5 herbs to care for yourself on your period

1. Stinging Nettle

Urtica Dioica

Safe during pregnancy? Yes.
Safe during breastfeeding? Yes.

Believe me when I say: Nettle is a medicine that EVERY womban should have in her cabinet!

Nettle’s richness in chlorophyll, silicic acid, Vitamin C and A, silicon, magnesium, potassium, and fiber make this plant an amazing ally for menstruation. This plant supplies many of the nutrients I see so many modern day womben lacking, and can help replenish nutrients lost from eating foods grown in depleted soils.

With an affinity for draining dampness without dehydrating the body and nourishing the bladder, kidney, and lungs, nettles cooling and slightly bitter properties can help bring us back to balance.

Who nettle is for:

For those who feel fatigued with symptoms of adrenal burnout, nettle is here to support you in coming back to a state of well-being. I recommend her for people who experience cramping, dizziness, and general weakness before, during, or after menstruation.

Nettles have a natural affinity for draining dampness, and nourishing the bladder, kidney, and lungs – thanks to their cooling, and slightly bitter properties.

They are indicated for bleeding and hemorrhage, and are known to help release excessive water from the body without depleting its natural potassium levels – one of the reasons why I love working with stinging nettles with my pregnant or postpartum clients.

But here’s the catch: sometimes when we’re extremely depleted due to blood loss either from heavy periods or childbirth, nettle can be a bit too detoxifying for our bodies. Instead, one should focus on building up their vitality using herbs that tonify, build, and strengthen first (keep reading for a great herb for that called jujube!).

The key with any herb is to listen to your body. If you get unpleasant symptoms or react strangely to an herb, believe what your body is telling you and discontinue use or consult support from an experienced herbalist.

I recommend using nettle in a tea form. Infuse 1 Tbsp of dried nettle in one cup of water, and drink this tea three times a day. If you’re currently pregnant, cut the recommended dose in half.

For people living in the US, check out my favorite organic and sustainable source for medicinal herbs (besides a local farmers market!): Mountain Rose Herbs.

2. Dang Gui – Chinese
Angelica Root

Angelica Sinensis

Safe during pregnancy? No.
Safe during breastfeeding? Yes.

Who Dang Gui is for:

A wonderful tonifying herb to support those experiencing:

• Deficiency
• Fatigue
• Palpitations
• Weakness (especially during menstruation due to the loss of blood)
• Scanty periods
• Excessive menstrual flow
• Menstrual blood clots
• Brown / black / pale menstrual blood
• Constipation before, or during menstruation due to dryness and deficiency

Referred to in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as the “empress of herbs”, this powerful tonifying herb has so much to offer womben who are looking to build strength and vitality.

As an adaptogen, emmenagogue, blood builder, and supremely tonifying herb, Dang Gui (also known as Dong Quai) helps build resilience against stress, encourages fresh blood flow to the pelvic organs to promote healing, and promotes the accumulation of overall strength after times of depletion.

In TCM, healthy blood encourages healthy skin (especially youthful, radiant skin in the face), so you might feel your cheeks return to their lush and radiant color after connecting with this herb– no artificial blush needed (no shame if you love that – so do I).

It’s important to note though that Dang Gui shouldn’t be taken during your menstruation, but at other times in the cycle to set yourself up for a healthy period.

I recommend taking her in a tincture form. Depending on your constitution, opt for 10-50 drops of Dang Gui, dilute it in water, and enjoy it up to four times a day. Please note that although you can take Dang Gui on its own, it’s traditionally used in a formula combined with other herbs when prescribed in TCM. To find a formula that works for you, visit an experienced herbalist or acupuncturist.

If you live in the US, you can purchase Dang Gui (also known as dong quai) here.

3. Jujubes (Chinese Red Dates)

Ziziphus Jujuba

Safe during pregnancy? Yes.
Safe during breastfeeding? Yes.

Who it’s for:

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jujubes (also known as Chinese red dates) and herbs with a full sweet taste are used to strengthen both Qi (vital life-force energy), and blood. In addition to that, they also directly tonify the stomach and spleen.

