Fennel Seeds for Menstrual Cramps and PMS

Fennel seeds can work as drugs like ibuprofen for painful periods, and an eighth of a teaspoon of ginger powder three times a day can cut menstrual bleeding in half.



For more on treating menstrual pain and PMS see:

Image Credit: Howcheng via Wikimedia Commons.

[Kaleidoscalp]

This is amazing!! And it's WORKING! I couldn't survive without strong painkillers. I ate just a tiny bit of seeds (1/4 of a teaspoon) before bed and woke up still not feeling strong pain, took some more during the day (around 4 servings) - didn't even had to took pills. This is a fantastic result for me! Thank you so much Dr. Greger!

[NaturallyNature]

The ginger works! I have been taking ginger 1 teaspoon a day starting a week before my period and during the 4 days of my period for over 2 years now, I can say for sure this has made a big difference in cramping. Without ginger I have mild cramping, with ginger it's non existent or barely noticeable.

[crazypolishvegan]

Thanks dr Greger! I'm going to show this video to my girlfriend, she's taking way too much painkillers during her period...

[anikaahmed]

Thanks doc for posting this right at the end of my painful period

[mdp]

My mom would have loved to know this when I was a teenager, lol! This video was awesome!!! Thank you doctor Greger!

[ToniInSussex]

I always listen to your videos. I enjoy them. May I suggest that the person who does your sound, balances the volume closer to the majority of videos on YouTube. Your's tend to be significantly louder. Just a suggestion. Thank you for your channel! ❤

[sayhitoashley]

Haha can I just say, the timing of this video is perfect.

I've noticed the pain has increased the older I get. To make matters worse, my ob/gyn told me I don't ovulate and prescribed me Provera so that if I don't menstruate for three months then I should take the pill. Every time I get my period (like now), I think, "boy do I miss not getting my period!" I am on a plant-based diet but I am not fully raw. I know some people stress eating fully raw, but how much of a difference does that make in one's menstrual cycle?

[mdp]

Doctor Greger can you do a video on women not ovulation with regular periods. I have noticed this is more common than anyone knows, and I have a hard time finding info on this. Thanks!

[melola]

As time goes by I've noticed my period cramps get worst and worst to the point of me not being able to leave my bed, or breaking into tears from pain, the only thing making my period bearable is ketoprofen (150 mg/day) and hate taking pills, so this comes really in handy, I'm gonna try this for sure!

[emilycoutu]

Have you made a video about hormonal imbalances yet? I’m particularly interested in seed cycling.

[MikoVanara]

I used to take this for my digestive issues after losing my gallbladder and it did wonders. Good to know if helps with cramps too :-)

[mossymoon]

make sure to drink 6-8 cups of water a day while near or on your period it doesn't help with the severity of cramps but it helps with your over all aches and feeling crappy and stuff

[andreac.]

I didn't see an amount for the fennel?  My daughter doesn't like ginger but she may try fennel.

[estaoteenvenenando]

The subtitles in portuguese at 1'24'' should be toxicidade renal (kidney toxicity) instead of toxicidade hepática (which is liver toxicity). Thank for your work!

[nein]

Really useful information. But now how consume the fennil seeds and the ginger powder? And where can you get them?

[dannyzamudio]

+nutritionfacts.org can you make a video about agave vs granulated sugar..I heard that agave is bad for you. would definitely appreciate if you can make that vid. thanks dr greger!

[sinceresphere]

Dear Dr. Greger, thank you for the useful information as always. I have a question about menstrual cycles - I have been on the plant-based lifestyle for nearly 2 months (no added oil, completely vegan, lots of vegetables, fruit, potatoes) and I haven't had my period for 2 months. I make sure I eat enough, at least 2400 cal, I don't exercise too much (moderate jogging 2-3 times a week, yoga), I was on the pill between the ages of 15-18 and I'm 20 now, since quitting my period has been irregular (28-45 days), but I did get it each month. I have also had worsened acne since starting plant-based. Do you have any advice, what should I do to get my period and heal my hormones overall? (I guess it's hormones, when it's both my period and acne). I would so appreciate it if you'd read this comment. Thank you so much for everything you do and for all the amazing information you provide us with.

[TheSnuffy]

Ibuprofen doesn't even work for me, neither did switching to a healthy vegan diet. I use stuff that surpesses hormones. I wonder if these little things work as well. Really want to try it out. Bleeding more would be a nightmare though....

[ResurrectionRefuge]

Can I just mix some (if so, how much?) in water and drink it fast? [I only ask, because I hate the taste (like black licorice).] If not, are there any bearable vegan recipes with enough fennel to reduce pain?!

[WhiteKitta]

I never get cramps or any other symptoms, except for maybe 1 or 2 pimples on my face somewhere but only if my diet was very crappy aka super processed and very fatty for at least a week before...