Around 80 per cent of women are thought to experience period pain at some stage, but there are some things you can do in the comfort of your own home to help.
There is nothing worse than being curled up at home with period pain. Alongside cramping, you can be expected to feel discomfort around your abdomen, lower back, and thighs.
While home remedies sound a bit old-fashioned, some of them do work.
Here are five home remedies that can help you to combat the pain, with or without CBD.
1 – Exercise
Exercise, however gentle, may feel like the last thing you want to do when you have period pain.
Practising relaxing exercises such as pilates or yoga can help with muscle pain. Yoga can include breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation techniques for mental and physical well-being.
CBD is a great addition to any yoga practice. It can be used topically or in oil form and applied to the body or taken orally. It is thought to interact with the receptors in the brain, potentially sending signals to the neurotransmitter serotonin. Exercise is also thought to interact with serotonin to produce endorphins. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter responsible for mental health, and lower levels are sometimes associated with anxiety.
CBD can help reduce the pains associated with exercise afterwards if not used during yoga. A study found that cannabinoids may potentially protect against inflammation. However, it’s worth noting that this study was on inflammatory pain from multiple sclerosis rather than DOMS.
2 – Applying heat
When it comes to period pain, there is nothing better than a fluffy hot water bottle in front of the TV.
A heated patch or wrap can also work when applied to your abdomen, as the warmth relaxes the cramped muscles. CBD patches can also be used on the area before adding a hot water bottle over the top.
The heat can also help boost circulation while relaxing the muscles. Some hot water bottles, wraps, or patches can have added herbs or essential oils.
3 – Essential oils and terpenes
Terpenes are the active aromatic molecules in plants that cause smell and taste. Most people associate them with cannabis plants as they are high in concentration, but there are other plants or fruits such as pine needles, lavender and lemon.
Some terpenes or essential oils, such as the linalool found in lavender, may help us relax. Could they also help with period pain?
Pinene, in particular, can help by allowing more oxygen into the system, which is why it is often associated with feelings of calm. It is a bronchodilator that opens up the lungs to allow more oxygen, which is transmitted to the bloodstream and tissues. Deep breathing may, in turn, increase the relaxation felt as more oxygen hits the brain.
A study from 2019 showed that inhalation of alpha-pinene potentially reduced anxiety in mice. The mice were observed for dizocilpine (MK-801-) induced schizophrenia-like behavioural abnormalities, including hyperactivity and anxiety.
There are lots of CBD products that now have added terpenes or blends that cater for particular issues, such as sleep or anxiety.
4 – Water
Staying hydrated during your period is a must, but the type of water you drink matters.
Drinking too much water can be a problem as it flushes nutrients from the body, but too little water can mean dehydration. Switching to warmer water instead of ice-cold water can ease cramps as it increases blood flow to the skin, helping the muscles relax.
While plain hot water may not be to everyone’s taste, there are many ways to increase your water intake. Increasing your consumption of watery foods such as cucumber or watermelon can help, too. Teas or hot chocolates can be a good addition as they contain warm water.
CBD can often be found in water products and tea or coffee. It’s easy to add a drop of CBD to a hot drink, but unless it’s water-soluble, it may sit on top.
5 – Adaptogens and herbs
Adaptogens can adapt their function in the body depending on what you need when you consume them. This could be any physical or biological need. Some herbs, roots, and mushrooms fall into this category, and the number of products that include them has been a massive increase.
Some of the best herbs include:
Maca Root:
This root from Peru was traditionally used in medicine to regulate hormones. It has a high percentage of protein, unsaturated fat and minerals, which can boost health. When it comes to period pains and PMS, it may help to decrease mood swings.
Tumeric:
Turmeric is considered significant for inflammation in the same way CBD works. The two are being added to products aimed at conditions such as arthritis. A review from this year on turmeric as an anti-inflammatory has revealed it may help with osteoarthritis (OA). The researchers concluded that over the ten studies that examined turmeric rice, it appeared to have benefits and functions compared to a placebo.
It can be easy to make your home remedy of CBD and turmeric by adding both to coffee to make a spiced latte.
Siberian Ginseng
Siberian Ginseng can help with mental fatigue, brain fog, and sleep. It can be a real struggle to get to sleep when you are experiencing pain. It can also help release stress, aiding a good night’s sleep.
Disclaimer: https://cannabishealthnews.co.uk/2022/02/18/top-5-home-remedies-and-cbd-for-period-pain-womenshealth21
