While the ability to menstruate is highly regarded in Witchcraft, it doesn’t mean that the process can’t suck. Here are some witchy ways to ease your period pains (note: if you have a medical condition that affects your menstrual cycle and/or are on medication please remember to research the interaction information when it comes to ingesting herbs):
Teas can be lifesaving when it comes to cramps. Use one or a mixture of these herbs:
Nettle
Ginger
Frankincense
Oat Straw
Dandelion
Red Clover
Yarrow
Chamomile
Valerian
Dong Quai
Red Raspberry
Motherwort
Black Haw
Basil
Cinnamon
Fennel
Parsley
Blackstrap Molasses (Add one to two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses to a cup of warm milk. Drink it as soon as you start having cramps and continue as long as needed)
Here are some tea recipes designed to help get rid of cramps and other menstrual symptoms:
High Tide Tea
3 cups water 1 tablespoon dandelion root 1 tablespoon oatstraw 1 tablespoon chamomile 1 teaspoon raspberry leaf 1 teaspoon rose hips 1 teaspoon ginger root Put herbs and water into a stainless steel pot. With the lid on bring the herbs to a boil and then turn off the heat and let the herbs continue to steep for two hours. Strain and reheat the tea and drink two cups a day to support a healthy menstruation.
Menstrual Tea
¼ cup nettle leaf
¼ cup alfalfa leaf
½ cup lady’s mantle
½ cup red raspberry leaf
¾ cup lemon balm
Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl or put them all in a large jar, cap and shake until they’re well mixed. Store in a jar in a cool, dark place and don’t forget a label!To use, brew 1 tablespoon in 1 cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Make one batch at a time or a large amount and drink hot or cold. It’s up to you.
External pain relievers can provide temporarily comfort when needed. Try:
Massaging warm/hot (not too hot!) Castor oil on the pelvic region
Heat therapy on the lower back and pelvic region
Acupuncture
Soft, slow massage around the pelvic region
Grounding
Focused breathing
Avoiding stagnant air
Avoiding strenuous physical activity
Letting yourself rest
Stretching slowly and gently
Bath Magick is extremely useful when dealing with period pain. Here are a few herbal bath recipes and ingredients to make bathtime soothing:
Here are some bath recipes designed to help get rid of cramps and other menstrual symptoms:
The Menstrual Bath 4 gallons water ½ cup lavender flowers ½ cup rose petals ½ cup chamomile ½ cup hops In a large pot bring herbs and water to a boil then turn off the heat and let stand for 15 minutes. Pour herbs and water directly into the bathwater. Relax and let all of your pain wash away
Moontime Footbath 6 cups water 2 tablespoons rosemary 2 tablespoons lavender 2 tablespoons mugwort Bring herbs and water to a boil. Pour the mixture into a foot basin and when cool enough, soak your feet in the tea for about 15 minutes. This foot bath is very helpful for calming any anxiety and tension during menstruation.
Food choice can also help you out. See if some of these cramp-fighting foods work for you:
These are to be used as a supplement in addition to professional medical care, treatment and medication, not as a sole alternative! If you are dealing with extreme, unexplained symptoms please see a doctor.
I’d like to request that you keep gender out of any comments that you make on this. People of various gender identities get periods (or don’t), lets be inclusive here!
Links updated as of April, 2020. Please inform me of broken links via askbox!
