Got PMS? Try Chinese Herbs

For at least a week every month us women are crampy, irritable, bloated, moody, emotional, and crave some sort of chocolate fix that we know will just give us more of a reason to complain. We try everything from heating pads to Midol to Tylenol to pampering ourselves with bubble baths to try to relieve the pain. We can't even where our jeans without doing that hopping dance to try to get the darn things on, thanks of course to bloating.

So what if there was a natural way that we could use to ease this week long monthly headache? At least get rid of one, two, or even more of these annoying aches and pains that take us over each month. Well there is.

A recent study revolving around women state that Chinese herbs are considered to be very effective in relieving PMS symptoms. So what are they and how do they work, and more important, where do you get them?

Chinese angelica root also called Dong Quai is one of them. Clinical tests have proven that this substance reduces pain, dilates blood vessels, and helps to relax the muscles of the uterus. Its main purpose is to treat cramps and regulate your cycle.

Dong Quai is a from the celery family and is sometimes referred to as female ginseng. It can be found in pill, liquid, or powder form. Using the liquid is the strongest dosage and it is suggested to only consume up to 4 grams per day. Most health food stores and vitamin stores such as GNC carry Dong Quai in pill form. I've seen prices from $10 a bottle to $30 a bottle. I honestly think the liquid is the best option. You can drink it straight or mix with another drink and since the strength is higher and purer it will last longer.

Szechuan lovage root also called Chuan Xiong is another great herbal reliever; however its main point of help is to regulate your cycles. If you are one that also receives headaches or migraines during this time of the month, this root is also a natural reliever of that too.

It has a very pungent flavor and should only be taken up to 10 grams for one dose. Overdose of this root can cause liver hyperactivity as well as profuse menstruation. This natural treatment is very costly. I haven't found it cheaper than $30.

Red Peony Root is the one natural symptom relief for PMS that I do highly recommend. Also known as Chi Shao Yao, this sour natural remedy is used to induce menstruation. Stress and sickness is known to cause irregular cycles and this little plant is a perfect solution to naturally help the body along. I haven't had a chance to try this yet, but it is on my top list of things to try.

You should limit yourself to three grams three times per day. Red Peony is known to interact with other medications such as Risperidone, so I advice to avoid this natural remedy if you are taking this medication. Red Peony Root can get a little expensive; normally I see it around for about $20 for 60 capsules. Starwest Botanicals has the cheapest that I have found for around $14, but it is the actual sliced organic plant not capsules.

White Peony Root, also called Baishao, is one of the oldest remedies in traditional Chinese medicine. One of the great things about White Peony is that it can be prepared as a tea and really does help with cramping and has a tendency to calm pain due to emotional issues. Mix it with anything that has calcium in it and the white peony helps in treating hot flashes. This is a wonderful and natural reliever. White peony can be found wherever Red Peony is at for around the same prices.

The Chinese have discovered so many natural remedies for so many different things and believe me, there are many other PMS treatments out there, but these four by far are the ones that I am most familiar with and know that they have worked on either me or my friends. Make sure that you consult your doctor before taking any of these natural remedies because they can interact with other medications and are not supposed to be used if you are pregnant.

In conclusion, stop fighting those monthly pains with man made pain relievers and start fighting PMS with something natural!