PMS symptoms may occur before or during a woman’s period.
Symptoms may include:
- Weight gain or bloating
- Moodiness, including anxiety or depression
- Hormonal headaches
- Backaches, cramps
- Breast tenderness
- Difficulty concentrating or memory loss
- Loss of interest in usual activities
- Sugar and food cravings
PMS is associated with women’s hormonal health. The menstrual cycle is normally 28 to 30 days long and symptoms often show up a week before menstrual bleeding. Some symptoms may last all month long. Woman may also experience frigidity, the lack of sexual interest. See also a Women’s Libido Natural Remedies and other Women’s Health issues in Common Ailments.
A diet rich in animal fats and fast food may contribute to poor hormonal health. Other symptoms are cause by chemical hormone therapies including birth control methods.
Natural remedies for PMS like herbs, cell salts, and homeopathy combined with a change of diet and removing chemical hormones can be very helpful.
Herbs for PMS
Herbs are plants valued for their specific strengthening/ tonifying properties.
Vitex – this herb is often the only one needed. Many women have found success with only 3 capsules a day. Do not use during pregnancy. Modern research shows Vitex is also helpful for depression, ovarian problems, and endometriosis. It often increases sex drive.
See an abstract on a Treatment regarding Vitex and PMS symptoms
Blessed thistle – when Vitex is not working well. Many women use 2 capsules twice a day when the liver is sluggish. Symptoms are irritability, anger, and grumpiness; May be used along with Vitex.
Cell Salts to Help PMS
To make a cell salt solution, put up to 10 tablets of each cell salt in a 16- to 24-ounce bottle; fill with water and swirl to dissolve tablets. Sip throughout the day.
#2 Calc phos 6X – irritability, exhaustion
#9 Nat mur 6X – sensitivity, wants to be alone before period
#12 Silicea 6X – thin, weak, exhausted, cold, timid
PMS Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic natural medicines safe for everyone including infants and pregnant or nursing women. You may use 6X, 30X, 6C or 30C potencies.
Calc carb (Puls) – complex, heavy build; can’t sleep from worry, ailments from anticipation, fear something bad will happen. Sensitive emotionally, worse watching sad movies; can’t watch news on television, feel vulnerable. Cramps in feet or legs, edema (swelling, fluid retention); breasts swell, tender and sore (congestion), constipation before period. Increased desire for sweets.
Ignatia (associated with Nat mur) – mood changes, frustration, argumentative, looking for a fight. Premenstrual twitches or spasms in parts of the body. Odors bother them, headaches before period, and problems with relationships, slighted easily. Idealistic – lady remembers everyone’s little comments and it all comes out. Holds in frustration and hurts and remembers them. Hard on themselves, perfectionist, GUILT that they haven’t done enough.
Lachesis – severe violent, abusive, manic, jealous, loquacious (talkative). Manic depressive, high blood pressure. Suspicious around PMS. With menstrual flow, all is back to normal. LEFT-sided, hot-blooded, hyper, can’t sleep, everything is a party, shopping sprees, and possible alcoholism.
Pulsatilla – WEEPY, SAD, EDEMA (swelling, fluid retention), feels ABANDONED, loves consolation, craving pastry and creamy, sad at sunset. Binge on soft and creamy to console themselves – Weight fluctuations at period. SCANTY MENSES – feel better with normal – spots for several days. Headaches. Contrary, hard to please.
Sepia – irritable, depressed. LOW SEX DRIVE worse by consolation. Wants to be left alone; exhaustion. Heaviness in back or uterus as if a weight. CONSTIPATION.
Source: Dave’s Healing Notes
