And you’re not alone if these unpleasantOK, freakingmiserablesymptoms pop up before your menstrual cycle.
Many of my patients also struggle with sugar cravings before their periods.
Others rely on coffee to compensate for bad sleep.
Or they take the edge off a bad day with a few glasses of red wine.
So, how do you even start to get your symptoms under control?
How adaptogens help reduce PMS symptoms.
(Inthis article, I reveal exactly what to eat during your period to minimize PMS symptoms).
How do they work?
Think of them as a thermostat that naturally adjusts itself to create the perfect room temperature.
They don’t create that crash-and-burn aftermath like caffeine or alcohol.
This powerful root canbalance hormones1andenhance sexual desire2.
Maca can alsohelp manage PMS symptoms3, support your immune system, keep your thyroid healthy, and more.
Some people find maca a little too stimulating, and it can cause stomach discomfort.
(Check out my maca smoothie recipe at the end of this article.)
“Small tasks feel like massive undertakings when I have PMS,” a patient once told me.
I get it: Being productive and focused during this time can be tough.
That’s why I recommend Siberian ginseng to improve energy, stamina, focus, and concentration.
Ginseng helps eliminate fatigue,support the immune system, improve memory and mental alertness, and reduce insomnia.
Research also shows that ginseng canimprove anxiety and depression brought on by stress4as well as inflammatory diseases.
As an all-around bonus, it can alsoincrease sex drive.
Gotu Kola (helps with: excessive stress)
Feeling at the mercy of stress?
PMS symptoms ramp up whatever stress you’re feeling.
Gotu kola can be helpful ifyou’ve been under constant stress.
Giving your adrenals some love during this time while reducing whatever overstimulates them can help you better manage symptoms.
Rhodiola Rosea (helps with: fatigue)
Fatigue before your period?
Rhodiola Rosea extract is what I call the endurance herb.
This is your primary adaptogen bestie to manage stress hormones while boosting energy levels.
Research shows this herbcan relieve stress symptoms5and prevent chronic stress as well as stress-related complications.
Added bonus: Rhodiola also supports healthy progesterone.
However, you shouldn’t take it without supervision if you have a history of depression or bipolar disorder.
If you feel “wired and tired,” this herb can be especially helpful at bedtime.
Ashwagandha reduces inflammation, oxidative stress, and anxiety and improves sleep, memory, energy, and libido.
It can also reduce heavy bleeding during your period andeliminate uterine fibroids with long-term use6.
Ashwagandha is a nightshade, so it may be problematic if you have a sensitivity to the nightshade family.
Cordyceps Sinensis (helps with: junk food cravings)
Cravings getting the best of you?
It also helps nourish and support your adrenals and improve liver function.
Cordycepin also can support your immune system, liver, kidneys, heart, and more.
Added bonus: It makes a great natural aphrodisiac.
It might be due to testosterone.
Licorice root has a long history in Chinese medicine tofight microbes and viruses8.
It also increases energy and decreases inflammation.
Note: Do not take this herb if you have high blood pressure.
How quickly do these adaptogens work their magic?
These adaptogenic herbs work really well on their own and can be combined to have a synergistic effect.
kindly be patient, though.
While I love these herbs and they can be tremendously helpful, they don’t work overnight.
Give them two to three months to really work their magic.
I love products that combine standardized adaptogenic herbs with other nutrients such as B vitamins for comprehensive adrenal support.
How to boost their effectiveness.
As I mentioned above, maca can be naturally stimulating and help ease period-related hot flashes.
Serves 1
Ingredients
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a blender until the mixture is smooth.
