Heart tonics, also known as cardiotonics, benefit your heart and blood vessels and help prevent disease. Some cardiotonics are also effective for menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea. This painful condition can produce a dull throbbing pain, nausea, dizziness and diarrhea. Conventional treatment includes NSAIDs, but not all women can tolerate these drugs. Herbs may help to protect your heart and reduce menstrual cramps naturally. Consult your health-care provider before starting herbal treatment.
Herbal Actions
Cardiotonics that are effective for menstrual cramps work in several ways. Inflammatory prostaglandins trigger uterine contractions associated with cramps. Heart tonics that are antispasmodic or anti-inflammatory will reduce inflammation and contractions, and relieve pain. Nervine heart tonics will also help to relax heart and uterine muscles. Check with an experienced practitioner for advice about dosage and preparation of heart tonics that are effective for menstrual cramps.
Motherwort
Motherwort, or Leonurus cardiaca, is a perennial herb native to Europe and Asia. Herbalists use the aerial parts to treat nervous heart conditions and hyperactive thyroid. In his 2003 book, “Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine,” clinical herbalist David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG, notes that motherwort is used to strengthen your heart and relieve dysmenorrhea. The herb has nervine and antispasmodic actions, and its iridoid glycosides act on inflammatory prostaglandins to relieve pain and contractions. Do not combine motherwort with other heart medication.
Dong Quai
Dong quai, or Angelica sinensis, is native to China and an important female herb in traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM. Practitioners use the roots for a range of gynecological disorders. Dong quai is rich in polysaccharides, coumarins, phytosterols and flavonoids, and has antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. In their 2001 book, “Herbal Remedies,” naturopathic doctors Asa Hershoff and Andrea Rotelli recommend it to strengthen your heartbeat, correct irregular rhythm, reduce blood pressure and increase blood flow to coronary arteries. They also advise using it for menstrual pain and cramping, PMS and normalizing female hormones. Do not use this herb if you are pregnant.
Linden
Linden, or Tilia platyphyllos, is a deciduous tree native to Europe and Asia. Herbalists use the flowers in remedies for high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis and migraines. The active ingredients include essential oil, flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins. Linden is beneficial for your heart and your reproductive organs. Herbalist David Hoffmann cites its usefulness as a relaxing heart and circulatory system tonic and as a uterine nervine and antispasmodic. It also has anti-inflammatory constituents, which may help relieve uterine contractions. Do not use this herb during pregnancy.
References
- “Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine”; David Hoffmann; 2003
- “Herbal Remedies”; Asa Hershoff, N.D., and Andrea Rotelli, N.D.; 2001
