Herbal Actions for the Menstrual Cycle
Disclaimer: Please note that there are some contraindications for some of the herbs mentioned. Work with a Certified or Registered Clinical Herbalist if you are seeking herbal medicine for your menstrual cycle and have serious medical conditions or are taking several pharmaceuticals.
Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) and menstrual care clients often ask me,
“What herbs should I take to support my cycle or hormones?”
As an herbalist, I consider these physical and energetic observations when building a formula for a FAM or menstrual care client:
menstrual physiology during each phase (menstruation, follicular/pre-ovulation, ovulation, luteal/pre-menstruation)
hormones at play in each phase (follicular vs. luteal)
individual constitution
energetics of affected area (cold/hot, damp/dry, lax/tense)
energetics of the emotional body
Most folks may not know exactly what’s happening on a physiological level or what their constitution is and simply want herbs to help them feel more at ease in their bodies. I totally get this!
When choosing herbal allies for your cycle or hormones, it's helpful to think of herbs based on their clinical or herbal actions on the body. Let's get to know herbal actions specifically for menstrual health:
Warming Circulatory Stimulants
White Peony’s root is used as a blood builder in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Warmth promotes the circulation of blood and moves pelvic stagnation.
Ex: Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.), Damiana (Turnera diffusa), Prickly Ash Bark (Zanthoxylum americanum), Dong Quai/Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
Blood Builders and Blood Restoratives
Nourishes, strengthens, promotes circulation, and enhances the quality and production of blood cells. Blood is a vehicle for qi or energy and supporting it not only with herbs, but with food and movement provides deep nourishment to the body.
Ex: Nettles (Urtica dioica), Dong Quai/Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), Yellow Dock Root (Rumex crispus), White Peony Root (Paeonia lactiflora), Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum)
Alteratives (yep, not a typo)
Gently increases elimination of metabolic wastes through detoxification pathways such as the liver. Since our hormones travel in our bloodstream and through our detox pathways, it’s essential to regularly support our eliminatory organ systems to optimize our hormonal health.
Ex: Calendula (Calendula officinale), Burdock Root (Arctium lappa), Cleavers (Galium aparine), Oregon Grape Root (Mahonia aquifolium), Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens)
Calendula is used as an alterative and pelvic decongestant herbal ally for menstrual cycles.
Antispasmodics
Eases spasms and releases tension in smooth muscle tissue, particularly the uterine muscles.
Ex: Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus), Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), Pedicularis (Pedicularis groenlandica), Wild Yam Root (Dioscorea villosa), White Peony Root (Paeonia lactiflora), Black Cohosh Root (Actaea racemosa)
Nervines
Nourishes and supports the nervous system. Restores balance, calm, and restfulness in the body. When we support our nervous system we also support digestion, immunity, cardiovascular systems, and adrenal health.
Ex: Milky Oats (Avena sativa), Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), Linden (Tilia spp.), Lavender (Lavandula spp.), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Pelvic Decongestants
Similar to alteratives and warming circulatory stimulants, these herbs help to move pelvic stagnation, which has a decongesting effect on stagnant circulation of blood and lymph in the the pelvic bowl and promotes delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues.
Ex: Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Calendula (Calendula officinalis), Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), Red Root (Ceanothus americanus), Rose (Rosa spp.)
Nutritives
Chamomile flowers are a traditional nervine herb.
Contains high amounts of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. These herbs are often used for whole body nourishment and can be used frequently long-term.
Ex: Milky Oats (Avena sativa), Nettles (Urtica dioica), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Red Clover Blossoms (Trifolium pratense), Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus), Oatstraw (Avena sativa), Marshmallow Root (Althea officinalis)
Uterine Tonics
Tonifies and strengthens the uterine tissues and muscles (myometrium). These herbs also optimize uterine function as a whole.
Ex: Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa), Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)
⚠️ Avoid the following herbs if you are…
Breast/chest feeding:
❌ Dong Quai/Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) - Also avoid if you have heavy menstrual cycles. Avoid using with any blood thinning drug like Warfarin, salicylates and anticoagulants.
❌ Angelica (Angelica archangelica) - Also avoid if you have heavy menstrual cycles. Avoid using with any blood thinning drug like Warfarin, salicylates and anticoagulants.
❌ Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) - Use cautiously if you are taking Lipitor.
Taking antidepressants, migraine medication, benzodiazepines, Warfarin, Digoxin, seizure medication, HIV medication, transplant medication or hormonal birth control pills:
❌ St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
