As a woman, you know that life doesn’t stop because you have your period.
Between work, social lives, and family, we don’t have time to lie in a dark room with a heating pad all day as we’d like. For many women, the pain experienced during the period can be unbearable. Endometriosis, fibroids, anemia and other conditions amplify the impact.
But there are herbs for menstrual cramps that have been shown to significantly relieve the pain. And — better yet — you can grow these herbs at home in a hydroponic garden.
Let’s explore how.
What Are the Best Herbs for Menstrual Cramps?
The best herbs for menstrual cramps are ones that you can grow yourself. This gives you an endless supply of the freshest and most potent “medicine” money can buy — for a fraction of the cost.
Using certain herbs to reduce or eliminate menstrual pain is well supported by scientific studies. They often work by reducing inflammation and excess bleeding that can cause the pain.
Some of the top herbs for cramps are:
- Ginger root
- Fennel
- Angelica root
Each of these can grow and thrive in a hydroponics garden.
How Does Hydroponics Work?
Hydroponics is the act of growing plants in a nutrient-rich solution rather than in the dirt. The plants are suspended in a non-dirt substrate like clay pellets, peat moss or rockwool.
The idea is to give your plant direct access to the liquid nutrients they need for optimal health while retaining an oxygen balance. This is required both for growth and to prevent rotting, as would happen if the plants just sat in a liquid solution.
A common way to do this is with the ebb & flow system. In this system, you put your hydroponics system on a timer that periodically floods the pots with liquid nutrients before draining it away.
This is the perfect way to grow root herbs like ginger because there’s no dirt. Root herbs can otherwise be a lot of work — digging it up, harvesting some and replanting it.
Supplies You’ll Need
The easiest and most effective thing to do if you’re new to hydroponics is purchase and hydroponics kit.
A kit will include things like:
- Pumps
- Grow trays like a resin flower pot
- Grow lights
- Timer
- Growing medium
- Hydroponics nutrients
- Reservoirs
- pH testing kit
You could also choose a DIY approach, cutting out holes in large PVC pipes or a Rubbermade container for your pots.
Set Up Your Hydroponics System
Set up your system according to the kit’s instructions.
Remember, if your garden is indoors, you will have to have a source of light. This may require purchasing plant lights if they didn’t come with the kit.
How To Be Successful at Hydroponics
Hydroponics isn’t difficult. But it does take knowledge and discipline. When you’re looking for a way to fight menstrual cramps with natural herbs like fennel, ginger and angelica root, you don’t want extra hassle. So here are so tips for success.
- Follow instructions. Hydroponics is a science. There is some preciseness to it.
- More isn’t always better. Using more nutrients than required doesn’t necessarily get better results.
- Keep nutrients in a dark container. Light and extra air will reduce potency.
- Sterilize everything between crops. Fungus, bacteria or disease can transfer and become stronger with each crop.
- Careful about transferring outside contaminants to your garden. If you were working in an outdoor garden or playing with the dog, wash up.
Enjoy the wonderful world of hydroponics and fight cramps at the same time. That sounds like the perfect combination.
Would you add any tips for fighting cramps with natural remedies or getting started with hydroponics? Comment below.
