Relieve PMS
by Ysanne Spevack
PMS affects about 80% of all women in the UK, so most of us know the symptoms: irritability and anxiety; fluid retention and weight gain; mood swings; fatigue and depression; lack of libido or sexual discomfort; back pain; breast tenderness; constipation and diarrhoea; acne; headaches and migraines.
Here’s ten ways to make your monthly low time a more positive experience.
- Enhance your diet with plenty of fresh organic fruit and vegetables, fish, tofu and poultry with organic brown rice and pasta. Avoid the temptation to snack on sugary or milky foods and drinks. Also try not to eat red meat as it will lower your energy levels at this time.
- Gentle exercise really helps, whether it’s a leisurely walk or an enjoyable swim. Focus on natural beauty as you walk, and smile.
- Encourage yourself and your partner to enjoy sex more at this time by making an intimate candle-lit dinner, unplugging the phone, playing a CD of chilled music and creating an evening charged with erotic potential.
- Cut down on caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. You’ll find that your energy levels increase and your moods will improve.
- Take a regular supplement of evening primrose oil or starflower oil. Although they may take up to two cycles to start working,these GLA-rich oils are highly effective at restoring hormonal balance.
- Dong quai root is a Chinese herb tried and tested by women for centuries to relieve menopausal symptoms. Another extremely effective herb to try is black haw which is also known as cramp bark. Milk thistle is also great for PMS because it protects and stimulates the liver which maintains hormonal balance.
- Take a good multi vitamin and mineral supplement, high in vitamins C and E, the B complex (especially vitamin B6), magnesium, zinc and beta-carotene. And drink plenty of water, which surprisingly helps to flush out excess retained fluid.
- Try massaging your ankles, particularly the Achilles tendon area. By stimulating these reflexology points, you can relieve pain in your womb and ovaries.
- Mix three drops of clary sage essential oil with about 10ml of olive oil in your palm. Massage the mixture onto your belly with gentle circular motions before going to sleep. Clary sage is a wonderfully soothing aromatherapy oil, but can cause drowsiness.
- Hot water at the end of your day is a marvellous way to unwind. Treat yourself to a long bath with candles and bubbles, and rediscover your Grandma’s natural pain relief method – the trusty hot water bottle. Plan your evenings at this time around rest, relaxation and deep sleep.
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