The Natural Remedy of Ginger for Menstrual Cramps
Menstrual cramps are a very common ailment in women. This typically consists of severe pain in the lower abdomen before and during the menstrual period.
Would you like to find out how to treat this pain naturally? Don’t miss out on the natural remedy of ginger for menstrual cramps.
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Ginger for menstrual cramps
This root has been used by traditional medicine for many different uses.
Ginger is a natural spice that has been used since ancient times for gastronomic and medicinal purposes. It has a slightly spicy flavor that can usually improve or bring out the flavor of different foods and dishes. Also, the components of ginger can help reduce symptoms of certain ailments and health problems.
Menstrual pain, or dysmenorrhea, is usually related to hormonal changes that occur in the uterus after the ovulation cycle. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as physical discomfort, poor mood, and sometimes fever.
But why use ginger for menstrual cramps?
Ginger belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, the same of which turmeric is a part. Traditionally, people have used ginger to reduce symptoms of certain ailments since it contains active ingredients that act as pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. Doctors and scientists also recommend ginger to help calm nausea and improve digestion.
Ginger is also useful for helping reduce pain related to menstrual cramps since ginger has an antispasmodic effect that contributes to pain relief. There is a concentrated amount of gingerol in ginger. Gingerol is a bioactive compound that gives ginger its important properties.
In a study into the effects of ginger for menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea, 150 women consumed 1 gram of ginger powder daily for the first three days of their menstrual period. In the end, the researchers concluded that this spice decreased pain in a similar way to medications such as mefenamic acid and ibuprofen.
How to make a ginger remedy for menstrual cramps
The best way to take advantage of ginger for menstrual cramps is to infuse the fresh root in hot water. Of course, you can also mix ginger into smoothies, juices, and other beverages or foods. Preferably, you should begin consuming this infusion for 2 or 3 days before your period starts.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger (5 g)
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
Preparation
- To start, grate the fresh ginger.
- Then, add it to a cup of boiling water.
- Cover the mixture and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Finally, filter it with a strainer and serve.
How to administer
- Drink a cup of tea before the arrival of your menstrual period.
- Increase your consumption during the days of your period.
- You can have one or two cups a day according to your needs.
Ginger lemonade for menstrual cramps
Lemon reduces the characteristic strong flavor of ginger, making it a more approachable beverage and easier to consume.
Another useful recipe to take advantage of the properties of ginger for menstrual cramps is a refreshing ginger lemonade. Some prefer this option since the flavor is more pleasant.
Ingredients
- The juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 glass of water (200 ml)
- 1 teaspoon of grated ginger (5 g)
- Honey (15 g)
Preparation
- First, squeeze the juice out of half a lemon and dilute it in a glass of boiling water.
- Then, add the grated ginger, cover the drink, and let it steep.
- For a more refreshing drink, put it in the refrigerator until it cools down.
- Finally, if you like you can sweeten with a tablespoon of honey.
How to administer
- Drink this mixture at the first sign of menstrual cramps.
- If you prefer, take it even before your period start for even better results.
- Avoid consuming more than two cups a day.
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Risks and contraindications
Despite being a spice with multiple health properties, consuming ginger may lead to unwanted side effects as well. Therefore, it’s important to keep in mind that it can interact with other medications.
Similarly, consuming too much ginger can cause excess acidity, gas, heartburn, and other issues. As a result, it’s very important not to exceed the recommended amounts. It’s important to consult your doctor beforehand in case you are suffering from heart disease, gallstones, or are pregnant.
Do you suffer from annoying and painful menstrual cramps? If you have not yet used ginger as a treatment for this, try it now! It’s a good option if you want to avoid painkillers and conventional medications.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Ozgoli, G., Goli, M., & Moattar, F. (2009). Comparison of Effects of Ginger, Mefenamic Acid, and Ibuprofen on Pain in Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0311
- Young, H. Y., Luo, Y. L., Cheng, H. Y., Hsieh, W. C., Liao, J. C., & Peng, W. H. (2005). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of [6]-gingerol. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2004.09.009
- Shirvani, M. A., Motahari-Tabari, N., & Alipour, A. (2015). The effect of mefenamic acid and ginger on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized clinical trial. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3548-2
- Lakhan, S. E., Ford, C. T., & Tepper, D. (2015). Zingiberaceae extracts for pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition Journal. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-015-0038-8
- Okonta, J., Uboh, M., & Obonga, W. (2009). Herb-drug interaction: A case study of effect of ginger on the pharmacokinetic of metronidazole in rabbit. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. https://doi.org/10.4103/0250-474x.41462
