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Health Remedies - Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) involves a variety of physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms related to a woman’s menstrual cycle. The symptoms of PMS are predictable and occur regularly during the one or two weeks prior to menses. The symptoms may vanish after the bleeding starts or may continue till the first or second day of menses. PMS is more likely to trouble women between their late 20s and early 40s.

The most common symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome include weight gain, abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, tension or anxiety, depressed mood, crying spells, mood swings, irritability, anger, appetite changes and food cravings, insomnia, joint or muscle pain, headache, fatigue, heart pounding,constipation etc. Cyclic changes in hormones seem to be an important cause for PMS. Rarely PMS may be linked to chemical changes in brain or low levels of vitamins and minerals in blood.

Useful herbs

Larrea tridentata	For fever, influenza, colds, upset stomach, gas gout, arthritis, sinusitis, anemia, fungus infections, in the treatment of allergies, autoimmunity diseases, and Premenstrual Syndrome. To treat diarrhoea and stomach troubles (leaf decoction)
Medicago sativa	Overall tonic and appetite stimulant (stomach disorders, arthritis); treat urinary tract infections, kidney, bladder and prostrate disorders; heart problems (leaves in juice form); respitory dysfunctions (chlorophyll); are used as a nutritive tonic to stimulate the appetite, in the treatment of earache, to encourage the clotting of blood and promote weight gain (leaves); has an oestrogenic action and useful in treating problems related to menstruation and the menopause (plant); in the treatment of gravel (plant juice); taken internally for debility in convalescence or anaemia, haemorrhage, menopausal complaints, pre-menstrual tension, fibroids etc (plant); in cases of highly coloured urine (root).
Oenothera biennis	Gastro-intestinal disorders, asthma, whooping cough, rheumatoid arthritis; to reduce the pains of premenstrual stress syndrome and is beneficial to the skin of the face (seed oil); to piles and bruises (poulticed root); in the treatment of obesity and bowel pains (tea from root).
Pastinaca sativa	In the treatment of women's complaints (in menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome and menopausal disorders), psoriasis, vitiligo and bed wetting in chidren (root)
Pfaffia paniculata	As a general tonic for balancing, energizing, rejuvenating and muscle growth, for hormonal disorders (menopause, PMS etc),to lower serum cholesterol, for chronic fatigue and general tiredness, sexual disorders (impotency, frigidity, low libido etc), arteriosclerosis, diabetes, digestive disorders, rheumatism, bronchitis and sickle cell anemia.
Scoparia dulcis	For diarrhea, for menstrual problems (pain, cramps, premenstrual syndrome [PMS], and to promote and normalize menstruation), vomiting, kidney problems and to increase the secretion of gastric juices (plant); in fever, cough and bronchitis and as a gargle for toothache (leaf); to relieve symptoms of glycosuria, reduce hyperglycaemia, increase RBC count, in anaemia, albuminuria, ketonuria, retinitis and other complications associated with diabetes mellitus.
Senecio vulgaris	In chronic mastitis, haemorrhoids and gout, while the expressed juice is used internally against worms and colic; used in the treatment of some diseases of the eyes (powdered root and rootstock). Used in the treatment of menstrual disorders and nose bleeds
Uncaria tomentosa	For intestinal ailments (Crohn's disease, gastric ulcers and tumors, parasites, colitis, gastritis, diverticulitis and leaky bowel syndrome); arthritis, rheumatism, diabetes, PMS, chronic fatigue syndrome, diarrhea, gonorrhea, acne, diseases of the urinary tract and cancers.
Vitex agnus-castus	In malfunctions of the feminine reproductive system and has been used with great effect in restoring absent menstruation, regulating heavy periods, restoring fertility when this is caused by hormonal imbalance, relieving pre-menstrual tension and easing the change of the menopause; for the relief of paralysis, pains in the limbs, weakness etc (fresh berries).
Vitex negundo	As a demulcent (in the sinuses) and on sores (related to scrofula) (oil); in gonorrhea, rheumatism, sprains, fever (related to catarrh) and headache (leaf); aids in the removal of worms and foetid discharges from ulcers (leaf juice), controls acne in teenagers, regulates ovulatory cycle, menopause, menorrhagia (heavy menstruation), menstrual difficulties (secondary amenorrhea), premenstrual syndrome, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and endometriosis and fibrocystic breast disease among women, relieves pains due to rheumatism, gout, sciatica and the body ache resulted from heavy physical exertion, skin troubles, migraine; with the right proportion it is use for dental care for healthy, disease free teeth, as mouth wash and treatment for toothache. Pillows stuffed with leaves are slept on to remove catarrh and headache. Dried fruit is used to destroy human worm while seeds boiled in water and eaten, or the water is taken internally, to prevent spread of toxins from poisonous bites of animals, also cooling for skin disorders.