic acid, valepotriates, and isovalerenic acid, contribute to its therapeutic effects by interacting with the body's GABA receptors, thereby reducing anxiety and pain.
The benefits of using Valeriana officinalis essential oils for menstrual cramps include reduced pain intensity, improved sleep quality, and enhanced overall well-being, making it a popular natural remedy for managing this common condition.
8. Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils
Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils, also known as licorice root oil, have been traditionally used to treat menstrual cramps due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
The bioactive constituents, such as glycyrrhizin, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, help to reduce prostaglandin production, which is responsible for the pain and discomfort associated with menstrual cramps.
By reducing inflammation and pain, Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils provide relief from menstrual cramps, allowing women to manage their symptoms naturally.
The benefits of using this herbal preparation include reduced pain, improved mood, and enhanced overall well-being, making it a valuable natural remedy for menstrual cramp management.
9. Cinnamomum verum essential oils
Cinnamomum verum essential oils, derived from the bark of the Ceylon cinnamon tree, possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties that help to alleviate menstrual cramps.
These properties assist in reducing pain, inflammation, and spasms associated with menstrual cramps by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which stimulate uterine contractions.
The bioactive constituents present in Cinnamomum verum essential oils, such as cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, contribute to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, providing relief from menstrual cramps.
Regular use of Cinnamomum verum essential oils has been found to reduce the frequency and severity of menstrual cramps, promoting a more comfortable and manageable menstrual experience.
10. Elettaria cardamomum essential oils
Elettaria cardamomum essential oils have been traditionally used to alleviate menstrual cramps due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties, which help to soothe and relax the uterine muscles.
The bioactive constituents present in these oils, including limonene, linalool, and alpha-pinene, contribute to their therapeutic effects by reducing pain and inflammation.
By using Elettaria cardamomum essential oils, women can experience relief from menstrual cramps, as well as other associated symptoms such as bloating and mood swings.
The benefits of using these oils include reduced pain, improved mood, and a decrease in the frequency and severity of menstrual cramps, making them a valuable natural remedy for managing menstrual discomfort.
11. Cymbopogon citratus essential oils
Cymbopogon citratus essential oils, also known as lemongrass oil, have been traditionally used to treat menstrual cramps due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
The bioactive constituents present in lemongrass oil, such as citral and geraniol, help to relax the uterine muscles, reduce prostaglandin levels, and alleviate pain associated with menstrual cramps.
By reducing inflammation and promoting relaxation, lemongrass oil helps to provide relief from menstrual cramps, making it a popular natural remedy for managing this condition.
The benefits of using lemongrass oil for menstrual cramps include reduced pain and discomfort, improved mood, and overall well-being, making it a valuable natural solution for women experiencing this common health issue.