I make my own homemade tea blend to relieve menstrual problems, such as period pain and heavy period. I use the following four herbs that are easily found around where my parents live. They are all used traditionally in my native country (Finland) as natural remedies for women and to relieve “women’s problems.” If you can’t find all of them where you live, just pick the ones you can find! If you’re pregnant, some of these herbs are not suitable, so it’s better to stick to raspberry leaf tea.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow infusion/tea is a traditional remedy for many health complaints: period pain and other problems related to the menstrual cycle, infections, the flu, fever, constipation, and piles. Yarrow (in the photo above) also stimulates the liver and the digestive system. I pick yarrow flowers when they have just opened, without the stem, and I dry them for my infusion. (The green leaves are great for salads, especially when they are still young and soft, and they contain lots of minerals, including magnesium.) Don’t use yarrow continuously for long periods of time, and it is not recommended during pregnancy. It is said it may cause headaches.
White Clover (Trifolium repens)
White clover is said to promote general health, and where I come from white clover tea is a traditional remedy for menstrual problems. (Red clover tea is helpful during respiratory infections, to relieve digestive problems and to prevent infections.) You can also add the flowers to any homemade tea blends, they add sweetness. The leaves can be used in salads.
Raspberry Leaves (Rubus idaeus)
Many women drink raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy to strengthen the uterus. Raspberry leaves are also good for a cold, for diarrhea, and there is an old Finnish belief that raspberry leaf tea can make you look younger…I add dried raspberry leaves into my tea blend, mainly because they are associated with the female reproductive system.
Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla varieties)
I’m not sure if you can find this plant where you live, but I’ll write about it anyway in case it grows locally to you. There are several varieties of this plant, and the one that grows near me is the one in the photo! I pick the leaves and the flowers, dry them and add to my tea mix. Traditionally, lady’s mantle has been used to treat heavy periods. It is also used for digestive problems and sudden infections, and externally, it has been used to treat wounds as an infusion or in poultices. The leaves are edible, and I sometimes add a few leaves to a salad.
How to Make it and How to Use It:
I dry all the leaves & flowers and blend them; I’m not too obsessed about the amounts. It depends on how much I have of each plant. Here’s how to make herbal infusions. I drink this infusion during my period; ideally, I would remember to start drinking it about a week before my period starts and drink it for about ten days. I’m also thinking of adding rose petals to the blend since rose is used in herbal medicine and aromatherapy for many health complaints related to the female reproductive system.
Sources:
Lesley Bremness: The Complete Book of Herbs: A Practical Guide to Growing and Using Herbs
Yarrow, clover and raspberry leaf photo: Morguefile.com
Lady’s mantle photo: Satu Susanna Rommi
