Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual Cramps

There we were, three investigators, each with American Indian family connections, gazing at a patch of squaw vine. One of my companions was a bona fide Lumbee Indian, whose tribe lives near the border between North and South Carolina. The other was Scandinavian, but she was the mother of an honorary Abenaki (one who had been adopted into the Massachusetts tribe). And I am the Caucasian grandfather of three part-Cherokee grandchildren.

We got to discussing the term squaw vine as we considered the plant, a ground-hugging evergreen vinelet with bright red berries. I had been told that there were two possible interpretations of squaw in the common names of plants: one, perhaps sexist, that it was used only for women's reproductive ills, and the other, perhaps racist, that it was altogether useless.

The Lumbee discounted the possibility that it was useless, saying that the Indians would not have continued to use such a plant for menstrual difficulties unless it was effective. He agreed with me that the word squaw did not sound respectful of Indian women.

We couldn't rename the plant, because every herbalist knows it as squaw vine. But we agreed that from then on, we would take squaw to mean useful and beautiful. Still a bit sexist, perhaps, but much more positive.

Green Pharmacy for Menstrual Cramps

There are actually quite a few herbs, including squaw vine, that can help ease monthly cramps.

Black haw (Viburnum prunifolium). Under the name crampbark, this herb was recognized as a treatment for menstrual cramps in most pharmacology reference books through the nineteenth century. The bark contains at least four substances that help relax the uterus. Two (aesculetin and scopoletin) also help relieve muscle spasms. With so much folklore and science to recommend it, black haw would be one of the first remedies that I'd suggest to my daughter if she came to me complaining of cramps.

Black Haw Black haw is a spreading shrub with clusters of white flowers that is related to honeysuckle and elderberry.

Chinese angelica (Angelica sinen-sis). Also known as dang-quai, Chinese angelica is one of the most widely used herbs in Chinese traditional medicine. It is considered a female tonic, especially good for menstrual cramps, and is highly recommended by experts in Oriental medicine.

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus). Many women herbalists I respect recommend raspberry leaf tea for easing menstrual cramps. One study showed that this herb helps relax the uterus. It's also popular for soothing the uterine irritability associated with pregnancy.

Researchers don't know the active compound in raspberry, but they speculate that it might be Pycnogenol (an oligomeric procyanidin, or OPC). That makes sense to me. In one study, taking 200 milligrams of OPC daily over two cycles eliminated or significantly relieved menstrual cramps and/or premenstrual syndrome in 50 to 60 percent of the women who took them. Among women who took OPCs for four cycles, the number who benefited was even higher--66 to 80 percent.

You can buy pure OPC in the form of Pycnogenol, but it's an expensive supplement. I'd suggest trying raspberry leaf tea instead.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Bilberry contains chemicals called anthocyanidins, which have muscle-relaxant properties, and it also contains OPCs. For menstrual cramps, some herbalists suggest taking 20 to 40 milligrams of concentrated bilberry extract three times a day. If you can't find extracts, try a half-cup of fresh bilberries or blueberries, which have similar properties.

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus). The small fruits of the chasteberry tree have been used for menstrual disorders since Greco-Roman times. I'm convinced that chasteberry is effective.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale). Eclectic physicians--turn-of-the-century American doctors who combined natural remedies with mainstream medicine--prescribed ginger to treat painful menstruation.

This herb is also used to induce menstruation in a wide range of cultures from Venezuela to Vietnam. With at least six pain-relieving compounds and another six anti-cramping compounds, ginger tea is a trustworthy remedy for menstrual cramps.

Kava kava (Piper methysticum). Kava kava contains two pain-relieving chemicals that are as effective as aspirin, according to pharmacognosist (natural product pharmacist) Albert Leung, Ph.D., and Arkansas herbalist Steven Foster in their book The Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients. Although kava kava has been described as narcotic and hypnotic, it is neither hallucinogenic nor stupefying. Furthermore, according to Dr. Leung and Foster, it is nonaddictive and does not cause dependency.

Some Europeans use kava kava extracts for its relaxant or anti-anxiety effects. Since the plant also helps relax the uterus, it is used to treat menstrual cramps.

Kava Kava An ingredient in a traditional Polynesian beverage, kava kava has antispasmodic effects and can help ease menstrual cramps.

Red clover (Trifolium pratense). Clover is rich in phytoestrogens, plant chemicals that act on the body in the same way as the female hormone estrogen. Herbalists believe that phytoestrogens help minimize menstrual cramps by bringing the body's hormone levels into better balance.

One phytoestrogen in red clover is the compound formononetin. Although "clover disease" has been known to cause infertility in sheep that graze on it, you won't get enough clover to be even remotely concerned about this effect. Have red clover in tea, and it just might relieve cramping problems.

Squaw vine (Mitchella repens). Cherokee women routinely took squaw vine for "period pains," according to Daniel Moerman, Ph.D., professor of anthropology at the University of Michigan and author of some excellent books on American Indian uses of medicinal plants. They also used it to ease childbirth and to treat sore nipples while nursing. The Oklahoma, Delaware, Iroquois and Menominee tribes used squaw vine similarly. Today's herbalists generally recommend it (along with raspberry) for the discomforts of pregnancy. You can try using it as the Cherokees did, to ease menstrual cramps.

Strawberry (Fragaria, various species). Like raspberry, strawberry leaf may help relieve cramps, according to Germany's Commission E, the body of scientists that advises that country's government about herbs.

The commission also notes that this action has not been substantiated. But I mention strawberry because there are lots of good reasons to drink it besides its reputed ability to ease menstrual cramps. Its leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals plus ellagic acid, a highly touted cancer preventive. Strawberry leaf tea may be of benefit to almost anyone who might be deficient in any vitamins or minerals. One piece of advice, though: Don't drink strawberry leaf tea if you're allergic to strawberries.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Yarrow is useful for relieving women's painful cramps, according to Commission E. I am not surprised at this endorsement, as yarrow contains a number of antispasmodic constituents.