Menstrual cramps are so common that many women take them as a given. But it's actually easier than you think to prevent menstrual cramps in natural ways. For instance, there are time-tested Oriental methods that can make your periods pain free. These dos and don'ts have been proven to be effective in modern scientific studies.
Instructions
Dos
1. Mix ground ginger and brown sugar in a cup of hot water. Alternatively, boil sliced ginger and add brown sugar to make ginger tea in the traditional way. Replace your morning coffee with this tea, and have more cups of it through the day. The Chinese have long believed in ginger's ability to enhance circulation and prevent menstrual cramps, and modern scientific studies have proven the same.
2. Boil Adzuki beans on low heat until they become gruel-like. Add the beans to your breakfast cereal, make your lunch taco or burrito with the, or top your pudding with them for dessert. Adzuki beans contain a lot of magnesium, a muscle relaxant that can help prevent menstrual cramps. They also provide iron to make up for loss of blood, and potassium to relieve water retention.
3. Dress a little warmer than usual. Make sure your waist and abdomen are covered, even in summer. Bring a light blanket to work and cover your lower abdomen with it.
4. Take a hot shower before going to bed. The warmth and relaxation from the hot water will help keep menstrual cramps away. A shower is better than a bath because you are more susceptible to germs on your period, and you can't guarantee your bathtub to be absolutely germ-free.
Don'ts
5. Don't drink cold beverages or eat anything below room temperature. According to Chinese medical theories, cold fluids will impede blood flow and cause cramps. Take your salad, fruit or yogurt out of the refrigerator half an hour before eating.
6. Don't drink coffee, or choose decaf. Caffeine is a stimulant that may trigger cramps, according to both Chinese medicine practitioners and Western doctors.
7. Don't eat spicy food, which has a similar effect as caffeine.
8. Don't exercise too hard, as your muscles tend to get hurt more easily when you are bleeding.
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