PMS and Menstrual Cramps The herbs in this formula have traditionally been used to relax the uterus and therefore relieve painful menstrual cramps while also reducing tension, anxiety, over-excitability and depression associated with PMS. Some of these herbs have been shown to have mild sedative properties that can calm the nerves and induce a state of pleasant relaxation without disrupting normal function or interfering with motor coordination.

Contents: Cramp bark, German Chamomile Flower, Black Cohosh root, Chinese Dong Quai root, Squawvine herb, Milk Thistle seed, St. John?s Wort flowering tops, Polynesian Kava Kava root, Vitex (Chastetree) berry, Valerian root and Ginger root.

Ingredient descriptions:

Cramp Bark(Viburnum opulus)

Actions: Antispasmodic, sedative, nervine, astringent.

Common Use: An excellent anti-spasmodic, cramp bark is believed to have two main areas of use, first in muscle cramps and second in ovarian and uterine muscle problems. Cramp bark is said to relieve the uterus and so relieve painful cramps associated with periods. Its astringent properties have given it use in excessive blood loss during periods and especially bleeding associated with menopause.

German Chamomile Flower (Matricaria recutita)

Actions: Antispasmodic, carminative, nervine, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, vulnerary, stomachic.

Common Use: Chamomile is often used as an excellent gentle sedative, useful and safe for anxiety and insomnia. Indigestion and gastritis are said to be eased with chamomile. Also used to ease flatulence and dyspeptic pains. Chamomile is perfectly safe for children.

Black Cohosh Root (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Actions: Emmenagogue, antispasmodic, alterative, sedative, nervine, hormonal balancer.

Common Use: Traditionally used as a powerful relaxant, useful in the treatment of rheumatic pains, rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis, muscular and neurological pain and rheumatoid neuralgia, and to beneficially aid the female reproductive system, normalizing menstruation, relieving menstrual cramps and regaining normal hormonal activity. During pregnancy, use only under the guidance of a trained medical professional.

Chinese Dong Quai Root (Angelica sinensis)

Actions: Female tonic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, anti-spasmodic, immune stimulant.

Common Uses: Dong Quai is the most important female tonic remedy in Chinese Medicine. It is used for debility and poor vitality, convalescence and tiredness in women as well as all kinds of gynecological, menstrual, or menopausal symptoms. Dong Quai is also used to provide energy, vitality and resistance to disease and is a wonderful blood tonic, promoting its production and circulation. It is therefore used in treating anemia, boils, headaches, venous problems, low immunity and problems of peripheral blood flow. This plant also has a reputation as a liver tonic, protecting the liver against toxins and stimualting liver metabolism. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant unless under the guidance of a medical professional.

Squawvine (Mitchella repens)

Actions: Emmenagogue, diuretic, astringent, tonic.

Common Use: This is an excellent herb to take during pregnancy, to prepare the uterus and the whole body for a safe childbirth. For this purpose it is taken for some weeks before the child is due. It is also very effective in relieving painful periods. Its astringent qualities prove useful in treating colitis, especially when accompanied by excess mucous.

Milk Thistle Seed(Silybum marianum)

Actions: Regenerates the liver on a cellular level, hepatic, cholagogue, galactagogue, tonic.

Common Use: The extensive modern clinical and laboratory research on milk thistle seed would fill (and has filled) a whole book. The most important active constituents discovered so far are the flavonoid-like compounds called flavanolignans, the group of which is collectively called silymarin. The three most abundant of these molecules are silbinin, silychristin, and silydanin. These compounds have two major actions: 1) they bind to the liver cell (hepatocyte) membranes and protect them from being injured by foreign chemicals, endogenous and environmental toxins and free radical damage; and 2) they enter the liver cells and enhance their ability to produce enzymes vital to the liver's proper functioning, thus speeding recovery from injury to the liver and even stimulating regeneration of liver tissue. The seeds are also rich in betaine, a proven liver protector, as well as essential fatty acids that may help lower excessive and chronic inflammation in the body. This herb is specific for protection and enhanced liver regeneration after exposure to heavy metals, radiation, or toxic chemicals. Milk thistle is an important part of a therapeutic regime for hepatitis (both chronic and acute) or cirrhosis. It is also useful for psoriasis or other skin ailments, according to clinical experience.

St. John's Wort flowering Tops (Hypericum perforatum)

St. John's wort achieved instant fame in the US when clinical studies confirmed its effectiveness in the relief of mild-to-moderate depression. The news came as no surprise to herbalists, who have long used St. John's wort not only for depression, but also for wounds, burns, injured nerves, inflammations, ulcers, anxiety, and other ailments. Today, St. John's wort is one of the most frequently used in mild-to-moderate depression in Germany, and it seems destined to become just as popular in the US. The plant has also generated intense scientific interest because of its potential as an antiviral agent.

Polynesian Kava Kava Root (Piper methysticum)

Actions: Sedative, relaxant, CNS depressant.

Common Uses: Research into the source of Kava Kava's activity has been going on now for over 100 years. It is now widely accepted that the active compounds are a group of 15 lactones unique to this plant, referred to as Kavalactones. Kava Kava'a primary use is as a sleep aid, and all researchers discuss fondly its mildy psychoactive properties which induce a felling of relaxation, contentment and sharpening of the senses. This herb has also been used successfully for headaches.

Vitex (Chastetree) Berry (Vitex agnus-castus)

Actions: Tonic for the reproductive system.

Common Use: Chaste tree berries, or Vitex, has the effect of stimulating and normalizing pituitary functions, especially its progesterone function. It may be called an amphoteric remedy, as it can produce apparently opposite effects, though in truth it is simply normalizing. It has for instance a reputation as an aphrodisiac and an anaphrodisiac! It will always enable what is appropriate to occur. The greatest use of this plant lies in normalizing the activity of female sex hormones and it is therefore indicated for menstrual cramping pains, premenstrual stress and other disorders related to hormone function. It is especially beneficial during menopausal changes. In a similar way it may be effective in helping the body to regain a natural balance after the use of birth control pills. Not recommended if pregnant or nursing.

Valerian root(Valeriana officinalis)

Actions: Sedative, nervine, hypnotic, antispasmodic, anodyne, hypotensive, carminative.

Common Use: Valerian is one of the most useful relaxing nervines available. This fact is recognized by orthodox medicine as is shown by its inclusion in many pharmacopoeias as a sedative. It has been safely used to reduce tension and anxiety, over-excitability and hysterical states. It is an effective aid in insomnia, producing a natural healing sleep. As an anti-spasmodic it will help in the relief of cramps and intestinal colic and will also be useful for the cramps and pain of periods. As a pain reliever it is indicated when pain is associated with tension, migraines and rheumatic pain. Experiments in Italy and Germany conducted for the past 15 years have found that valerian preparations are effective in treating children with psychomotor agitation (hyperactivity) and behavioral disorders. Unlike other medications for hyperactivity, valerian root has no side effects, even at rather high doses. In fact, in these children, the preparation enhanced motor coordination and maintained reaction time, while calming anxiety and fears, curing restlessness and curbing aggression.

Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale)

Actions: Stimulant, carminative, rubefacient, diaphoretic, stomachic, sialagogue, antioxidant.

Common Use: Ginger may be helpful as a stimulant of the peripheral circulation in cases of bad circulation, chilblains and cramps. It is also used as a remedy for digestive problems, sore throats and as a promoter of perspiration in treating fevers. Japanese researchers have discovered cardiac-tonic principles in ginger root. It is also said to be used with other herbs to enhance their effectiveness.