Keep PMT at Bay the Natural Way

Top tips to help ease the symptoms of that time of the month

Premenstrual tension (PMT) affects women in many different ways, but one thing all women have in common is once a month they’re not feeling their best.

PMT, also known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), occurs just before a woman’s monthly menstruation cycle begins. The most common symptoms of PMT include mood swings, menstrual cramps, breast tenderness, bloating and irritability. However, there are traditional herbal medicines and other natural ways that could help to relieve this discomfort.

Traditional Herbal Medicines

Agnus Castus Premenstrual Relief (THR) is a traditional herbal medicine that could help to relieve the symptoms of PMT. Based on traditional use, Agnus Castus has been known to restore hormonal balances and regulate a woman’s monthly cycle. It could also help with anxiety, nervous tension, and insomnia.

For women experiencing symptoms of menopause, Black Cohosh Menopause Relief (THR) could make you feel more comfortable. Also based on traditional use, Black Cohosh could help with hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, irritability and restlessness.

Help to Ease PMT

• 1. Drink herbal tea at regular intervals during the day. Ginger and chamomile teas are both comforting and could ease tension and cramps.
• 2. Eat five to six small meals, instead of three large ones, to help reduce bloating and energy fluctuations, as this could lead to bingeing on sweets. Junk food could further reduce your energy levels and exaggerate PMT symptoms.
• 3. Low GI complex carbohydrates, such as porridge, wholemeal pasta or brown basmati rice, could help to steady your blood sugar and energy levels. Healthy, warm comfort food, such as homemade chicken soup or apple and cinnamon crumble, could also help to fortify you when you feel particularly affected by PMT.
• 4. Salt can aggravate water retention and lead to exacerbated bloating so avoid processed foods and cook from scratch as often as possible.
• 5. Fatigue could make PMT worse, so go to bed early and get plenty of sleep.
• 6. Wear a haramaki. This tubular belly band, made of double layered cotton, helps warm your midriff which increases circulation. This helps generate warmth throughout the entire body which could ease pre-menstrual cramps, tension and backache.
• 7. Buy a new DVD that you will enjoy watching should you feel like battening down the hatches.
• 8. Avoid coffee, fizzy drinks and alcohol, as they could aggravate PMT symptoms.
• 9. Relaxation techniques, such as yoga, deep breathing or meditation, could help to ease the tension, cramps and mood swings of PMT and re-energise you.
• 10. If PMT symptoms are very bad, or you experience other symptoms such as mid-cycle bleeding, consult your GP.

Tina Richards is one of Britain’s leading skin and health experts with over 15 years experience in the beauty industry.

"Walking is man's best medicine."
Hippocrates