Many women experience symptoms associated with PMS, such as breast tenderness, cramps, fatigue, depression, irritability, cravings, and fluid retention. Fortunately, there are a number of natural remedies for women's health that can help ease these symptoms. If you're looking for ways to naturally relieve aches and ailments during that time of the month, start by eating anti-inflammatory foods and avoid spiking your blood sugar. Mild exercise, such as yoga and stretching, can also improve your overall well-being, and there are a number of whole foods you can add to your diet that have been shown to help with PMS symptoms. Here are a few more natural remedies to consider.

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Raspberry leaf tea is made from raspberry plant leaves. It has been used as a traditional medicine for hundreds of years for gastrointestinal tract disorders, heart problems, fever, diabetes, and vitamin deficiency. Women also use it to improve PMS symptoms, and to ease painful and heavy periods. Raspberry leaf tea is completely safe and can even be taken during pregnancy.

It's not quite clear why raspberry leaf tea works for PMS. One theory is that it contains antioxidants and helps to relax blood vessels, as well as relax and contract muscles. If you have a raspberry plant in your garden, you can harvest the leaves and use them while they're fresh or let them dry and use them over the winter. Otherwise, raspberry leaf tea is available in most grocery stores, as well as at health food stores, at herbal pharmacies, and online. It's a mild-tasting tea and can be prepared as a hot or iced tea. You can also drink it on its own or mixed with other teas for additional flavor.

Flaxseed

Flaxseed is a nutritional powerhouse that's full of essential fatty acids and other nutrients. One tablespoon of flaxseed contains 2,338 mg of omega-3 fatty acid and 606 mg of omega-6 fatty acid. Essential fatty acids are required for the human body to develop and function normally, and because we don't produce them, we must get them from our diet. They've also been shown to significantly improve PMS symptoms.

It's better to buy whole flaxseed because ground flaxseed tends to go bad quickly. Just make sure to grind it in a coffee grinder or high-quality blender before consumption because whole flaxseed can't be properly digested. For the best results, add ground flaxseed to your meals every day. You can sprinkle them over your morning oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese, applesauce, or salad. They taste great in baked goods, such as muffins or banana bread, or blended into a morning smoothie.

Maca Powder

Maca is a root vegetable that looks very similar to a turnip. It has been used for centuries in the Peruvian Andes to increase energy and fertility in people and animals. Maca powder is made from dried maca root and is very nutritious. It's a good source of vitamin B6, potassium, manganese, vitamin C, iron, and copper.

Maca powder has been shown to balance hormones, which might help ease PMS symptoms. Many women also report relief from symptoms of menopausal discomfort and increased fertility. Please note, however, that maca powder is quite potent, so if you have a medical condition or take any prescription medication, it's better to consult your health care provider before using it. The easiest way to start including maca in your diet is to add it to smoothies and other drinks, such as coffee and tea. It can also be added to baked goods, desserts, and savory dishes.

PMS symptoms can be debilitating. They cause pain and discomfort, and affect the lifestyle of many women every month. The good news is that a healthy diet, paired with exercise and natural remedies for women's health, can ease many symptoms related to PMS.