Diet And Herbs For PMS

Diet and herbs for PMS symptom relief are close additives to the overall PMS treatment plan for many women.

Women have reported varying degrees of benefits from using herbs but these have not always been proven scientifically.

In fact, most of the herbal success stories are anecdotal, “omen-to-women talk.

But are some of these herbs worth trying? Maybe yes for some women and especially those who are still unable to find relief from conventional therapies.

PMS Diet

What you eat may doubtless affect the severity of some of your PMS symptoms. Therefore giving attention to your diet may be an important component of PMS treatment strategies. Remember to seek the help of a dietician if you are unsure what to do. The PMS diet is not a die diet! You must not live to diet or diet your life out of the joy of daily living. However, watching what you eat may definitely help in significant ways in providing some PMS relief

Dietary strategies include

• Avoidance
  ( or at least reduction) of salt, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, and/or simple carbohydrates may improve symptoms. At least they could be reduced if not totally avoided especially the week before your menses. Too much salt may increase fluid retention and bloating.
• Eating 4-6 smaller meals per day during the premenstrual period may be of benefit to reduce symptoms or food cravings.
• A written sheet with foods to avoid (cola, coffee, hot dogs,) and foods to take regularly (fruits, vegetables, milk, complex carbohydrates, low-fat meats) may help your eating plans.

Herbs For PMS

The reports are sometimes overwhelming of the wonders of some herbs as reported by some women. Other women try the same things are get the results while some get disappointed.

Besides chaste tree berry, many of the other herbs for PMS have either not been specifically studied for PMS or have not shown any proven benefit.

• Chaste Tree Berry This seems to be the single most important herb for PMS. It has received the greatest scientific attention.It has some hormonal activity and shown some benefits for PMS symptoms. More research is needed to study its efficacy and side effects further for treating PMS
• Evening primrose oil This contains an anti-inflammatory substance. No evidence exists for their efficacy. Usually taken as 3g a day, started about 1 week prior to menses
• Black cohoshIt affects serotonine, the chemical that may underlie PMS causes. It is also used for menstrual cramp relief.
• St John’s wortIt effects are not not proven scientifically. Do not use if you are using antidepressant pills.

So What Do I Do?

1. The overall PMS treatment will require you to use medications and lifestyle changes such as dietary changes and exercise.
2. Supplements and herbs are good additives if simple measures are not providing relief.
3. It is advisable to talk with your doctor before starting herbs. Doctors are not at war with herbs but are there to make sure you do not take anything that would harm you.
4. Be consistent and patient with supplements and some herbs.
5. The key is to find out what works for you. That magic treatment option your relative or friend used may be disappointing to you. There is nothing wrong with your body, if this is happening to you. You are just different and so learn to find out what also works for you.
6. Giving a try to some therapies when nothing seems to work for you is not a bad idea. Only be sure not to try what could potentially be harmful to you.
7. Remember to seek medical help or professional advise whenever you seem to get mix up or not know what to do.
8. Beware of any suggestions by a merchant or some website to stop medical therapy to purchase some magic herb.

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