April 01, 2019

The 7 Best Teas for Period Cramps (Relieve Soreness Fast)

By Abianne Falla
The 7 Best Teas for Period Cramps (Relieve Soreness Fast)

Period cramps are a painful and frequent symptom that can range from uncomfortable to debilitating. Easing the painful swelling, soothing the inflammation, and reducing the associated stress and anxiety, the right tea can alleviate some of the effects of menstrual cramps. In this guide, we ranked and reviewed the best teas for period cramps.

If you want to get some for yourself, we have a collection of the best teas for period cramps right here in tea bags, loose leaf, or iced tea pouches.

What is the Best Tea for Period Cramps?

 

 

1. Yaupon Tea

Yaupon is the only naturally caffeinated plant native to North America. It has unique properties that traditional teas lack. One of these benefits is Polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant that helps decrese oxidative stress which occurs during periods. In general, yaupon has about 25 mg of caffeine content, which is less than a normal cup of coffee (about 90 mg).

Benefits:

  • A boost for your immune system from antioxidant activity that remove free radicals in your body.
  • Improve your mood thanks to l-theanine that increases GABA release in the brain and has a relaxing and anxiety-relieving effect.
  • Keep your skin plump and wrinkle-free with Rutin that helps the body produce collagen and utilize vitamin C, major components of your skin.

Side Effects:

  • May cause sleeplessness due to caffeine if large amounts of yaupon are consumed all at once.

Try our CatSpring Yaupon tea to ease those unpleasant menopausal symptoms. It’s organic, non-gmo, kosher, sustainably grown, and naturally caffeinated.

2. Ginger Tea

Ginger tea has been used for thousands of years as a cure for nausea in regions like Asia and India. A study examined pregnant women with symptoms of morning sickness and found that 28 out of the 32 individuals saw an improvement in nausea when given a daily dose of 1 milligram of ginger root. As a rule of thumb, one cup of ginger tea contains about 250 milligrams of ginger so aim to drink two to four cups of this tea to alleviate feelings of nausea. This tea may help relieve that stomach churning stress and discomfort during periods.

Benefits:

  • Reduced period pain based on a study that suggests taking ginger during the start of a period can reduce period pain.
  • Eases PMS symptoms by decreasing production of prostaglandins to ease headaches and painful cramps.
  • Decreases bloating and swelling that can cause painful pressure and discomfort.

Side Effects:

  • Makes heartburn worse because it relaxes the muscle that prevents stomach bile from entering the esophagus.

3. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is primarily brewed from one of two daisy-like species of flower and commonly known for its stress-relieving and relaxation properties. It’s long been believed to have health benefits though many are still under research. One benefit is supporting a healthy heart through the compound flavones which has the potential to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Benefits:

  • Promotes sleep and relaxation due to its chemical structure and interaction with GABA receptors, helping reduce anxiety.
  • Its anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to boost your immune system and reduce bloating and swelling by reducing production of nitric oxide.
  • Ease nausea and soothe your stomach.

Side Effects:

  • Chamomile does make you drowsy so be aware before consuming *cue the good dreams*

4. Peppermint Tea

This herb has been used for a long time to treat and relieve nausea and stomach pain. Peppermint tea has a signature minty flavor due to its easy brewing using mint leaves. This menthol based flavor can also kill germs that cause dental plaque, helping protect your teeth. It is oh-so refreshing and is delicious hot or cold.

Benefits:

  • Relieve pain and discomfort as a study has shown it can be just as effective as mefenamic acid that is often used to treat period pain.
  • Ease headaches as peppermint relaxes your muscles and mitigates the tension caused by inflammation and vasodilation.
  • Easy to complement the flavor with ginger, honey, or fruits to find a delicious cup for anytime.

Side Effects:

  • Can worsen acid reflux by relaxing the muscles around the stomach sphincter.

5. Cinnamon Tea

Made from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree (that curls into those distinctive rolls), cinnamon tea is a fragrant beverage that is often associated with the holiday season. It has a natural subtle sweetness with a mildly spicy flavor. It is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help alleviate pain, swelling, and reduce nausea.

Benefits:

  • Reduce inflammation that contributes to swelling and pain during period cramps due to anti-inflammatory properties.
  • May help restore some blood sugar and menstrual cycle to combat symptoms of PCOS.
  • Ease stomach pain thanks to antioxidant and anti-fungal properties.

Side Effects:

  • May lower blood sugar if too much is consumed all at once.

6. Green Tea

Green tea is made from the traditional tea plant Camellia sinensis and has not undergone oxidation like black teas. It has a multitude of health benefits including alleviating anxiety and stress. Full of antioxidants this tea can help stave off aging and reduce inflammation. It’s full of flavonoids and antioxidants that can help relieve cramping and bloating. The presence of L-theanine can also mitigate potential mood swings.

Benefits:

  • Ease period pain by reducing inflammation and acting as a diuretic with antioxidants that remove harmful free radicals and protect your healthy cells.
  • Increase relaxation and ease anxiety thanks to L-theanine that helps you feel more calm.
  • Improve blood flow to ease pain and remove lingering toxins.

Side Effects:

  • May cause sleeplessness due to caffeine if large amounts are consumed all at once.

7. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Native to Europe and parts of Asia, this plant has a natural subtly sweet flavor and a tart fruity flavor. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to support the immune system and to help with labor during pregnancy. Many of the beneficial effects of raspberry leaf tea are anecdotal and research is still needed to confirm the effects.

Benefits:

  • Decrease muscle spasms that cause some of the pain during periods.
  • May reduce the amount of bleeding during periods based on recent studies.
  • Reduce inflammation to combat and ease bloating, swelling, and pain during period cramps.

Side Effects:

  • May have mild laxative effects and loosen stool when a lot is consumed at once.

The Bottom Line

Owing to their amazing healthy-boosting properties, these are some of the best teas for period cramps. They can help soothe symptoms of nausea, bloating pain, tension, and painful periods.

If you want to get our best tasting tea for period cramps, check out our organic, naturally caffeinated CatSpring Yaupon tea here.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you have serious health-related issues you should reach out to a medical professional. While we have studied the scientific research available, this is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.