Though severe cramping and heavy periods are no laughing matter, there are host of additional symptoms associated with endometriosis which cause severe threats to your health. In the recent past, the typical answer to relieving endometriosis symptoms was a hysterectomy, but that has a set of severe side effects all its own. Before going that route, try several of our 15 natural remedies to relieve endometriosis symptoms.
What causes endometriosis? When the lining of the uterus, aka the endometrium, grows in places like the fallopian tubes, ovaries, along the pelvis or in other places outside the uterus,that is what is known as endometriosis. The symptomatic problems arise when the endometrium breaks down in the normal process of menstruation, but there is nowhere for it to go. Consequently, this condition causes heavy periods, severe cramps and cysts, but they also cause a host of other symptoms such as:
- painful intercourse;
- pain during bowel movements or urination;
- excessive bleeding during cycles, as well as bleeding and spotting between cycles;
- painful digestion;
- constipation, bloating and nausea;
- chronic lower back and abdominal pain;
- pelvic pain;
- joint pain and nerve pain;
- chronic fatigue.
Causes of endometriosis haven’t been determined, but it has been narrowed to two theories; an immunity response disorder and backflow into the fallopian tubes during menstruation.
Below is a list of 15 natural remedies to relieve endometriosis symptoms; however these remedies are not all inclusive. If endometriosis symptoms are severe and causing other dangerous health problems, you should consult a health care professional.
15 Natural Remedies to Relieve Endometriosis Symptoms
Pelvic Massage
Gaining control over endometriosis symptoms can include a pelvic massage.
What to do:
- Lie on the bed with your body fully extended.
- Rub some essential oil mix (shown below) on your lower abdomen.
- Massage in a gentle, rotating pattern for 10 minutes.
- Repeat daily.
How it works:
The massage and essential oil mix will help relieve pain and inflammation.
Essential Oil Mix
A mix of essential oils can help reduce the effects and severity of endometriosis symptoms.
What to do:
- Mix 10 drops of lavender oil with 10 drops of frankincense oil, 5 drops each of cypress and rosemary oils in 1 Tbsp of coconut oil or olive oil as a carrier.
- Massage the mixture into the lower abdominal area as discussed above.
- You can use a 10 drops of lavender as bath oil to help with relaxation.
How it works:
These essential oils perform a variety of function which help reduce endometriosis symptoms. Lavender helps to heal fibroid scarring. Frankincense is an anti-carcinogen as a precaution against cancerous developments. Cypress oil aids circulation, which promotes healing. Rosemary helps with pain tolerance and reduces inflammation.
Flax Seed
Flax seed works well to combat endometriosis symptoms as well.
What to do:
- In a glass of water, mix 1 – 2 Tbsp of freshly ground flax seed.
- You can drink the mixture every day for several weeks.
- Smoothies, salads and soups are good places to introduce flax seed into your diet as well.
How it works:
Flax seed helps to eliminate harmful toxins and they also prevent the growth of abnormal endometrial tissue.
Stress Reduction
Control endometriosis symptoms through stress reduction.
What to do:
- Enjoy relaxing pastimes and hobbies.
- Spending time in meditation and prayer.
- Learn and engage breathing techniques for relaxation.
- Go outside into nature and sunshine regularly.
How it works:
The stress hormone, cortisol, is a contributor to the development of other hormones. Prolonged stress may decrease the available progesterone necessary in the prevention of extra-uterine endometrial tissue.
Adaptogenic Herbs
Adaptogenic herbs added to your regular diet can also help reduce endometriosis symptoms.
What to do:
- Two adaptogenic herbs, Moringa and Siberian ginseng, are often prepared in hot water to make a cup of tea.
- Dietary supplements for Ashwagandha and astragalus are also available.
- A vitamin B supplement increases the efficacy of these herbs.
How it works:
Stress reduction can be achieved through the use of adaptogenic herbs when taken in combination with B vitamins.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
You can regulate endometriosis symptoms with omega 3 fatty acids.
What to do:
- Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids should be added to your regular diet.
- Take a fish oil supplement of up to 300 mg a day.
How it works:
Omega 3 fatty acids help to reduce inflammation, relieve muscle and joint pain, as well as regulate hormone production.
Raw Vegetables
Raw vegetables can also be a major factor in the reduction of endometriosis symptoms.
What to do:
- Eat raw vegetables in salads or as a snacks.
