Emmenagogue: Herbs & Food to Stimulate MenstruationCLASSIFICATION OF FOOD, HERBS, & LIFESTYLE

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON EMMENAGOGUE

Herbs which stimulate menstruation. Emmenagogues are used for scanty menstruation, to relieve menstrual pain, and improve blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.

Emmenagogues are herbs or foods that stimulate menstruation in cases of:

• Scanty or delayed menstruation,
• Menstrual pain and/or
• Insufficient blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.

Use them in cases of menstrual retention to restore regular, healthy monthly menses when there are symptoms of:

• Low functioning uterus (low artava agni),
• Blood congestion/stagnation/pelvic congestion syndrome
• Poor circulation (vyana vayu) in the pelvis.

Ayurvedic View of Healthy Menstruation

Women tend towards an excess of blood, while men tend towards an excess of energy.

Healthy menstruation clears this excess, which reduces heat, irritability, water retention, and malaise, leaving women feeling refreshed and grounded.

Menstruation is not specifically a detoxification process like urine, feces or sweat. Instead, it clears toxins and substances alike. Therefore it is more properly a draining process rather than detoxification (Source: Holmes).

Emmenagogue Contraindications

It is a serious error for a clinician to force menstruation in cases of blood deficiency.

Emmenagogues are also contraindicated in pregnancy as they have an abortive effect.

Click here to review the basics of reproductive health.

Causes of a Long Absent Menstrual Cycle (Pathogenesis)

Amenorrhea, light periods, or long menstrual cycles have the following main causes:

1. Poor Liver Function The liver plays a large role in healthy menstruation. A poorly functioning liver will be unable to clear hormones efficiently, delaying menstruation.
2. Suppressed Uterus Function Due to Reproductive Hormones The following reproductive hormones suppress uterine function:
3. Pregnancy or pregnancy hormones such as progesterone
4. High levels of lactation hormones (prolactin)
5. Deficiency / Low Weight (Vata)
   • General deficiency from too much exercise, or weight loss.
   • Blood deficiency (anemia)
   • Estrogen deficiency (menopause, stopping birth control pills)
   Do not use emmenagogues to encourage menstruation in deficiency conditions. Instead, use nutritives, restorative diets, lifestyle and herbs. Example nutritive herbs for reproductive organs include shatavari, damiana, and saw palmetto.
6. Stress / Tension (Vata) As the uterus is a muscle, stress can disrupt its smooth, natural contractions and restrict release of menstrual blood. Travel and emotional shock can also disrupt regular contractions during menstruation, which also disrupts the natural flow of blood from the uterus. In these cases clear toxicity, and use muscle relaxants that are not progesterone based.
7. Uterine Cold (Kapha or Vata) Uterine cold refers to conditions of poor circulation and blood flow to the uterus. Use warming or vasodilator herbs that stimulate blood flow, especially those that have an affinity for the reproductive tract. Example: cinnamon, hing, rosemary, ginger, guggulu, frankincense.
8. Excess / Congestion / Stagnation (Kapha) Congestion and stagnation in the pelvic area can interfere with healthy menstruation. Some causes include:
   • Blood stagnation or congestion (an excess condition)
   • Low thyroid, adrenal exhaustion
   • Ovarian tumors, cysts
   • Other abdominal obstruction such as constipation and abdominal obesity
   Turmeric stimulates the liver and invigorates the blood. Cholagogues such as bhumyamalaki are particularly useful to decongest (thin) the blood plasma, while having a mild laxative effect that clears the abdomen.

Notes on Treatment

• Take appropriate herbs daily until flow arrives. Visit our article on amenorrhea and scroll down for a list of possible herbs.
• Delayed menstruation - Take one week before onset is due
• Scanty menstruation - Take 3-4 days before onset is due until flow arrives.

INGREDIENTS WITH EMMENAGOGUE QUALITY

Browse Emmenagogue Recipes

HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS WITH EMMENAGOGUE QUALITY

OTHER HERB ACTIONS AFFECTING REPRODUCTIVE-HEALTH

HELPFUL FOR*

'Emmenagogue' may be helpful for these symptoms and causes below.

• Reproductive Health

  Dry / light period
  Long menstrual cycle
  No period
  Peri-Menopausal

CONTRAINDICATIONS / AGGRAVATES / IS AGGRAVATED BY*

'Emmenagogue' may aggravate, or be aggravated by, these symptoms and causes below.

• Blood and Circulation

  Anemia
  Iron deficiency
  Prolonged bleeding when cut (Poor clotting)

• Digestion

  Gastrointestinal Bleeding

• Reproductive Health

  Heavy Period

Emmenagogue Recipes Listed By Strength

Browse By Popularity

• Fenugreek & Fennel Tea
• Carrot Ginger & Parsley Vegetable Juicing
• Lemon Rosemary Tea
• Fresh Turmeric Pickle with Hing & Fenugreek
• Mung Dal Kitchari (Vata Reducing)
• Almond Milk Chai / Smoothie
• Apple Chutney with Indian Spices
• Wild Persimmon Pudding
• Corn & Mung Bean Fritters with Parsley, Onion, Pepper & Salt
• Chai Spiced Yogurt
• Saffron Rice with Rose Petals
• Gold Milk
• Almond Milk with Saffron & Cardamom
• Spirulina, Banana, Honey, Cinnamon Smoothie
• Sweet Potato with Pumpkin Spice & Mustard Seed
• Baked Apples in Spicy Apricot Sauce
• Red Lentil Dal
• Parsnip, Potato & Carrot Soup with Turmeric
• Kapha Balancing Tea with Cinnamon & Dill
• Cinnamon Oatmeal with Almonds & Milk
• Red Wine Barley Soup with Rosemary & Mushrooms
• Turmeric & Cumin Rescue Tea
• Sweet & Savory Holiday Spice Blend
• Apple Cider with Spices
• Yams & Mushrooms with Cinnamon & Rosemary
• Buttermilk Curry with Cumin, Mustard Seed & Ghee
• Banana with Ghee & Cinnamon
• Roasted Pears & Raisins
• Epazote Rice
• Honey & Spice Throat Coat
• Grape Juice Chai with Cardamom, Ginger & Turmeric
• Almond Date Shake with Cinnamon
• Wild Rice with Cranberry & Almonds
• Oranges W/ Cinnamon
• Roasted Rice with Dates, Cinnamon & Cardamom
• Plum Sauce with Rosemary
• Apples with Honey & Cinnamon
• Saffron & Fennel Seed Spice Blend