This One Change Can Help Alleviate Period Symptoms
Ditch your coffee for a hormone balancing brew.
Yea I know I don’t like the idea of giving up my morning coffee either, but when it comes to our period symptoms it isn’t doing us any favors. I know you're totally thinking that that cup of caffeine surely only helps awaken you and get you moving while your period leaves you feeling fatigued and groggy, but I hate to break it to you my friends there are a number of reasons to stay clear.
Now, now, don’t fret😥! I’m not suggesting that you give up coffee forever I’m only suggesting ditching it for a week while Aunt Flo comes to visit.
So why no coffee you ask?
1) Welp caffeine can make your already awful cramps worse!
Caffeine, especially from coffee, is a well-known vasoconstrictor. What is a vasoconstrictor?!?!? It is any substance that causes the tightening of blood vessels. Nicotine, Alcohol, and CAFFEINE are all vasoconstrictors. By having that cup of coffee during your period, or any other caffeinated beverage for that matter, your actually causing the vessels that feed your uterus to tighten up. Tightened blood vessels = Waaaay worse cramps!
2) Your already freaking about nothing during this time so why make it worse!
During your period, your body’s hormones are all over the place. Caffeine does nothing in the way of stabilizing hormones. In reality this favorite drug of mine actually causes a good deal of havoc with the body’s hormones. Caffeine inhibits adenosine, which is a hormone that calms the body. Inhibiting this hormone can cause a disruption in sleep cycles and cause increase anxiety. If that doesn’t suck enough, caffeine also raises adrenaline and cortisol, two hormones that keep your natural levels of stress balanced.
3) It dries you out!
Studies have shown that low levels of estrogen may be a contributing factor to dehydration in your body during your period, causing a your already low energy levels to dip even further. Estrogen, it seems, is actually associated with the body's ability to retain water. The lower your estrogen level the less water your body holds onto; and this fluctuation may result in an increased risk of dehydration. The heavier your flow, the greater the blood loss, and therefore the greater the risk of dehydration. Do yourself a favor and trade the iced latte for a large glass of lemon water .
4) Your Belly is already all sorts of pissed off so why agitate even further?
High levels of prostaglandins (a chemical crucial in allowing the uterus to contract and slough off the uterine lining during menstruation) are present in our bodies during this time of the month. Thing is high levels of this chemical also causes us diarrhea and unpleasant gurgly noises of the belly; Thus explaining the miserable belly most of us end up with during our period. If you don’t experience this then God Bless You. You are One Lucky Bitch!
If you're already pooping your brains out (sorry to be soo crude but this is real talk) drinking coffee is not going to do you any favors. "Not only is coffee acidic, but it also contains caffeine, which speeds up the digestive tract and may cause diarrhea," explains Katie Cavuto, M.S., R.D., a nutritionist and chef in Philadelphia. Coffee causes the stomach to produce hydrochloric acid (HCL), which can cause heartburn and indigestion.
So what type of hormone balancing brew do we replace our coffee with?
A Spot Of Tea Please
Ditch the coffee and sip on some tea. Sipping on certain herbal teas can help ease uncomfortable symptoms during menstruation. Specific herbs can work to balance your hormones, counteract heavy bleeding, and irregular periods. The easy part about it all is that virtually any herb you purchase can be made into a tea by steeping it in water and straining. Bellow are a few great herbs that I highly recommended for period relief. Try them by themselves or experiment with creating your own herbal moontime blend.
Photo Credit: Peaceful Dumpling
Chamomile
Research has found that herbal tea, chamomile in particular, actually has anti-inflammatory capabilities and can also help calm the nerves. Chamomile also reduces adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels, which in turn reduces cortisol (the “stress hormone”) production. It also helps soothe menstrual cramps by increasing levels of glycine – an amino acid that calms uterine spasms.
Tulsi AKA Holy Basil
Holy basil is widespread in India and is frequently found growing around Hindu temples (which explains the “holy” aspect of the name) As a hormone balancer, holy basil is a big one – it suppresses estrogen production and supports progesterone development. It is also helpful for thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and helps reduce adrenal fatigue.
