When it comes to relieving menstrual cramps naturally, women today have many choices.

In this article, we are going to look at four particular types of natural remedies that have each shown very good results. The four types of natural remedies are:

• Chinese Medicine

• Ayurvedic Medicine

• Homemade Remedies

• Nutritional Remedies

Now let’s take a closer look at each of these, starting with Chinese medicine.

Remedies for Menstrual Cramps – Chinese Medicine

The Chinese have historically treated menstrual cramps with several different techniques, including acupuncture.

One Chinese herb that is frequently found in supplements for PMS cramps or other female irregularities is dong quai.

This herb is known for relieving the pain of period cramps while also stimulating the production of red blood cells in the body. This second thing is important because your red blood cell count will be lower than usual if you have excessive flow during your period or when you are iron deficient.

Dong quai is not the only herb used in Chinese medicine to treat menstrual cramps. Other herbs that are used frequently include:

• Angelica root

• Red peony root

• White peony root

In Chinese medicine, these herbs are often prepared in a decoction, which means they are brewed at low temperature for long periods of time.

The herbal decoction should then be drunk starting about a week prior to the period and continuing through the period.

One recent study, (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Zhu X, et al “Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhoea”Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007;3: CD005288), found that a Chinese herbal formula proved more effective than over-the-counter relief.

Remedies for Menstrual Cramps – Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurvedic medicine, which is one of the world’s oldest holistic (whole-body) healing systems, offers a number of solutions for menstrual cramps.

Ayrvedic medicine is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit and the solutions for menstrual cramps rely on such things as ginger tea, basil tea and flax seeds to achieve that balance and eliminate menstrual cramps.

Ginger Tea – Use 1 teaspoon powdered ginger or about a tablespoon of ginger sliced from fresh ginger root. Place the ginger in a tea cup and pour boiling hot water over the herb. Let steep for five minutes. Then drink.

Basil Tea – Take 1 teaspoon basil leaf and place it in a teacup. Pour boiling water over the herb and let steep for 5 minutes. Drink during the day.

Golden flax seeds – Chew a few tablespoons of seeds during the day. The seeds contain fat and oil that may interfere with the production of prostaglandins, which cause cramping.

Remedies for Menstrual Cramps – Homeopathic

Homeopathic remedies, or natural remedies, for menstrual cramps include such things as belladonna and chamomilla.

The key with Homeopathic remedies is to consider what other symptoms you are experiencing along with your menstrual cramps.

For example, if you are also experiencing heavy bleeding you may want to try belladonna.

If you are experiencing a lot of anger with your menstrual cramps, you may want to try Chamomilla or Colocynthis.

If you have shooting back pain, you may want to try nux vomica, magnesia phos or lachesis.

Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps – Nutritional

One more thing that has been shown to be effective for relieving cramps is to focus on the diet and make sure that you are getting all the vitamins and minerals your body requires to feel its best.

One way to do this is take a Period Vitamin that contains B complex, vitamins A, D, E, and K, minerals such as iron, magnesium, and calcium, and herbs specifically chosen for relief of menstrual pain.

The truth is there are several things you can do to naturally relieve PMS symptoms. So don’t just “live with them.” Try the methods alone or in combination with each other to get relief from your menstrual cramps.