Are you tired of taking medications that give you side effects that are just as bothersome as your PMS symptoms? If so, then why not try herbal medicines that are safe and more effective alternatives to ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin. Chinese herbal formulas are quite different treatment approaches to PMS symptoms such as menstrual cramps and hot flashes than over-the-counter medications.

Chinese herbal medicine started during the year 300 BC when the Chinese began adopting natural botanicals as one of their treatment modalities. The Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor was one of the earliest Chinese medical texts from this period in which the effects of herbs in the treatment of conditions were documented. It was around 100 AD when the Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica Classic (the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing) was completed. This document indexed 365 medicinal plants that up to now are still being used by Chinese herbalists and currently studied by Western scientists to see how these plants work.

A mixture of some of these herbs can alleviate many of the symptoms of PMS including irritability, pain and menstrual cramps. Moreover, they not only can resolve the physical symptoms of a PMS sufferer, these herbs can also balance the psychological and emotional swings of the woman as well. One of the best things that can happen from of use of these herbs is that they help a woman get over her symptoms without experiencing any of the side effects that prescription medications cause.

The Cochrane Library did around 39 studies in which around 3475 women all suffering from premenstrual syndrome participated. The studies revealed that Chinese herbal medicine can be safely used and is an effective treatment for primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramping). The studies also revealed that the herbal formulas were much safer to use compared to pharmaceutical medications and that in terms of effectiveness, they were able to resolve more symptoms than did drugs. The studies also showed that Chinese herbs were more superior in the alleviation of pain when compared to compression or even acupuncture.

When it comes to effectiveness vis-à-vis oral contraception pills, NSAIDs, no treatment, and placebo, Chinese herbal medicine was superior in many aspects of PMS treatment. The studies revealed that Chinese herbs did not have any adverse effects on the women using it.

In 1976, the Japanese absorbed Traditional Chinese medicine into their medical system. They initially allowed around 150 Chinese herbal formulas to be included in their National Health Insurance coverage. Presently, the Japanese produce pharmaceuticals made from herbal medicine that guarantees reliable effectiveness each time they’re used. Several of the herbal remedies used in the Cochrane Library studies were incorporated into some of the Japanese pharmaceuticals designed to treat menstrual cramps.

The following is a list of the five Chinese herbs used in the Cochrane Library studies that are widely used by women for the relief of moodiness caused by their monthly period, PMS, and menstrual cramping. They include:

Ligusticum (chuan hsiong or lovage root)
Cyperus (nut-grass rhizome)
Licorice root (glycyrrhiza)
White and red peony root (peoniae rubrae and radix peoniae alba)
Angelica (dang gui)

Ligusticum (chuan hsiong or lovage root)

Ligusticum has been widely studied for its effectiveness in improving myocardial flow. It is known to boost blood circulation in the body. This herb is also a potent painkiller and mover of blood. It has the ability to treat all kinds of headaches and other PMS symptoms, in particular, menstrual cramping. Ligusticum also has the ability to unclog blood in the pelvic area and warm the uterus.

Nut Grass (Cyperus)

Nut Grass is widely used to treat dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation. This herb can also help normalize liver qi as well as relieve pain caused by PMS and normalize the menstrual cycle of a woman. Nut Grass contains proteins, flavonoids and volatile oils.

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza)

There has been extensive documentation of the effects of Licorice in treating PMS symptoms. It is one of the most important plants in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Licorice is said to be able to impact all the twelve primary meridians of the body, something that only a few Chinese herbs can claim. One of its benefits is to act as a guide to other herbs to help them gain access to meridians that otherwise they would normally not be able to enter. Licorice addresses menstrual cramping by alleviating pan and spasms, especially in the legs and abdomen. This herb contains flavinoid and glycyrrhizin. The former is an antioxidant that helps repair tissue damage, treats inflammation, and increase circulation in the body.

White Peony Root (Radix Paeoniae Alba)

Peony root is a very important herb because of its numerous benefits in treating PMS. It is able to treat night sweats, menstrual abnormalities, blood deficiency, stomach spasms and pain, and headaches. White Peony root (its skin should be removed) is a very potent remedy for conditions related to the female reproductive system some of which include irregular and painful menstruation (primary dysmenorrhea).

Red Peony (Radix Peoniae Rubrae)

Red peony root has essentially the same pharmacological benefits as that of its white counterpart. It has shown to help treat spasms and soothe nerves.

Both White and Red peony roots are widely utilized in Chinese medicine. White peony is known to have attributes that help treat depression-like conditions. The roots of this plant are rich with polysaccharides and anti-oxidants as well as rich in tannins, flavonoids, and paeoniflorin.

Peony root is a known treatment for amenorrhea and irregular menses which may imply that it has an effect on the hormones. Certain studies indicate that peony can help restore hormonal balance in pre and postmenopausal women.

Angelica (Dang Gui)

Dang gui has analgesic and anti-inflammatory attributes and is sometimes called the female ginseng in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is known to have an adaptogenic effect on the hormonal system of females and is used for the treatment of uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, weak menses and abnormal menstruation. Angelica is a known balancer of the hormone system related to the reproductive process and has anti-spasmodic, vasodilating and anti-inflammatory properties as well. This herb contains essential oils, ligustilide, ferulic acid and coumarins. These are compounds that are known to improve the flow of blood and help the uterus relax during times of uterine cramping which often happens in PMS.

These are just a few of the powerful herbs in traditional Chinese medicine that can help relieve the pain and discomforts that come with PMS. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, herbs have the ability of addressing both the symptoms and the underlying cause of the disharmony that causes conditions such as premenstrual syndrome. These ancient remedies are wiser solutions for the condition of PMS than drugs.