The 9 Best Herbs for PMS

Mood swings, back pain, bloating, acne, digestive irritation, fatigue….it’s that time of the month! If you think periods suck, you are not alone. About 75% of women experience PMS - the annoying symptoms that pop up before your menstrual cycle. 

You may believe your PMS treatments are limited to over-the-counter pain relievers, Cookie Dough ice cream, and a day of binge-watching Sex and the City, but you may want to expand your options toward herbal remedies. Herbs have been used for centuries in holistic medicine to bring a woman’s menstrual cycle back into rhythm.

We created Winged products specifically for women, covering all your unique needs. From the best herbs for menstrual cramps to joint pain, our ingredients work together to fight your worst period! 

Stages of Menstrual Cycle 

Let’s throw it back to health class! The menstrual cycle is more than just your period. There are four stages of the menstrual cycle - menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. Common menstrual problems include heavy or painful periods and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). 

During the menstrual cycle, a series of hormone changes prepare a woman’s body for pregnancy. The ovaries make hormones like estrogen and progesterone and in each phase of the cycle, our hormone levels change. PMS symptoms are closely linked to the changing levels of estrogen, serotonin, and progesterone. 

What is PMS?

PMS is a collection of symptoms that women experience about one to two weeks before a menstrual period, during the luteal phase, and can disappear for some women soon after the start of menstrual bleeding. An unlucky few of us continue to have symptoms throughout our entire period. PMS symptoms can be physical, psychological, and emotional. 

You may have come to the conclusion that PMS symptoms are an inevitable part of your month! That’s where we come in. Keep reading for our favorite herbal remedies for PMS.

Turmeric 

Put turmeric on your ingredient watchlist, especially when it’s the time of the month! Turmeric has the potential to curb some premenstrual symptoms. 

A clinical trial published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine saw a reduction in mood symptoms, physical symptoms, and behavioral characteristics (think irritability, cramping, and fatigue) during menstrual cycles after participants were given turmeric. This is linked to turmeric’s active compound, curcumin, showing its potential to soothe PMS symptoms. 

Lemon Balm

With the reputation as a calming and uplifting herb, lemon balm is a secret weapon for your worst period. A mild lemon scent and mint flavor, lemon balm has been used as a culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal herb. Native to Southern Europe and central Asia, lemon balm is a lemon-scented member of the mint family. 

Lemon balm has been used in homeopathic medicine for menstrual irregularities. Lemon balm has the potential to improve mood, indigestion, and cramping, supporting your PMS struggles. Lemon balm contains mildly sedative compounds shown to reduce stress and restlessness, making for a better night’s sleep. This carries over to your day-time productivity with the potential to boost your mood and alertness. 

A key ingredient of our Relaxation CBD Gummies - lemon balm contributes to a powerhouse of ingredients creating a non-drowsy formula to ease your mind and body. Our Relaxation CBD gummies can help you manage the overwhelming stress and emotion that can sometimes stem from your period. 

Ginger Root

Ginger shot benefits may have enticed you to head over to a juice bar to try it for yourself, but did you know ginger’s benefit can cover your PMS struggles. Ginger has been used as a natural alternative to pain relievers when treating period pain as a treatment for menstrual cramps. Ginger can also provide support for PMS symptoms of nausea and general tummy issues. Let’s be real here, we all spend more time in the loo than we’d like to admit during that time of the month. 

If ginger juice shots are a little too bold, snag ginger root during your regular grocery store outing and make your own ginger tea at home for a milder experience. 

It’s easy: shave and cut ginger root, add to water and bring to a boil, simmer for 5-10 minutes (depending on your desired strength), strain ginger and enjoy! 

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is extracted from the Oenothera biennis seeds, a plant that grows all around the world. Evening primrose oil holds a special place for women’s health! It contains essential fatty acids such as GLA, which are vital for overall body health, especially in women! Evening primrose oil benefits hormonal balance throughout your menstrual cycle, helping curb symptoms of menopause and PMS! 

Many of our CBD products combine the power of Evening Primrose Oil with hemp extract, helping you maintain a healthy hormonal balance and contribute to an overall feeling of emotional wellbeing. 

Fennel

Fennel is an herb that tastes like licorice and has the texture of celery. Around the Mediterranean, fennel seeds have been used traditionally to relieve painful menstruation. 

Fennel seeds carry anethole oil and other phytochemicals that may be effective in calming cramps. 

You can eat fennel seeds by crushing them and creating a tea or by toasting them and adding them to any dish for a sweet licorice flavor! 

Boswellia

You might be wondering what Boswellia is. Boswellia Serrata Extract is a resin herbal extract from the Boswellia Serrata tree. The extract has been used to relieve physical discomfort, supporting healthy joint function, flexibility, and comfort!

Black Seed Oil

Black seed oil has a history! The seeds are a traditional Middle Eastern spice used in cooking. For thousands of years, the oil has been applied topically and taken internally for almost any ailment, from snake bites to bad hair! 

Black cumin seed oil as a topical treatment has the potential to reduce breast pain in women during their menstrual cycle.  Black seed oil can be taken orally to support healthy joints and digestion. 

Black seed oil is an ingredient in our formula of Relief Pain Support Soft Gels. Our Relief formula combines the power of ginger, turmeric, boswellia, and evening primrose oil -a line-up specifically made for a woman’s body. 

Say good-bye to your worst period, taming cramps, breast, and back pain so you can forget about that time of the month!  

Chamomile

If you are one for a nightly cup of tea, you most-likely have chamomile in your cupboard. Chamomile has a reputation for healing and calming properties—an herbal tea made from the flowers of Camellia sinensis, leaving out the chamomile leaves. The tea contains apigenin, an antioxidant that causes calming effects on the body and brain cell receptors. 

Add chamomile tea before bed to your nighttime routine to unwind! 

Chaste Berry

Vitex (or Chaste Tree Berry) is a shrub that not only brings the color of dreamy lilac to your flower garden but has been treasured for centuries medicinally! 

Vitex supports hormone regulation and balance, regulating the balance of estrogen and progesterone in the body. An imbalance of these hormones can lead to various PMS symptoms. We added chaste tree berry to our ingredient list in Winged’s Happiness Soft Gels. 

With the power of full-spectrum CBD and female-specific nutrients, our Happiness Soft Gels support hormonal balance and may help with PMS symptoms. 

The Ultimate PMS Relief

Feeling multiple symptoms of PMS can make getting through your week pretty miserable. Luckily, you no longer need to be the victim of your hormones. Take power over your body treatment plan for your unique PMS symptoms through our wide range of formulas!