PMS shouldn’t be something you have to deal with month after month. There are many ways you can reduce PMS naturally, so let’s dive in!
What causes PMS?
During the time before your period your body makes specific hormones, and it’s the job of the liver to deactivate any of the excess hormones. If the liver is congested (very common these days) then that’s when you’ll often see various PMS symptoms.
A congested liver is mostly caused by processed foods, stress, too much sugar, environmental toxins and nutrient deficiencies. So, the good news is that your symptoms are within your control!
Of course the drug companies don’t want you to know this. I think Dr. Mark Hyman says it perfectly, “To think that 75% of women have a design flaw that requires medical treatment to live a normal life is just absurd.”
Thank you Dr. Hyman!
I’ve used these steps with my nutritional therapy clients and so many of them have reported back that their PMS has reduced or has even completely vanished!
Here are 11 ways to reduce PMS naturally:
1. Drink a few ounces of beet kvass each morning – This tonic is fabulous for the liver and very easy to make. Click here for the recipe.
2. Castor oil packs – Do a castor oil pack over the liver 3-4 times a week. Castor oil packs are a gentle and effective way to decongest the liver and lymphatic system. (This is not recommended if you have an IUD, during menses, or when pregnant or breastfeeding.)
3. Epsom salt baths – When the body is stressed, it burns through magnesium very quickly. Chocolate contains magnesium, so this is why we often crave it during times of stress, or the week before our period. Epsom salt baths are a great way to reduce stress and replenish magnesium stores.
4. Clary calm – I cannot say enough about this oil blend. It’s a total game-changer. If you have cramps, feel irritable, etc. just rub a few swipes over your stomach, on your spine, or on the back of the neck. It reduces symptoms of PMS quicker than anything I’ve ever tried.
5. Zendocrine – this a fabulous essential oil blend to support detoxification, which can then help reduce PMS symptoms. I’ve found it incredibly helpful for hormonal breakouts, but you do need to use it consistently for it to work. I recommend rubbing one drop over the liver 2x a day.
6. Omega-3 fatty acids – These healthy fats can help with depression, bloating, headaches, breast tenderness and breakouts. Eat healthy fats from animal sources each day to provide the body with plenty of vital nutrients to support the liver. Some of my favorite sources are: butter, ghee, tallow, duck fat, pastured eggs, and raw dairy.
7. Reduce sugar consumption – It’s a good idea to keep your sugar intake at 20-30 grams or lower a day (this does not include carbohydrates from healthy sources such as vegetables, soaked grains, raw or cultured dairy, etc.). I realize this is probably the least favorite tip of all, but remember that the liver is one of the three organs responsible for blood sugar balance, so it’s worth it!
8. Let go of anger and practice forgiveness. Nothing overburdens the liver like unresolved anger. Talk to a counselor or therapist, someone you trust at your local church, or a friend that will help you walk through this process.
9. Eat organic – pesticides put a burden on the liver and can contribute to estrogen imbalance, so it’s best to stick with organic as much as possible.
10. Support your liver – Some of my favorite supplements for continual liver support are: Livaplex, LivCo, Betafood, and Cruciferous Complete. I recommend taking some additional liver support supplementation the week before your period. This can often help alleviate pms symptoms.
11. Walk or do other gentle exercise such as pilates, yoga, etc. to lower cortisol and stress levels to reduce putting stress on the liver.
It’s important to understand that reducing PMS is a process and it won’t happen overnight. In other words, if you want to see benefits, make these items listed above a consistent part of your long-germ PMS treatment plan.
Note: The purpose of this post is to give an overview of some common root causes of PMS from a holistic perspective. Due to biochemical individuality there can be many various reasons for the root causes of PMS. This information is not intended to take the place of your doctor’s advice.
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