- Juicing vegetables can help you increase your vegetable consumption nearly 10 fold.
- Consider broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts and bok choy as priorities.
How it works:
Estrogen metabolism can be increased through a compounds known as indoles, which are found in the raw vegetables listed above.
Chamomile
A soothing cup of chamomile tea is a means of relieving some endometriosis symptoms.
What to do:
- Chamomile can be taken in a tea, which includes 1 tsp of dried chamomile flowers simmered for 10 minutes in a cup of hot water.
- Chamomile oil can also be introduced into the body through aromatic infusion.
- The oil can also be added to a blend of oils for pelvic massage.
How it works:
Chamomile has stress reducing, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. All of these can help in endometriosis symptoms reduction.
Dandelion
Dandelion is dandy when it comes to helping you get control over your endometriosis symptoms.
What to do:
- Place 2 Tbsp of chopped dandelion root in boiling in water for 10 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a mug, add a little bit of honey and drink several times a day to relax your symptoms.
- Dandelion stems and leaves can be added to your salads.
How it works:
Dandelion roots help to flush out toxins from your kidneys and liver. Both of these organs are essential in maintaining a proper balance of hormone levels.
Wild Asparagus
The consumption of wild asparagus can help you gain control over endometriosis symptoms.
What to do:
- Add 1 tsp of powdered wild asparagus powder to a warm glass of milk.
- You can drink it twice a day to help reduce symptoms.
How it works:
The vitamin E and folic acid in wild asparagus help treat anemia associated with heavy bleeding and alleviate the pain of cramps.
Castor Oil
You can help relieve endometriosis symptoms using an age old catch-all remedy, castor oil.
What to do:
- Mix ¼ cup of castor oil with 8 drops of lavender essential oil.
- Soak up the mixture into a cloth, fold it and warm it in the microwave
- Apply the warm cloth to the lower abdomen.
- Place a hot water bottle over the cloth and leave it for 45 minutes to an hour.
- Repeat daily.
How it works:
The warmth and lavender oil will help reduce the pain of cramps and the castor oil will help get rid of excess tissues and toxins.
Boost Your B Vitamins
Boosting your B vitamins is a sure way to get endometriosis symptoms relief.
What to do:
- Use a B vitamin supplement along with the adaptogenic herbs listed above.
- Plenty of whole foods are rich in vitamin B and should be added to your diet every day.
How it works:
B vitamins not only help to control symptoms of stress, but also decrease androgen levels in order to balance hormones.
Eliminate Alcohol and High Estrogen Foods
Eliminating alcohol and high estrogen foods can help eliminate endometriosis symptoms.
What to do:
- Eliminate soy from your diet.
- Learn how the use of soy is hidden in foods and avoid those as well.
- Eliminate alcohol until your issues are under control.
- Eliminate other high-estrogen foods from your diet.
How it works:
Alcohol and soy are the main culprits when it comes to creating malignant estrogenic effects, which exacerbate endometriosis symptoms.
Ginger
Ginger is a superfood that has a super effect on reducing and relieving endometriosis symptoms.
What to do:
- Add 2 Tbsp grated ginger to 1 cup of boiling water.
- Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes.
- Strain into a mug with lemon and honey.
- Drink 2 or 3 times a day to relieve symptoms.
How it works:
Ginger cleans toxins from the liver and kidneys to help with hormone balancing effects of those two organs, but it is also an anti-inflammatory agent, which can help relieve immediate symptoms.
Magnesium
With magnesium, you can gain control over endometriosis symptoms.
What to do:
- Consider magnesium rich foods in daily diet.
- Enjoy a warm bath with 1 cup of Epsom salt to sooth your pain and absorb the benefits of magnesium into your skin.
- Another option is the addition of up to 360 mg a day of a magnesium supplement.
How it works:
Cramps from severe menstruation associated with endometriosis can be relieved through muscle relaxation and the increasing the absorption of calcium, which assists in controlling muscles spasms.
Wrapping It Up
Getting relief from endometriosis symptoms is not something that you put off. Besides producing severe cramps and heavy bleeding, other problems with toxicity, anemia, digestion, colon health and chronic fatigue can severely hamper your normal, daily routine. Gain control over your endometriosis symptoms today, it might help you avoid more invasive options down the road.
Images from depositphotos.com and pixabay.com.