5 Natural Cramp Solutions

Making healthy eating choices ALL the time is nearly impossible if you are human and like to enjoy life. At Ova Moon, we recognize that, yet we also know the impact of those choices. Especially the week before menstruation it is really important to be eating healthy and clean and avoiding inflammatory foods like sugar (alcohol), dairy and wheat. Because many of us experience hormone imbalance and nutrient deficiency it's common to feel cravings during that week yet following those cravings can leave us bedridden the following week while we are bleeding. Today we wanted to share some of our tips for what to do in the moment if the cramps come.

1. HEAT

Grab a hot water bottle, fill it up, put it on your abdomen or low back and you are good to go! (click on the link for a nice travel size option). We love this option because relief is fairly instant and the warmth feels so cozy on a cold winter morning. They are great for all muscle pains and can be used anytime for relief. Travel size bottles can easily be taken on the go and used discreetly for those days when you still have to show up for work.

2. TEA

Boil some hot water, grab your favorite mug and brew up some of mother nature's medicine. Herbal tea, like Ova Moon's Daily Flo Tea, can be a soothing way to relax the body when cramps come. Look for teas that include cramp bark! It is an antispasmodic herb which means it relaxes the muscles and reduces cramping. The bark contains a component called methyl salicylate which is a weak acting precursor to the salicylic acid that is used in aspirin, but this natural form is much less irritating to the gastric mucosa! Drinking red raspberry leaf tea all month long is also a great way to nourish the reproductive system and bring ease to your contracting uterus during menstruation.

3. ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to bring balance to the body. In the west, it's best know for its ability to reduce inflammation, increase circulation and relieve pain. Going once a week is the best way to reap the benefits of this ancient medicine and bring balance to the cycle but it can also be a great in the moment symptom relief and whole body relaxation tool.

4. YIN YOGA

While we don't advocate for doing too much exercise DURING menstruation we think some of the yin yoga poses can help open and relax the body. Grab your mat and a bunch of pillows and prop yourself into some juicy poses! There are many variations so explore what feels best for your body.

5. TAKE YOUR VITAMINS

xoxo

the Ova Moon team