The range of symptoms experienced premenstrually is quite alarming: headaches, stomach bloating, breast tenderness, cysts, mastitis, general water retention, cramps, acne, joint aches and pains, depression, irrational anger, oversensitivity, lethargy, extreme tiredness, sugar and chocolate cravings, nausea, and many more.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can often be caused by a congested liver. If the liver is not breaking down excess hormones effectively, transitional stress hormones can linger, making the person irritable, angry, or depressed. It is for these reasons that the liver is often associated with anger. The liver can also contain an excess of hormones that it is supposed to be able to deal with, but cannot for a variety of reasons. In this case, the heat caused by this excess must be purged; dandelion root and milk thistle seed will greatly help. The health of the liver has a strong connection to the female gynecological system. A congested, immobile liver often results in PMS tension and period pains, while a deficiency of cholesterol made in the liver leads to underproduction of progesterone, which is vital for women at this time of the month.
The whole endocrine system needs looking at, especially the estrogen and progesterone balance, along with levels of prolactin, and thyroid and adrenal hormones. Constipation or diarrhea will greatly affect PMS; therefore look for bowel problems.
Do not eat red meat; all red meat is rich in excessive estrogen. Any other meat consumed should be organic, if possible.
Include foods containing sulfur, like garlic and onions.
Decrease intake of cabbage-family foods for one week before your period.
Follow a wholesome diet, with particular attention to liver foods (see chapter 9).
Eat plenty of fresh fruits, whole grains, olive oil, and lemon juice.
No fats (with the exception of olive oil, which is wonderful to use), tea, coffee, alcohol, sugar, or chocolate should be taken.
Take evening primrose oil capsules, or other sources of GLA.
Take daily dandelion root and nettle leaf tea with fresh dandelion leaves in salads to meet iron, magnesium, and calcium needs. The dandelion can also be put with other kidney herbs like bearberry leaf and corn silk, made up as a tea, in order to alleviate any water-retention problems.
General hormone-balancing herbs will be useful throughout the month. Combine equal amounts of the following herbs to make a tincture: chaste tree berry, sarsaparilla root, black cohosh root, milk thistle seed, blessed thistle leaf and flower, licorice root, nettle leaf, wild yam root, and squaw vine root. Take one teaspoon of the tincture three times daily.
Ten days prior to menstruation, replace the herbs listed above with herbs that will need to be individually chosen and tailored to your own particular chemistry. However, a general formula to help with many of the premenstrual discomforts and needs could be chaste tree berry, black cohosh root, wild yam root, milk thistle seed, lobelia leaf, red raspberry leaf, and buchu leaf.
A liver cleanse and use of liver herbs should be a primary step, followed by colon and kidney cleanses.
Exercise consistently but lightly. Avoid taxing physical exercise, and do more walking, dancing, yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises.
Try special abdominal and pelvic exercises, and perhaps lie on a slant board.
Take long relaxing baths and get to bed early to conserve energy.
Hot and cold showers during the month will help, but avoid them just prior to and during menstruation.
This PMS Treatment article is taken from :
The complete home guide to herbs, natural healing, and nutrition / Jill Rosemary Davies.
