Period pain shouldn't have to be suffered as often as it is. There are various reasons for why woman suffer during their menstrual cycle but one of the most common reasons is due to a hormonal imbalance in the body. Over the years, when I have been trying to silently suffer at work and keep myself to myself, I have been offered pain killers. But these never solve the problem and rarely have any short term effects when it comes to menstrual cramps .
It was only when I started trying superfoods, specific to balancing hormones that I felt a major difference. It took a couple of months but the hot flushes (Yes, us younger woman can get them too!), the mood swings, the cramps - all diminished naturally.
What did I do? And where can you get some? . . .
I'll start with a favourite of mine - Sugar free 100% dark chocolate. Sugar being a toxin (a blog for another day) can inflame the body and increase blood stagnation. When you're on your period, that is the last thing you want. The dark chocolate itself balances hormones. You only need a couple of squares of it at a time. Now if, like many, 100% dark chocolate is too dark and bitter for you, then you can make your own! See the bottom of this blog for a tasty sugar, dairy and gluten free chocolate recipe that takes 10 minutes to make. There are however many brands, usually available in health food shops which are adding other flavours such as orange oil to their dark chocolate to make it sweeter and more palatable. Two of my favourite are Motezuma's & Pana Chocolate.
Goji Berries - The superberry from China, which we can buy in bulk online or in smaller packages from the supermarket. Not only is it very high in Vitamin C and Anti-oxidants but it can balance your blood sugar levels and your hormones. These balanced hormones result in a much easier time of the month. I personally took a couple of tries to enjoy Goji Berries but now I add them to my Acai bowls, porridge or have on top of a Coconut Yogurt with some hemp seeds and cacao nibs as a snack.
There are full lists of foods available that balance your hormones, including but not limited to: Leafy greens, avocado, nuts and seeds, broccoli and flaxseed. Feel free to do a little exploring to see if any of them are a favourite of yours.
Exercise - I don't think I've met a woman yet to hasn't claimed that exercising has rid her of her period pain. It improves the blood flow and circulation in the body, clearing out the toxins, reducing inflammation and decreasing blood stagnation. If the pain has gotten to you too early in the day and you can't bring yourself to move too much, then stretching will also be just as beneficial, allowing you to increase the exercise as the pain begins to fade away.
Here, at The Jupiter Clinic we have superfoods available to help balance hormones for all kinds of conditions, please get in touch to find out how we can help you.
Sugar, Dairy, Gluten Free Chocolate Recipe:
I change this recipe regularly according to taste and what I need it for - treat this as a rough guide and play with it!
CHOCOLATE:
1 x cup coconut oil
2 x cups cocoa butter
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
1/2 cup raw carob powder
2 x tbs yakon root (This contains indigestible fibre known as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) or inulin. FOS is a sugar that your body can't digest, and that's a good thing!)
2 x tbs lacuma powder (From a fruit, alternative sweetener - full of minerals and nutrients)
1 x tbs argave syrup
1/4 tsp salt
Optional BASE:
Macadamia nuts
Almond
Brazil Nuts
1 x tbs coconut oil
Create a base in a pan with crushed macadamias, almonds & brazil nuts, mix with a little coconut oil, press down into the pan and let set in the fridge. After mix all the chocolate ingredients in a bowl sitting on a pan of hot water, melt together, taste test and adapt as needed. Pour on top of nut base and leave in the fridge to set. Will last up to 6 weeks in the fridge. You're welcome ;) xx
