Menstrual cramps are a common experience for many women, and the pain can be excruciating. So what foods are beneficial for menstrual cramps? Which foods can help alleviate menstrual discomfort? Generally, women who experience menstrual cramps often have a cold constitution, and the pain is frequently caused by uterine coldness. Therefore, consuming warming foods, foods that warm the uterus, or blood-nourishing foods can be beneficial for relieving menstrual cramps.
What's Good for Women with Uterine Coldness? — Angelica Root (Danggui)
Traditional wisdom states: "The root head nourishes blood, the body nourishes blood, the tail breaks blood stasis, and the whole plant promotes blood circulation." Angelica root (Danggui) has the effects of nourishing and invigorating blood, regulating menstruation and relieving pain, and moistening the intestines to promote bowel movements. It is a commonly used herb in traditional Chinese medicine, hailed as the "sacred medicine for blood." Clinically, it is often used to treat female menstrual disorders such as dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation.
Daily consumption methods: Slice 5–10 grams of angelica root thinly and boil or steep in water as tea. Alternatively, add a small amount to stewed chicken or meat dishes.
What to Eat for Women with Cold Uterus — Donkey-Hide Gelatin (Ejiao)
Promotes production of red blood cells and hemoglobin while enhancing calcium absorption. Primarily used to treat various bleeding disorders or anemia.
Daily consumption method: Select 1 gram of high-quality donkey-hide gelatin, crush it, place in a large bowl with two teaspoons of rice wine, and steam until fully melted. Add a small amount of brown sugar, then drizzle in a few drops of wine after the sugar dissolves before serving.
Select 100 premium golden thread dates with thick flesh and small pits. Place them in a clean bowl and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir thoroughly, then microwave for an additional minute.
What to Eat for Women with Uterine Coldness — Longan Meat
Longan meat contains approximately 3.9mg of iron per 100g, making it one of the richest iron sources among fruits. It can be used in dietary therapy for anemia, typically by simmering in soups or congee. However, longan meat is a warming food and is not suitable for pregnant women or children.
What to Eat for Women with Cold Uterus — Dried Mulberries
Dried mulberries are currently the richest natural iron source among fruits and their products, containing 42.5mg of iron per 100g. They truly live up to their reputation as the "blood-nourishing fruit." It's generally recommended to cook dried mulberries into porridge. Eating one bowl of mulberry porridge daily not only nourishes the blood but also beautifies the skin. However, pregnant women should use with caution.
What to Eat for Women with Cold Uterus — Goji Berries
While goji berries offer excellent nourishing and therapeutic benefits, they aren't suitable for everyone. Due to their potent warming effect, individuals with colds, fevers, inflammation, or diarrhea should avoid them.
What foods help with menstrual cramps? Blood-nourishing foods:
1. Black Sesame Seeds
A simple rule of thumb: black and red foods often nourish the blood. Black foods benefit the kidneys, aiding in storing essence and regulating qi.The kidneys store essence, essence generates marrow, and marrow transforms into blood—thus, the root of blood lies in the kidneys. The theory behind red foods nourishing blood stems from "like nourishes like, color nourishes color." Sesame seeds enter the liver, kidney, lung, and spleen meridians, offering benefits such as nourishing blood and improving vision, generating essence and promoting lactation, and benefiting the liver and nourishing hair. Consuming sesame seeds can enhance the kidneys' blood-generating function, the liver's blood-storing function, and the spleen's blood-governing function.
II. Red Dates
Nourish the stomach and strengthen the spleen; replenish blood and calm the spirit. They also moisturize the heart and lungs, harmonize ying and wei qi, promote fluid production, open orifices, and benefit the twelve meridians. They are highly effective for regulating anemia, pallor, and blood deficiency.
III. Pork Liver
Individuals with blood deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia may regularly consume stir-fried pork liver with spinach.
IV. Lotus Root
Lotus root possesses a mild nature. Raw lotus root stops bleeding, while cooked lotus root nourishes blood. When eaten raw, it clears heat, cools the blood, stops bleeding, and disperses blood stasis. Cooked lotus root strengthens the spleen and stomach and nourishes blood.Patients with nosebleeds or bleeding gums may urgently consume fresh raw lotus root juice for rapid hemostasis. While lotus root benefits women, raw consumption is inadvisable during menstruation or for those with chronic cold-type menstrual pain. Diabetics should avoid cooked lotus root or lotus root starch.
V. Carrots
Entering the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians, carrots are an excellent food for nourishing blood and improving kidney deficiency. They replenish blood and nourish the liver, strengthen the spleen and resolve food stagnation, tonify the middle burner and regulate qi. They are particularly effective in improving vision loss and blindness caused by liver blood deficiency. They also significantly alleviate indigestion and hiccups resulting from spleen deficiency and food stagnation.