But beyond their tonifying properties, they are rich in nutrients needed for thrival, including
vitamin A, B2, C, phosphorus, calcium, iron, and more.

Their sweet taste can help satisfy a sweet tooth and satiate our body’s desire for sweet foods (oh hey, menstrual cravings!), while also providing us the energy that we’re seeking.

Did you know that Jujubes are included in many traditional Chinese postpartum recipes, as well? That’s because they support new Mothers in recuperating their strength after birth, and returning to a state of well-being when experiencing postpartum fatigue.

To work with Jujube, I recommend boiling 3-12 pieces in 5 cups of water for 20-30 minutes (or until they become mushy). You can both drink the broth and eat the fruits. I love adding the broth to a soup as well!

Check out my favorite place to purchase Jujubes here.

4. Dried Ginger

Zinziberes Officinalis

Safe during pregnancy? Generally regarded as safe in small amounts
Safe during breastfeeding? Yes.

Fresh and dried ginger both come from the same plant, so they’re basically the same, right? WRONG! It should be noted that Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine are very specific about the difference between fresh and dried ginger.

Fresh ginger is surface warming and is suitable for all body types (including those who naturally have more fire and heat) according to Ayurveda.

Dried ginger is hot and spicy, and should be avoided by those who have excess heat conditions. However, if you don’t struggle with excess heat, dried ginger is a powerful ally to help penetrate internally and expel cold. For this reason, it’s listed here. Read more about it below.

Who it’s for:

Struggling with cold hands and feet? Then this herbal ally might be great for you.

Dried ginger root is a very specific and powerful herb which has far more benefits than it’s usually given credit for.

It has the ability to penetrate and warm the uterus and digestive system, while calming restlessness and expelling internal cold.

That means it not only supports us in maintaining a healthy digestion, it’s also a powerful ally for cold in the uterus, especially around menstrual time.

Symptoms of excessive cold and stagnation in the uterus include…

• Sore low back pain before, during or after menstruation
• Menstrual pain relieved with heat
• A pale and blue-ish tongue
• Brown or black period blood
• Menstrual blood clots

Sounds like you? Try boiling 1 teaspoon of dried ginger powder in 1 cup of water for about 5-10 minutes. You can drink this warming, comforting tea whenever period pain or discomfort has you down, or when your hands and feet just won’t warm.

Remember that dried ginger is much more penetrating and heating than fresh ginger, so ideally don’t switch out the dried form for fresh ginger root.

Typically, you can find dried ginger in your local herbal or organic store. If you prefer purchasing it online, check out our favorite place to buy here.

5. Red Raspberry Leaf

Rubus Idaeus

Safe during pregnancy? Yes.
Safe during breastfeeding? Yes.

I saved one of my favorite herbal allies for last! If you’ve ever worked with red raspberry leaves, I bet you know why.

Who it’s for:

This amazing herb has been in the medicine cabinet of herbalists, midwives, and doulas for thousands of years as it helps prepare the uterus for conception, pregnancy and birth.

It’s rich in vitamins and minerals needed to build and strengthen uterine vitality, like calcium, potassium, iron, manganese, and magnesium, as well as vitamins A, B, C, and E.

Red raspberry leaves, just like stinging nettles, are a great tonic for a stressed out, overworked, and under-nourished world.

Their ability to strengthen and tonify uterine muscles, as well as their supply of essential minerals, support those experiencing menstrual cramps and discomfort.

I recommend mixing 1 Tablespoon of red raspberry leaves in 1 cup of hot water, letting it sit for 5-10 minutes, and enjoying it up to three times a day.

Curious as to what it tastes like? Think of a hot, fertile summer day, infused with the smell of red, juicy, overly ripe strawberries with a few earthy minerals mixed in there…

Maybe that’s why red raspberry leaf is known to support those on the path of reclaiming inner radiance and vitality?!

Enough talking – I want you to experience its benefits in your body. You can easily purchase red raspberry leaves here.