Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) is a discouraging problem that affects many women. In addition to the inconvenience it causes, month after month of heavy periods can cause anemia. However, natural remedies like apple cider vinegar, blackstrap molasses and dietary changes can often reduce the heavy menstrual flow and improve overall health.
Cayenne pepper powder helps to stop bleeding. Interestingly, it can also increase circulation. This seeming contradiction is explained by the fact that cayenne pepper restores balance. For acute bleeding, 3/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper can be added to a glass of grape juice. Consuming the juice and cayenne pepper with a straw will keep from getting cayenne pepper on the lips, which can burn. Cayenne pepper capsules can be taken. These are often combined with ginger to reduce the “shock effect” to the stomach when the capsule dissolves and releases cayenne pepper to an unexpected fire.
The herb shepherd’s purse can be used to reduce bleeding. Tinctures work the fastest. When the bleeding is heavy, take 1 dropperful (1/4 teaspoon) shepherd’s purse in 1 tablespoon of water. Repeat the dose after 30 minutes if needed. Then take another dose every few hours until the bleeding has slowed down. For even faster results, hold 1 dropperful in the mouth without diluting it in water. It will immediately begin absorbing into the bloodstream and doing its work.
Geranium essential oil helps to reduce bleeding. It is used topically. Massage 2-4 drops of geranium essential oil onto the lower abdomen several times a day to reduce bleeding. For sensitive skin or to make it easier to apply, use a pea sized amount of coconut oil with the geranium essential oil.
For acute heavy bleeding, warm baths will sometimes bring relief.
Full of a variety of nutrients, blackstrap molasses can often restore balance to health with regular use. Blackstrap molasses is also high in iron, which is helpful to women who are regularly losing significant amounts of blood through menstruation.
A tablespoon daily is a typical “dose” of blackstrap molasses. It can be added to coffee, oatmeal, tea or taken right off the spoon! Iron absorption will be maximized if it is taken with vitamin C or a vitamin C rich food, like orange juice.
Dairy products consumed at the same time as blackstrap molasses may reduce the amount of iron absorbed by the body. This is something to consider if blackstrap is taken in milk or in coffee with cream.
Apple cider vinegar is another popular home remedy for heavy menstrual bleeding and many other health issues due to its overall alkalizing effect on the body and the nutrients that are concentrated in the vinegar. 1-3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar can be added to a tall glass of water and sipped throughout the day for full benefit. Apple cider vinegar can be taken with or away from meals. Taken before meals it can help with weight loss. Taken with or after meals it improves digestion.
Red raspberry leaf tea is famous for its benefit to women’s health. Red raspberry leaf is ideally taken in a tea. The beneficial nutrients in red raspberry leaf are best extracted in hot water. Tinctures and capsules are less beneficial. 3-4 cups of red raspberry leaf tea can be consumed on a daily basis to improve overall reproductive health. It not only can help to normalize periods, but tones the uterus, help with PMS and reduces cramps. Red raspberry leaf tea is a pleasant tea to consume, not dissimilar in taste to black tea.
Vitex is another herb that is useful to women’s health difficulties, including heavy periods and adenomyosis. Vitex is usually taken in capsule or tincture form. The dried berries can be used however, also. Simply chew on ¼ teaspoon of vitex berries over the course of each day.
Iodine is essential to health. It is needed by the ovaries and thyroid, to name just two of many. Inadequate iodine levels can help to regular menstrual cycles and reduce reproductive problems like heavy bleeding. Iodine is also helpful in reducing ovarian cysts and fibroids. Iodine is best utilized by the body if “companion nutrients” are taken as well. These companion nutrients include selenium, zinc, vitamin C, magnesium and B vitamins.
Over time dietary changes can improve the menstrual cycle. Start with increasing whole foods and decreasing processed foods and sugar. If animal products make up a large part of the diet (meats and dairy products) consider reducing portions of animal products and trying to up the number of vegetarian meals each week. Animal products, even organic ones, contain hormones that compete with hormones in women’s bodies.
Castor oil packs used during the month can reduce some of the causes of heavy bleeding. Castor oil packs can reduce fibroids and ovarian cysts. Castor oil packs should NOT, however, be used during menstruation. It increases blood flow and could make the blood flow heavier.
Heavy menstrual bleeding can take a toll on the body. During days of heavy bleeding it is important to get enough rest and even take a day or two off. Be sure to include plenty of nourishing foods on those days to help restore what the body is losing.
Heavy menstrual bleeding, otherwise known as menorrhagia, is a condition in which a woman experiences abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding. While menstrual bleeding is common, menorrhagia is characterized by such heavy blood loss and cramping that an individual is unable to maintain normal daily activities.
While menstrual bleeding varies for most women, heavy menstrual bleeding can be characterized by specific symptoms. Soaking through one or more sanitary pads or tampons in an hour, needing to use twice the recommended amount of sanitary protection and needing to change sanitary protection during the night typically constitute abnormally heavy flow. Additional symptoms include bleeding for a week or longer, passing large blood clots, not completing daily activities and experiencing symptoms of anemia. Those who suffer with menorrhagia may find travel and recreation difficult or impossible during menstrual periods.
Using natural remedies for heavy periods can reduce the bleeding and even help to heal the cause of heavy bleeding and make this condition a thing of the past.
Do you have a natural remedy for heavy menstrual bleeding? Please send us some feedback! Continue reading to see how our readers have reduced heavy periods with natural remedies.
