I’ll tell you that ginger works daily for my headaches; it even helps with migraines. It is known as the leading "drug" in the treatment of migraines, one of the most common causes of pain syndromes, affecting as much as 12 percent of the population. Twelve percent is "common"?
I consume 1 teaspoon of turmeric and 1 teaspoon of organic ginger powder every day as a hot beverage in the morning. I mix it with 1/8 teaspoon of pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. It greatly helps with concentration, mood, energy, inflammation, and more!
Menstrual Cramps: A Common Problem
What about menstrual cramps, which affect up to 80 percent of younger women? You can tell this study was written by a guy because he emphasizes absenteeism and all the "lost productivity" for our nation. Menstrual cramps just really hurt.
Can Ginger Help?
Women took 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger powder three times a day during the first three days of menstruation, and pain dropped from 7 on a scale of 1 to 10 down to 5, whereas there was no significant change in the placebo group. Most women in the placebo group said their symptoms stayed the same, while those in the ginger group reported feeling much better. I, myself writing this blog feel no pain before and during menstruation. I take 1 teaspoon of ground ginger a day. I make it as a tea.
A later study found that even just 1/8 teaspoon three times a day worked just as well, reducing pain from 8 to 6, and in the second month, down to 3. The pain relief was more significant in the second month, even though participants had only taken ginger for four days. This suggests it might work even better if women use ginger every period.
Ginger and Pain Duration
Taking 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger powder three times a day reduced pain from 7 to 5 and shortened total pain from 19 hours to 15 hours. This shows that ginger is a safe and effective option for college students with painful menstrual cramps.
Ginger vs. Ibuprofen
How does ginger compare with ibuprofen? Researchers tested 1/8 teaspoon of ginger powder four times a day for three days against 400 mg of Motrin, and ginger worked just as well as the drug of choice.
Dr. Greger’s Advice
Dr. Greger suggests that taking ibuprofen or naproxen may be better to take them on an empty stomach. This could speed up pain relief and help prevent taking higher doses.
What Else Can Ginger Help With?
- Reducing radiation damage with ginger and lemon balm
- Fighting inflammation
- DNA protection
- Migraines
- Morning sickness relief
- Osteoarthritis
- Obesity & fatty liver disease
- Reducing muscle pain
Other Remedies for Cramps, PMS, and Breast Pain
- Fennel seeds for menstrual cramps and PMS
- Saffron for PMS relief
- Plant-based diets for breast pain
- Flaxseeds for breast pain
- Vegan diet for painful menstrual periods
Causes of Menstrual Issues
Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are often caused by hormone imbalances, which may be linked to stress, exercise, or animal products in the diet. Other factors include poor circulation and insufficient blood or lymphatic circulation.
Natural Approaches to Relief
- Balance hormones
- Improve blood & lymphatic circulation
- Promote relaxation, exercise, and good nutrition
- Enhance digestion and elimination
What to Eat and Avoid
Maximize:
- Fruits and Vegetables
Minimize:
- Salt and salty foods
- Alcohol
Eliminate:
- Refined foods (lack minerals, contain harmful additives)
- Caffeine (depletes calcium and minerals)
- Sugar and sweeteners
- Non-organic meat & dairy (may contain artificial hormones and toxins)
Other Health Recommendations
- Balance lean meat or fish with vegetable protein.
- Get enough calcium from foods like yogurt, broccoli, and tofu.
- Exercise daily.
Healing Drinks
Add 1 teaspoon of herbs and up to 2 tablespoons of other ingredients to these:
Juices:
- Beet
- Brocco-carrot
- C-Green
- Eye-opener (with blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries)
- Leafy Greens
- Popeye’s Power
- Sunrise Supreme
Smoothies:
- Best Berries
- Pump It Up
Teas:
- Ginger Tea
- Hormone Balancing Tea
Note: The named Healing Drinks can be found on Pinterest, where you can explore more delicious recipes for skin health, hair health, and overall well-being!
Healing Foods
Herbs:
- Chasteberry, dandelion root, evening primrose oil, garlic, ginger, parsley, skullcap, stinging nettle, yarrow
Other:
- Almonds, dulse, fish oil, flax seeds, kelp, lecithin, legumes, nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soy products, sunflower seeds, whole grains
Important Notes
- If you are pregnant, limit parsley intake to 1/2 teaspoon dried or one sprig fresh per day. Avoid parsley if you have kidney inflammation.
- Do not take yarrow if you are pregnant.
