5 Natural Cures for Common Female Ailments

Females have been 'cursed' with ailments that belong solely to their gender; PMS, menstrual cramps, hot flashes, uterine and ovarian cancer and endometriosis to name a few. The good news for females is that there are also some natural cures for these common gender-related ailments that can help us remain healthy despite our 'curse'.

Vitamin D Eases PMS Symptoms

Vitamin D is needed by the body to produce serotonin, a chemical the soothes and relaxes the body, Vitamin D is found naturally in very few foods and is added to ever fewer foods (milk and cereal). To ensure your body is producing enough vitamin D to ease PMS symptoms, 15 minutes per day of sun exposure is needed or a daily vitamin D supplement should be taken. 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily is enough to significantly reduce PMS symptoms of irritably, tension and stress.

Caprylic Acid and Calendula Shut Down Menstrual Cramps

Females suffering with menstrual cramps quite often suffer with allergies as well because the two ailments have a common denominator; yeast. The body's immune system views yeast (Candida) as an allergen and releases prostaglandins to combat the yeast, the prostaglandins trigger menstrual cramps. Caprylic acid, a common name for a healthy fatty acid found in butter and oils, destroys yeast cells on contact, preventing the release of cramps causing prostaglandins.

The aroma of calendula, an essential oil made from marigold petals, naturally cures menstrual cramps by triggering biochemical changes in the brain that block pain signals. Rub calendula oil anywhere on the skin or use products like lotion, creams or ointments that contain calendula to keep the aroma strong all day and prevent cramps.

Exercise Reduces Hot Flashes

Any type of exercise, done for 30 minutes, four times per week totally eliminates hot flashes in some women and greatly reduces their occurrences in other women. Exercising diminishes the body's production of the stress hormone Cortisol. Less stress, which is a prime trigger of hot flashes, means fewer (or none) hot flashes.

An Apple A Day

Eating an apple or cup of applesauce each day can help prevent uterine and ovarian cancer. The antioxidants contained in apples help protect a female's DNA and cells from damage which may lead to specific forms of cancer, like uterine and ovarian.

Fish Oil Helps Prevent Endometriosis

Fish oil reduces inflammation, endometriosis is linked to inflammation of the uterine tissue. Women who eat a diet high in trans fat (packaged foods) are at a higher risk of developing endometriosis than women who eat a diet consisting mainly of fresh foods, including fresh fish rich in Omega-3 (salmon, tuna, sardines, etc.)

Fish oil derived from eating fish three times per week or from a daily fish oil supplement (2,000 mg) can prevent endometriosis or provide pain relief for many women who already suffer from endometriosis.