Cramp Bark
As its name implies, cramp bark is useful to ease uterine cramps. Native to North America and Europe where it grows in woodlands, thickets and hedges. It was a common Native American remedy taken by the Meskwaki people for cramps and muscle tension. It is considered an effective remedy for relieving any tense muscle whether smooth - as in the intestines and uterus - or striated - as in attached to the skeleton - and works very well to relax excessive contractions of the uterus. It’s also helpful in relieving back pain, and constipation.
Ginger
If you didn’t already know (likely living under a rock or miraculously never sick to your belly before) Ginger is great for relieving nausea (See the above explanation about sick period belly). I for one usually find myself completely without an appetite for the first two days. Another perhaps even more compelling reason to give ginger tea a go is that clinical studies have demonstrated ginger being as effective as using medications such as ibuprofen in the relief of menstrual pain.
Raspberry leaf
A well know fertility herb that is also helpful in reducing PMS and cramping. Raspberry leaf has historically been used to strengthen uterine muscles, and there’s some scientific evidence to back the claim that the herb can have a powerful effect on hormones. The leaf also has a high nutrient profile and is especially high in calcium. We can certainly use any extra nutrients we can get as our bodies tend to be deficient from the blood loss.
If your not into making your own Blend. Here are some great teas blends specially formulated to help us ladies out.
Or Try The Ayurvedic Hormone Balancer…….Golden Milk
If you have not heard of it golden milk is basically a creamy turmeric tea and it is a freaking Godsend for period symptoms! This ancient Ayurvedic drink is packed with amazing benefits to help soothe your period symptoms. Turmeric is used commonly in traditional Ayurvedic medicine in which it’s used to treat endocrine issues including amenorrhea, endometriosis, fibroids and cysts.
Promotes clear and glowing skin
Anti-inflammatory
Supports liver detoxification which is important for hormone balance
High antioxidant content
Increases circulation
Warming to the body
Supports healthy cholesterol levels
Enhances wound healing
It is so yummy, warming, and comforting that you won't even mind trading in your coffee. following recipe also includes healthy fats like coconut oil, which are excellent for hormonal health. You must give this recipe a try!
Try this great Vegan Golden Milk recipe from The Worktop Blog
Instructions
1 cup almond milk (240 milliliters) (any milk or milk alternative will work)
1 teaspoon golden paste (more or less depending on your taste preference)
coconut palm sugar (as desired)
ground cinnamon (for topping)
Turmeric Paste
1 cup water (240 milliliters)
1 knob ginger - sliced, about 1-inch
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 vanilla pod - sliced open
2 cardamon pods - lightly crushed
1/4 teaspoon black peppercorn
3 tablespoons ground turmeric (24 grams)
1 teaspoon extra virgin coconut oil
Make the turmeric paste
In a small saucepan, add in the water and all the spices, except the turmeric. Bring the water to a boil, then turn down the heat. Simmer, partially covered, for 15 minutes (you want the amount water to reduce to about 1/2 cup). Remove the spices.
Add in the turmeric and coconut oil, and cook, over low heat for about 5 minutes, until a paste forms. If needed, add in more water by the tablespoon.
Remove from heat and allow to cool. Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.
Make the Golden Milk
Heat the milk in a small saucepan or microwave, until warmed. Whisk in your desired about of turmeric paste and coconut sugar. Dust with cinnamon on top.
Serve warm and Feel Better❤️
I’m Willing To Try Anything For Relief
Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m not one of those fortunate chicas with period symptoms that are barely noticeable. On the contrary, I’m the girl who can barely leave her house for at least the first two days of my moontime. So as much as I love coffee if sacrificing it for a week means lessening the severity of my period symptoms then I’m game.
Give it a go and let us know how nixing caffeine during your period works out for you? Also I’m always on the hunt for new tea blends so please share any suggestions you may have for a yummy, soothing, period blend? In the meantime. I will be experimenting with making my own moontime blend to share with you all.